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

Be sure to check out the latest Treeleaf NOW Updates ... a new interface to access our live sittings and more ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...af-NOW-Updates

Please sit our Treeleaf Weekly Zazenkai ... available any place and time to any one ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...eekly-Zazenkai

Kyonin's latest talk is up on the Kokyo Zanmai ... a silver bowl with snow, hiding a heron in the moonlight ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...l=1#post222143

Also on the relative and absolute ... our "No Words" Book Club now turns to the Sandokai, the "Identity of Relative and Absolute" ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...kai-pp-205-218

We continue to reflect on hunger in our "Engaged Projects" section ... Hunger - Defining to Problem ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...ing-to-Problem

Suzuki Roshi discusses the Zen of being in the moment ... but Jundo says one can also be in the moments when not "in the moment" ... Shikantaza is Understanding Emptiness ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...ding-Emptiness

Some newer folks seek some help with their Zazen ... much advice offered ... Problems with my Shikantaza ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...-my-shikantaza

and grasping during meditation ... get as comfortable and balanced as one can, breathe as naturally as one can, then forget grasping after "good" Zazen ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...ing-meditation

Shinshi finds the fingers of his own hand ... Looking Out rather than In - A new learning for me ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...earning-for-me

A lovely talk ... a "Zen" talk that doesn't mention Zen at all! ... about opening, forgiving and moving on, and the preciousness of each being ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...-Zen-at-all%21

More "not Zen" with some insight for our Practice ... A Couple of Podcasts with Interesting Stuff for Buddhists ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...-for-Buddhists

A good and important lesson on the "self improvement" disease ... I recommend the medicine of Shikantaza where one sits in "the jewel of what is" ... Embracing the Gift of Stillness ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...t-of-Stillness

If you have not caught Shokai's Dharma Gate postings, it is never too late ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...ma-Gate-Season

For history wonks ... questions about a couple of well known history books on Zen ... Carl Bielefeldt's "Dogen's Manual of Zen Meditation" ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...arl-Bielefeldt

and Fr. Dumoulin's "Zen Buddhism: A History" ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...hism-A-History




Reminder ... Especially for newer folks ... FEELING LOST AROUND THE COMMUNITY? Contact our "Sangha Buddhies" ... friends to help people find their way around ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...angha-Buddhies




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