February 6th Recommended Threads

I encourage looking at these threads, topics and posts today ...

Please join in our Parinirvana Memorial & Special Zazenkai ... marking the passing of Buddha long ago, and our own friends and family ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...ecial-Zazenkai

... accompanying SPECIAL "NEHAN-E" 4-hour ZAZENKAI! (guided by Fugen in Sweden) is here ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...ART-TIME%21%29

What's This? It is just Koan 50 from the Book of Serenity ... and information on our next book ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...NIMITY-Case-50

Zen ain't no "watcher" ... Two streams of thought? ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...l=1#post147591

Not something to get angry about ... When "Just Sitting" seems to be not enough ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...l=1#post148319

Yes, Buddhists can be sexist too! ... Putting an End to Buddhist Patriarchy ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...ist-Patriarchy

The toughness in Zen is sometimes not "Zen", just Japanese culture ... Hard and Soft traditions ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...l=1#post148161

When young be young, when old be old ... Meditation and aging ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...l=1#post148482

... and many other good threads of late.


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.

(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 THE PREVIOUS DAY BEFORE POSTING IN THE FORUM (please read about that here):

http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...ore-Forum-Chat

Gassho, Jundo

SatToday!