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

Remember that the world's foremost Dogen scholar is visiting tomorrow ... I would love to see a nice attendance ... Special Zazenkai SUN. July 26th with Zen/Dogen Historian Dr. Steven Heine ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...r-Steven-Heine

Please sit our weekly and monthly Zazenkai ... our Zendo never sleeps ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/foru...TTING-NETCASTS

You may notice that we are simplifying our Forum design a bit ... what do you think? ... Impressions: New Forum Organization ...

Also, we're gonna continue this experiment a couple of more weeks ... unless one really needs to say more (like in this post! ) ... A TREELEAF EXPERIMENT: Three Sacred Sentences ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...cred-Sentences

A way two see clearly in Shikantaza ... Two eyes open together ... seeing me and you, birth and death, ups and downs, yet not ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...-open-together

Our new The BEGINNER's PLACE gathers several threads and resources helpful to new folks ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/foru...GINNER-s-PLACE

The new VARIOUS PRACTICES area contains several practices, groups and activities that are all Zen practice in many forms ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/foru...IOUS-PRACTICES

What about passing Enlightenment experience? ... if they are worthwhile you will know from the good effect in your life ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...ent-experience

Is it okay? Zazen on pain medication ... yes, if needed medicine, and not just drugs ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...ain-medication

Zen is not "nihilism" ... because we sometimes drop from mind "good and bad," yet find and live something good ...
The Dark Night, the Abyss, Nihilism?
...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...Abyss-Nihilism

Some don't like ritual, and that's okay ... but there is also some worth there ... Ritual - discomfort and seeking to understand ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...-to-understand

Speaking of which ... in the 'The ZEN of EVERYTHING! Podcast' ... Episode 30 ... Rituals ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...ode-30-Rituals

In our "no words" Book Club ... we are about to start TOMORROW!! ... Next Book Club Selection: Zen Women by Grace Schireson
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...race-Schireson




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