How I did it: After years of reading Buddhist texts and researching religion in general, the other day I sat down and spontaneously wrote a two-page "essay" laying out what I believe in. It feels good to have it all there in plain language, ready to be shared with others. Basically, my "religion" is an amalgamation of Buddhist and Taoist philosophy, Chistian morality, and Wiccan spirituality.

Lessons & tips: We're lucky enough to live in a society where we're free to practice and believe in whatever religion we want to. Take full advantage of that fact. Don't just blindly follow the path you inherited. Make your own way and search until you find what works for you.

Resources: Books: "Why Christianity Must Change or Die" Bishop Shelby Spong. " "Wicca for the Solitary Practitioner" - Mark Cunningham. "The Tao Te Ching" - Lao Tzu. "Siddhartha" - Hermann Hesse. Any book by Thich Nhat Hanh. "Thoughts Without a Thinker" Mark Epstein. The Bible.

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Feb 11, 2009, 10:35AM PST | 1 comment | 4 cheers