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

Next Saturday, March 4th, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ... a Special Treeleaf Event with visiting Teacher, Shosan Victoria Austin ... speaking about her experience of Zen and trauma ... Impact: Accidental Zen ... so inspirational for all of us ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...-Zen-March-4th

My Dharma Brother, Gustav, posted short glimpses of our Teacher ... Nishijima Roshi: The Dish Rack Teachings ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...Rack-Teachings

You can still sit our Zazenkai from this past weekend ... Treeleaf Weekly Zazenkai - WHY BAD THINGS HAPPEN ... (but it was a good thing!) ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...-THINGS-HAPPEN

... the little Talk during Zazenkai is based on this essay: WHY BAD THINGS HAPPEN ... TO GOOD AND BAD PEOPLE. ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...-THINGS-HAPPEN

A Lovely Short Film on a Japanese Soto Temple ... ... with a familiar description of Zazen ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...se-Soto-Temple

One of the super-powers of Zen Practice ... Razor Sharp Clarity ... but not needed or expected every minute of every day ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...-Sharp-Clarity

Together with Shosan Austin's visit, coming next weekend, we turn to her essay in the "no words" book club ... [Zen Teachings in Challenging Times] - (2) - Impact: Accidental Zen - Shosan Austin ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...056#post320056

The learning continues ... The 108 GATES of DHARMA ILLUMINATION with Shokai ... jump in any time ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/foru...ON-with-Shokai

Another heartfelt update from our Jinkan ... facing the emotions that well up sometimes ...
https://www.treeleaf.org/forums/show...l=1#post319751



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