First things first. Exploring Buddhism doesnt require you to drastically change your life. If you already have another religion, you can absolutely keep it. Many people are Christians and also use Buddhism. That's okay.
Your main thing right now is to "try it on" like you would try on a shirt. See what fits. See what doesn't.
So let's gwt started.
There are 4 ways I can recommend:
1) I can recommend a short-ish booklet. About 30 pages
2) you can mention a difficulty or question you have in your life, and I can share what buddhism says and what you might try
3) there is a long list of short poems (about 200 two line poems)
4) there are guided meditations (about 15 minutes to an hour) that I can recommend.
After that, you and I can chat. You tell me what is helpful and what isn't. And then I can offer more.
I would also warn you that whatever you learn in Buddhism at the beginning might be something that changes later on. The reason is because Buddhism is quite practical and there will be different things that are useful at different points. So I wouldn't get hung up on what is the true Buddhism. At the beginning, it's a lot of exploring and trying things out.
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If #1, I recommend The Buddha's Teachings by Thanisaro Bhikkhu https://www.dhammatalks.org/books/#BuddhasTeachings
If #2, it really depends. If there is a lot of anger, the standard antidote is loving kindness meditation. If there is anxiety and worry, there are grounding things like simple breath meditation or my technique of 3 Last Breaths. If it is grief over a loss, it is to reflect on what hasn't died; when the Buddha's body died, his teachings and goodness did not die. So we don't lament his death. Often people need self care. Or to do less and slow down. But this is easier said than down. Slowing down might mean accepting chaos rather than trying to control it.
If #3, google the Dhammapada. Thos is very good because short poems allow a lot of personal interpretation. And having about 200 means you can focus on the ones that hit home and resonate.
If #4, I recommend two things.
First, there is a short Dan Harris video which is good for people who want to jump right in. And then Nikki Mirghafori has a lot of videos from Happy Hour at Insight Meditation Center.
https://youtu.be/LKZ9sN3nL2c?si=StuE0PGwzpN76udZ
https://www.youtube.com/live/KUMvmAcZ0So?si=v-8ZaRxP_ea5jwDS
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