I encourage looking at these threads, topics and posts today ...
A question of Zazen and Ethics in the Grass Hut ... Grass Hut - 10 - Ethics and Meditation ...
In the face of all the terrible news in the world and life, what's the meaning of the old Zen saying "Everyday is a good day"? .... a talk from our monthly Zazenkai (and NEW PODCAST) ... SIT-A-LONG with Jundo: A Joyous, Peaceful, Contented Talk on War Disease & Death ...
And please do sit with our monthly Zazenkai ... May 1st-2nd, 2015 - OUR MONTHLY 4-hour ZAZENKAI! ...
... and weekly Zazenkai ... our May 8th-9th Treeleaf Weekly Zazenkai ...
A lovely talk from Kyonin ... About Values and Star Wars ...
For history wonks ... a little about Suttas, Sutras and Sattipatthana ... Satipatthana Sutta, Theravada Suttas and Mahayana followers, development into Zen ...
Sometimes symbols and detailed ritual are the gateway to Practice and understanding for many people. A Zen monastery is all symbols and ritual. But maybe sometimes one can become a prisoner of symbols and ritual. So, if too attached to symbols and rituals, I say to let go. If too attached to no symbols and rituals, I say to add more! In any case, be free ... Mokugyo/bells on extremely colored cushions traditional? Sewing one? ... (and a reminder about "Turning Japanese") ...
NEED HELP: Looking for Volunteer Editors for Treeleaf Facebook ...
... and many other fine threads ...
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!
A question of Zazen and Ethics in the Grass Hut ... Grass Hut - 10 - Ethics and Meditation ...
In the face of all the terrible news in the world and life, what's the meaning of the old Zen saying "Everyday is a good day"? .... a talk from our monthly Zazenkai (and NEW PODCAST) ... SIT-A-LONG with Jundo: A Joyous, Peaceful, Contented Talk on War Disease & Death ...
And please do sit with our monthly Zazenkai ... May 1st-2nd, 2015 - OUR MONTHLY 4-hour ZAZENKAI! ...
... and weekly Zazenkai ... our May 8th-9th Treeleaf Weekly Zazenkai ...
A lovely talk from Kyonin ... About Values and Star Wars ...
For history wonks ... a little about Suttas, Sutras and Sattipatthana ... Satipatthana Sutta, Theravada Suttas and Mahayana followers, development into Zen ...
Sometimes symbols and detailed ritual are the gateway to Practice and understanding for many people. A Zen monastery is all symbols and ritual. But maybe sometimes one can become a prisoner of symbols and ritual. So, if too attached to symbols and rituals, I say to let go. If too attached to no symbols and rituals, I say to add more! In any case, be free ... Mokugyo/bells on extremely colored cushions traditional? Sewing one? ... (and a reminder about "Turning Japanese") ...
NEED HELP: Looking for Volunteer Editors for Treeleaf Facebook ...
... and many other fine threads ...
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!