July 15th Recommended Threads

[Jundo]

REMEMBER THAT OUR MEMBER BRYSON, AND MARINE-MONK ENKAKU SCOTT, WILL BE VISITING TREELEAF TSUKUBA THIS WEEKEND FOR ZAZENKAI!

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

Please sit our July 10th-11th Treeleaf Weekly Zazenkai ... the Zafu awaits ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?13608-July-10th-11th-Treeleaf-Weekly-Zazenkai

Where does Everyone Sit for Zazenkai? ... well, any place and every place at once! ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?13620-Where-does-Everyone-Sit-for-Zazenkai

Some thinking about why Zazen is thinking-not-thinking ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?4890-Zen-and-the-brain&p=157087&viewfull=1#post157087

... and a lovely, clear expression of this Teaching by Lisa in the same thread, better than whatever I said ... don't miss it ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?4890-Zen-and-the-brain&p=157107&viewfull=1#post157107

Trying to fix the world's problems ... an impossible task to ever complete thoroughly, yet best to keep trying step by step ... Buddhists For Racial Justice ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?13599-Buddhists-For-Racial-Justice

Omamori ... silly superstition (but maybe take no chances, knock on wood?) ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?13610-Omamori&p=156997&viewfull=1#post156997

And this Disney pic (has not come to Japan yet, so haven't seen it ... ) sounds to me kinda like what Buddhism teaches ... Disney as Buddhist/neuroscientist ...

http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showthread.php?13612-Disney-as-Buddhist-neuroscientist




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!

[Tai Shi]

I have sat alone, Shikantaza. I have come to know the interior of level 10 pain, and radical exposure of my brain. I forget sometimes to sit with others, and sit daily before the Buddha, one from wife, one from daughter. I think I must have missed the beginning of study for Jukai, so I will, as Jundo reminds me, sit with others. I am inside reaching out, one silver blossom one pink rose one golden day lily. My chronic arthritis of the spine will wait as I sit Shikantaza. Perhaps next year I can study with Treeleaf for Jukai.

Elgwyn
sat today
Gassho
_/|\_

[Jundo]

Hello Elgwyn,

You are always sitting with us.

Also, you --have not-- missed the beginning of preparations for Shikantaza, which begins in September. We will make some adjustments and arrangements to fit you health situation, so don't fear.

Gassho, Jundo