August 15th Recommended Threads
I encourage looking at these threads, topics and posts today ...
Please sit with our recent weekly and monthly Zazenkai sittings ... any place, any time, any body ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/foru...ENKAI-NETCASTS
Jukai (Undertaking the Precepts) was announced ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...I-TIME-2019%21
... as was our Ango (90 Day Special Practice Season) for this year ... and you are invited to both! ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...0-Days%29-2019
A wonderful essay from Shoka ... Reflections on Lent, Renunciation and Ango Commitments ... how do you feel? ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...go-Commitments
I must also mention Sekishi's recent essay ... Freeing beings ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...Freeing-beings
Kakunen had a little temple stay with his son ... and an example of a Japanese Zen temple engaged in some worthwhile work in India ... Temple stay with my family.
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...with-my-family
I am glad so many folks seem to get this: ... Just a little reminder: Shikantaza Zazen is --not-- "Meditating"
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...not-Meditating
The Latest Zen of Everything Podcast ... Shikantaza, Grape Juice, Alzheimer's, Mindfulness, Buddhism as Religion, and a Woman who Feels no Pain ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...cast-Episode-5
Our Art Circle is chugging away ... Zen of Creativity Chapter 6 ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...vity-Chapter-6
... and a Short Podcast on creativity ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...-on-creativity
Continuing on with our Simple Living practices ... this week, as simple as breathing and sitting ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/foru...ractice-Circle
In the "wordless" book club ... not so simple ... Madhyamika, Yogacara, and Tathagata-garbha ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...o-P-31-to-P-35
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
