[Buincchotourbss]

Yes, I understand, Cobalt.

I came to realise that I could cut out all that stuff by a different route.

I was heavily involved offline with Tibetan Buddhism for years and never quite bonded with all the emphasis on karma and reincarnation - though a Tibetan teacher had confirmed to me that the 'realms' could be taken as mental states.

I came across the Forest Tradition teachings of the late Ajahn Chah about 3 or 4 years or so ago on the internet, and appreciated them greatly. Also,a little later, thanks to Element, I began to read some of the (controversial to some) teachings of Ajahn Buddhadasa. Eventually, I became intrigued by what Ajahn Sumedho had to say - and I noticed that over a period of time I had been gradually letting go of TB altogether.

I finally understood at some stage along the way that it wasn't necessary to believe in all the clutter and add-ons to be a practising Buddhist, or even to take a position one way or the other, no matter what others had to say to the contrary.

I also realised that I could investigate Ajahn Sumedho's clear and direct approach offline, and being able to have one-to-one conversation with him has been hugely inspiring.

Additionally, thanks again to Element's encouragement, at some point before that, I began reading the Pali Canon.


Woops, I'm going way off topic.... back to Stephen Batchelor !