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 info@zaltho.org.

Book recommendations:
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 — What does it mean to be of maximum service, and how do you avoid exhaustion?
5:04 — At what point does something become political?
6:32 — In reference to Question 1, do you have few or many "no's" in your head?
12:12 — How much time would you invest in a flat you will only be in for two years?
16:30 — Is it difficult for you to rely on others' generosity?
23:11 — How does surrendering manifest itself today?
27:25 — Were you disciplined in elementary school?
31:25 — If a person upsets me, what should I do?
34:05 — Have you ever confessed to a priest?

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 info@zaltho.org.

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:
02:50  How do you know if you are in self-pity or just feeling bad?
07:47  How do you respond to someone who is crying but it seems out of context?
10:40  How does one take responsibility for one's own privileges?
21:55  When you first came to Buddhist practice, did you have a goal?
23:20  I experience great resistance. Why is this?
27:15  What are privileges for you?
34:27  What do you think when hearing the term "white privilege"? 
37:00  What do you think is the root cause of defensiveness?
38:36  How does your finger (injury) react to cold weather?
40:30  Do you follow the progress of the Buddhist "Walk for Peace" in the USA?
45:20 Is suffering mostly self-created?

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 info@zaltho.org.

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:
1:05 Do you believe it is important to live in solidarity with others?
2:50 Is it ever appropriate to break contact with a person?
6:05 In the Heart Sutra, it states that "Nirvana is already here." How is this true in the midst of war and violence?
9:20 What is the difference between compassion and enabling?
14:40 Do you ever find yourself at odds with people who are ideological?
17:35 Do you ever get stuck on an "idea" of a person?
27:45 If people commit unspeakable acts of violence, do you write them off?
29:30 Do we live in a bubble that we can break through with practice?
31:05 Do you think it's useful for German schools to prepare students for a shooting?
33:59 How can I create a connection with someone who has killed others?
39:12 Is it possible to be a police officer without a gun?
39:55 What is the value of life?

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 info@zaltho.org.

Book recommendations:
 
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:
2:15 – Do you take refuge in the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha? If so, how do you practice this?
5:59 – How is the current weather where you are?
7:40 – If you were speaking to a group of kindergartners, how would you explain the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha?
9:15 – What gives you hope?
13:07 – I am concerned about honoring someone who may not have wanted me to do the Ceremony for the Dead for them. What would you advise?
17:03 – Is there still space in the pet cemetery, and do you offer or recommend cremation?
18:32 – In cases of injustice, do you believe reparations are appropriate?
22:57 – Do you have any recommended readings?
26:50 – Do you think crises in families, partnerships, countries, or the world are necessary for growth or development?
35:40 – Do insights gained through meditation have lasting consequences?
37:28 – Could you speak about the precept of non-killing in relation to the euthanizing of animals?

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 info@zaltho.org.

Book recommendations:
https://www.zaltho.org/books/
To support us, 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:
1:06 – How have you dealt with someone who holds resentment toward you?
2:22 – If you discovered that someone you know had been convicted of sexual assault, would it change how you view them?
4:16 – How do you work with judgment?
5:30 – Could you speak about obsession?
10:50 – Since becoming a monk and maintaining sobriety over that time, how has your relationship to your military service changed?
15:50 – What do you do when you feel low energy or negativity?
19:10 – Does discomfort ever feel overwhelming to you?
23:04 – Why did you decide to leave the monastery after three years?
24:18 – How does your practice show up when you feel the urge to hide?
24:52 – Was it easy for you to leave the monastery?
25:40 – On the path of healing and transformation, who inspires you?
29:50 – Would you say that leaving the monastery was part of your path to awakening?
33:50 – When receiving information, can you say, "That is none of my business"?
34:45 – Do you mind when others find you inspirational?
38:15 – In your journey toward awakening, what has been the greatest challenge?
43:30 – How do you support people who don't want to wake up?