August 9th Recommended Threads
I encourage looking at these threads, topics and posts today ...
We have the official :) "announcement" of our upcoming Jukai (Undertaking the Precepts) preparations and Ango (90-day Dedicated Practice Period) season coming in September ... and you are invited:
Please sit with our weekly and monthly Treeleaf Zazenkai ... as well as our several daily sittings online ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/foru...TTING-NETCASTS
A pleasant topic ... Rapturous Samadhi? ... bliss in Zazen ... neither running towards, nor running away, bow and cherish as all points on this path ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...turous-Samadhi
We sit "as what is" ... yet when is enough enough [toomuch] ... Sitting with white noise ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...th-white-noise
We continue with A TREELEAF EXPERIMENT: Three Sacred Sentences ... seems to be working out ... let us know your experiences ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...cred-Sentences
Everything is subtly in the expression ... To be such a thing, you must be such a person ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...l=1#post266843
Is life ever a matter of long or short? ... The Elflord and the Mayfly ... a short thread ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...l=1#post266758
Seeking Helpers: Looking for 'Tea House' Hosts at Treeleaf ... if you would like to meet some folks ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...ts-at-Treeleaf
Speaking of which, a couple of Tea Houses are already pouring ... and we will have more soon, now brewing ... drop on in ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/foru...dly-Tea-Houses
Sisters are doing it ... in the "No Words" Book Club ... Zen Women, Chapter 2 ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/foru...TERS-BOOK-CLUB
Try a little Tonglen to sooth the soul ... or whatever Buddhists sooth [happy] ... available online any time ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...l=1#post267119
Picture this ... TREELEAF ART CIRCLE ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/foru...EAF-ART-CIRCLE
... and Poetry Corner ... it don't even gotta rhyme! ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/foru...-POETRY-CORNER
The latest ZEN-of-EVERTHING PODCAST ... Episode 31 ... The Precepts ... please vow to listen! ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...1-The-Precepts
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
