Expert: Stuart Resnick - 2/27/2007

Question
Hi, I am taking an online class right now that is requiring I interview an expert. So I had a few questions I would like to ask you and if you could reply ASAP that would be wonderful!

1. How did you get started/ interested in Buddhism?
2. Is there anyone you looked up to before practicing the religion?
3. What are you currently doing as a Buddhist, if you are one?


Answer
1. In growing up, when I experienced personal suffering, or saw the suffering of other people in the world, or thought about the inevitable suffering in life, I got a big question about how to deal with it. I tried different schools of meditation, which helped me to see for myself how thinking creates suffering, particularly holding ideas of I/my/me. I personally like Zen more than other schools because other traditions required me to believe in something, whereas in Zen I only believe in my true self.

2. My brother.

3. Responding to each moment that appears, while keeping the great questions: "What am I?" and "How can I help other beings?"