Buddhism

It's been a while since I've studied Buddhism but there are still a few things that I know and remember about it. First of all, I know that it technically isn't a religion, it is a lifestyle. The reason for this is that it isn't focused on any form of "higher power", rather it is centered around the human growth and experience. I'm more or less familiar with the eight fold path, as well as the story of how the Buddha was born into a wealthy family, one day snuck out of the manor, sat beneath a tree and witnessed the various kinds of suffering people experience. I find it interesting because, in the story, the Buddha was extremely wealthy. He had everything he could possibly want, but a hole remained in him that only a higher understanding of spirituality and the human condition could fill. That's just what he sought out and found. It's a really beautiful story, as well as profoundly inspirational. I've only met a handful of Buddhists in my life, but one common trait I've seen in all of them is that they seem to be calm, content, and at peace with their current place in life, and focused on where they want to go with their spiritual journey. I think because of the human-centered nature of Buddhism, individuals that adhere to it tend to have an above average understanding of themselves and the world around them. I'm aware that the goal of every Buddhist is to attain the state of Nirvana, which can otherwise be described as the state of complete peace, spiritual enlightenment, and happiness. The way they describe Nirvana sounds incredibly appealing, but I'm not entirely sure if that path is the right fit for me. I will always have a significant appreciation of the spiritual and cultural contributions of Buddhism, but I don't think the lifestyle is the path that I'm supposed to take.