May 20th Recommended Threads
I encourage looking at these threads, topics and posts today ...
Please sit ... and dance ... with our weekly and monthly Zazenkai ... right now and any time ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/foru...ings-too%21%29
If you are in Europe, or any zone where the time is right ... join the European Tea House ... for a chat and a cup ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...pean-Tea-House
The Treeleaf Podcast is back, with talks from past Zazenkais ... and the "Zen-of-Everything" Podcast too ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/foru...ELEAF-Podcasts
A We're All In This Together Talk ... Opening Up ... opening up to the priceless, fearless, birthless and boundless ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...%29-Opening-Up
Other "Were All In This Together" talks and community discussions related to the pandemic are here ... in our special forum ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/foru...-This-Together
Not meeting political and other situations with anger ... but with cool waters ... Meet Fire with Cool Waters, Not with More Fire ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...with-More-Fire
An example of that right here ... Rage-o-Meter 1 Zen Buddhism Practice 0 ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...ism-Practice-0
A lovely and rare description of the intimacy of delusion and enlightenment in Soto Zen ... What If Our Delusions Aren’t a Barrier to Enlightenment?
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...-Enlightenment
Various speculations and musing on beauty ... and on ugliness too ... Creation ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/foru...-MORE-ZAZEN%21
Our "Simple Living" exercises continue ... quite simply ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/foru...ractice-Circle
A women ancestors talk on ... Prajapati, the Buddha's aunt ... recommended by Kokuu ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...recommendation
A bit of Buddhist art history ... How the Buddha Got His Face ... But what is the Buddha's True Face? ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...a-Got-His-Face
In the art group ... EXPRESSING CREATIVITY: the Garden ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...ITY-the-Garden
I feel this just captures who we are in this community ... Photo Submitted to Tricycle Magazine: Treeleaf Dance! ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...eleaf-Dance%21
Compassionate Response to Zoom Bombers ... basically, bow and ignore them ... keep sitting as what is ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...o-Zoom-Bombers
A Do It Your (non-self) Meditation Bench ... DIY Meditation Bench ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...ditation-Bench
Happy Buddha's Birthday in May ... although the Japanese celebrate in April ... Vesak BE2563 ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...0-Vesak-BE2563
And last but not least (and beyond measure too) ... I bump an important old reminder ... Shikantaza is NOT about Watching The Clock Rackin Up Points ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...ckin-Up-Points
Reminder ... Especially for newer folks ... FEELING LOST AROUND THE COMMUNITY? Contact our "Sangha Buddhies" ... friends to help people find their way around ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...angha-Buddhies
And DON'T FORGET! ... the experiment continues, and we need you! ... A TREELEAF EXPERIMENT with EVERYONE’S PARTICIPATION REQUESTED: “LAH” (Lend A Hand)
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...Lend-A-Hand%29
I am so glad if this place and the practice are benefiting you. If so, you might consider a DONATION to Treeleaf at this LINK, although there is absolutely no need or requirement to do so. Thank you.
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.
(BUT 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 DURING THE LAST DAY BEFORE POSTING IN THE FORUM (please read about that here):
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...ore-Forum-Chat
Gassho, Jundo
SatTodayLAH
