Do not believe. . .

[Garr]

"Believe nothing merely because you have been told it. Do not believe what your teacher tells you merely out of respect for the teacher. But whatsoever, after due examination and analysis, you find to be kind, conducive to the good, the benefit, the welfare of all beings -- that doctrine believe and cling to, and take it as your guide."

-- Buddha

[zenmandan]

"Believe nothing merely because you have been told it. Do not believe what your teacher tells you merely out of respect for the teacher. But whatsoever, after due examination and analysis, you find to be kind, conducive to the good, the benefit, the welfare of all beings -- that doctrine believe and cling to, and take it as your guide."

-- Buddha

He is speaking of the Rule of the Universe...knowing what is right and doing it. This is why I love Buddhism. I'm not asked to believe in anything. I'm not asked to take anything on faith. I don't have to attend anything once/twice a week. It is not based on thought, but upon action. It has nothing to do with belief and everything to do with what you do. Right mind, right thought, right action. It's simple. It's elegant. It's truthful. It's probably the most difficult undertaking of my life, and I love it.

[Garr]

I've been on the brink of buddhism for a long time. . .but I am still afraid of the stricture of any religion or philosophy. Even the loosest basis of structure sends me into a tailspin.

[zenmandan]

Look into Zen Buddhism. Read "Zen Mind, Beginners Mind" by Shunryu Suzuki. You can borrow mine if you like. I also have several other books to check out. There are many different sects of Buddhism, like any other religion. I follow the Soto Zen sect, which focuses on Zazen, or sitting meditation. "Enlightenment" isn't a concern, as it is with other Buddhism philosiphies. There is also Rinzai Zen, which utilizes Koans during Zazen (like "what is the sound of one hand clapping) as a means to enlightenment.

You mentioned structure sending you running. I, too, hate structured religion. Within a few pages of reading, I think you'll have a new understanding of this modern Buddhism. It accepts science wholeheartedly, and even utilizes it (much discussion on the autonomic nervous system and how it relates to Zazen, as well as your thoughts and actions). I also have several web pages that I visit daily...daily quotes, blogs, etc. Let me know, I'll send you the whole list.