These are questions and topics that Claude AnShin Thomas - Zen Buddhist monk, combat veteran, and author - reflects on. He reminds the listener of how to stay awake to life and how to understand more deeply the traps of a deluded mind.

This episode was recordedon online zoom retreat session of questions&responses.
For more information: https://zaltho.org/

If you want to ask Claude AnShin Thomas a question: info@zaltho.org

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/our-books.html

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:
1:09
Would you share what a byproduct as a result of practice is for you?
2:58
A question about the bells at the altar.
3:30
Did you have moments when you thought you cannot continue on with this practice?
3:52
What do you do for fun and relaxation?
5:45
About regret: can it be to be present to our past actions, to our errors, and in a way to not repeat them?
7:04
Would you share a little bit with us about how you relate nowadays to your hand that is missing a piece of a finger?
8:23
Sometimes I feel like I am surrounded by people who suck energy. Is that just my fantasy?
12:02
Do you think it is important or valuable to travel to new countries and cultures?
13:30
As you mature, is there anything now that seems urgent that wasn’t in the past?
14:45
How do you work with the news? Especially when it is disturbing, when you hear or read about things that are just full of violence or craziness?
19:18
Do you yourself also have the possibility to ask questions like in the setting we can do it right now?
19:38
In order to become more aware of the reality of life, do you find it valuable to also study science, for instance physics, astrophysics, biology, or chemistry?
20:37
Do you sometimes still have strong emotions, like a rush or wave of emotions?
20:48
With every week that passes by, when I do meditation it seems like I meet fewer people. Am I getting funny?
22:51
Is sports in the dynamic of winner and loser another way of war?
24:28
Would you say that distractions got more with smart phones?
24:58
Going back to the athletics: when you watch football, what’s that experience like for you?
27:21
How would you respond to someone who is reaching the end of their life and their mind is filled with thoughts of disappointment?
29:41
Men are mainly responsible for war. Is war is an expression of the way men think?
32:21
Would you have some examples of how you have dealt skillfully or not skillfully with people who try to force their agenda on you?
34:19
Do you have any sense about where we are now in our evolution as a species?