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

Our recent Zazenkai are open for sitting ant time, right now ... this week, we sat with the Winter Solstice ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...inter-Solstice

Shokai has begun again his wonderful annual series ... The 108 GATES of DHARMA ILLUMINATION with Shokai ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/foru...ON-with-Shokai

In the New Year, Doshin and Kokuu will be facilitating a could discussion and action group ... Ecodharma Study and Practice Group ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...Practice-Group

For our Jukai folks ... PRECEPTS XI - To Refrain from Being Angry ... stay cool ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...om-Being-Angry

... and don't be selfish ... PRECEPTS X - To Refrain from Being Stingy ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...m-Being-Stingy

Rakusu backs are arriving to folks ... Mailings Arriving Soon: What's In The Rakusu Envelope?
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...akusu-Envelope

More ramblings by "me" ... The Little 'self' is a Fiction, yet As Real As Real Can Be ... ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...As-Real-Can-Be

On a related theme ... a thread that is not nothing ... What is Emptiness? ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...t-is-Emptiness

We are honoring some of our very long time, helpful members ... Ubasoku 優婆塞 ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...A9%86%E5%A1%9E

Congratulations also to dear from of this Sangha ... Eishin Dainei's shukke tokudo ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...-shukke-tokudo

Our other friend, monk Kakunen says hi ... Hello,Letter from Toshoji ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...r-from-Toshoji

A new member asks ... Some Newbie-Questions regarding Zazen-Practice ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...Zazen-Practice

... and also ... Has single-pointed concetration i.e. object-based concentration a place in Soto-ZEN? ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...ce-in-Soto-ZEN

,,, also ... some more here ... (new members Chris keeps us on our toes! ) ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...l=1#post295894

More good speculations and perspective from Zazen ... Is thinking also reality? ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...g-also-reality

... and what does it mean? ... Things as they are ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...gs-as-they-are

More good questions from folks ... What is a Bodhisattva? ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...-a-Bodhisattva

Reflecting on my book, 'Zen Master's Dance' ... when is a problem mostly in one's mind? ... The Zen Master's Dance - 9 - Fukan Zazengi (middle of p. 38 to bottom of p. 41) ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...tom-of-p-41%29

Our friendly tea houses have been meeting, to hang out and be friendly ... check em out ... Treeleaf Tea Houses ... https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/foru...dly-Tea-Houses

Zen of Everything Podcast brought back a golden oldie for the holidays ... Episode 64: I'm Dreaming of a Zen Christmas ...
https://www.zen-of-everything.com/64

Tonglen is happening tonight ... Tonglen Practice Circle 26 December 2021 ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/foru...RACTICE-CIRCLE

... and we have also had a RYAKU FUSATSU - Full Moon Precepts Recommitment Ceremony ... and you can join in any time, make the slate clean ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...-December-2021




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!)

As a powerful Zen practice about not falling into words and thoughts, simplifying ideas, not getting tangled, we ask people to keep sentences few in posting. However, it is not some law or hard rule at all. If someone really has something in their heart to say, and it is vital and cannot be said more concisely or silently, then say what one is called to say: In such case, no limit on words needed.

A Request to Sangha Members: "Three Sacred Sentences" Practice
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...ences-Practice

* * *


As well, 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):


Gassho, Jundo

(Sorry to run long)

SatTodayLAH