Hello, Kalyana Mittas! I am a lay Buddhist practicing in the Thai Forest tradition. I took refuge in the Triple Gem two years ago. I'm happy to be here! I grew up very Catholic with a strong devotion to the Blessed Mother, but could not stomach the institution of Catholicism. My belief in rebirth and additional realms led me to Buddhism, and I ultimately arrived at the teachings of Ajahn Chah.
I don't know any Buddhists in real life, which makes my "real life" (aka my spiritual life) feel very solitary, even though my "fake life" (conventional lay life) has people in it.
I'm happy to have the Dhamma in my life, even if practice is solitary!
Many thanks for reading!
Hello from outside of Ithaca, NY
Re: Hello from outside of Ithaca, NY
Hello, magicbeans, and welcome to Dhamma Wheel. 
Re: Hello from outside of Ithaca, NY
Welcome!
Liberation is the inevitable fruit of the path and is bound to blossom forth when there is steady and persistent practice. The only requirements for reaching the final goal are two: to start and to continue. If these requirements are met there is no doubt the goal will be attained. This is the Dhamma, the undeviating law.
- BB
- BB