Opening the ever-New Year, I encourage looking at these threads, topics and posts today ...
Our Jukai Ceremony on Sunday, January 11th ... the Main Page for viewing is here ...
... additional information and guide for Jukai Recipients (including seat assignments) is here ...
Please sit with our January 9th-10th Treeleaf Weekly Zazenkai ...
A good thread on matters ranging from why our Shikantaza "method" must be "no method", finding balanced posture ... and why it is so very important not to "overthink" what we do ... Thoughts and not thoughts …
A quick question on our Precept to Avoid Killing and the little bugs and things that bite ... Newbie's topic: on compassion, insects and so on ...
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.
(too much silence or shyness can also be excessive ... so take the Middle Way!)
Also, 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.
Oh, and we do ask folks to note that they have SAT ZAZEN THE PREVIOUS DAY BEFORE POSTING IN THE FORUM (please read about that here):
Gassho, Jundo
SatToday!
Our Jukai Ceremony on Sunday, January 11th ... the Main Page for viewing is here ...
... additional information and guide for Jukai Recipients (including seat assignments) is here ...
Please sit with our January 9th-10th Treeleaf Weekly Zazenkai ...
A good thread on matters ranging from why our Shikantaza "method" must be "no method", finding balanced posture ... and why it is so very important not to "overthink" what we do ... Thoughts and not thoughts …
A quick question on our Precept to Avoid Killing and the little bugs and things that bite ... Newbie's topic: on compassion, insects and so on ...
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.
(too much silence or shyness can also be excessive ... so take the Middle Way!)
Also, 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.
Oh, and we do ask folks to note that they have SAT ZAZEN THE PREVIOUS DAY BEFORE POSTING IN THE FORUM (please read about that here):
Gassho, Jundo
SatToday!