Religion is one the more interesting things we humans do, in what it inspires and in the multitudinous ways the wildly diverse religions influence how we see and act in the world. Religion in whatever guise has a great capacity to make believers incredibly stupid, and in that some are far worse than others. On the other hand, religion in whatever guise has the capacity to inspire transcendence, bringing out of us what is the best of what we are, despite ourselves, though I think it really has more to do with our own potential than the particular dogma to which one might adhere. Religion is an ever fascinating thing to watch and in which participate.

Coming out of a Roman Catholic background, I have been a Buddhist for 40 years, having studied with Tibetan, Zen, and Theravadin teachers. For me it is the fundamental wisdom of insecurity that I find most inspiring and challenging in the Buddha’s teaching. No need for absolute answers, no need for a dependence upon a big daddy, in face of the dynamic play of a rapidly, ever changing life and death. It is in the very change itself that wisdom is found.