January 12th recommended threads

I encourage looking at these threads, topics and posts today ...

Please witness our 2014 Jukai (Undertaking the Precepts) Ceremony held today ... Yeah! ....
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...ion-is-Here%21

A re-Minder that the Opening of Our Treeleaf Global Service Days: January 11-25 2014 ... all Sangha folks, let's do our part ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...ary-11-25-2014

Some Twirling words from Taigu ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...11858-Twirling

Please sit with our January 10th-11th, 2013 Treeleaf Weekly Zazenkai ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...eekly-Zazenkai

An Oryoki Circle to be guided by our Myozan ... consider to undertake this Traditional and beautiful art of sacred eating ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...-Oryoki-Circle

Can enlightenment be sensed? ... or just incensed? ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...ment-be-sensed

What is the best book introduction to Dogen for newer folks? ... Looking for a book recommendation please ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...l=1#post119215

Ethical concerns on Emptiness, Renunciation and a modern life of property and business ... Treating the practical as the absolute, ethical concerns ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...hical-concerns

A time to switch on the helpful gadgets ... and times to switch off ... the phone, the tv, the computer, the internet ... Treeleaf along with it ... Tell me it aint so ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...-me-it-aint-so


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.

Gassho, Jundo