A little more on Buddhism and atheism for your readers

I post on Buddhist-themed things, specifically awareness or mindfulness meditation. There’s a totally secular application of it in physical and mental health circles, and then there’s the more “religious” - both Asian and Western flavor. I’m somewhere in between. The Buddha’s words (which you’ve quoted I see!) on not believing anything unless it has been personally tested and proven are essential to understanding Buddhism.

If you or your wise readers are interested, here’s a place to start:

http://sharanam.tumblr.com/tagged/secular%20religion

I also highly recommend this article in the Washington Post.

Note on sharanam’s background: I was raised in a very secular, though Christian family. Although my grandfather was an Episcopal priest and Divinity School professor, he was also a radical theologian. I got interested in Buddhism as a young teen (now 20 years ago). I studied it in school, and really only theorized it until the past few years. And then I went to Burma for seven months to practice meditation. I am a deeply religious person, but not in the traditional sense of the word. Those teachers and thinkers that influence me tend to be rebels and radicals, deeply inquiring types. My brother is a total non-believer, my sister is a Jewish convert, and there’s me. Go figure.

Absolutely no problem if you choose not to submit. This is in no way intended to be an advertisement or proselytization. I just happen to care a lot about this, have some knowledge of it, and am sharing info with those who might be interested.

Thank you!

Submitted by sharanam