December 4th Recommended Threads

[Jundo]

Dear All,

Please note the most of Treeleaf Forum will be closed to posting from late FRIDAY NIGHT, DECEMBER 4th until LATE SUNDAY NIGHT, DECEMBER 6th (based on US West Coast Time) so that we may attend quietly to this weekend's Annual Two Day 'ALL ONLINE' ROHATSU RETREAT.

Our main Retreat page is now open ...

MAIN ROHATSU RETREAT PAGE IS HERE

I encourage looking at these threads, topics and posts today (and after Rohatsu Retreat ) ...

Sitting "Retreat" with the kids and work and ringing doorbells ... SIT-A-LONG with JUNDO: Rohatsu, Retreat and Family ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...eat-and-Family

Perhaps suggest a name for our new Treeleaf App ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...l=1#post168235

How not to argue about politics (even when having opinions) ... and don't forget dropping all "opinions" too ... Politics, arguments, struggles within and practice ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...l=1#post168335

Some information from Jishin for mental health professionals with PTSD ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...php?14016-Ptsd



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.

(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]

And a look back for all the folks just coming out of Ango ... Ango Practice Partner Exercise #7 ... reflections on Ango ...

http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...ner-Exercise-7

[Tai Shi]

What is Ango?
Elgwyn
sat today
Gasso
Gratefully with _/|\_

[Mp]

What is Ango?
Elgwyn
sat today
Gasso
Gratefully with _/|\_

Hello Elgwyn,

Here is a quote form Jundo about Ango ... also, you can read more about it from the Ango period we just finished for 2015.

What is "ANGO"?

Ango, literally “peaceful dwelling”, is a period of concentrated and committed Zen practice, usually lasting three-months in the Soto Zen tradition. The roots of Ango arise from the earliest days of the Buddhist monastic community in India, when monks and nuns would cease their wandering and settle together in one place for the rainy season. Even today in Zen monasteries of Japan, Ango is a time of intense and rigorous training, typically including long hours of Zazen, short hours for sleep, formal meals taken in the Zendo (meditation hall), and a structured schedule for the rest of the day comprising periods for work, liturgy, study, rest, and personal needs. In the West, most Zen groups have adapted the form of the three-month practice period to the needs and demands of life in their communities.

Ango 2015: http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...0-Days%29-2015

Gassho
Shingen

#satoday