I encourage looking at these threads, topics and posts today ...
Please sit our March 24th-25th Treeleaf Weekly Zazenkai ... available to sit any time and place in the universe ...
The itinerary is coming together for August's DHARMA WHEELS ACROSS AMERICA ... if you are in one of the following cities, I'll be in touch to firm things up ...
A dandy lesson from Daizan ... Upaya: How the Buddha Basics support our Zazen ...
I would also just like to feature some Wise Words this month from a couple of our members ... first from Byokan in response to recent violence in the news and requests for Metta ...
... and this, from another member on the effects of this Practice in his own life ....
A good discussion of "Emptiness" and what it feels like ... something hard to discuss cause not really an "it" ...
A celebration of Bankei ... and a little caution perhaps ...
David Loy advocates a new Buddhist "mythology" compatible with modern science ... the universe needs you to make toast ...
New Buddhist Path - Nonattachment/Letting Go/Something Infinite - PP 47-61 ...
A celebration of Japanese care and craftsmanship ... Is it "Zen" or just being Japanese? ... In the Heart of Aizu ...
Advice from the crowd on Dealing with a difficult mother-in-law ... just like many difficulties and difficult folks in life ...
When folks of other faith's don't understand, just walk on ... Interfaith Dialogue ...
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!)
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
Please sit our March 24th-25th Treeleaf Weekly Zazenkai ... available to sit any time and place in the universe ...
The itinerary is coming together for August's DHARMA WHEELS ACROSS AMERICA ... if you are in one of the following cities, I'll be in touch to firm things up ...
A dandy lesson from Daizan ... Upaya: How the Buddha Basics support our Zazen ...
I would also just like to feature some Wise Words this month from a couple of our members ... first from Byokan in response to recent violence in the news and requests for Metta ...
May this thread be more than a list of horrible things that happen. It's so easy to feel overwhelmed. I hope it's a place to take a moment to really work on looking directly at suffering and practice how to open our hearts, how to soften, to embrace, to realize our connection. Not just sympathy, but realizing the truth of our inter-being. Every moment that you spend in peace adds peace to this world. Every shred of love you give makes the world a more loving place. Metta may not be magic but it does have a real effect. I hope.
have accepted birth pain death--out of which grows peace, I have learned to meditate, Loving Kindness, sitting, Jon Kabot-Zinn, Sitting as the Buddha, Thank you I discovered however faultingly, I have accepted all and it hurts, no mater how you cut it, birth, life, death can and are experienced in peace in out let thoughts pass, slide away, let it happen no form formlessness, no time, no space, I hear the Heart Sutra, I hear silence.
A good discussion of "Emptiness" and what it feels like ... something hard to discuss cause not really an "it" ...
A celebration of Bankei ... and a little caution perhaps ...
David Loy advocates a new Buddhist "mythology" compatible with modern science ... the universe needs you to make toast ...
New Buddhist Path - Nonattachment/Letting Go/Something Infinite - PP 47-61 ...
A celebration of Japanese care and craftsmanship ... Is it "Zen" or just being Japanese? ... In the Heart of Aizu ...
Advice from the crowd on Dealing with a difficult mother-in-law ... just like many difficulties and difficult folks in life ...
When folks of other faith's don't understand, just walk on ... Interfaith Dialogue ...
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!)
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