A/Occidental Buddhism

'Occidental Buddhists' are individuals of Western or non-Asian origin who have adopted or practice Buddhism. Occidental Buddhists often engage with Buddhist teachings, practices, and philosophy (for me Buddhism is a philosophy, not a religion), while incorporating their own cultural and personal backgrounds. They may draw from various Buddhist traditions, such as Theravada, Mahayana, Zen, or Tibetan Buddhism, and adapt them to suit their needs and circumstances. "The A/Occidental Buddhist" is me, Thomas Patrick Connelly, Jr.

I became interested in Zen Buddhism during college at Georgetown University, where I learned to sit zazen. After a particularly challenging flight in the T-34 at NAS Corpus Christi, I found that I was physically exhausted but mentally very alert and at peace (hence the 'accidental' Buddhism). I realized that during my flight I was so task-saturated that I had no opportunity to do anything except fly the aircraft. This 'mindlessness' is the essence of zazen/zen. It is a projection outward into the universe and the concomitant literal annihilation of 'self' from one infinitesimal moment to the next. This practice served me well when I went on to fly the T-45 at NAS Kingsville, and still serves me to this day. As I write this, I have been alienated from my children for four years. The annihilation of self precludes suffering (dukkha) because only the self can suffer. My practice therefore consists of meeting each infinitesimal moment as a newborn baby would. In that moment, I am no longer Thomas Patrick Connelly, Jr. I am not a father. I just am. Sum ergo cogito.

P.S. Click here for an aviation-related example of the consequences of not paying attention (practicing zazen). An instructor allowed his student to fly a perfectly good aircraft into the ground, and both died. It happens every day.