I encourage looking at these threads, topics and posts from recent days ...
We have our weekly Treeleaf Zazenkai ... including this week's in remembrance of Tai Shi, old leaf fallen ... LINK
Our May monthly Zazenkai can still be sat, and begins a series on Master Dogen's Ocean Mudra Samadhi ... LINK
... the Talk is also available in the Treeleaf Podcast ... LINK
We have our other Zen Sittings too during the week ... LINK ... including European Sunday Zazenkai ... LINK ... and Sitting for Peace with Washin in Ukraine ... LINK
I like my analogies ... so, as the weather warms ... Zen and the Art of Swimming ... LINK
Shikantaza Zazen is Not "Doing Meditation" ... and it is vital to understand just why ... LINK
A similar theme ... Zazen is not awareness of being aware of aware awareness
... LINK
Anyone else struggle with the language of Zen Buddhism books? ... I do! ... but I also struggle with poems and song lyrics! ... LINK
Doubts about practice ... Zen, why bother? ... We'll suggest some reasons why!
... LINK
It changes each day if closely examined ... How has your practice changed over the years? ... LINK
Just accept the body, and find the best balance, poise and comfort that your body and health allow ... Frustration with the body during Zazen ... LINK
New Zen, Veggie and other Healthy Cooking Section ... Zen Cooking ... LINK
Some questions answered by me about Dharma Transmission ... what is it, and why? ... LINK
... and some questions on why to be a priest ... LINK
Living gently ... How has taking the Bodhisattva vows affected you? ... LINK
Death and life ... The Zen Buddhist perspective on dread (of death) ... we celebrate too! ... LINK
Our A.I. Priest-In-Training ... Emi Jido, Treeleaf UnsuAI, Answers Hard Questions ... try her out! ... LINK
Please feel at home! ... Want to Feel More Connected to the Sangha ... LINK
Oh, and we have begun some readings and fun exercises from my book ... Starting Readings from My Book "Zen Master's Dance" - in our 'No Words' Book Club ... LINK
And DON'T FORGET! ... the experiment continues, and we need you! ...
REQUEST - SatToday & Lend-A-Hand: Please LAH and SAT before CHAT! (LINK)
.
I am so glad if this place and the practice are benefiting you. If so, you might consider a DONATION to Treeleaf at this LINK, although there is absolutely no need or requirement to do so. Thank you.
A Re-MINDer on SIMPLICITY:
In a Zen Monastery, SILENCE or A FEW WISE WORDS are cherished over MANY WORDS. Thus, I advise folks to restrain the need to speak unless the heart truly calls. If you find yourself posting many times each day, maybe consider what truly needs to be said ... and when it is best just to answer with silence and an inner Gassho.
SILENCE OR A FEW HESITANT WORDS OF FRIENDSHIP AND SUPPORT OFTEN SPEAK MOST PROFOUNDLY. Post when it is truly important to you and needs to be spoken from the warm heart.
(BUT too much silence or shyness can also be excessive ... so take the Middle Way!)
As a powerful Zen practice about not falling into words and thoughts, simplifying ideas, not getting tangled, we ask people to keep sentences few in posting. However, it is not some law or hard rule at all. If someone really has something in their heart to say, and it is vital and cannot be said more concisely or silently, then say what one is called to say: In such case, no limit on words needed.
.
A Request to Sangha Members: "Three Sacred Sentences" Practice (LINK)
* * *
As well, to those who may get lost among the many threads and conversations in our Forum, please think of a monastery made of wood or brick, with 100 monks holding 10,000 conversations in the hallways, kitchen, Abbot's rooms and library (I assume no chatting in the Zendo where people sit Zazen).
Would you need or want to hear or join in all or most conversations? Of course not! You would, at best, pick and choose the conversations relevant and helpful to you.
So here too in our Sangha, NO NEED TO READ EVERY CONVERSATION: Try to note the ones that seem helpful to your Practice or interests, leave the rest. The above threads are a few suggestions.
Gassho, Jundo
(Sorry to run long)
SatTodayLAH
We have our weekly Treeleaf Zazenkai ... including this week's in remembrance of Tai Shi, old leaf fallen ... LINK
Our May monthly Zazenkai can still be sat, and begins a series on Master Dogen's Ocean Mudra Samadhi ... LINK
... the Talk is also available in the Treeleaf Podcast ... LINK
We have our other Zen Sittings too during the week ... LINK ... including European Sunday Zazenkai ... LINK ... and Sitting for Peace with Washin in Ukraine ... LINK
I like my analogies ... so, as the weather warms ... Zen and the Art of Swimming ... LINK
Shikantaza Zazen is Not "Doing Meditation" ... and it is vital to understand just why ... LINK
A similar theme ... Zazen is not awareness of being aware of aware awareness
... LINKAnyone else struggle with the language of Zen Buddhism books? ... I do! ... but I also struggle with poems and song lyrics! ... LINK
Doubts about practice ... Zen, why bother? ... We'll suggest some reasons why!
... LINKIt changes each day if closely examined ... How has your practice changed over the years? ... LINK
Just accept the body, and find the best balance, poise and comfort that your body and health allow ... Frustration with the body during Zazen ... LINK
New Zen, Veggie and other Healthy Cooking Section ... Zen Cooking ... LINK
Some questions answered by me about Dharma Transmission ... what is it, and why? ... LINK
... and some questions on why to be a priest ... LINK
Living gently ... How has taking the Bodhisattva vows affected you? ... LINK
Death and life ... The Zen Buddhist perspective on dread (of death) ... we celebrate too! ... LINK
Our A.I. Priest-In-Training ... Emi Jido, Treeleaf UnsuAI, Answers Hard Questions ... try her out! ... LINK
Please feel at home! ... Want to Feel More Connected to the Sangha ... LINK
Oh, and we have begun some readings and fun exercises from my book ... Starting Readings from My Book "Zen Master's Dance" - in our 'No Words' Book Club ... LINK
A JOYOUS EVENT ... ANNOUNCEMENT: The Dharma Transmission of Bidō Onkai ... LINK
AND A JOYOUS EVENTS UPCOMING ... Our 2025 TREELEAF Home-Leaving ORDINATION of Kojitsu, Shinkon & Koriki ... LINK
AND A JOYOUS EVENTS UPCOMING ... Our 2025 TREELEAF Home-Leaving ORDINATION of Kojitsu, Shinkon & Koriki ... LINK
And DON'T FORGET! ... the experiment continues, and we need you! ...
REQUEST - SatToday & Lend-A-Hand: Please LAH and SAT before CHAT! (LINK)
.
I am so glad if this place and the practice are benefiting you. If so, you might consider a DONATION to Treeleaf at this LINK, although there is absolutely no need or requirement to do so. Thank you.
A Re-MINDer on SIMPLICITY:
In a Zen Monastery, SILENCE or A FEW WISE WORDS are cherished over MANY WORDS. Thus, I advise folks to restrain the need to speak unless the heart truly calls. If you find yourself posting many times each day, maybe consider what truly needs to be said ... and when it is best just to answer with silence and an inner Gassho.
SILENCE OR A FEW HESITANT WORDS OF FRIENDSHIP AND SUPPORT OFTEN SPEAK MOST PROFOUNDLY. Post when it is truly important to you and needs to be spoken from the warm heart.
(BUT too much silence or shyness can also be excessive ... so take the Middle Way!)
As a powerful Zen practice about not falling into words and thoughts, simplifying ideas, not getting tangled, we ask people to keep sentences few in posting. However, it is not some law or hard rule at all. If someone really has something in their heart to say, and it is vital and cannot be said more concisely or silently, then say what one is called to say: In such case, no limit on words needed.
.
A Request to Sangha Members: "Three Sacred Sentences" Practice (LINK)
* * *
As well, to those who may get lost among the many threads and conversations in our Forum, please think of a monastery made of wood or brick, with 100 monks holding 10,000 conversations in the hallways, kitchen, Abbot's rooms and library (I assume no chatting in the Zendo where people sit Zazen).
Would you need or want to hear or join in all or most conversations? Of course not! You would, at best, pick and choose the conversations relevant and helpful to you.
So here too in our Sangha, NO NEED TO READ EVERY CONVERSATION: Try to note the ones that seem helpful to your Practice or interests, leave the rest. The above threads are a few suggestions.
Gassho, Jundo
(Sorry to run long)
SatTodayLAH