April 13th Recommended Threads

[Jundo]

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

We've opened a SPECIAL FORUM: We Are All In This Together for togetherness surrounding the Coronavirus ... lean on us and help support each other ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/foru...-This-Together

lt contains many threads by and about our folks experiencing the isolation and struggles of these day in various ways, plus a series of "We're All ln This Together" short talks by me (Jundo) trying to bring a little Zen insight and common sense to these times. One will also find a compassionate and calming series of meets for Tonglen practice hosted by Kokuu and Washin.

lf you would like a Sangha buddy for these days ... Check-ins and sangha support ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...sangha-support

Also for special mention, Our "Face Rakusu (Face Mask)" Sewing Circle ... sewing some slowly as a practice, and others in mass quantities for donation as practice too ... all sewing welcome ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...-Sewing-Circle

Please sit with any of our daily, monthly and weekly Zazenkai ....
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/foru...ings-too%21%29

... also found on the calendar here ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/now/#calendar

'The ZEN of EVERYTHING! Podcast' continues ... such as Episode 22 .... HOPE ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/foru...ELEAF-Podcasts

For a laugh ... and we can all use one these days ... Chants off the Billboard Charts ... from Kossan ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...ts-from-Kossan

Congrats to our Doyu ... now Shonin ... on her Ordination into the Suzuki Lineage ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...8now-Shonin%29

Treeleaf got a nice mention in Tricycle ... and the quotes are almost what l (Jundo) actually said! ... Together Alone: Online Sanghas in the Age of Social Distancing ...
https://tricycle.org/trikedaily/online-sanghas/
and
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...online-sanghas

A small survey ... Is There Interest In A Weekend Retreat? ... sometime in the coming weeks ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...eekend-Retreat

Thank you Shokai ... who finished another never ending cycle of the 108 Dharma Gates ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...ank-you-Shokai

What's The essential nature ? ... some not so essental comments on what's essential ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...sential-nature

Our readings of "Realizing Genjokoan" continue too ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/foru...EAF-ART-CIRCLE

... as does the art and music in our Treeleaf Art Circle ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/foru...EAF-ART-CIRCLE

... as we all sit at home!




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

[Tai Shi]

My life family Zendo and 12th step for service and to carry the message. See me in Rakusu Marjorie brought me from Kyoto.


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[Tai Shi]

sat/lah
Tai Shi
Gassho


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[Heiso]

My life family Zendo and 12th step for service and to carry the message. See me in Rakusu Marjorie brought me from Kyoto.


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That is a beautiful rakusu, Tai Shi! Have you managed to find 12 step meetings online?

Gassho,

Heiso

StLah

[Tai Shi]

I have found three 12th step meetings and I like two of them. One is even an international meeting with room for 100 guests on Zoom, and often I'm in right away. This meeting is free, and people from all over the world come, but the meeting is in English, run probably by the larger English-speaking communities. There are, however, many from all over Europe. This meeting is my favorite because folks respect old-timers, and new-comers, and folks in between. No status here and lots of respect. Then locally there are two meetings I attend. One is gay friendly. The second I only attended today for the first time; appears quite traditional "white middle class." Then there is one out of Australia which I have attended twice and appears like me, middle class from poor background. This group I've been to twice, but because of "language," I'm not comfortable. However, if I can find the group, I may give it one more chance. There are hundreds of online meetings according to what I see on Facebook, but one needs to profess affiliation.
Tai Shi
sat lah
Gassho
_/|\_