12. On Staying Focused, Zen Study, Belonging, Healthy Relationships, and Feeling Safe (#54)

Claude AnShin Thomas - Zen Buddhist monk, combat veteran, and author - responds to questions from students in an inspiring manner based on his Zen practice and life experiences. He reminds the listener how to stay awake to life and understand more deeply the traps of a deluded mind.   This episode was recorded during a weekly online meeting of questions & responses. For more information: https://www.zaltho.org If you want to ask Claude AnShin Thomas a question, please feel free to write to [email protected]. 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) -       On the Edges of Sleep: Poems of War and Memory (Oakwood Publishing 2024) https://www.zaltho.org/books/   If you are interested in a specific question, this is the list of questions that Claude AnShin responded to and the time stamps for those questions so that you can go directly to the topic that is of most interest to you.   Questions and Time Stamps: 2:18 Why were you referring to “your” son and “that” grandson? 3:09 How do I work with my ego taking over when I have achieved many goals? 4:51 Does impermanence sometimes frighten you? 6:07 Would you be willing to share some of your experience about the sentence, “As I am, the world becomes.”? 8:12 Is there anything that we can possibly think that is indeed the way we think it is? 9:24 Would you be willing to speak on the process that you use for choosing a dharma name for a student? 11:01 Is there something that scares you? 14:49 How would you work with somebody who cannot physically sew a rakusu (lay robe) because of being disabled? 16:18 How would you feel about me throwing in my sewing skills 16:50 What role does friendliness play in Zen practice? 18:28 What is your take on “false pride”? 19:52 Do you find you can learn more about people in a silent retreat than you can by having a conversation with them?

Claude AnShin Thomas - Zen Buddhist monk, combat veteran, and author - responds to questions from students in an inspiring manner based on his Zen practice and life experiences. He reminds the listener how to stay awake to life and understand more deeply the traps of a deluded mind.   This episode was recorded during a weekly online meeting of questions & responses. For more information: https://www.zaltho.org If you want to ask Claude AnShin Thomas a question, please feel free to write to [email protected]. 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) - On the Edges of Sleep: Poems of War and Memory (Oakwood Publishing 2024) https://www.zaltho.org/books/  If you are interested in a specific question, this is the list of questions that Claude AnShin responded to and the time stamps for those questions so that you can go directly to the topic that is of most interest to you. Questions and Time Stamps:1:16 Could you speak on the relationship between enabling and compassion? 2:57 What is violence?   5:05 What remarkable features characterize violence especially in its subtle manifestations?   7:23 What would squandering one’s life look like to you?   9:28 What if the consequences of somebody’s action cause me harm or my family, or the environment that I live in?  12:52 How did your neighbor react to your comment and did they continue to drive over the box?   13:32 Can there ever be peace after war?   14:38 What does healing mean for you?   15:23 When you replace a motor on a washing machine, and it works, does that bring you peace?   16:46 When you do things like repair something, do you listen to any music?   17:11 What is an example of peace in war?   18:24 Do you experience a sense of adventure or a sense of coming home during your travels?

Claude AnShin Thomas - Zen Buddhist monk, combat veteran, and author - responds to questions from students in an inspiring manner based on his Zen practice and life experiences. He reminds the listener how to stay awake to life and understand more deeply the traps of a deluded mind.   This episode was recorded during a weekly online meeting of questions & responses. For more information: https://www.zaltho.org If you want to ask Claude AnShin Thomas a question, please feel free to write to [email protected]. 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) - On the Edges of Sleep: Poems of War and Memory (Oakwood Publishing 2024) https://www.zaltho.org/books/ If you are interested in a specific question, this is the list of questions that Claude AnShin responded to and the time stamps for those questions so that you can go directly to the topic that is of most interest to you. Questions and Time Stamps:1:30 How come it is sometimes difficult to just go ahead and do something? 2:05 What are the current requirements to study with you? 3:42 Do you have a secret to keeping the one breath in mind and not losing it? 4:54 What do you think of this movement of manifesting your life and of connecting it with quantum physics, does this work? 5:37 What is the role of courage? 7:00 Would you share something that was important at the beginning of your practice? 8:26 What can I do about feeling more safe about going into the unknown? 9:35 What would you say is the difference between the need for approval and insecurity?  11:23 What has become clear to you recently? 12:37 Which experiences did you make with feeling excluded and the desire to belong? 14:51 How would you define healthy relationships? 

Claude AnShin Thomas - Zen Buddhist monk, combat veteran, and author - responds to questions from students in an inspiring manner based on his Zen practice and life experiences. He reminds the listener how to stay awake to life and understand more deeply the traps of a deluded mind.   This episode was recorded during a weekly online meeting of questions & responses. For more information: https://www.zaltho.org/ If you want to ask Claude AnShin Thomas a question, please feel free to write to [email protected]. 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) -       On the Edges of Sleep: Poems of War and Memory (Oakwood Publishing 2024) https://www.zaltho.org/books/  If you are interested in a specific question, this is the list of questions that Claude AnShin responded to and the time stamps for those questions so that you can go directly to the topic that is of most interest to you.   Questions and Time Stamps: 1:27 How do you deal with defiance today? 2:06 When experiencing physical or emotional pain, should I relate to that as an opportunity? 3:29 Is it your impression that aggression and violence in this society (and war) is increasing? 4:25 Do you have any suggestions on how to maintain mindfulness without constantly drifting away? 4:57 When you have physical pain what is the moment for you to see a doctor? 6:07 In what way does a board-of-director-retreat differ from a regular retreat? 7:09 Do you see a difference between inner and outer hindrances on the spiritual path? 7:53 If there is no spiritual path, could you have stayed then with alcoholism and drug addiction? 8:53 Do you feel that a lay practitioner can enhance their practice by attention retreats regularly? 10:44 Can avoidance or denial sometimes be helpful? 11:51 Do you believe that denial or avoidance can sometimes protect people from emotions that they are unable to handle at that time? 13:10 How do you understand courage today? 14:02 What is the difference between being clear and being dominant? 16:35 How do you go about establishing priorities when you have multiple responsibilities or tasks? 17:58 If the list of priorities stresses me, how can I do it better?18:19 Do you think that people with a propensity for addiction should also maintain a twelve step participation?

Claude AnShin Thomas - Zen Buddhist monk, combat veteran, and author - responds to questions from students in an inspiring manner based on his Zen practice and life experiences. He reminds the listener how to stay awake to life and understand more deeply the traps of a deluded mind.   This episode was recorded during a weekly online meeting of questions & responses. For more information: https://zaltho.org/ If you want to ask Claude AnShin Thomas a question, please feel free to write to [email protected]. 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) - On the Edges of Sleep: Poems of War and Memory (Oakwood Publishing 2024) If you are interested in a specific question, this is the list of questions that Claude AnShin responded to and the time stamps for those questions so that you can go directly to the topic that is of most interest to you. Questions and Time Stamps: 1:19 Would you share your view on assisted suicide?   2:28 Are blame and praise obstacles?   3:34 Is assisted suicide a form of violence?   5:15 How come you prefer to not use the work ‘transition’?   5:43 What is failure and how can I accept it?   6:50 What is your perspective on meditation that involves visualization?   8:13 What have you recently learned from the cats that live with you?   9:04 What is your understanding of self-compassion?   9:14 Do you still sometimes isolate yourself?   9:45 Are contemplation and self-reflection the same?   10:26 Did you stop taking drugs immediately or in a process?   11:29 Do you read fiction?   12:13 Is it possible to keep one’s energy completely stable?   13:18 Does practice help to find a place of rest within activity?   13:42 Can selfishness and self-compassion be confused?   14:02 Would you speak about attachment?   15:00 What has been a recent book of fiction that you have read?

Claude AnShin Thomas - Zen Buddhist monk, combat veteran, and author - responds to questions from students in an inspiring manner based on his Zen practice and life experiences. He reminds the listener how to stay awake to life and understand more deeply the traps of a deluded mind.   This episode was recorded during a weekly online meeting of questions & responses. For more information: https://zaltho.org/ If you want to ask Claude AnShin Thomas a question: [email protected]. For more information: https://zaltho.org/ 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) -       On the Edges of Sleep: Poems of War and Memory (Oakwood Publishing 2024) If you are interested in a specific question, this is the list of questions that Claude AnShin responded to and the time stamps for those questions so that you can go directly to the topic that is of most interest to you. Questions and Time Stamps:1:11 Is seeking pleasure a selfish desire? 1:24  Do you think that it is important to experience times when nothing seems to give stability or security?   2:22 Can certain actions be characterized as showing both selfish and unselfish desire?   3:06 I am interested to know with sitting meditation if it is at all important what we wear?   4:02 How do you prepare for a public talk?   5:19 What drew you to the Buddhist tradition you are practicing in in contrast to another Buddhist tradition?   6:53 If there is no soul, no separate self, what do you believe which part that is being reborn?   8:29 What if I like to divert from the recommended 5-minute-sitting morning and evening to sit sometimes longer or also sit at different times of the day?   9:38 Sitting meditation helps me to get me out of hamster-wheel-thinking. Is it okay to practice it like that?   10:14 How has the desire for extinction manifested in your life?   10:58 In the two monasteries where you trained, were the instructions on how to breathe during meditation practice identical or different?    11:27 What was the reason at the first time you were asked to getting ordained to say no and the second time to say yes?

Claude AnShin Thomas - Zen Buddhist monk, combat veteran, and author - speaks on the topic “Bringing Meditation to Life” during a public talk in October 2023 in Germany. He addresses his own inherited karma and how Buddhist practice helped him to transform that karma. Today his life is based in being-of-service. "When healing occurs to self, all past generations experience healing”, states Claude AnShin Thomas.  The questions at the end of the talk include such as:  - How important is it to have a teacher?  - How has your view of death and dying changed from the perspective of your Buddhist practice? - How does the world become better through Buddhist practice? You can find ZalthoLIVE on all major podcast channels: Apple, Google, Spotify, AmazonMusic, and Audible and also here:  https://zaltho.org/en/media/podcasts-zaltholive.html For more information: https://zaltho.org/ If you want to ask Claude AnShin Thomas a question: [email protected]. For more information: https://zaltho.org/ If you want to ask Claude AnShin Thomas a question: [email protected] 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) -       On the Edges of Sleep: Poems of War and Memory (Oakwood Publishing 2024)
 https://zaltho.org/en/media/our-books.html

You can find ZalthoLIVE on all major podcast channels: Apple, Google, Spotify, AmazonMusic, and Audible and also here: https://zaltho.org/en/media/podcasts-zaltholive.html These are questions and topics that Claude AnShin Thomas - Zen Buddhist monk, combat veteran, and author - reflects on. He reminds the listener of how to stay awake to life and how to understand more deeply the traps of a deluded mind. This episode was recorded during a weekly zoom session of questions&responses. For more information: https://zaltho.org/ If you want to ask Claude AnShin Thomas a question: [email protected] 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  If you are interested in a specific question, this is the list of questions that Claude AnShin responded to and the time stamps for those questions so that you can go directly to the topic that is of most interest to you.   Questions and Time Stamps: 01:15 You said that Keith received the Dharma name “DaiShin”. What does this name mean? 1:44 DaiShin, how was the ordination process for you?  2:08 Was there any issue with the administrators of the ordination location (concentration camp Dachau, Germany)? 3:16 Would you speak a bit about ‘commitment' and how the quality of commitment has changed in your life as a monk? 5:11 To review our personal past: is this just a sign of attachment or can it be healthy? 7:00 If I feel hurt by something someone has said, is it important to let them know? 9:44 How do you “surf the urge” when you have a craving?  12:14 Where is this refrigerator (re:previous response) standing now? Is it still existing? 13:17 Do you think at some level you and the refrigerator are connected? 13:32 Could you share with us what has maybe been the happiest day of your life? 13:56 Do you think inanimate objects such as cushions and refrigerators have consciousness? 14:21 What about the consciousness of plants? 15:26 Do you know the feeling of shame about your supposed weakness in connection to your traumatization?  17:40 Is it about falling right into the shame and to feeling it?

You can find ZalthoLIVE on all major podcast channels: Apple, Google, Spotify, AmazonMusic, and Audible. These are questions and topics that Claude AnShin Thomas - Zen Buddhist monk, combat veteran, and author - reflects on. He reminds the listener of how to stay awake to life and how to understand more deeply the traps of a deluded mind. This episode was recorded during a weekly zoom session of questions&responses. For more information: https://zaltho.org/ If you want to ask Claude AnShin Thomas a question: [email protected] 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  If you are interested in a specific question, this is the list of questions that Claude AnShin responded to and the time stamps for those questions so that you can go directly to the topic that is of most interest to you.Questions and Time Stamps: 1:15 What is the significance of breathing in through the nose and out through the mouth? 2:07 What kind of internal dialogue or questions did you have when you began with sitting meditation? 3:01 Do you want to control processes sometimes? 4:22 Was there a difference for you between following instructions in the military and following instructions when you started in that first monastery? 5:42 What is the difference between control and discipline? 6:45 What do you do if a situation or a person is emotionally challenging you? 7:39 How long did it take for you to learn to sit in meditation (facing the wall) without worrying what might be coming from behind you? 8:29 What does time mean for you in your daily life and also in a Buddhist context? 11:43 When you went from practicing in the first monastery to the second monastery, under a different teacher and somewhat different school, how did you deal with any differences in the instructions you were given? 12:54 What was necessary to leave the life on the street? 13:51 Can you explain the statement that you said earlier that control is being forced into something that one is not comfortable with? 15:02 Do you find that the practice of paying attention is generally adequate to lead to the most appropriate response, for instance in a difficult situation? 16:20 Has anger also a good side? 16:53 Is there a difference between controlling someone when you are a like teacher or a parent with a child or student instead an adults when they are on the same level?

On Vietnam Veterans Day, 29 March, Claude AnShin Thomas - Zen Buddhist monk, Vietnam combat Veteran, and author - gave a talk to the employees of a cancer-biotech company. Their interest was that Claude AnShin Thomas’ own journey of healing and transformation of the wounds of war mirror the turbulences and peace finding efforts in high stakes crisis and hardship of many people, to include cancer patients.  For more information: https://zaltho.org/ Contact Email: [email protected] 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