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: info@zaltho.org 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?