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: https://www.zaltho.org If you want to ask Claude AnShin Thomas a question, please feel free to write to [email protected]. Book recommendations: - AT HELL'S GATE - A Soldier's Journey from War to Peace (Shambhala Publications 2003, also as ebook and audiobook)  - Bringing Meditation to Life - 108 Teachings on the Path of Zen Practice (Oakwood Publishing 2021, also as ebook and audiobook) - On the Edges of Sleep: Poems of War and Memory (Oakwood Publishing 2024, also as ebook) - Applied Zen- A Short Guide to an Active Meditation Practice (Oakwood Publishing 2025, also as ebook)  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: 1:20 — How do you work with things that you're deeply afraid of? 5:47 — Can you give an example of a time when you avoided responsibility? 9:38 — What was it like seeing your grandchildren? 11:30 — Why is the Magnolia Zen Center located in Florida? 21:37 — What is the difference, for you, between spirituality and esotericism? 27:30 — Do you feel connected to your community in Florida? 29:40 — What does the vest mean to you? 33:30 — Have you ever sought guidance or help from a shaman? 36:40 — When you find something in common with a stranger, do you share that with them? 40:15 — What was it like building the zendo at the Magnolia Zen Center (MZC)?  

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: https://www.zaltho.org If you want to ask Claude AnShin Thomas a question, please feel free to write to [email protected]. Book recommendations: - AT HELL'S GATE - A Soldier's Journey from War to Peace (Shambhala Publications 2003, also as ebook and audiobook)  - Bringing Meditation to Life - 108 Teachings on the Path of Zen Practice (Oakwood Publishing 2021, also as ebook and audiobook) - On the Edges of Sleep: Poems of War and Memory (Oakwood Publishing 2024, also as ebook) - Applied Zen- A Short Guide to an Active Meditation Practice (Oakwood Publishing 2025, also as ebook)  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: 1:16 — What is it like being with your grandchildren? 1:37 — Has your purple rakusu ever been pressed? 2:20 — In the Ceremony of the Dead, the word evil is used. What is your understanding of evil? 6:30 — How did you navigate the relationship between martial arts and drug use? 10:45 — Could you explain the opening ritual in which you recite and bow in different directions? 14:30 — Your daughter-in-law says she doesn't know what you do. How would you explain your practice to her? 15:09 — Does not influencing your children leave them vulnerable to evil? 19:10 — When you travel to Ukraine or other places experiencing conflict, what do you do that helps you navigate those experiences? 29:00 — Martial arts and pepper spray are often used by women for self-protection. What are your thoughts on this? 32:55 — Which book or books are you currently reading? 34:55 — How do you reconcile the feeling that you aren't doing enough to save the planet? 37:35 — Could you speak about the absolute and relative realms?

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: https://www.zaltho.org If you want to ask Claude AnShin Thomas a question, please feel free to write to [email protected]. Book recommendations: - AT HELL'S GATE - A Soldier's Journey from War to Peace (Shambhala Publications 2003, also as ebook and audiobook)  - Bringing Meditation to Life - 108 Teachings on the Path of Zen Practice (Oakwood Publishing 2021, also as ebook and audiobook) - On the Edges of Sleep: Poems of War and Memory (Oakwood Publishing 2024, also as ebook) - Applied Zen- A Short Guide to an Active Meditation Practice (Oakwood Publishing 2025, also as ebook)  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: 1:25 — What do you do when someone belittles you? 4:23 — How would you respond to someone who says they have no need for spiritual practice? 5:05 — Has your practice, over time, given you the ability to see the true nature of things? 6:30 — Does having less attachment or favoritism toward what I like lead to a clearer mind? 9:30 — Is there a reason you say not to follow the breath into the body? 13:08 — Regarding inherited karma, do you think it's important to examine your past and your genealogy? 20:09 — What are your thoughts on self-care? 23:45 — When your mind starts telling you things, do you work through them on your own, or do you reach out to someone for support? 28:15 — When looking at your past, is it helpful to have a relationship with the person involved? 42:25 — Do you experience mood swings?

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: https://www.zaltho.org If you want to ask Claude AnShin Thomas a question, please feel free to write to [email protected]. Book recommendations:https://www.zaltho.org/books/ To support, please 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: 01:14 —What is your perspective on watching films?** 03:20 —What is your perspective on experiencing suffering versus escaping it? **07:19 —If I am not interested in a particular TV series, is it better to not watch at all? ** 09:15 —How did you change your ideas of being a victim? ** 12:05 —Do you believe films contain important messages? ** 12:50 —How do you know when you are present and when you are not? ** 13:05 —Is it possible to be a frame of mind where Zen practice could be harmful to you? ** 13:55 —You said, "as you heal yourself, you heal those past and future generations?" How do you know that? ** 16:50 —Can someone be a Muslim and also a Buddhist? ** 24:15 What kind of personal experiences have you had with being dominated or controlled? ** 24:59 —Should we trust ourselves if we think we have our stuff together? ** 28:35 —How can you heal for future generations when you don't know them? ** 30:03 —Was it ever part of your conditioning to seek the approval of others? ** 31:50 —What do you do for fun? ** 33:10 —Are there pitfalls one should be aware of, where the ego can harm one's practice? ** 39:10 —What is your perspective on health professionals who are focused on fixing others? ** 44:38 —When your mind is busy, do you do anything differently? ** 45:59 —What is your perspective on people who are sarcastic?

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: https://www.zaltho.org If you want to ask Claude AnShin Thomas a question, please feel free to write to [email protected]. Book recommendations:https://www.zaltho.org/books/ To support, please 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:1:19 How have you been affected by the war in the Middle East? 8:08 How was it that you came to live in Iran? 12:30 When a country is attacked, would it be appropriate for the one being attacked to surrender to avoid more violence? 17:30 In a possible situation of domestic violence ...? 20:15 Is it important to celebrate Women's Day, or any other special day? 23:23 Do you have contact with anyone in Iran? 26:09 What was it like to buy drugs in Iran? 29:50 When sitting, do you always have the same position? 34:30 Is it possible to do too much self-reflection? 37:15 With your morning routine upon awakening, what is meant by spending time in self-reflection? 39:30 How is destructive behavior related to addictive behavior?