July 6th Recommended Threads

[Jundo]

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

Please sit with our JULY MONTHLY 4-hour ZAZENKAI! ... your Zafu is waiting ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...ur-ZAZENKAI%21

A Podcast talk from the Zazenkai ... SIT-A-LONG with Jundo: MIRROR ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...h-Jundo-MIRROR

Some Newer Folks Ask, "NOW WHAT?" ... well, HERE'S!!! WHAT!!! ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...-WHAT-By-Jundo

Some guidance on feeling aversion to the cushion ... we just don't know how to sit still ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...itation-advice

Grass Hut - 18 - "Who Is the Original Master" ... that also is not a question! ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...riginal-Master

... some Japanese traditional views on loss of a child or pregnancy ... and we sit for the family too ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...l=1#post156336

Remember our new Sunday Zazenkai, to better reach folks in Europe and elsewhere ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...nkai-Time-Slot

We could use some help ... Building a Treeleaf Facebook Team ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...-Facebook-Team

... and Help wanted! Articles for the newsletter! ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...-newsletter%21

... me braggin' 'bout our town of Tsukuba "Science City" (and some nice nature too) ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...l=1#post156293

... more if ya poke around.

... ALSO note, Mary Mocine has rescheduled probably for August 15th. Look for a visit by Taigen Dan Leighton later in July. Also, the Sweden Retreat had to be cancelled due to circumstances.



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!

[Ansan]

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!

Jundo,

Thank you for this Re-MINDer. I am writing to explain why I hesitate to reply on the forums here on TreeLeaf. I am truly grateful for your suggestion that silence is cherished unless I have a burning desire to respond. I do support and greatly appreciate TreeLeaf and the sangha however. I visit TreeLeaf frequently and read the comments on various topics but I do not feel I can add anything of quality. So I just enjoy and absorb as much I can. In a way, I feel guilty for not adding my comments and want to unburden myself of this. That is the reason for this comment and explanation. In recent months, my husband and I have formed our own mini-sangha with readings and lengthy discussions from the various books you recommended, including renewing the precepts. Often, I copy your remarks from the beginning of a discussion or Zazenkai and we add that to our readings. And, of course, we sit together in Zazen afterward. My computer is nutso, so I am unable to do much on line. I am thankful to you and so appreciate the wisdom you offer and for the opportunity to be a member of the TreeLeaf Sangha. In short, I am here but silent and maybe a little shy.

Gassho,

Ansan
SatToday

[Jundo]

Ansan, you are always fully present here.

Gassho, J

SatToday