10. On Assisted Suicide, Praise&Blame, Self-Compassion, Failure, and Attachment (#52)

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?