June 14th Recommended Threads

[Jundo]

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

Please sit together for our June 12-13th, 2015 - Memorial Zazenkai with Yugen: HONORING REV. ZENSHIN TIM BUCKLEY ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?13532-June-12-13th-2015-Memorial-Zazenkai-with-Yugen-HONORING-REV-ZENSHIN-TIM-BUCKLEY

A pair of threads on faith or the lack thereof ... Faith ? ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?13536-Faith

and Grass Hut - 15 - "Trust, Faith, and Ease" ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?13537-Grass-Hut-15-Trust-Faith-and-Ease

Digging up some old threads on breathing ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?12367-%C4%80n%C4%81p%C4%81nasm%E1%B9%9Bti-Sutra-Full-Awareness-of-Breathing

... including "Kensho" ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?12367-%C4%80n%C4%81p%C4%81nasm%E1%B9%9Bti-Sutra-Full-Awareness-of-Breathing&p=129465&viewfull=1#post129465

... and various Shikantaza conceptions and misconceptions ... Different ways Shikantaza is taught ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?12376-Different-ways-Shikantaza-is-taught



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):

http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?12995-Signing-SatToday-Please-Sat-before-Forum-Chat

Gassho, Jundo

SatToday!

[Jundo]

I would like to especially feature an observation by Meishin, made regarding Yugen's reflections on Tim Buckley.

This wisdom should be engraved in all our hearts ...


One thing, don't waste any time. I've heard that in Zen circles for a long time. But hearing you say it, Yugen, it struck me like a blow in the gut. Always before it was don't waste time in the future, as in make good plans and follow through. But suddenly I got it that the time I dare not waste is precisely now. This moment. Don't be thinking about where I'm going next, what I'm about to experience, my hopes and dreams and fears. Don't waste this moment because it's not going to return. Feeling that, really feeling that, was like a light breaking through. Not so much emotional, as suddenly a principle in math that had previously been obscure was now simple and obvious. I am immensely grateful.

Gassho
Meishin
Sat today

Gassho, J