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.

This episode was recorded during a zoom questions&responses 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/our-books.html

Questions and Time Stamps:

1:18 What is the significance and meaning as well as the difference between sitting to the front and sitting to the back? **** 3:18 From where I am sitting, I am noticing a design stitched into the back of your rakusu and everybody seems to have it who has a rakusu. What is it? **** 4:11 What is most important for civilians to know about military veterans? **** 6: 32 How do you know the point is where the breath comes in without thinking about it? **** 7:40 Does Buddhism and/or you recognize the concept of evil? And, if so, what does it mean in that context for you and Buddhism? **** 10:55 But one has to name things because otherwise the world wouldn’t function either, right? **** 13:25 Does this retreat with veterans feel more familiar than other retreats? **** 16:51 What is this ongoing joke about Bielefeld (city in Germany) existing or not existing? **** 19:06 Talking about the relative and the absolute realm, where, if anywhere, does the ego play in the relative realm? **** 21:44 If there was a death to the sense of self, would I then experience the absolute realm? **** 28:27 My question is if you are either interacting or doing a retreat with police officers, in the relative realm, how would either work with them or encourage them to be non-violent? **** 40:32 How can I use the tools that you give us to throw off this very oppressive and heavy weight of karmic doom? **** 42:42 Do you have an idea how it comes  that for example my grandmother with age she now tells things about the war which she hasn’t done before?

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.

This episode was recorded during a zoom questions&responses 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 and Time Stamps:*1:40 I am noticing that I am have difficulties with recognition. I feel as if I need constant positive feedback for everything I do. How do I deal with it?

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.

This episode was recorded during a zoom questions&responses 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 Codes:

• 02:18 If you wouldn’t be an addict, do you think you would think differently?
• 03:18 How do you relate to the word, “hope?”
• 05:28 Could you share on how you perceive “not-broken”? What does it mean to you?
• 07:56 What should I do when someone personally attacks me to hurt me verbally?
• 10:47 When a person has a hard moment is that an awakening or something else?
• 12:22 Within the language of broken and not-broken, how do you talk about psychiatric illnesses?
• 17:24 Do I think it is possible to let go to attachment to life before dying?
• 22:07 How do you suggest dealing with anger?
• 24:12 Do you find yourself sometimes in survival mode?
• 27:04 How can one achieve not wanting to achieve something?
• 29:08 Is escape always negative or wrong?
• 30:48 When you are attacked verbally, how do you go about making a connection?
• 32:43 Do you have advice how to work with people who work differently than oneself?
• 34:50 How do you experience the difference between online and in-person practice?
• 37:44 How to remain kind with one’s own negativity?
• 41:32 …., is this nature of love always the same, or the nature of life?

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.

This episode was recorded during a zoom questions&responses 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

• 1:20 Have you ever had a burst of laughter when it was not fitting, how you dealt with it?
• 2:20 I was wondering what you are learning about yourself at the present time in your life?
• 6:48 Do you experience any limitations that you encounter as you move through time?
• 8:17 Could you describe one or several spiritual awakenings you might have experienced through Zen practice?
• 11:28 Beyond the physical difference between men and women, what differences do you perceive?
• 13:42 I’m confused about when you say “sit just to sit” … Do you have any suggestion what to do with my confusion?
• 18:20 My mother experienced a lot of trauma in her childhood and still suffers a lot. And through this suffering she can be hurtful to other people. How can I be connected to her and have her in my life but not always get hurt by her?
• 23:13 I have a question about something you said on a podcast about a comment on social media about you do not following “real” Zen. Can you help me understand this?
• 27:52 I have heard the statement that it is up to me how much I let something or someone hurt me or anger me. What is your experience how much determination is really involved in that?
• 33:15 I know you make commitments in the morning, generally toward life. Is there any time you also ask for help let say, to the greater reality of the universe or interconnectedness, that I could use some help?
• 35:02 How do you digest all the suffering you are exposed to, the personal and also the wider suffering?
• 39:20 How are we not broken?
• 40:44 Are you worried for the future of your grandchildren in relation with climate change?
• 43:02 During the meditation practice I notice my way of being with thoughts when they come up, is different. I am wondering if that is natural and part of the process or if I am imposing things on my thoughts which at times can seem harsh?
• 49:07 My conditioning around death is rather dark and heavy. In the spirit of having more balance would you think it would be good to look a little more at it in a celebratory way?
• 52:04 There are behaviors we need to stop, and we stop those behaviors because we know that is for the better, right? …. Isn’t that the same thing with the thoughts?

What is it like to live as a Zen Buddhist Monk? This and other questions from college students Claude AnShin Thomas - fully ordained Zen Buddhist Monk in the Japanese Soto Zen tradition - reflects on. 

This episode was recorded during a zoom questions&responses 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 from the students and the professor:

6:26 I’ve read that there are monks who are vegetarian and those who eat meat and I wonder which is true?

8:57 How do you, in Buddhist practice relate to difficult feelings and situations?

12:04 We did a group meditation in class which some remarked was difficult. Do you have any advice for them?

17:49 Are you saying meditation goes beyond the cushion?

21:02 What do you gain from meditation the most?

23:39 If meditation practice is something to continue to do, is there a benefit to practice?

25:39 I am asking about the role of compassion in your teachings and curious about how it influences you?

28:42 Is there any one school of Buddhism that focuses on compassion?

29:48 How has your military experience influenced your understanding of Buddhist practice?

36:08 Buddhist practice has helped you to rejoin the living?

39:27 How do you see a relationship between self-forgiveness and forgiveness of others?

42:30 My parents are Buddhists and eat fish on a specific day. How are you with this?

44:37 You said you feel you have an obligation to work with others when dealing with their (war) experiences. Is that a responsibility due to your Buddhist practice or is that a responsibility due to your experience of war?

49:40 You mentioned Buddhism is about being present and narcotics detaches one from reality. I was wondering about listening to music and if it is something you indulge or avoid?

54:20 Being silent has been difficult, yes?

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

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

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

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.

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?

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?

1. 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?

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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.