I encourage looking at these threads, topics and posts from recent days ...
We were visited by a great historian, diving thick into 13th century Soto Zen history ... Dr. Steven Heine ... (and Tanahashi Sensei was there too!) ... video here: LINK
Our recent Zazenkai are still available to sit ... including this on sitting with a Buddha's Smile ... LINK
Posture is important for Zazen ... but don't get overly fixated, or think "one size fits all" ... Neurotic about my posture ... LINK
The age-old question ... why bad things happen to seemingly good people, and the opposite .... Karma and Justice ... LINK
In fact, almost any good hobby can be undertaken with "Zen mind" ... Zen Inspired Hobbies ... LINK
Lotus Sutra readings continue ... in our "No Words Book Club" ... LINK
Recent science stories ... which should be covered more in the regular news .. truly mindblowing stuff ... LINK
Join our friendly tea houses if you get a chance ... many welcoming faces ... (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 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
SatTodayLAH
We were visited by a great historian, diving thick into 13th century Soto Zen history ... Dr. Steven Heine ... (and Tanahashi Sensei was there too!) ... video here: LINK
Our recent Zazenkai are still available to sit ... including this on sitting with a Buddha's Smile ... LINK
Posture is important for Zazen ... but don't get overly fixated, or think "one size fits all" ... Neurotic about my posture ... LINK
The age-old question ... why bad things happen to seemingly good people, and the opposite .... Karma and Justice ... LINK
In fact, almost any good hobby can be undertaken with "Zen mind" ... Zen Inspired Hobbies ... LINK
Lotus Sutra readings continue ... in our "No Words Book Club" ... LINK
Recent science stories ... which should be covered more in the regular news .. truly mindblowing stuff ... LINK
Join our friendly tea houses if you get a chance ... many welcoming faces ... (LINK)
.
MAY THERE BE PEACE IN THE WORLD!
.
Please sit with Washin in Ukraine for peace ... there, in the Middle East and everywhere ... LINKAnd 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 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
SatTodayLAH