I do not know how to find out which traditions allow for study and practice without a teacher and which ones do.

I wish I could have a clear answer. I feel as though I'm only getting a lot of vague suggestions or hints and being told to "figure it out". This is what drove me from Christianity. No one could give me clear, direct answers and just gave me vague responses to my direct questions.

I suppose I should accept that for what it is.

I will continue to practice meditation, that's not a problem. I was looking for Buddhist practice; for dharma study and practice (of which meditation is just one part). If it's not possible to do this without a teacher, then I would like to know for certain: Yes or no. That's all I'm asking for is just a simple "yes" or "no" to the question "can I study and practice the dharma without a teacher?"

If the answer is "yes", then I will pursue Zen as it's the "tradition" that I feel the greatest affinity for. If the answer is "no" then I will know to abandon the dharma until life takes me away from this place and delivers me to a place where there are teachers.