We all desire happiness - what is good, pleasant right, permanent, joyful, satisfying, and easy.
But life often brings frustration, dissatisfaction, incompleteness, and sorrow.
This podcast channel offers talks and question-response-sessions from Zen Buddhist Monk, Vietnam Veteran, Author, and Peace Activist Claude AnShin Thomas.
This is for everyone who yearns for understanding and for embodying the difference we want to see in the world. Let's embark together on a path of ending all wars and truly living peace. https://www.zaltho.org, info@zaltho.org
17. Relative and Absolute Realms, the Ceremony for the Dead and Navigating a War Zone (#87)
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 (https://www.zaltho.org/)
If you want to ask Claude AnShin Thomas a question, please feel free to write to info@zaltho.org (mailto: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 (https://www.zaltho.org/donation-causes-zaltho-claude-anshin-thomas/).
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:
1:16 — What is it like being with your grandchildren?
1:37 — Has your purple rakusu ever been pressed?
2:20 — In the Ceremony of the Dead, the word evil is used. What is your understanding of evil?
6:30 — How did you navigate the relationship between martial arts and drug use?
10:45 — Could you explain the opening ritual in which you recite and bow in different directions?
14:30 — Your daughter-in-law says she doesn't know what you do. How would you explain your practice to her?
15:09 — Does not influencing your children leave them vulnerable to evil?
19:10 — When you travel to Ukraine or other places experiencing conflict, what do you do that helps you navigate those experiences?
29:00 — Martial arts and pepper spray are often used by women for self-protection. What are your thoughts on this?
32:55 — Which book or books are you currently reading?
34:55 — How do you reconcile the feeling that you aren't doing enough to save the planet?
37:35 — Could you speak about the absolute and relative realms?
20 Sept 2026
16. Spiritual Practice, Attachment, and Seeing the Nature of Things (#86)
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 (https://www.zaltho.org/)
If you want to ask Claude AnShin Thomas a question, please feel free to write to info@zaltho.org (mailto: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 (https://www.zaltho.org/donation-causes-zaltho-claude-anshin-thomas/).
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:
1:25 — What do you do when someone belittles you?
4:23 — How would you respond to someone who says they have no need for spiritual practice?
5:05 — Has your practice, over time, given you the ability to see the true nature of things?
6:30 — Does having less attachment or favoritism toward what I like lead to a clearer mind?
9:30 — Is there a reason you say not to follow the breath into the body?
13:08 — Regarding inherited karma, do you think it's important to examine your past and your genealogy?
20:09 — What are your thoughts on self-care?
23:45 — When your mind starts telling you things, do you work through them on your own, or do you reach out to someone for support?
28:15 — When looking at your past, is it helpful to have a relationship with the person involved?
42:25 — Do you experience mood swings?
7 Sept 2026
15. Healing Past and Future Generations, The Roots of Sarcasm, and Working with a Busy Mind (#85)
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 (https://www.zaltho.org/)
If you want to ask Claude AnShin Thomas a question, please feel free to write to info@zaltho.org (mailto:info@zaltho.org).
Book recommendations:
https://www.zaltho.org/books/
To support, please donate (https://www.zaltho.org/donation-causes-zaltho-claude-anshin-thomas/).
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:
01:14 —What is your perspective on watching films?
**
03:20 —What is your perspective on experiencing suffering versus escaping it?
**
07:19 —If I am not interested in a particular TV series, is it better to not watch at all?
**
09:15 —How did you change your ideas of being a victim?
**
12:05 —Do you believe films contain important messages?
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12:50 —How do you know when you are present and when you are not?
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13:05 —Is it possible to be a frame of mind where Zen practice could be harmful to you?
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13:55 —You said, "as you heal yourself, you heal those past and future generations?" How do you know that?
**
16:50 —Can someone be a Muslim and also a Buddhist?
**
24:15 What kind of personal experiences have you had with being dominated or controlled?
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24:59 —Should we trust ourselves if we think we have our stuff together?
**
28:35 —How can you heal for future generations when you don't know them?
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30:03 —Was it ever part of your conditioning to seek the approval of others?
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31:50 —What do you do for fun?
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33:10 —Are there pitfalls one should be aware of, where the ego can harm one's practice?
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39:10 —What is your perspective on health professionals who are focused on fixing others?
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44:38 —When your mind is busy, do you do anything differently?
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45:59 —What is your perspective on people who are sarcastic?
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
12 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 31 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
31
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
77
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