---
name: n-rational-buddhism
description: "Use when applying The Almanack of Naval Ravikant to use testable inner work while rejecting unverifiable claims as operating truth. Trigger for user requests involving Naval, n-, naval rational buddhism, life design, wealth, judgment, happiness, health, values, or book-derived operating principles."
---

# Naval Rational Buddhism

## Purpose

Use testable inner work while rejecting unverifiable claims as operating truth.

## Read First

- `../../references/book-map.md`
- `../../references/coverage-matrix.yaml`
- `../../references/skill-catalog.md`
- `../../references/chapter-summaries/philosophy.md`
- `../../references/workflows/decision-scorecard.md`

## Use When

- The user asks for `n-rational-buddhism` directly.
- The user asks: "Give me a rational inner-work frame."
- The user is dealing with: use testable inner work while rejecting unverifiable claims as operating truth.
- The situation would benefit from a values clarification, boundary, or immediate action.

## Workflow

1. Restate the user's situation in plain language.
2. Ask for missing context only when the decision would otherwise be unsafe or fake.
3. Apply the relevant Naval lens from the references.
4. Separate signal from status, desire, fear, identity, and generic self-help.
5. Convert the principle into a concrete decision, scorecard, experiment, practice, or next action.
6. Include a short caveat when the topic touches health, finance, legal risk, or exact citation.

## Output

Return concise sections:

- Situation
- Naval lens
- Diagnosis
- Options or scorecard
- Recommended action
- 7-day experiment or daily practice
- What to avoid

## Do Not

- Do not reproduce long book passages.
- Do not pretend Naval has one answer for every person.
- Do not give generic motivation when a decision, practice, or test is possible.
- Do not treat money, status, peace, health, and meaning as interchangeable.

## Example

User: "Give me a rational inner-work frame."
Assistant: Apply this skill, cite the relevant reference section, and end with one concrete action.

## Quality Bar

- Make the answer specific to the user's actual situation.
- Prefer one sharp recommendation over a buffet of advice.
- Name the tradeoff or hidden cost.
- End with something the user can do, test, stop, or observe today.