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

Please sit, any time any where, with our Monthly Treeleaf 4-Hour Zazenkai ... the place to be ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...af-ZAZENKAI%21

The podcast of the talk from that ... on Master Dogen's Instructions for the cook ... is available too ...
https://treeleaf.podbean.com/e/octob...leaf-zazenkai/

Shugen led his Oryoki group, and you can join in any time ... (if you would like to join in, Contact Shugen for tips on getting started) ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...l=1#post231328

There was also a Tonglen practice meeting let by Kokuu ... (Contact Kokuu for tips on getting started) ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...September-2018

Various things are going down in our Art Circle ... guided by Anne ... let's get creative ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...12-Preparation

Our "No Words" book club is working slowly through WHAT IS ZEN? ... this time, about the Precepts... and author Normal Fischer has said he will come lead a Zazenkai here at Treeleaf sometimes in the coming weeks ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...of-P-67-to-end

In our Jukai Preparations ... Please Don't Steal ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...-from-Stealing

... and for Ango, Practice Partners are still getting together ... Ango Practice Partner Exercise #2 ... Why do you Practice Zazen? ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...ner-Exercise-2

Some discussion of formalities, rituals and "the proper form" in Japanese Zen ... and the preferences and needs of various Zen folks ... Buddhism in Europe ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...l=1#post231295

An old thread on "rebirth" briefly came back to life ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...l=1#post207749

My rather hard line words on sitting Shikantaza with pain ... but Shikantaza must be a radical sitting as what is, allowing what is ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...l=1#post231429

Last but not least ... Lost in a maze of threads and directions! around Treeleaf ... how to best find your way around? ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...-directions%21

... which points folks to this:


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