9. ZalthoLIVE: First Impressions, Vulnerability, Our Past, Confronting Fears

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 the trappings of a deluded mind more deeply. This episode was recorded during a zoom questions&response 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 AT HELL'S GATE - A Soldier's Journey from War to Peace (Shambhala Publications 2003) https://zaltho.org/en/media/books.html Q: I heard someone talk recently about having contact to a younger version of themselves with in themselves. Do you have anything like this? (Min 1) Q: Do you put a lot of stock in first impressions? (Min 5) Q:  How can you tell the difference between first impressions and some form of narrative based on our conditioning? (Min 10) Q: If there is something I regret from the past, is it ok to let it go or should I turn back and apologize? Q: What is your current vulnerability?  (Min 15) Q: Is it egotistic to want to have children? (Min 20) Q: In your experience is it easier to confront one's own suffering in solitude or in relationship? (Min 25) Q: Do you think it is useful to expose myself to that which I am afraid of? (29mins)  Q: You say that Q &R sessions are not a therapy group. What is the difference? (31 mins)