6. On Hope, Dealing with Getting Hurt, Being Not-Broken, Connection

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?