NOV 21, 2016—We’ve been asking our listeners through a survey: What role do religion and spirituality play in your life? Heather Hernandez responded. She’s a Berkeley librarian who calls herself a Zen Atheist.
HERNANDEZ: I try to always take a moment before engaging in any activity to think about how that activity does or will connect me with the world. When I’m knitting I try to think: where did this yarn come from? Sheep? Fields? In a different country? I’m connected to the people that grew the fibers, that spun it, that sold it. I try to really be present in it, to give it my full attention, to really experience it.
Hernandez fits into the growing category that demographers call the “Nones”. Nones don’t have a religious affiliation, rather they are atheists, agnostics and seekers.
Hernandez says she realized she was an atheist first, but then discovered Zen through a book. That also made sense to her. Atheism was how she thought about God, but Zen was a way to slow down and be thoughtful about her life.
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