3. On Silence, Compassion for One’s Parents, Concern for the World, Euthanasia of Pets

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/ To support, donate. 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: 2:31 How come you don’t sit Sundays during the online retreats with the Ukraine Zen group? 3:04 What is your relationship with sincerity? 4:39 After so many years of practice do you still plan things in your mind while sitting or rehearse the past?  7:52 When you are confronted with suffering, no matter from people or animals, do you sometimes get trapped in feelings like being desperate? 13:09 I am curious if you experience low moods for longer time periods? 16:28 How do you encounter physical pain? 20:08 What do you think about the notion of weeds in the garden?  23:23 Would you be willing to speak about your time in the peace movement? 28:49 Since nothing is purely bad, what can you see as a positive attribute of arrogance? 29:39 I am trying to decide if I should kill the rats in my yard? 33:20 Do you consider doing another pilgrimage?   33:33 What do you mean when you state that someone has to invite you for a pilgrimage? 34:58 How can I make sure a teacher is not trapped in conditioning, so I can trust his or her teachings? 37:17 How does what is going on in Germany look to you as an American?

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/ To support, donate. 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. 1:13 How was the feedback and resonance with your event last year in Amsterdam? 2:46 Have you experienced any of the violence in Amsterdam that took place last year? 3:42 Do you expect your students to not mention you as their teacher? 4:52 How does one negotiate how much silence to have in one’s life? 6:06 Would you speak more about the compassion you developed for your mother who showed violence to you when you were a child? 6:57 What do you think about memorial services for the historic day of the Reich’s Progrom Night in Germany? 9:31 Are you concerned with all the happenings in and around the world? 10:26 Do you have any plans to get on the road on you motorcycle when you your are in the US? 10: 38 Is it important to practice in one lineage with one practice and not dabble around here and there? 11:24 If a public memorial service falls into one of our practice times, should I go to the memorial service or come to practice?  13:09 In the mornings I recite the Four Great Vows; in the evening I recite the life-death-verse. Should I change something?  14:02 Did I understand it correctly that Cleo was a cat? 14:29 Have you ever had to put one of your pets to sleep? If so, did you stay with the animal during the euthanasia? 15:26 After experiencing the euthanasia of a cat several times, does it get easier?

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: 1:23 When a person gets killed who has done many terrible things, should one celebrate their death? 2:09 How do you differentiate the inner voice that gives good advice and the one that keeps one trapped in suffering? 2:34 When does it happen to you that you don't see what the world is telling you? 3:16 Would you talk about it or give an example of the decision that past trauma can become an asset? 5:11 What is the point to answer a person who always asks the same questions? 5:39 Did you do a specialized therapy to address the consequences of your mother’s violent behavior toward you? 7:25 Can competitiveness be a good thing or is it always best not to compare oneself with others? 8:24 Is part of the healing process to “re-feel” the feelings of the child that has been abused? 10:28 When the neighbor across the street verbally assaulted you, were there any feelings when you didn’t respond violently or agressively? 12:12 When you no longer have to react  the same way to certain events, isn’t that the freedom through practice? 12:45 Would you share your thoughts on the precept of not being stingy with the Dharma? 13:19 When I am asked to provide instructions on the form of meditation, should I always say yes no matter the circumstances 14:08 Do you think that it is important to make mistakes so we can develop ourselves? 14:37 Do you still repeat mistakes? 15:31 Are all practical things spiritual? 15:44 Is there a difference between mistakes and errors? 16:26 When you make a mistake, do you feel embarrassment, humiliation or shame? 16:45 How is it to be back at the Red Maple Zen Center in Italy? 17:47 The room that you are in looks like it is an ancient structure. Can you describe where you are physically?

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:1:49 Is it necessary to be barefooted when doing sitting meditation? 3:05 I do sitting meditation in the dark prior to going to bed. Does the amount of light matter? 3:58 How has it been for you working with restless energy? 4:45 Would you say your experience with also having leadership that it goes along with some form of sacrifice? 6:08 Sometimes I find it so difficult to sit with restless energy. Do you have a recommendation? 7:44 Is the 99 percent of the time when I am distracted from paying attention to my breatht a waste of time? 8:30 Have you been able to stay present to your breath for the full period of sitting? 8:50 My breathing and  heartbeat sometimes get quicker during sitting, and I try to get this into a more even pattern, but that then becomes stressful. 10:05 When you have a period of sitting where you didn’t get distracted at all, do you say to yourself, “great job.”? 10:57 How did you spend your birthday? 12:49 You have said that, “If you think you are enlightened, then you are not.” Is it possible to know when one is enlightened? 14:33 Do you feel a difference when you do listen to that small inner voice? 15:20 Why do you emphasize making your bed accurately ? 17:25 How do you teach that commitment to children?

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?