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

A reMINDer that our Jukai and Ango season begins "officially" next weekend ... kicking off our our monthly 4-hour Zazenkai for the Ango folks ... plus sewing needles are already moving for some Jukai folks ... https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/foru...glen-Too%21%29

Anyone can sit that monthly 4-hour Zazen ... and all of our weekly and monthly Zazenkais ... here, any place and time ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/foru...ENKAI-NETCASTS

A couple of essays by me (Jundo) this week ... my usual celebrations of Shikantaza ... Dropping the Mike on "Dropping Body-Mind" ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...ping-Body-Mind

... and Of Shikantaza and "Mindfulness" ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...nd-Mindfulness

Shingen posted a lovely talk on part of the Hokkyo Zanmai ... (and Kyonin has a recent installment too in the same thread) ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...l=1#post246216

By the way, no obligation or need at all ... but Kyonin could use a little Funding Help from those with means, for his Pilgrimage from Mexico to Japan
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...image-to-Japan

I wish that Zen and Shikantaza could cure everything, but sometimes more is needed ... Please use anything and everything that works, as the doctor recommends! ... PTSD nightmares ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...TSD-nightmares

... likewise here (although pretty much the same as our practices at Treeleaf anyway) ... mind training ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...l=1#post246641

Metta for all impacted by addictions ... National Overdose Day ... so many lives touched ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...l-Overdose-Day

The perennial questions of Buddhist in the workplace with co-workers, and with friends and family who may not be so open to it ... Buddhism in the Workplace and openly practicing ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...nly-practicing

Someone who was attacked, with family threatened and became angry ... we are only human, not machines ... Avoiding Violence ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...iding-Violence

Can one work in the meat industry while a Buddhist? ... I think yes, but there are questions for the heart to weigh ... The Zen Butcher ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...l=1#post246004

Offering Metta for those who have physical disabilities of all kind, and those who help them as care givers, in Japan and around the world ... Please LAH ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...172-Please-LAH

Just a little mention and note ... lovely practices that resonate with many ... Oryoki Practice Circle ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/foru...ractice-Circle

... and Tonglen Practice Circle ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/foru...ractice-Circle

Also, our Art Circle is artful! ....
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/foru...EAF-ART-CIRCLE




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