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"The Way of Zen" by Alan Watts.

In its first chapter there's the best and only compelling argument I've ever read in favour of spirituality and why people believe in God. Even an ultra-atheist like me finally got why people have faith. There are obvious blind spots in science and logic that can't be explained away with more theorems.

If logic is pointed thought, it's good to recognize there's some things that can only be seen by unfocusing your mind. Some shadows only appear in your peripheral vision.



Perhap similarly, on an arduous journey to better my mental health and character I have found much to learn with paradoxical situations arising in zen koans. A good book with plenty of koans was Mumonkan/Gateless gate, in a compilation like this: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/593516.Two_Zen_Classics They've been helpful as a reinforcement (and contrast) to more logical things, as well as therapies (DBT, CBT).


Thanks for the recommendation.

I really want to get into Zen Buddhism (as a form of spirituality that meshes better with my atheism), but after that first chapter the Alan Watts book becomes pretty dense and I need serious time and dedication to unpack its arguments. I probably need something easier to digest.


I'm an atheist like you, and there is one book that clicked for me: "The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching" by Thich Nhat Hanh.

It has an excellent part about "rebirth", illustrated by waves and water. I now look at the world through different eyes. That is to say, I'm still atheist, love science, and that book never conflicts with reality. But I admit I was wrong on how I saw the world, and now I see it differently.

Zen Buddhism for me is a different way on how to look at the world.


As a recommendation, I found Alan Watts' "You're It" much easier to digest and come back to multiple times. It really can be considered as a Zen way of thinking, whether you are religious, spiritual, or atheistic. Alan Watts also tends to leave judgment aside, which is helpful when coming at his works with different (or no) specific beliefs.


I found "Real Zen for real life" by Bret W. Davis pretty approachable.

It's from The Great Courses, but also available as audiobook on Audible.

BTW he also recommends the same book (gateless gate + blue cliff records, same translation) as the parent poster.




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