[AXGreg]

Aloka-D, thank you for posting that site for me. I read the exerpts from the article. I will look at that site and read from it. Thanks again for the advice. It is good to get some clarification about taking refuge. I appreciate the help.

soundtrack, thank you for all of the good advice. I will look at that video that you suggested. I honestly was a loyal atheist for probably months before getting interested in Buddhism again. I don't consider myself labled as anything now.

For some reason I find comfort in feeling like I belong to something. I would like to feel like i'm a part of another spiritual tradition.I think it would help me to take refuge, because it would I think give me more focus. I will eventually look up some Buddhist groups near where I live. It is just a matter of getting to them.

I don't have car insurance or mass transit where I live, so that can make things difficult when it comes to traveling to a certain location.

I know that the I that I speak of is impermanent. It is just hard not of speak of I and me. I really do appreciate all of your advice. Thanks again.