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

Please sit our June 10th-11th Treeleaf Weekly Zazenkai ... your Zafu awaits, any place and time you are ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...eekly-Zazenkai

Cases 55 and 56 are up from the Book of Equanimity ... of late rice and fast rabbits ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/forum...TERS-BOOK-CLUB

Metta for All in the Orlando Shootings (and why we offer Metta for harm doers as well) ... for hate crimes in the UK and elsewhere in the world ... I wish I did not have to post on topics like this so often! ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...ando-Shootings

In Zazen, Where do you come back to? ... when there is no going or coming ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...l=1#post180177

... and how to visualize Zazen (which is not the same as visualizing during Zazen) ... Does it matter how you 'visualise' thoughts? ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...l=1#post180178

... and does one "do something" with the thoughts during Zazen? ... About thoughts ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...l=1#post179912

Zen and Emotions ... some more like fire than others so handle with care ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...l=1#post180294

A question that comes up from time to time ... mixing Zen with other religions (or no religions) ... Mixed Religions ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...l=1#post179963

Zen and pain ... I don't believe that Zazen or "mindfulness" does much to lessen pain, but it does so much to lessen our fixation with pain, "woo is me-ness" and being a prisoner of pain ... all of which does so much to free us from pain though pain remains ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...l=1#post180333

... and sometimes, if the body needs, sitting means not "sitting" ...
http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...l=1#post180252




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