The Reborn Atheist

Looking at the title that is just freshly typed, I ask myself, "Is there even such a thing as a reborn atheist". And what has flashed in the neurons in my brain as the letters forming those words appear with an  automatic touch on the correct keys on the keyboard?

A deeper thought produces something else, maybe not "reborn" but a move, a shift in the spectrum. Closer to being a god?

Please! No.

It is simply the asking of questions to move forward. No god no jutsu!  No soul. Yes you heard it right.. for the soul is described as the notion of mental and physical aggregates and we give it the idea that it is something (when there is really nothing?).

Ah yea-- that is Buddhism 101 for you folks there-- if you think Buddhism is all about souls and reincarnation, you are dead wrong.. Those came about when the Tibetans who already had their own religions and practices incorporated Buddhism into their culture which spreads forth from there into the many forms we know see in other parts of the world. Buddha did not believe in souls nor a god/ gods and Buddhism to me is a way of life, not a religion. 

It was confusing and for many years I have to say the laziness on my part not to search out with more due diligence has led to some rather skewed views formed only within my mind. Yet it is not all bad but more on how it all comes together later.

when I came to know more recently and gain further insight, "Theravada emphasizes direct insight gained through critical analysis and experience rather than blind faith." as opposed to other school(s) of thought. 


The idea of meditation was some dude sitting cross legged in a quiet room, often accompanied by the burning of incense and basically closes his eyes and doing nothing for hours. Sure I tried that for a while, but nothing much happen really. I did realize a few things-- if there is anything to be gained by quiet/ solitude-- that is pretty much not achievable living as a commoner in this bustling overcrowded city state..

Over time I have come to see how polluted the noise and light level is around here. Yet does that mean I need to give up trying to attain insight into things? No.

Ok wait-- is this whole article an endorsement into a certain school of thought? No but because of my own cognitive process prior to reading more, I have come to realize many things I did was in a similar fashion to what was read recently on Theravada Buddhism.

The idea of a central being that encompasses everything and or is needed as a central figure is an oxymoronic idea to me. This is where, often it is misunderstood as we also tend to see Buddha as the central figure in Buddhism. Yes and some schools tend to see it that way or have teachings that will lead to such ideas.  Buddha just means the "Awakened One"... to put it in perspective, can everyone  be a Buddha then? This is where I can't reconcile with what I have read so far. Because the answer is that in every age of the Earth there is only 1 Buddha.. other enlightened beings are Arhats. This to me is a little like splitting hair.

I shall not cross compare too much here but just to espouse a little of my own journey. The similarities would not be hard to see if one does a little on what Theravada is all about.

Frankly, where can I put myself?... At best it can be said that I am at the "Awakening" stage. Not fully awake.. We all are, aren't we?

But how do we know, or in my case, be aware of being in the process of awakening?

Ego

That tether that is holding us back, unable to truly see things due to selfishness and desires. Or only see what is in front of us that we hold dear. That emphasis of placing ourselves before others. But to simply suppress that feeling and try to be a "nice and good" person because you think that will somehow help you later or in things like after lift is not going to cut it either.. Those kind of action are guided by the idea of attaining something in the future..

To me, the important thing is just "to be".