(keywords) (slightly edited version) Approaching Buddhism, academic, Afghanistan, Gandhara Buddha images, suttas, patticca samuppada, Abhidhamma, cetasika, dosamula citta, cultural conditioning, devotion, Kalama Sutta, dhammavicaya, 7 bojjhanga, enquiry, believing, new age, pilates, chi gong, mantra chanting, silent meditation, accumulating spiritual credentials, Ajahn Chah, pariyutti, fear of death, patipatti, cooking, wisdom, beginner, America, sila, samadhi, pannya, Ven. Ananda, freedom from remorse, intention, disciplined attention, treadle sewing machine, potters wheel, discernment, accumulation of information, letting go, fear of a snake, relief, equanimity, aversion, listening inwards.