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4.On Sincerity, Working with: a Busy Mind, Powerlessness, Low Moods, Physical Pain, Rats, Real Teachers

ZalthoLIVE - Claude AnShin Thomas

Release Date: 04/14/2025

9. On Compassion, Human Connection, and the Ethical Challenges of Living in a World shaped by Violence and Ideology (#79) show art 9. On Compassion, Human Connection, and the Ethical Challenges of Living in a World shaped by Violence and Ideology (#79)

ZalthoLIVE - Claude AnShin Thomas

Claude AnShin Thomas - Zen Buddhist monk, combat veteran, and author - responds to questions 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:  If you want to ask Claude AnShin Thomas a question, please feel free to write to . Book recommendations: - AT HELL'S GATE - A Soldier's Journey from War to Peace (Shambhala Publications 2003, also...

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8. How To Live the Dharma Today, On Refuge, Relationships, Crisis, and Non-Killing (#78) show art 8. How To Live the Dharma Today, On Refuge, Relationships, Crisis, and Non-Killing (#78)

ZalthoLIVE - Claude AnShin Thomas

Claude AnShin Thomas - Zen Buddhist monk, combat veteran, and author - responds to questions 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:  If you want to ask Claude AnShin Thomas a question, please feel free to write to . Book recommendations:   To support, . If you are interested in a specific question, this is the list of...

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7. Navigating Challenges and Awakening: On Resentments, Judgments, Obsession, and Showing up to Practice (#77) show art 7. Navigating Challenges and Awakening: On Resentments, Judgments, Obsession, and Showing up to Practice (#77)

ZalthoLIVE - Claude AnShin Thomas

Claude AnShin Thomas - Zen Buddhist monk, combat veteran, and author - responds to questions 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:  If you want to ask Claude AnShin Thomas a question, please feel free to write to . Book recommendations: To support us, please . If you are interested in a specific question, this is the list of...

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6. From Busyness to Being: Questions on Presence, Dharma, and Transformation (#76) show art 6. From Busyness to Being: Questions on Presence, Dharma, and Transformation (#76)

ZalthoLIVE - Claude AnShin Thomas

Claude AnShin Thomas - Zen Buddhist monk, combat veteran, and author - responds to questions 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:  If you want to ask Claude AnShin Thomas a question, please feel free to write to . Book recommendations: - AT HELL'S GATE - A Soldier's Journey from War to Peace (Shambhala Publications 2003, also...

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5. Living Fully: Commitment in an Uncertain World (#75) show art 5. Living Fully: Commitment in an Uncertain World (#75)

ZalthoLIVE - Claude AnShin Thomas

Claude AnShin Thomas - Zen Buddhist monk, combat veteran, and author - responds to questions 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:  If you want to ask Claude AnShin Thomas a question, please feel free to write to . Book recommendations: To support our efforts, please . If you are interested in a specific question, this is the...

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4. On Truth, Finding One’s Voice, Skillful Means, Visiting the Ukraine (#74) show art 4. On Truth, Finding One’s Voice, Skillful Means, Visiting the Ukraine (#74)

ZalthoLIVE - Claude AnShin Thomas

Claude AnShin Thomas - Zen Buddhist monk, combat veteran, and author - responds to questions 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:  If you want to ask Claude AnShin Thomas a question, please feel free to write to . Book recommendations: - AT HELL'S GATE - A Soldier's Journey from War to Peace (Shambhala Publications 2003, also...

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3. What We Inherit, How We Practice, and How We Meet Suffering (#73) show art 3. What We Inherit, How We Practice, and How We Meet Suffering (#73)

ZalthoLIVE - Claude AnShin Thomas

Claude AnShin Thomas - Zen Buddhist monk, combat veteran, and author - responds to questions 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:  If you want to ask Claude AnShin Thomas a question, please feel free to write to . Book recommendations: - AT HELL'S GATE - A Soldier's Journey from War to Peace (Shambhala Publications...

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2. On Not Setting Goals, Being Overcritical, Repairing Hurt, and Obsession (#72) show art 2. On Not Setting Goals, Being Overcritical, Repairing Hurt, and Obsession (#72)

ZalthoLIVE - Claude AnShin Thomas

Claude AnShin Thomas - Zen Buddhist monk, combat veteran, and author - responds to questions 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:  If you want to ask Claude AnShin Thomas a question, please feel free to write to . Book recommendations: - AT HELL'S GATE - A Soldier's Journey from War to Peace (Shambhala Publications 2003, also...

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1. On Authenticity, Illness, and What Practice Asks of Us (#71) show art 1. On Authenticity, Illness, and What Practice Asks of Us (#71)

ZalthoLIVE - Claude AnShin Thomas

Claude AnShin Thomas - Zen Buddhist monk, combat veteran, and author - responds to questions 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:  If you want to ask Claude AnShin Thomas a question, please feel free to write to . Book recommendations: - AT HELL'S GATE - A Soldier's Journey from War to Peace (Shambhala Publications 2003, also as...

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14. On Practice, Awareness, Ordination, and Compassion (#70) show art 14. On Practice, Awareness, Ordination, and Compassion (#70)

ZalthoLIVE - Claude AnShin Thomas

Claude AnShin Thomas - Zen Buddhist monk, combat veteran, and author - responds to questions 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 on October 27th, 2025 in Rotterdam, Netherland where Claude AnShin Thomas gave a public talk and answered questions from the audience. For more information:  If you want to ask Claude AnShin Thomas a question, please feel free to write to . Book recommendations: - AT HELL'S GATE - A...

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More Episodes

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 info@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)

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?