Possible Potential Buddhist

There are four branches of Buddhism. Theravadin, Mahayana, and Zen Buddhism are three branches that have come to the attention of the West, Pure Land Buddhism much less so. All four offer very profound teachings of the Buddha, but have very different psychologies, values, practices, and views of Enlightenment. You must pay attention to your intuitions and feelings if you are to select one of these paths to Enlightenment. Far be it for me to try to influence your choice. However, with regard to your cultural experiences of the value of mathematics and physics, I can say that Theravadin psychology comes closest to being scientific in the sense that it is a strictly causal theory that, at least in principle, could be translated into a scientific theory. At the same time, I need to say that, just as modern physics is very difficult to understand, so also is Theravadin psychology difficult to understand and not needed to practice mindfulness meditation. In all four branches, practice is the key to progress. The choice is yours to make. I am not qualified to advise you on the nature of Hindu (Persian) branches of contemplative theory and practice.

I have felt a similar sort of conflict between scientific rationalism and some aspects of Buddhist thought. I find this quote from the 14th Dalai Lama really helpful

Don’t try to use what you learn from buddhism to be a buddhist; use it to be a better whatever-you-already-are.

For me the conflict comes from trying to be a Buddhist and getting hung up on what one does and doesn't need to believe and accept be a part of this religion. If you are conflicted than don't worry and don't be a Buddhist. But do learn from Buddhism and try to put it into practice in your daily life if that's what you feel is right. Jack Kornfield similarly says

Don't be a Buddhist, be a Buddha

which I think points to the same thing (no reference - sorry; he just said it a lot in his podcasts)

Sometimes a highly intelligent, or highly developed mind could find it hard to sustain in the mundane world. The antidote is cultivating compassion. It's impossible for a mind keep striving for higher and higher pure intellectual understanding of the world, man, and life. It will backfire. Maybe there is a safety valve embedded in the totality of this whole mass of existence, that the cosmos could leap into being, explosion, collapse and re-exist again. When you find stifled by your intellect and reason, it's always a sign you should go back down and land on the earth, care about the simple ordinary life and surrounding, including other beings. This is the way of acquiring wisdom.

I believe the Buddha was a very very intelligent man, it would be unbearable for him to live in the world if he didn't cultivate compassion.

My teacher always insisted, there's no conflict between Buddhism and the rational world, no conflict between Buddhism and the scientific method. He said, one can be saint and a successful businessman. The Buddhism's teaching on karma, emotional intelligence, and the nature of phenomena, are all continuation of the rational approach we know from western discourse.

The only difference I know of is in the goal. The implied goal of mainstream culture these days is what's known as success: personal and professional realization. The goal of Buddhism, in Theravada school is the peace of Nirvana and in Mahayana school is the endless service to the world and people. And yet, my teacher said, you can have it all: peace, service, and realization.

The only choice we have, he said, is to try and achieve something greater, and what can be greater than spiritual realization? The other alternative, the life of mediocrity, is not a serious choice.

If you're just starting out then I'm not sure you need to make any strong choices. You could go on a temporary retreat where the teacher guides you to learn how to guide yourself.

Everyone needs guidance. The Dhamma is all about guidance. I wasn't even on the path to being an adult until the guidance of the Dhamma.

The Dhamma is all about science. I never new the reductive method until I practiced reductive insight meditation.

Staying in the outer world with no method to understand the inner world is perfect conditions for suffering. The Dhamma is a scientific way to transcend suffering. One doesn't have to give up much in the beginning. I mean, the whole teaching is just that: Learning how to let go.