I don't think I can be your guide but I would be happy to discuss Buddhism with you. I studied Buddhism as a philosophy in college and during my study abroad year in China.
What next steps are you talking about? What makes you nervous?
I'd like to go to a temple at some point and pledge the three jewels. I'm not sure if I am to dress a special way or such. I was looking to see if there was an option to do it online.. I see a lot of services that either look like scams or are more dedicated to meditation and not religion.
I'm also hiding this from most of my family as I don't think they would approve of me doing this stuff. Finally there's definitely that gut feeling I am doing something horribly wrong.
Are you interested in Buddhism as a philosophy or a religion? If you want to be religious, I can't be much help. I think that the most fruitful aspects of Buddhism are the philosophy of the self and mindfulness mediation.
Why don't you try calling or emailing your nearest Buddhist temple? I honestly think the average temple would be quite happy to hear from a person who wants to be more active in the religion. Buddhist people tend to be very welcoming and accepting, because they're Buddhists.
Okay
Did you get a hold of a temple? How did it go?
No luck so far. Tried about 1/3rd of the state so far.
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