ZalthoLIVE - Claude AnShin Thomas

These are questions and topics that Claude AnShin Thomas - fully ordained Zen Buddhist Monk in the Japanese Soto Zen tradition - reflects on. He reminds the listener of how to stay awake to life and how to understand more deeply the trappings of a deluded mind. For more interesting information: https://zaltho.org/ If you want to ask a question: [email protected] Want to read up on this topic? Book recommendations: - Bringing Meditation to Life - 108 Teachings on the Path of Zen Practice (Oakwood Publishing 2021) - AT HELL'S GATE - A Soldier's Journey from War to Peace (Shambhala Publications 2003) https://zaltho.org/en/media/books.html Questions/Time Stamps: 1:16 How has your relationship to being on time been, for example before the practice and then coming into the practice ***6:04 Do you remember the first retreat that you facilitated and if so, how did it go? ***8:30 If I have developed certain reactions to similar situations over my lifetime, do you think that this is a trap like conditioning patterns? And that I should behave freshly in every moment? ***11:42 Do I let go of fear or does fear let go of me?*** 13:27 Can you say more about "moral Injury" such as examples or how a person knows that they have one? ***16:22 Would you be willing to share a personal experience about recognizing fear and how your relationship to fear served you ***19:37 Is there something that you especially like to do to recovery yourself or get back your strength after changing time (jet lag)? ***24:51 Do you beat yourself up when you make a mistake or how has your process been? ***27:15 After you finish an event or a lot of traveling do you take a specific amount of time to reflect or let it sink in? ***32:57 How would you finish the sentence, "At the end of my life…?" ***39:28 Do you think of what you might leave behind for your son after death?

These are questions and topics that Claude AnShin Thomas - fully ordained Zen Buddhist Monk in the Japanese Soto Zen tradition - reflects on. He reminds the listener of how to stay awake to life and how to understand more deeply the trappings of a deluded mind. For more interesting information: https://zaltho.org/ If you want to ask a question: [email protected] Want to read up on this topic? Book recommendations: - Bringing Meditation to Life - 108 Teachings on the Path of Zen Practice (Oakwood Publishing 2021) - AT HELL'S GATE - A Soldier's Journey from War to Peace (Shambhala Publications 2003) https://zaltho.org/en/media/books.html Questions in this episode: (1:00) Would your share your current feelings of vulnerability with us? *** (6:08) Is it egoistic to want to have children? *** (10:20) From your experience is it easier to reflect on one's suffering and conditioning by living alone or in relationships or with a family? *** (13:10) At the car wash, where the car is pulled through I have terrible feelings of anxiousness. Do you think it is useful to go through the car wash more often to address this feeling? *** (15:45) You stated that deep listening and mindful speech practice is not a therapy group. What is a therapy group then? *** (17:35) Going back to the car wash, when imagining the real risk, I still have great doubt about the possibility that I will be ok. *** (20:00) When you spoke with the former Israeli soldiers and the police wellness group, was this not dharma talks?

These are questions and topics that Claude AnShin Thomas - fully ordained Zen Buddhist Monk in the Japanese Soto Zen tradition - reflects on. He reminds the listener of how to stay awake to life and how to understand the trappings of a deluded mind more deeply. This episode was recorded during a zoom questions&response session with a German-speaking audience. For more interesting information: https://zaltho.org/ If you want to ask a question: [email protected] Want to read up on this topic? Book recommendations: •Bringing Meditation to Life - 108 Teachings on the Path of Zen Practice (Oakwood Publishing 2021) •AT HELL'S GATE - A Soldier's Journey from War to Peace (Shambhala Publications 2003) https://zaltho.org/en/media/books.html Questions in this episode: 1:28 There is a saying, "People will not remember what you said but how they felt when you said it." Do you consider this to be true? 2:28 If you experience a new and challenging situation that you feel insecure about, how do you deal with it? 4:06 I often feel as if I am swimming against the current or that I am different than a big percentage of society. And ask myself if I am doing something wrong? Is it also possible to pay too much attention to one's self? 8:35 If you have had any experience sabotaging yourself, would you talk about that? 16:18 Death is a big cause of my suffering. It seems my relation to it is not changing. Is there anything I can do about it? 18:22 You often emphasize the importance of paying attention to details. Is it possible to pay too much attention to detail? And if so, how do I know when I am doing that? 20:18: Where does the practice for the dead (the ritual and recitation done for 49 days after death) come from? 22:15 How do you deal with feelings of senselessness? 26:42 I have more questions regarding life than responses or solutions. How is that for you? 30:50 Why is there the tendency to make things more complicated? 34:37 Is there a new photograph on the altar? And would you be willing to share what it is?

These are topics that Claude AnShin Thomas - fully ordained Zen Buddhist Monk in the Japanese Soto Zen tradition - reflects on. He reminds the listener of how to stay awake to life and how to understand the trappings of a deluded mind more deeply. This episode was recorded during a zoom questions&response session. For more interesting information: https://zaltho.org/ If you want to ask a question: [email protected] Want to read up on this topic? Book recommendations: - Bringing Meditation to Life - 108 Teachings on the Path of Zen Practice (Oakwood Publishing 2021) - AT HELL'S GATE - A Soldier's Journey from War to Peace (Shambhala Publications 2003) https://zaltho.org/en/media/books.html Questions and Time Stamps: 1:07 What has become clear to you since beginning your current retreat, or pilgrimage (commitments in Europe), rather? -- 2:12 I am wondering if we can ever free ourselves from the fear of dying? And what does it require? -- 6:43 Can you speak to how we are not different than the shooter in Uvalde (Texas school shooter)? -- 9:13 Do you fear anything? -- 10:13 How can I realize the difference between being organized and being controlling? -- 11:30 Is there something besides breath awareness, people, animals, places, things that anchor you in your life? -- 14:07 Is there a connection between attachment and addiction? -- 14:52 Do you feel it is worthwhile to travel to Asia to see sacred Buddhist sites? -- 21:40 Is there a "healthy" way to detach or attach? -- 24:45 Can you talk about intimacy with another sentient being, like a pet (companion animal)? -- 26:50 You mention the truth that exists beyond the intellect. In your view can one only get there by having a container of an ancient spiritual tradition? -- 28:42 If any breath could be the last one, is there anything I can do about it? -- 29:50 How has your practice changed over the years, in your opinion?

These are questions and topics that Claude AnShin Thomas - fully ordained Zen Buddhist Monk in the Japanese Soto Zen tradition - reflects on. He reminds the listener of how to stay awake to life and how to understand the trappings of a deluded mind more deeply. This episode was recorded during a zoom questions&response session with a German-speaking audience. For more interesting information: https://zaltho.org/ If you want to ask a question: [email protected] Want to read up on this topic? Book recommendations: - Bringing Meditation to Life - 108 Teachings on the Path of Zen Practice (Oakwood Publishing 2021) - AT HELL'S GATE - A Soldier's Journey from War to Peace (Shambhala Publications 2003) https://zaltho.org/en/media/books.html TIME STAMPS 0:52: What to do when all the people around me tell me I speak too softly but a Zen teacher tells me that I need to speak softer and more gently? 02:15 You mention you trust science. How do you deal with science that is killing living beings to reach conclusions? 07:48 How can I deal with the feeling of loneliness that drives me to cling or hang on to the ones I love. How can I surrender to the reality of my loneliness without suffering? 11:48 How can practice inform me about anything other than practice if all I do is focus on the essential point? 16:37 Amnesty International has criticized the Ukraine for strategically using human beings in its warfare. Is it ok to criticize the Ukraine? 19:07 How do I deal emotionally with the fact that in war there are not good people (right side, wrong side)? 21:40 Do you sometimes feel lazy, and if so, how do you deal with the sensation of laziness? 23:10 When you speak of awakening and the essential point, you create a sense of security for me. Is this sense of security something you always had or was there a certain point when it started? 27:30 What is the transfer from teacher to student? What is transferred and how does it work? 30:30 At the retreat you just completed, there was a meditation teacher. What did they offer? 32:38 How has the vow "creations are numberless, I vow to free them," unfolded for you? 36:55 Do you sometimes have a hard time to focus, and if you do, what do you do with that? 41:55 Claude AnShin adds a more appropriate response to the question regarding science and doing harm.

These are questions and topics that Claude AnShin Thomas - fully ordained Zen Buddhist Monk in the Japanese Soto Zen tradition - reflects on. He reminds the listener of how to stay awake to life and how to understand the trappings of a deluded mind more deeply. This episode was recorded during a zoom questions&response session with a German-speaking audience. Time stamps: Q: 01:30 What is the meaning of incense offering and what are you reciting while doing it? Q: 06:00 As you follow instructions, do you also follow your intuition? Q: 11:00 During the morning practice, what is the significance of sitting 180 degrees opposite of the first sitting period? Q: 17:45 Could you speak on the topic of faith in the zen tradition? Q: 23:00 Do you have any guidance when facing a complicated and overwhelming project? Q: 30:00 To KenShin, do you have opportunities to participate in the practice of mindful speech and deep listening? Q: 33:30 Do we always have a choice or a choice at all? Q: 35:00 How to not mess things up when I'm really tired? Q: 38:20 Do you think if I focus on my fears, they come true? Q: 40:50 Are ethical and moral principles individual or shared? For more interesting information: https://zaltho.org/ If you want to ask a question: [email protected] Want to read up on this topic? Book recommendations: - Bringing Meditation to Life - 108 Teachings on the Path of Zen Practice (Oakwood Publishing, 2021) - AT HELL'S GATE - A Soldier's Journey from War to Peace (Shambhala Publications 2003) https://zaltho.org/en/media/books.html

These are questions and topics that Claude AnShin Thomas - fully ordained Zen Buddhist Monk in the Japanese Soto Zen tradition - reflects on. He reminds the listener of how to stay awake to life and how to understand the trappings of a deluded mind more deeply. This episode was recorded during a zoom questions&response session with a German-speaking audience. For more interesting information: https://zaltho.org/ If you want to ask a question: [email protected] Want to read up on this topic? Book recommendations: Bringing Meditation to Life - 108 Teachings on the Path of Zen Practice AT HELL'S GATE - A Soldier's Journey from War to Peace (Shambhala Publications 2003) https://zaltho.org/en/media/books.html (1:05) Q: Other teachers do "Dharma talks". What is your understanding of this and how do you work differently with the topic, such as in the Questions and Responses? 2:03 Q: Do you perceive pressure and how do you deal with it? 8:15 Q: Is my wish to want to feel connected also a conditioned expectation of what the world should be and another disguise for my suffering? 10:44 Q: How do you relate to what is your intuition today in contrast to before your Buddhist practice? 13:09 Q: Is vulnerability needed to be human in its full range? 16:31 Q: How was your trip to Miami and the people you met there? 21:46 Q: What do you think of the current situation in Europe, specifically how Russia may take the war to other countries? 24:05 Q: Is there something in yourself where you feel connected to your younger self, emotionally or with feelings from then? 27:53 Q: Do you put a lot of stock in first impressions? 29:00 Q: How come you and KenShin are separated by your screens? 31:50 Q How can you tell the difference between watching things unfold versus the stories we tell ourselves that confirm our bias?

These are questions and topics that Claude AnShin Thomas - fully ordained Zen Buddhist Monk in the Japanese Soto Zen tradition - reflects on. He reminds the listener of how to stay awake to life and how to understand the trappings of a deluded mind more deeply. This episode was recorded during a zoom questions&response session with a German-speaking audience. For more interesting information: https://zaltho.org/ If you want to ask a question: [email protected] Want to read up on this topic? Book recommendations: Bringing Meditation to Life - 108 Teachings on the Path of Zen Practice AT HELL'S GATE - A Soldier's Journey from War to Peace (Shambhala Publications 2003) https://zaltho.org/en/media/books.html Q: I heard someone talk recently about having contact to a younger version of themselves with in themselves. Do you have anything like this? (Min 1) Q: Do you put a lot of stock in first impressions? (Min 5) Q: How can you tell the difference between first impressions and some form of narrative based on our conditioning? (Min 10) Q: If there is something I regret from the past, is it ok to let it go or should I turn back and apologize? Q: What is your current vulnerability? (Min 15) Q: Is it egotistic to want to have children? (Min 20) Q: In your experience is it easier to confront one's own suffering in solitude or in relationship? (Min 25) Q: Do you think it is useful to expose myself to that which I am afraid of? (29mins) Q: You say that Q &R sessions are not a therapy group. What is the difference? (31 mins)

The following questions are what Claude AnShin Thomas - fully ordained Zen Buddhist Monk in the Japanese Soto Zen tradition - reflects on in this episode. He reminds the listener of how to stay awake to life and how to understand the trappings of a deluded mind more deeply. This episode was recorded during a zoom questions&response session with a German-speaking audience. Q1: (1 min 15 sec) Why don't you give Dharma talks? Q2:(2min 15 sec) Do you perceive pressure and if so how do you deal with it? Q3: (9 min) Is my wish to be connected part of my conditioning? And if so is that also part of my suffering? Q4: (min 11) How do you relate to your intuition today? Q5: (min 13) Is vulnerability needed to be human in its full range? Q6: (min 17) How was your trip to Miami? Q7: (min 22) What is your current view on the situation in Europe (war in the Ukraine)? Do you think Russia will take the war to other countries? For more interesting information: https://zaltho.org/ If you want to ask a question: [email protected] Want to read up on this topic? Book recommendations: Bringing Meditation to Life - 108 Teachings on the Path of Zen Practice AT HELL'S GATE - A Soldier's Journey from War to Peace (Shambhala Publications 2003) https://zaltho.org/en/media/books.html

This is a topic that Claude AnShin Thomas - fully ordained Zen Buddhist Monk in the Japanese Soto Zen tradition - reflects on with a group of university students. This episode was recorded during a zoom class. Claude AnShin Thomas: What you all do, what living a Buddhist life is like, why you have chosen such a life? Question #1: How do I live in the present moment when I know that I will die, and I don't know when? (Min 21) Question #2: what are your thoughts on using meditation practice 2 reduce anxiety? (Min 23) Question #3: How does being a Buddhist impact your daily life and decision making? (Min 27) Question #4: How do you find acceptance around somebody dying before their time or dying young? (Min 33) Question #5: What are your thoughts on the current situation of the world right now and the war that is going on? Question #6: What is the ultimate peace? (Min 41) Question #7: Why is meditation so difficult sometimes, even when you want to meditate? (Min 43) Question #8: If you could expand your community into different places in the world where would you like to see it expand? (Min 46) Question #9: What can an atheist or someone with no belief in a God learn from Buddhist practices? (Min 48) Question #10: How important is vegetarianism and veganism to Buddhist practice? (Min 51) Question #11: When you started on this path did you have a goal, and did you achieve that goal? (Min 55) Question #12: Did you see a difference before and after the pandemic for why people sought out your help and guidance for retreats and teachings? (Min 56) For more interesting information: https://zaltho.org/ If you want to ask a question: [email protected] Want to read up on this topic? Book recommendations: Bringing Meditation to Life - 108 Teachings on the Path of Zen Practice AT HELL'S GATE - A Soldier's Journey from War to Peace (Shambhala Publications 2003) https://zaltho.org/en/media/books.html

Claude AnShin Thomas - fully ordained Zen Buddhist Monk in the Japanese Soto Zen tradition - speaks at the First Unitarian Church of Dallas on the topic of war never being a solution and how to live the peace we want to see in the word. This episode was recorded during a zoom questions&response session with a German-speaking audience. For more interesting information: https://zaltho.org/ If you want to ask a question: [email protected] Want to read up on this topic? Book recommendations: Bringing Meditation to Life - 108 Teachings on the Path of Zen Practice AT HELL'S GATE - A Soldier's Journey from War to Peace (Shambhala Publications 2003) https://zaltho.org/en/media/books.html

This talk was held in January 2022 online for a group of veterans who are working on the aspect of moral injury. Claude AnShin Thomas shares his experience for the first 30 minutes as it relates to his military service and his conditioning leading up to the Vietnam War. He also talks about how he found his way to Buddhist practice among several other topics. Question and response starts at 30 minutes: Question 1: How did you come to the practice of Buddhism? (min 33) Question 2: Do you do any yoga? (min 43) Question 3: How do you train individuals in breathing meditation who can get potentially triggered by it such as snipers? (min 48) Question 4: I retired in 2018, and it feels like since then my post-traumatic stress has gotten worse. Have you heard experiences like this? Is this common? (min 53) For more interesting information: https://zaltho.org/ If you want to ask a question: [email protected] Want to read up on this topic? Book recommendations: Bringing Meditation to Life - 108 Teachings on the Path of Zen Practice AT HELL'S GATE - A Soldier's Journey from War to Peace (Shambhala Publications 2003) https://zaltho.org/en/media/books.html

Q: If all my perceptions are influenced my cultural circumstances, how can I be sure to find absolute truth? How to know, if what I find is not yet just another cultural conditioning? Q: How did your ordination go? (3 min 45 sec) Q: Why did you get ordained in Auschwitz? (14 mins) Q: When is the right time to ask a question? (18 min 55 sec) Q: What is that new pin you are wearing on your robe? (28 mins) These are questions and topics that Claude AnShin Thomas - fully ordained Zen Buddhist Monk in the Japanese Soto Zen tradition - reflects on. He reminds the listener of how to stay awake to life and how to understand the trappings of a deluded mind more deeply. This episode was recorded during a zoom questions&response session with a German-speaking audience. For more interesting information: https://zaltho.org/ If you want to ask a question: [email protected] Want to read up on this topic? Book recommendations: Bringing Meditation to Life - 108 Teachings on the Path of Zen Practice AT HELL'S GATE - A Soldier's Journey from War to Peace (Shambhala Publications 2003) https://zaltho.org/en/media/books.html

These are questions about the current war in the Ukraine that Claude AnShin Thomas - fully ordained Zen Buddhist Monk in the Japanese Soto Zen tradition - reflects on. Having been a soldier in war, Claude AnShin Thomas speaks with an authentic and legitimate voice. This episode was recorded during a zoom questions&response session with a German-speaking audience. Questions: (1:47) How does the Zaltho Zen community work with the current situation of war in the Ukraine? (12:30) Living in Hungaria there is a chance that war arrives here. What should we do when it happens? (18:18) What feelings come up for you when you see the images from the war in the Ukraine? (25:16) What advise would you give president Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian government and people? For more interesting information: https://zaltho.org/ If you want to ask a question: [email protected] Want to read up on this topic? Book recommendations: Bringing Meditation to Life - 108 Teachings on the Path of Zen Practice AT HELL'S GATE - A Soldier's Journey from War to Peace (Shambhala Publications 2003) https://zaltho.org/en/media/books.html

These are questions and topics that Claude AnShin Thomas - fully ordained Zen Buddhist Monk in the Japanese Soto Zen tradition - reflects on. He reminds the listener of how to stay awake to life and how to understand the trappings of a deluded mind more deeply. For more interesting information: https://zaltho.org/ If you want to ask a question: [email protected] Want to read up on this topic? Book recommendations: Bringing Meditation to Life - 108 Teachings on the Path of Zen Practice AT HELL'S GATE - A Soldier's Journey from War to Peace (Shambhala Publications 2003) https://zaltho.org/en/media/books.html

Meditation is not a technique, Making Decisions, Can Lying be a skillful means? These are questions and topics that Claude AnShin Thomas - fully ordained Zen Buddhist Monk in the Japanese Soto Zen tradition - reflects on. He reminds the listener of how to stay awake to life and how to understand the trappings of a deluded mind more deeply. This episode was recorded during a zoom questions&response session with a German-speaking audience. For more interesting information: https://zaltho.org/ If you want to ask a question: [email protected] Want to read up on this topic? Book recommendations: Bringing Meditation to Life - 108 Teachings on the Path of Zen Practice AT HELL'S GATE - A Soldier's Journey from War to Peace (Shambhala Publications 2003) https://zaltho.org/en/media/books.html

These are questions and topics that Claude AnShin Thomas - fully ordained Zen Buddhist Monk in the Japanese Soto Zen tradition - reflects on. He reminds the listener of how to stay awake to life and how to understand the trappings of a deluded mind more deeply. This episode was recorded during the Vesak online celebration - the worldwide Buddhist festivity of the historical Buddha's (Gautama Siddharta Shakyamuni) birthday, enlightenment and death. For more interesting information: https://zaltho.org/ If you want to ask a question: [email protected] Want to read up on this topic? Book recommendations: Bringing Meditation to Life - 108 Teachings on the Path of Zen Practice AT HELL'S GATE - A Soldier's Journey from War to Peace (Shambhala Publications 2003) https://zaltho.org/en/media/books.html

In this episode Zen Buddhist monk Claude AnShin Thomas works with following questions. This episode was recorded during a zoom questions&response session with a German-speaking audience. For more interesting information: https://zaltho.org/ If you want to ask a question: [email protected] Want to read up on this topic? Book recommendations: Bringing Meditation to Life - 108 Teachings on the Path of Zen Practice AT HELL'S GATE - A Soldier's Journey from War to Peace (Shambhala Publications 2003) https://zaltho.org/en/media/books.html *** 1) Q: I notice when in meditation that I come in contact with strong emotions. like Hatred and Discuss. R: Good. Q: What do I do? R: There is nothing to do. just be present to them. When we slow down, like we do here. feelings and thoughts that we avoid through activity begin to show themselves. it is those thoughts and feelings that we attempt to avoid that really run our lives. *** 2) Q: I suddenly feel old. I feel like I've seen it before and heard it before. life seems to become more and more boring. R: I guess you need to learn how to be bored. Seriously, because we all are grasping after stimulation. to avoid this sense of boredom. and never get to experience what is under neath the boredom. just be bored. Because in truth… existence is ANYTHING but boring if I am present to it. This who idea of boredom is really a product of over stimulation. from escaping endlessly. *** 3) Q. What is the sense of a homeless retreat? The sense of a retreat like this, you would gather through attendance.…I lived homeless for 2 year. I lived in an abandoned car in an ally way.. I lived outside 24 hours a day. from '70-'72. *** 4) Q. Today when you meet a "junkie" or a beggar how do you respond? It depends… I do not have a fix response to this. Its about the interaction….AnShin goes into different senecios in which he has experienced and how he response. *** 5) Q:Is There a more concrete way that you work with the drug addicted like you do with war veterans? R: Yes. It is really up to the individual and if they want their lives to be different… (AnShin goes on to talk about a personal example and his own experience with drug addiction and recovery) ***

These are questions and topics that Claude AnShin Thomas - fully ordained Zen Buddhist Monk in the Japanese Soto Zen tradition - reflects on. He reminds the listener of how to stay awake to life and how to understand the trappings of a deluded mind more deeply. This episode was recorded during a zoom questions&response session with a German-speaking audience. For more interesting information: https://zaltho.org/ If you want to ask a question: [email protected] Want to read up on this topic? Book recommendations: Bringing Meditation to Life - 108 Teachings on the Path of Zen Practice AT HELL'S GATE - A Soldier's Journey from War to Peace (Shambhala Publications 2003) https://zaltho.org/en/media/books.html

These are questions and topics that Claude AnShin Thomas - fully ordained Zen Buddhist Monk in the Japanese Soto Zen tradition - reflects on. He reminds the listener of how to stay awake to life and how to understand the trappings of a deluded mind more deeply. Here brief notes about this episode's themes: Giving witness/bearing witness - Encourage to be revealing of oneself, to not skate around on the surface of things, to explore the depth of our conditioning in a verbal way Recognizing excuses for not-practicing meditation Living practice out loud - It's about sitting, it's about pausing before eating - application of meditation in all of my daily affairs, not hiding my commitment, for instance in my case wearing robes - being more slow, talk less, be more deliberate Working with the feelings connected with the trauma of injuring your hand – re-visiting using the saw Memories that touch sadness - learning to hold the feelings Perceiving interconnectedness in life – having a keen awareness, not always possible to put into words Decisions on setting priorities - a big part is accepting life as it is - going ahead with what wants or needs to be done - to not over-think things For more interesting information: https://zaltho.org/ If you want to ask a question: [email protected] Want to read up on this topic? Book recommendations: Bringing Meditation to Life - 108 Teachings on the Path of Zen Practice AT HELL'S GATE - A Soldier's Journey from War to Peace (Shambhala Publications 2003) https://zaltho.org/en/media/books.html

Listen to this inspiring public talk by Zen monk Claude AnShin Thomas on the occasion of the world wide celebrated Buddhist VESAK fest. We all struggle from time to time with the reality of impermance and not-knowing. Sometimes these are welcome and exciting when we touch the potential and the liveliness. VESAK marks the birth, awakening and death of the historical man Gautama Siddharta Shakyamuni who received the title Buddha= awakened one. For more interesting information: https://zaltho.org/ If you want to ask a question: [email protected] Want to read up on this topic? Book recommendations: Bringing Meditation to Life - 108 Teachings on the Path of Zen Practice AT HELL'S GATE - A Soldier's Journey from War to Peace (Shambhala Publications 2003) https://zaltho.org/en/media/books.html

Sustaining a meditation practice is not always easy. Sitting meditation is only one form of meditation. How do I remain fresh and open in the midst of daily routines? In short: Zen pracitice is about ATTENTION-TO-DAILY-LIFE. These are some questions and topics that Claude AnShin Thomas - fully ordained Zen Buddhist Monk in the Japanese Soto Zen tradition - reflects on. He reminds the listener of how to stay awake to life and how to understand the trappings of a deluded mind more deeply. This episode was recorded during a zoom questions&response session with a German-speaking audience - therefore the German translation. This helps to slow the pace down so that you can really let Claude AnShin Thomas' words sink in. For more interesting information: https://zaltho.org/ If you want to ask a question: [email protected] Want to read up on this topic? Book recommendations: Bringing Meditation to Life - 108 Teachings on the Path of Zen Practice (Oakwood Publishing 2021) AT HELL'S GATE - A Soldier's Journey from War to Peace (Shambhala Publications 2003) https://zaltho.org/en/media/books.html

@The importance of breath awareness in all that we do. @ How was the process of beginning to serve others? @ Could you explain the difference between knowledge and wisdon? @ What do you think about the violent turmoil in Myanmar? @ Can Zen practice support the parenting of a teeanger? ************************************************************* These are questions that Claude AnShin Thomas - fully ordained Zen Buddhist Monk in the Japanese Soto Zen tradition - reflects on. He reminds the listener of how to stay awake to life and how to understand the trappings of a deluded mind more deeply. This episode was recorded during a zoom questions&response session with a German-speaking audience. For more interesting information: https://zaltho.org/ If you want to ask a question: [email protected] Want to read up on this topic? Book recommendations: Bringing Meditation to Life - 108 Teachings on the Path of Zen Practice AT HELL'S GATE - A Soldier's Journey from War to Peace (Shambhala Publications 2003) https://zaltho.org/en/media/books.html

- Trust the Process, Meditation and Chronic Pain, Feeling Alive etc. This is a session with an international audience on zoom where Claude AnShin Thomas - fully ordained Zen Buddhist Monk in the Japanese Soto Zen tradition - responds to question. He reminds the listener of how to stay awake to life and how to understand the trappings of a deluded mind more deeply. This episode was recorded during a zoom questions&response session with a German-speaking audience. For more interesting information: https://zaltho.org/ If you want to ask a question: [email protected] Want to read up on this topic? Book recommendations: - Bringing Meditation to Life - 108 Teachings on the Path of Zen Practice https://zaltho.org/en/who-we-are/claude-anshin-thomas-founder/books.html - AT HELL'S GATE - A Soldier's Journey from War to Peace (Shambhala Publications 2003) https://zaltho.org/en/who-we-are/claude-anshin-thomas-founder/at-hell-s-gate.html

Author Claude AnShin Thomas introduces his new book Bringing Meditation to Life and reads a few excerpts. https://zaltho.org/en/who-we-are/claude-anshin-thomas-founder/books.html Zen teacher Claude AnShin Thomas shares his experiences and insights into how Zen teachings and practice can move off the meditation cushion and into everything we do, transforming all aspects of our life. Bringing Meditation to Life features 108 pithy and potent teachings for inspiration and contemplation, drawn from Claude AnShin's public talks and previous writings. Interspersed throughout the book are some of the author's favorite quotes from Zen literature. Published by Oakwood Publishing, imprint of the Zaltho Foundation. For more interesting information: https://zaltho.org/ If you want to ask a question: [email protected]

Intriguing questions about guilt, forgiveness, science - we all have questions. How inspiring to hear this particular Zen perspective from Claude AnShin Thomas. Reminders of how we create separateness, how thoughts are not absolute fact, how to develop discernment of thought and trust in our mind. These are questions that Claude AnShin Thomas - fully ordained Zen Buddhist Monk in the Japanese Soto Zen tradition - reflects on. He reminds the listener of how to stay awake to life and how to understand the trappings of a deluded mind more deeply. This episode was recorded during a zoom questions & response session with a German-speaking audience. For more interesting information: https://zaltho.org/ If you want to ask a question: [email protected] Want to read up on this topic? Book recommendation: AT HELL'S GATE - A Soldier's Journey from War to Peace (Shambhala Publications 2003) https://zaltho.org/en/who-we-are/claude-anshin-thomas-founder/at-hell-s-gate.html

Claude AnShin Thomas: "There is a difference between the ideas of peace, nonviolence, pacifism and the commitment to the reality of active nonviolence. How does all the information I receive translate into action? If something is not practical, it is not spiritual. The world is as it is; if I pay attention the world informs me all of the time. It's about being committed to an active meditation practice which teaches me to become the observer." Claude AnShin Thomas speaks about this great matter from a personal perspective as a former soldier and as a long time ordained Zen Buddhist monk. In the last portion of the talk, Claude AnShin Thomas takes questions (starts at 44:25) - a very engaging and interesting section of Claude AnShin Thomas' speaking. For more information: https://zaltho.org/ If you want to ask a question: [email protected] Want to read up on this topic? Read AT HELL'S GATE - A Soldier's Journey from War to Peace (Shambhala Publications 2003). https://zaltho.org/en/who-we-are/claude-anshin-thomas-founder/at-hell-s-gate.html

My attachment to my ideas of what life is or how I should be in the world creates more suffering. What is the 'seeing with clarity' that Shakyamuni Buddha experienced? What do you do about the environmental crisis? Is the care for the environment part of self care? What is spiritual? What has been outstanding for you in your long distance walks (pilgrimages)? When having a depressed mind, can observing the mind be an obstacle in sitting meditation and can saying a sentence repeatedly (mantra) be more helpful? ============================================= These are questions that Claude AnShin Thomas - fully ordained Zen Buddhist Monk in the Japanese Soto Zen tradition - reflects on. He reminds the listener of how to stay awake to life and how to understand the trappings of a deluded mind more deeply. This episode was recorded during a zoom questions&response session with a German-speaking audience. For more interesting information: https://zaltho.org/ If you want to ask a question: [email protected] Want to read up on this topic: AT HELL'S GATE - A Soldier's Journey from War to Peace (Shambhala Publications 2003) https://zaltho.org/en/who-we-are/claude-anshin-thomas-founder/at-hell-s-gate.html

Have unexpected painful feelings ever overwhelm you? Is suchness the same as soul ? Can a Buddhist mantra clear all suffering? Is it true that when I avoid conflict to keep the peace, I start a war within myself? These are questions that Claude AnShin Thomas reflects on. He reminds the listener of how easy it happens that we are driven by our conditioning to expect to never feel confused, angry or sad but to ALWAYS feel happy, to avoid the reality of life, which is to not touch the reality of the unknown. And how this brings suffering. This episode was recorded during a zoom questions&response session with a German-speaking audience. For more interesting information: https://zaltho.org/ If you want to ask a question: [email protected] Want to read up on this topic: AT HELL'S GATE - A Soldier's Journey from War to Peace (Shambhala Publications 2003) https://zaltho.org/en/who-we-are/claude-anshin-thomas-founder/at-hell-s-gate.html

Ever wondered what Zen sitting meditation is about? Ever had doubts if you are doing it correctly? Zen Buddhist monk Claude AnShin Thomas explains the basics of sitting meditation including how to establish a stable posture and practice breath awareness. His clarity in words and is strength in speaking are inspiring. This episode was recorded during a talk with a German-speaking audience and includes translation into German. For more interesting information: https://zaltho.org/ If you want to ask a question: [email protected] Want to read up on this topic: AT HELL'S GATE - A Soldier's Journey from War to Peace (Shambhala Publications 2003) https://zaltho.org/en/who-we-are/claude-anshin-thomas-founder/at-hell-s-gate.html

Claude AnShin is a Vietnam combat veteran, a Zen Buddhist monk and teacher, and the author of the book "At Hell's Gate: A Soldier's Journey from War to Peace." He is also the founder of the Zaltho Foundation, which promotes nonviolence, awareness, and positive change in individuals and communities. During the coronavirus pandemic, Claude AnShin has shifted from teaching in person to offering live weekly dharma talks from the Magnolia Zen Center in Mary Esther, Florida. The Zaltho Live podcast makes these talks available for listeners to enjoy at any time. Rather than selecting a topic in advance, AnShin solicits questions from the group so that he can speak directly to people's interests, curiosity, and concerns. The topics that arise are wide-ranging--from questions about meditation practice and core Buddhist teachings, to relationships, work life, current events, and more.