this post was submitted on 10 Feb 2026
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I consider myself Buddhist. Im not a particularly good Buddhist and im not an asshole so I generally keep it to myself.
When I was a teenager 20+ years ago I learned as much as I could about it. I wasnt ready to commit to anything so I carried on as an atheist, but I always felt that if anyone got it right, it was Buddha. If youre going to have a spiritual/religious philosophy, being devoted to the elimination of suffering seems like pretty much the best central concept you could go from IMO.
Im particularly drawn to Soto Zen. Theres a straightforwardness to it and zazen that makes sense to me. I really do need to sit zazen more regularly though.
Would you be willing to share why you feel so drawn to Soto Zen?
I read Hardcore Zen by Brad Warner at a fairly young age and liked his characterization of it. Like I said, it has a straightforward, practical quality to it that I appreciate. Most of what ive read on it since (im currently reading The Three Pillars of Zen, which is also from a Soto perspective) emphasizes discipline more than "religious" practices, which appeals to me. Im not much for religious ceremony or ritual, but i can understand discipline and practice. Even if I often fall short.
Reincarnation seems interesting except I hate the "you shouldn't desire anything" aspect...
like... what if its wrong? Why the fuck shouldn't I get to enjoy my current incarnation?
There's nothing to say you can't enjoy life. Buddhism teaches mindfulness, which encourages you to appreciate where you are. There is joy to find in simply appreciating your circumstances, rather than striving for things like material wealth endlessly. It teaches escaping the treadmill of accumulation which ends up controlling us. By grasping interconnectedness, possession is left behind, and we liberate ourselves from suffering.
Thats my understanding, anyhow. Ive got a long way to go still.