December 20th Recommended Threads
I encourage looking at these threads, topics and posts today ...
Our weekly Treeleaf Zazenkai are still available to sit, any day of the week ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/foru...TTING-NETCASTS
Sometimes, after a retreat or intense practice period, one can feel ... The Bye-Bye Jukai, Ango's Done Gone, Retreat-Defeat Blues ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...t-Defeat-Blues
(Y se habla ingles / English is spoken too!) .... Invitation to a mini Rohatsu with the Spanish speaking sangha ... 12/19/2020 via Zoom
For our Jukai Rakusu sewers ... Mailings Arriving Soon: What's In The Rakusu Envelope? ... already starting to arrive ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...akusu-Envelope
Two more Precepts to reflect on ... PRECEPTS X - To Refrain from Being Stingy
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...m-Being-Stingy
... and ... PRECEPTS XI - To Refrain from Being Angry ... (which will take us into the New Year) ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...om-Being-Angry
Does Shikantaza equal full trust in life itself? ... Yes, TOTALLY! WHOLLY & ABSOLUTELY!! ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...in-life-itself
Shikantaza is a practice for those who keep chasing ... with Zen Mind, Struggling Mind
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...truggling-Mind
And someone a bit stuck on Soto Zen and rebirth ... Stuck in mind mud ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...ck-in-mind-mud
A question about Yin Yang of Genjokoan and Dogen ... which strikes me as a bit ding dong ... ;)
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...g-of-Genjokoan
Likewise, a book on Zen and Taoism which, I feel, is maybe a bit too extreme in making its case ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...onism-in-China
A new member asks about joining The Jukai Ceremony next time ... while it's how you act right now ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...Jukai-Ceremony
A very lovely essay by Ania on ... Present Moment ... worth a moment to read ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...Present-Moment
Making a BIG TYPE chant book for ... Chanting with Compromised Eyesight ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...mised-Eyesight
A call for Diverse voices in a Sangha is a good thing ... same but different, different yet just the same ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...Diverse-voices
Speaking of which ... Onkai continues her reports from the Village Zendo Workshop on Race ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...rkshop-on-Race
From our Rohatsu Retreat ... don't be fooled by the title, they are all about LIFE! ... Rohatsu 2020 Death Poems ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...20-Death-Poems
... And speaking of poetry ... in our Haiku club, a most basic question ... What is a haiku? ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/foru...138-Haiku-Club
This may bring a smile to your face ... Mirror Neurons and “Contagious” Mental States ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...-Mental-States
If ya feel like hanging out ... I believe the "Floating Tea House" meets tonight ... and if ya drink too much tea, you will float ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/foru...dly-Tea-Houses
... PLUS ... there is a Sunday Zazen sitting with Washin ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...l=1#post277576
... PLUS PLUS ... TONIGHT is TONGLEN TIME! ... a practice good for the heart ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/foru...RACTICE-CIRCLE
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
