I encourage looking at these threads, topics and posts today ...
ANGO begins, and Jukai preparations are coming too ... not to late to hop on in ... sewing needles at the ready ...
To mark the start of Ango, please sit our OUR MONTHLY 4-hour ZAZENKAI! ...
Don't "fail" to catch this talk, trust me
... SIT-A-LONG with Jundo: Why Zen Folks FAIL!! (6) - Trusting the Teacher ...
Even monks need to do a good job and get fed, all the more lay folks with families ... Greed, Attachment, and Work ...
In my opinion, Zen Practice ain't about being totally without an ego (wouldn't even bother to get out of bed if so) ...
... nor totally without all negative human emotions like sadness ...
... or guilt ...
... or love and attached for pets (and people too) ...
... nor about being totally mindful all the time ...
Usually I avoid discussions like the following, kind of like asking "when is breathing, breathing, what makes love, love?" ... but some nice comments here and there ... What makes Zen..'Zen'? ...
A small reminder of balancing confidentiality and our ability to talk openly and honestly around here ... we can if we use a little discretion ...
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!
ANGO begins, and Jukai preparations are coming too ... not to late to hop on in ... sewing needles at the ready ...
To mark the start of Ango, please sit our OUR MONTHLY 4-hour ZAZENKAI! ...
Don't "fail" to catch this talk, trust me
... SIT-A-LONG with Jundo: Why Zen Folks FAIL!! (6) - Trusting the Teacher ...
Even monks need to do a good job and get fed, all the more lay folks with families ... Greed, Attachment, and Work ...
In my opinion, Zen Practice ain't about being totally without an ego (wouldn't even bother to get out of bed if so) ...
... nor totally without all negative human emotions like sadness ...
... or guilt ...
... or love and attached for pets (and people too) ...
... nor about being totally mindful all the time ...
Usually I avoid discussions like the following, kind of like asking "when is breathing, breathing, what makes love, love?" ... but some nice comments here and there ... What makes Zen..'Zen'? ...
A small reminder of balancing confidentiality and our ability to talk openly and honestly around here ... we can if we use a little discretion ...
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!