[mbaueee]

The quickest one-sentence summary I could give of Buddhism Without Beliefs (from what I remember after reading it) is this: Buddhist religions and dharma practice don't need to be conflated, because it is entirely possible to be diligent and devoted to the latter without getting bogged down in the former.

For a lot of people who have been thinking about these things longer than I have, I can see why this wouldn't be an earthshattering revelation or anything. For me, though, it was part of me learning that it's okay to spend time and effort on dharma practice even if I don't believe in gods and extraplanar quests and past lives and ghosts and supernatural karma. It fell into my lap at precisely the time I needed. It was actually mentioned to me in one of my first threads here, and that book and this board have had a big influence on me.

Anyway. Ramble over. Summary: I like Stephen Batchelor, and if I had sound on my computer at the moment, I would be able to offer more specific feedback on this video.