Mentoring?

[Rob VanCamp]

Greetings all!

I was wondering if any of the members would be in a position to guide me through this whole thing. I am new to Buddhism, and even newer to Zen. I live about an hours drive from the Chapel Hill Zen Center, but truth be told, I've only been there once.

My problem is this; I am a long haul trucker. I only get home a couple of days a month (usually 28 days out to 4 at home). I'm not always home on Sundays (their Sangha zazen day), and to be frank - I'm not in a real big hurry to drive anywhere when I AM at home.

I would much prefer someone who has some time in it, not a relative novice. I would like to prepare to take the precepts next time around. I also need someone who understands that a) my schedule is not set or stable b) I often work 14 hour days with only 10 hour breaks in between, and c) I am not always available.

I know its asking alot. Thank you in advance for your consideration.

May you find balance and inner peace on your path.

Gassho
🙏

I sat

Rob

[Jundo]

Greetings all!

I was wondering if any of the members would be in a position to guide me through this whole thing. I am new to Buddhism, and even newer to Zen. I live about an hours drive from the Chapel Hill Zen Center, but truth be told, I've only been there once.

My problem is this; I am a long haul trucker. I only get home a couple of days a month (usually 28 days out to 4 at home). I'm not always home on Sundays (their Sangha zazen day), and to be frank - I'm not in a real big hurry to drive anywhere when I AM at home.

I would much prefer someone who has some time in it, not a relative novice. I would like to prepare to take the precepts next time around. I also need someone who understands that a) my schedule is not set or stable b) I often work 14 hour days with only 10 hour breaks in between, and c) I am not always available.

I know its asking alot. Thank you in advance for your consideration.

May you find balance and inner peace on your path.

Gassho
��

I sat

Rob

Hi Rob,

I guess that we all mentor each other around here, and there is no "course." One sits and learns about Buddhist teachings slowly. It is a long haul to right here and right here, always just right here.

However, I am sure we can find someone to be a driving buddy for some Bean House Bull on the CB. (They still have those?)

Gassho, Jundo

SatTodayLAH

[Rob VanCamp]

Yes, they still have those. I don't.

We have no 'course', but we do have Jukai, correct?

[Mp]

Yes, they still have those. I don't.

We have no 'course', but we do have Jukai, correct?

Hello Rob,

Yes we do have Jukai and actually we are studying it right now ... you can see the thread here where we are talking and studying the Bodhisattva precepts. =)

https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?57-JUKAI-PRECEPTS-STUDY-SEWING-FORUM-%28Oryoki-Tonglen-Too%21%29

Gassho
Shingen

Sat/LAH

[Kokuu]

Hi Rob

Sadly we don't have the resources to offer individual mentoring but, as Jundo says, we all mentor each other on the forum, overseen by his watchful eyes to make sure no one goes too far astray!

Any questions you have about practice can be asked on the forum and aside from that you can sit with the weekly Zazenkai at a time which suits you, sit with others at various times set out in our Zazen Calendar, read long with us in the Treeleaf Book Club or choose for yourself from the list of recommended books and other media!

Since you are on the road a great deal, podcasts may be a really good option for you and Domyo Burk has an excellent introductory series called Zen Studies.

As Shingen says, Jukai precept study has its own thread which is overseen by our priests-in-training.

Safe driving, Rob.

Gassho
Kokuu
-sattoday/lah-

[Byokan]

Hi Rob,

welcome to Treeleaf! I think you'll find that this is a really great place for someone with a variable schedule like yours. In fact my schedule is like yours! We have a lot of resources to get you started with meditation instruction and Zen basics (I will PM you some links and info). You'll find tons of support on the forum, and you can ask any questions you have, and learn in your own time at your own pace. The great thing here is that you have access to the Teacher and the Sangha 24/7. We put a lot of emphasis here on sitting shikantaza. If you can develop a daily sitting habit, even if it's only 15 minutes to start, and go through some of Jundo's introductory videos, and check into the forum whenever you have time, you'll be well on your way for next years Jukai.

One reason we don't really do one-on-one mentoring is because it's just so helpful to others to bring your questions to the forum. Any question you have, others have too, and we learn together by exploring questions and sharing our experiences. But Jundo and the Unsui are here to support you, and you can reach out to us by PM any time.

I'm sending you a PM!

Gassho
Byōkan
sat + lah

[Sekishi]

Since you are on the road a great deal, podcasts may be a really good option for you and Domyo Burk has an excellent introductory series called Zen Studies.

Hi Rob,

Welcome! I just wanted to second Kokuu's excellent suggestion. Domoyo's podcast is a wonderful step-by-step introduction to both "original Buddhism", and our practice in Soto Zen.

Also, I have been travelling lately and have spent a fair amount of time on route 81 (western Virginia and North Carolina), where the trucks sometimes outnumber automobiles and wanted to offer deep bows to you and your brothers and sisters.

Deep bows,
Sekishi #sat

[Byokan]

Hey Sekishi,

I've sent Rob our media list, and I noticed we don't have our Treeleaf Zendo Podcast on there! Maybe we should add it?

By the way, I get it through Itunes, and I know it's on Podbean, and here in the related thread for each talk... is it anywhere else? Everywhere else? Probably a dumb question!

Gassho
Byōkan the Untechnological
sat + lah

[Sekishi]

I've sent Rob our media list, and I noticed we don't have our Treeleaf Zendo Podcast on there! Maybe we should add it?

By the way, I get it through Itunes, and I know it's on Podbean, and here in the related thread for each talk... is it anywhere else? Everywhere else? Probably a dumb question!

Nice catch Byokan! I updated the media list with a link to our podbean page and directly to our listing in iTunes.

As to your other question, I think the short answer is "it is available many other places", but not exactly "everywhere else". For example, I do not think it is on Stitcher or Spotify at this time (I'm not sure either allow people to submit their own podcasts at this time).

Gassho,
Sekishi #sat

[Byokan]

Thanks Bro!

Gassho
Byōkan
sat + lah

[Anka]

Hi Rob,

It's nature to feel the need for a mentor when jumping into new things. I felt the same when starting this journey.

" To get where I want to be I will need the assistance of a guru or zen master without this I can't reach enlightenment."

Boy do I feel silly now. Remember that gurus and zen masters are people too. They get frustrated, make mistakes, and fall pray to monkey mind just like everyone else.

Listen to some introductory podcasts, get a book or two, try to remain mindful, and sit when you can. Remember there is nothing to attain. Chasing the eternity of pure bliss that many people view as enlightenment will only lead to more suffering.

Thank you for your practice.
Jim-sat-lah

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

[Rob VanCamp]

Certainly familiar with I-81 (although it doesn't go to NC, ends in eastern TN). Thank you for that. Be careful out there!

[Jundo]

Boy do I feel silly now. Remember that gurus and zen masters are people too. They get frustrated, make mistakes, and fall pray to monkey mind just like everyone else.

Speak for your %'~%$$ self!

Gassho, J

STLah

[Rob VanCamp]

Speak for your %'~%$$ self!

Uhmmm....

[Jishin]

Mentoring?

Hi Rob,

After a month or two here 5 years ago my exact words to Jundo were “can you help me with this thing?” He said no. Somehow it worked for me. I don’t listen to anyone except my best teacher - me. Maybe that is why I got the answer I got. There are plenty of teachers that don’t say much because information that is spoon feed is not appreciated. Jundo tends to bend over backwards and forwards to help any way he can. Whatever answer he gives you is probably a good one.

Gasho, Jishin, _/st\_