July 14th Recommended Threads
I encourage looking at these threads, topics and posts today ...
Please sit our weekly and monthly Zazenkai ... this Zendo is always open ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/foru...ings-too%21%29
How not to turn Shikantaza into a mere exercise in "quietism" ... Pitfalls of Shikantaza practice ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...l=1#post264434
More on Koan practice here ... especially in the Soto way ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...946-Koan-study
We happen to be working with some Koans in the Soto way, as teaching stories, in our "no words book club" ... Book of Equanimity ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/foru...EAF-ART-CIRCLE
A reminder ... starting in two weeks ... our Next Book Club Selection: Zen Women by Grace Schireson ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...race-Schireson
One of the best explanations of Dogen I have read ... although not really for beginners new to Dogen ... Book Review: Steven Heine's "Readings of Dōgen's "Treasury of the True Dharma Eye" ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...rue-Dharma-Eye
A recommendation to all of a wonderful film too ... interviews with European Zen teachers ... Film: Blueprints for Zen Practice ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...r-Zen-Practice
Another very good film ... about life at Antaiji Monastery for foreigners ... Zen For Nothing ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...en-For-Nothing
In the "way beyond words and letters, some impressions on Zen reading ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...?17903-Reading
Kirk and Jundo's "Zen-of-Everything" Podcast talks about SEX! ... and lots of other stuff ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/foru...ELEAF-Podcasts
Why our practice reduces our attraction to violent media ... and lets us see different what we still see ... Violent Media and Right Thought
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...-Right-Thought
Reintroducing Kokuu lovely audio readings of Shobogenzo ... Audio Dōgen ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...dio-D%C5%8Dgen
A recent seminar about Dogen available online ... and Dr. Steve Heine will be coming to Treeleaf this month too! ...
Dogen Day with Upaya ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...Day-with-Upaya
Add breathing practices prior to zazen? ... generally, in Shikantaza, a few nice deep breaths, then breathe naturally ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...prior-to-zazen
When to bow in our Treeleaf "Free Sitting Room?" ... etiquette in de FSR ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...ette-in-de-FSR
... and in ZoomZen too ... Zoom Etiquette ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...Zoom-Etiquette
The possible medical and physiological effects of meditation ... but, cure or no, Zazen lets us be sick when sick ... "Prescribed" zazen
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...l=1#post264927
Social activism and Buddhist practice can go together ... Article: On Buddhism and Blackness ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...-and-Blackness
A small reminder of this moment ... A gatha for dead animals? ... you can just speak from the heart too ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...r-dead-animals
Bad for the waist line, and sitting does not burn calories ... Post-Zazen Munchies ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...Zazen-Munchies
We pretty much have decided to keep them together ... For Discussion: Separating Ango and Jukai ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...Ango-and-Jukai
Practice "living fully every moment" ... or better, just "fully let each moment of be that moment of life"? ...How do you practice living fully every moment (work life and normal)
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...-and-normal%29
Another discussion ... about reorganizing the Forum layout a bit, and why we insist on "politeness" but don't moderate much ... Discussion: Simplifying Treeleaf Forum ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...Treeleaf-Forum
One more discussion, although now closed ... about why we all come to share our personal stories, but also put our stories down sometimes in Zen practice ... Discussion: Telling Our Stories, Putting Our Stories Down. ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...r-Stories-Down
In our Art Space ... a little Zen photography ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...en-photography
... and EXPRESSING CREATIVITY: your zazen practice space ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...practice-space
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
