Hi Peter

Thank you for sharing your thoughts, it is always a pleasure to talk with you! I enjoy your unique perspective. Thank you for sharing the information about other religious practices and their beliefs on rebirth as well.

I think the example of the garden of Eden, Adam and Eve is a good way to conceptualise good and bad concurrently. As a result, we all gained free will. At the same time protection ceased. A choice for arguably a good thing, also results in pain.

You seem to have a good understanding of Buddhism already.

You’re right, Buddhism often contradicts itself. What I’ve experienced is a focus on dualism and non-dualism. Everything is and isn’t at the same time.

Disease of the mind is a concern. A lot of harms from the past, our memory revisits in the present. At the same time, the present and the future can be problematic too. Attachment in general is warned against but at the same time welcomed.

Ultimately, our actions in the present are all we have control over. The present serves as an anchor to train the mind how to function in a healthy way.

There’s also insight into the function of nothingness as the mind is afraid of not existing.

I’m curious if you have any questions, or if I managed to answer your question at all?