Will I find spiritual diversity in TN? (Knoxville, Chattanooga: university, closing)

[headn4thehills]

Okay - not everyone may know this but the bible belt does run all the way down to Orlando, Fl and, hey, that's perfectly wonderful. I also realize the bible belt fits snuggly around TN. My question is whether I will have difficulty finding like-minded people if I were, say, a Buddhist? During my research to find a meditation center in Chattanooga, I noticed that the only Buddhist center was closing, apparently due to lack of interest/money. I noticed there was a center in Nashville but there are also gobs of people living in that area and I don't want to live in a city.

Can anyone share their views on whether I will find others in the Chattanooga and/or Knoxville area that, let's say, walk a different path spiritually?

Namaste

[Artemis Moon]

You might try looking at the East Tennessee Vegetarian Society website. I know they have alot of links for other related things. Not saying that it ties in, but I often find there's more diversity in vegetarians. Just a thought.

Maybe even looking at yoga websites in Knoxville. Sometimes they have links, too.

I'm curious to see what you find because I am possibly moving that way from Seattle.

Hope that helps!

[alleycat]

Originally Posted by headn4thehills

I noticed there was a center in Nashville but there are also gobs of people living in that area and I don't want to live in a city.

I like to think of us as a mob, rather than a gob.

Thanks.

;-)

[Al in Knoxville]

There are a surprising number of non-Christians in Knoxville, once you know where to look. Start your search at any of the Unitarian Universalist churches, or pick up the weekly newspaper the Metro Pulse and look at the "upcoming meetings" in the back. You also can visit Green Earth Emporium on Kingston Pike, which has Buddhist boooks and things and they can also point you in the direction of additional resources. I know there are individuals here that offer yoga classes in various locations around town. If you Google "Buddhist Knoxville" you get 200,000 hits, which is a good sign!
The Metro Pulse is also available online (Google it).

I think the presence of the University here helps contribute to a greater number of "nontraditional" beliefs than you might expect in East TN.

[headn4thehills]

Thanks for the input Artemis Moon. I'm always swaying back and forth between being a vegetarian and being carnivorous, but when feeding a family of 6 it gets a bit daunting trying to keep those vegetarian meals exciting. I have also been practicing yoga since 2002 and I'm keeping my eyes peeled for those outlets as well.

I see you are from Seattle. Just spent a week in the northwest, scoping it out for a potential move there. Fell absolutely in love with Ashland, Oregon - but, alas, I so do not want to move to a place that is more expensive than Florida. Just don't think it's in the cards. Now I'm eyeing the TN mtns.

Thx

[JMT]

Originally Posted by headn4thehills

Okay - not everyone may know this but the bible belt does run all the way down to Orlando, Fl and, hey, that's perfectly wonderful. I also realize the bible belt fits snuggly around TN. My question is whether I will have difficulty finding like-minded people if I were, say, a Buddhist? During my research to find a meditation center in Chattanooga, I noticed that the only Buddhist center was closing, apparently due to lack of interest/money. I noticed there was a center in Nashville but there are also gobs of people living in that area and I don't want to live in a city.

Can anyone share their views on whether I will find others in the Chattanooga and/or Knoxville area that, let's say, walk a different path spiritually?

Namaste

There's also a Buddhist retreat just outside of Cookeville in the Monterey area. It's very popular, people from all over Tennessee converge there.

You'll probably have more luck in college towns like Cookeville, Knoxville, Johnson City, etc., when it comes to finding active communities of non-Christians.

[headn4thehills]

Welcome Al. Thanks to you for sharing. Just started my search on Google. Yes, I am familiar with the influence of a college town bringing a bit more diversity to an area. Although here in Gainesville, I think most of the students are so preoccupied with supporting their team - they don't branch out as much. At least that's what I've found here.

Enjoy the forums.

[tsimmu]

Knoxville has a sanga -- Losel Shredup Ling. We're located in Bearden near the University of Tennessee.