I encourage looking at these threads, topics and posts today ... A lot of BIG NEWS! ...

SPECIAL EVENT this SUNDAY: ZAZENKAI led by Guest Teacher DAIHO HILBERT ROSHI ... please sit with us ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...-HILBERY-ROSHI

A reminder of the Sesshin in Washington D.C (Aug 9-14) with Taigu and introducing our 'DHARMA TRACKS Across AMERICA' (Jul-Aug), a rail and car trip across the Eastern US by Jundo & son to sit with as many of our members as possible ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...%28Aug-9-14%29

For our Francophones, Taigu announces his new French language online site ... Opening of L'ermitage de la montagne blue ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...-montagne-blue

A double book recommendation, including for the latest from our guest, Daiho Hilbert Roshi ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...-montagne-blue

Let me mention our Shokai's continued blog beauties ... the Gates of Dharma Illumination ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/blog.php?12289-Shokai

A homage to a Zen rebel ... Eight Ways GUDO WAFU NISHIJIMA Will Help Change ZEN BUDDHISM ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...e-ZEN-BUDDHISM

Not just a matter of big or small, here or far away ... Cosmos a spacetime odyssey ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...cetime-odyssey

... and many other lovely 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.

Gassho, Jundo