The 'in the Cloud' podcast is produced by the Mountain Cloud Zen Center and shares their weekly Teisho talks, which explore classical Zen Koans. It features teachings from Mountain Cloud teachers and occasional guest teachers. The podcast also includes a conversation series titled Path(less), which examines the 'pathless path' of practice and everyday life. Additionally, it encourages listeners to support the center through donations and membership, and provides information about meditation schedules, talks, and retreats on their website.
Episodes
Path(less): Jason Fried
Such a fun chat with Jason Fried, Co-founder and CEO of 37signals--the company behind Basecamp and HEY. Jason's also the author of the excellent (and prescient) books Rework and Remote. Jason joined me via Zoom from his home-office in California. If you're enjoying these conversations, please consider supporting Mountain Cloud through donation and membership. Your contribution is a meaningful way
Dharma Talk: "Loving the World as Our Body: The nondual path in a dangerous time" with David Loy
David Robert Loy is a professor, writer, and Zen teacher in the Sanbo Zen tradition of Japanese Zen Buddhism. He is a prolific author, whose articles appear regularly in the pages of major journals such as Tikkun and Buddhist magazines including Tricycle, Lion's Roar, and Buddhadharma, as well as in a variety of scholarly journals. Many of his writings, as well as audio and video talks and intervi
Teisho: "Cutting the Two into One" with Valerie Forstman
This talk begins with an exploration of the first grave precept in Mahayana Buddhism, not-killing. Valerie then turns to case 14 in the Mumonkan or Gateless Gate, the next koan in the collection. This famous case, "Nansen Kills the Cat," is often described as a difficult koan, opaque to understanding and troubling to our sensibilities. Would a Zen master actually slay a cat in an all-out effort to
Path(less): Will & Lucie Brennan
For this episode, we're reaching back in time with Will & Lucie Brennan, two of the original founders and builders of Mountain Cloud. So fun to take a trip down memory lane with them. I hope you enjoy hearing the 'origin stories'. If you're enjoying these conversations, please consider supporting Mountain Cloud through donation and membership. Your contribution is a meaningful way for us to contin
Teisho: "On the Way Without Ever Leaving Home" with Valerie Forstman
Freshly returned from the annual Sanbo Zen teacher training in Germany and a sesshin she led there, Valerie reflects on these experiences and on the many gifts of practice. How do we find our way on this path of practice exactly where we are, lacking nothing, and, at the same time, called ever more deeply into the freedom and compassion that is our native ground? The talk offers a tribute to Patty
Path(less): Vanessa Zuisei Goddard
Such a delight to chat with Vanessa Zuisei Goddard. Zuisei has a fascinating pathless path. She joined me online, from her home in Panama City. You, too, can join Zuisei online, with the Ocean Mind Sangha. If you're enjoying these conversations, please consider supporting Mountain Cloud through donation and membership. Your contribution is a meaningful way for us to continue offering these program
Teisho: "Three Bright Pearls: Honoring our Masters" with Shana Smith
Shana reflects upon the recent Kenshukai in Germany, and examines Case 86 of the Blue Cliff Record, "Unmon's Bright Light." Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation or becoming a member, so we can continue to offer these programs freely. Donations: https://www.mountaincloud.org/donate/ Membership: https://www.mountaincloud.org/about/membership/ Reach out to grant@mountaincloud.org
Path(less): Daisy Lin
We're back with another episode of Path(less)! Today with the lovely Daisy Lin. We had a great time chatting about a whole host of interesting topics. Please enjoy! If you're enjoying these conversations, please consider supporting Mountain Cloud through donation and membership. Your contribution is a meaningful way for us to continue offering these programs freely. Donation Membership Reach out t
Teisho: "Falling into the Heart of the World" with Valerie Forstman
As our 30 Days of Dogen course comes to an end, Valerie invites a return to Dogen's seminal awakening: Body and mind fallen away. What geography of awakening does Dogen's experience lay bare for us and can it be anywhere but here? Looking into this, the talk turns to case 27 in the Blue Cliff Record, "Unmon's 'Complete Exposure.'" The koan asks, 'When everything falls away, what then?' Our practi
Path(less): Henry Shukman
What a pleasure and a privilege to sit down with Henry Shukman for a conversation in the Study at Mountain Cloud. Henry's app, The Way, is a single-path meditation program designed to bring the depth of traditional practice into the digital age. He's also the author of the excellent books, One Blade of Grass and Original Love. Henry and The Way offer opportunities to gather in-person around the wo
Teisho: "Walking Into Wholeness" with Vanessa Zuisei Goddard
Many of us come to spiritual practice because of a persistent feeling that there's something wrong—something off about us or about the world. Perhaps we struggle with loneliness or a sense of alienation. Perhaps we crave intimacy but are afraid to get close. Perhaps we wonder why there's so much conflict everywhere. Is there a better way to relate to others and to ourselves? In this Teisho, Zuisei
Path(less): Light Watkins
A real joy chatting Light Watkins from his home in Mexico City. Light's latest book, The Year You Transform, is a wonderfully practical guide to how small, daily behaviors can have truly transformative power. If you're enjoying these conversations, please consider supporting Mountain Cloud through donation and membership. Your contribution is a meaningful way for us to continue offering these prog
Teisho: "Abundance in an Undivided World" with Valerie Forstman
In this talk, Valerie begins with a look into Dogen's phrase, "mountain-still sitting," asking how this practice of divesting ourselves – "dropping away body and mind" – is, at the same time, an invitation to realize the inexhaustible abundance that runs through all things. The talk then turns to a koan that embodies this realization: case 10 of the Gateless Gate, "Seizei the Poor." In the case, a
Path(less): Sarah Giffin
So nice to chat with Sarah Giffin, the Executive Director of Mountain Cloud Zen Center. Sarah's had an interesting pathless path to her current role at the Center, and has such a gift for storytelling. If you're enjoying these conversations, please consider supporting Mountain Cloud through donation and membership. Your contribution is a meaningful way for us to continue offering these programs fr
Teisho: "In coming and going we never leave home" with Valerie Forstman
Returning to the zendo after co-leading a monthlong 'mini-ango' at a beautiful Zen center in the Black Forest region of Germany, Valerie reflects on travel and long sitting and Zen's ever-present invitation to come home to what we truly are. The talk then turns to case 9 in the Gateless Gate or Mumonkan, "Daitsu Chisho," another name for the essential wisdom that pervades all places. This koan
Teisho: "Wild Thing!" with Scott Thornton
Scott explores Case 53 of the Blue Cliff Record or Hekiganroku: "Hyakujo and the Wild Ducks." Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation or becoming a member, so we can continue to offer these programs freely. Donations: https://www.mountaincloud.org/donate/ Membership: https://www.mountaincloud.org/about/membership/ Reach out to grant@mountaincloud.org with any comments or suggesti
Path(less): Eric Zimmer
Really enjoyed this conversation with Eric Zimmer. Eric was in Santa Fe while touring in support of his latest book, How A Little Becomes A Lot. Also check out his incredibly popular podcast, The One You Feed. If you're enjoying these conversations, please consider supporting Mountain Cloud through donation and membership. Your contribution is a meaningful way for us to continue offering these pro
Dharma Talk: "Touching the Earth" with David Loy
When the Buddha touched the Earth (bhumisparsha), was the Earth touching him? What does our nonduality with the Earth really mean? Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation or becoming a member, so we can continue to offer these programs freely. Donations: https://www.mountaincloud.org/donate/ Membership: https://www.mountaincloud.org/about/membership/ Reach out to grant@mountainc
Path(less): Elena Brower
Such a pleasure to sit down with Elena Brower in the Study at Mountain Cloud for a beautiful conversation around the pathless path of practice and life. Please check out Elena's latest book, Hold Nothing, as well as her Substack, where she writes on practice, study, and listening. Elena also hosts a wonderful podcast called Practice You. If you're enjoying these conversations, please consider supp
Teisho: "The Circle Game" with Shana Smith
Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation or becoming a member, so we can continue to offer these programs freely. Donations: https://www.mountaincloud.org/donate/ Membership: https://www.mountaincloud.org/about/membership/ Reach out to grant@mountaincloud.org with any comments or suggestions.
Path(less): Tias Little
Such a joy to sit down with Tias Little (during a break from writing his latest book) on the beautiful grounds of Prajna Yoga. Tias and Surya offer amazing courses and classes, both in their temple in Santa Fe, as well as online. If you're enjoying these conversations, please consider supporting Mountain Cloud through donation and membership. Your contribution is a meaningful way for us to continu
Teisho: "Where the Active Wheel Revolves" with Valerie Forstman
In this talk, Valerie begins with an Earth Day reflection, acknowledging and honoring what Hakuin Zenji calls "this earth where we stand." The talk then turns to case 8 in the Gateless Gate or Mumonkan, "Keichu Makes Carts." The koan asks: What happens to the cart when all the moving parts are removed? And what about us? When all our concepts and assumptions fall away, what remains? In his verse t
Path(less): Katie Arnold
Really enjoyed this conversation with author, journalist, and ultra-endurance athlete, Katie Arnold. Her latest book, "Brief Flashings in the Phenomenal World", is a beautiful Zen meditation wrapped in a memoir. And check out all of the great things Katie is up to, including her next "Flow Camp", in Telluride, Colorado ... Website Substack Instagram Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud throug
Dharma Talk: "Flower Garland Buddhism" with Ben Connelly
Ben's talk is based on his new book, Inside the Flower Garland Sutra: Huayan Buddhism and the Modern World. Huayan Buddhism arose in the sixth century in China rooted in the Mahayana Flower Garland (Huayan) Sutra. Huayan is relational, practical, and positive. Its emphasis on interdependence, celebration of the sensual world, and diversity of people and practices has much to offer during this era
Path(less): David Loy
It was an honor to sit down with David Loy for this next conversation in the Path(less) series. David will be joining us here at Mountain Cloud for our May EcoDharma Residency. To learn more about David, his teachings, books and appearances, check out his webiste: https://www.davidloy.org Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud through donation or membership. Donation: https://www.mountainclou
Teisho: "No Merit" with Scott Thornton
Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation or becoming a member, so we can continue to offer these programs freely. Donations: https://www.mountaincloud.org/donate/ Membership: https://www.mountaincloud.org/about/membership/ Reach out to grant@mountaincloud.org with any comments or suggestions.
Teisho: "The Nonduality of Good and Evil" with David Loy
Ukraine … Gaza … Iran … Can Buddhist teachings help us understand what is happening, and how we might respond? Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation or becoming a member, so we can continue to offer these programs freely. Donations: https://www.mountaincloud.org/donate/ Membership: https://www.mountaincloud.org/about/membership/ Reach out to grant@mountaincloud.org with any com
Path(less): Valerie Forstman
Such a pleasure to sit down with Valerie Forstman, Guiding Teacher for Mountain Cloud Zen Center, for this first conversation in the Path(less) series. Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud through donation or membership. Donation: https://www.mountaincloud.org/donate/ Membership: https://www.mountaincloud.org/about/membership/ Reach out to grant@mountaincloud.org with any comments or suggesti
Teisho: "In the Wake of Sesshin: Wash your bowls" with Valerie Forstman
In this first dharma talk following the Spring Sesshin, Valerie begins with a poem that whimsically maps the trajectory of practice. The talk then turns to Case 7 in the Mumonkan or Gateless Gate, "Joshu's 'Wash Your Bowls.'" A monk arrives at the monastery and asks for instruction. On the surface, Joshu's response is a word of practice guidance to the monk and to us. Deeper still, Joshu's every w
Path(less): Intro
Welcome to a new converation series, titled "Path(less)," on the "in the Cloud" podcast. In this introductory episde, host, Grant Goulet, provides a brief orientation to the theme of the series: the pathless path of practice and life. Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation or becoming a member, so we can continue to offer these programs freely. Donations: https://www.mountainclo
Teisho: "A Person of Great Strength" with Carolyn Seburn
In this Teisho, Carolyn takes up Mumonkan Case 20: A Person of Great Strength – Seeing Shôgen's World From the Midst of Fire. Recorded on March 12, 2026 Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation or becoming a member, so we can continue to offer these programs freely. Donations: https://www.mountaincloud.org/donate/ Membership: https://www.mountaincloud.org/about/membership/
Teisho: "On the Way Without Ever Leaving Home" with Valerie Forstman
Valerie begins this talk with an exploration of Zen's invitation to 'come home' to who we truly are. What kind of path is it that can arrive fully without taking a single step? And what are we to make of this homecoming when the suffering of the world is fully included? As a way of exploring these questions, the talk turns to a koan: Blue Cliff Record or Hekiganroku Case 69, "Nansen Draws a Circle
Teisho: "No Choosing (This is it!)" with Scott Thornton
In Case 2 of The Blue Cliff Record, Master Joshu instructs us that "The Supreme Way is not difficult; it simply dislikes picking and choosing." How can this actually apply to a human life, especially in such trying times, since we seem to be faced with nothing but choices every day, from the most mundane to the most heart wrenching? Recorded on February 26, 2026 Please consider supporting Mountain
Dharma Talk: "The Oak Tree of Life" with Maria Habito
This talk is in reference to the Biblical "Tree of Life," from which we disconnected when we ate from the "Tree of Knowledge." How does our Zen practice help us to reconnect? Does Joshu's "Oak tree in the garden" give a hint? Recorded on February 19, 2026 Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation or becoming a member, so we can continue to offer these programs freely. Donations: ht
Dharma Talk: "Taking Care of the One Who is Not Ill" Valerie Forstman
Zen practice invites us to sit in the midst of things just as they are without being tossed about by difficulties. As the waves settle, it can happen – in one unguarded moment – that the world suddenly falls open. The long imagined scaffolding of separation falls away. And we discover: right there in the vicissitudes of our lives there is ONE who is completely free and untroubled. Dogen called it
Dharma Talk: "Opening the Floodgates" with Shana Smith
Shana delves into Case 9 of the Hekiganroku and Case 15c of the Miscellaneous Koans as pointers to navigating the polycrisis. Recorded on February 5th, 2026 Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation or becoming a member so we can continue to provide online programs such as this. Donations: https://www.mountaincloud.org/donate/ Become a member: https://www.mountaincloud.org/about/me
Dharma Talk: "Sun-faced Buddha, Moon-faced Buddha" with Valerie Forstman
This talk begins with the question of how to embody the freedom and ease of Zen's empty hands while being fully attuned to the cries of the world – including the cries of our own hearts. As a prelude to a koan, the talk turns to the great lay disciple of the Buddha, Vimalakirti, who lies ill and says, "I am sick because the whole world is sick." What wholeness has Vimalakirti seen that allows hi
Dharma Talk: "The 'Such-as-this' Sutra" with Valerie Forstman
Opening with a reading of Mountain Cloud's Land Acknowledgment, this talk is framed by a tribute to Joanna Macy through poetry that helped to inspire her deep and abiding support for the earth and all forms of life. Within this frame, Valerie turns to a koan about Prajnatara, teacher of Bodhidharma and an ancestor who may well have been a woman. Case 3 of the Shoyoroku or Book of Equanimity presen
Dharma Talk: "Sitting in the Midst of Tragedy" with Scott Thornton
Scott takes up Case 6 of the Blue Cliff Record, Unmon's "Every Day is a Good Day." Recorded on January 15th, 2026 Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation or becoming a member so we can continue to provide online programs such as this. Donations: https://www.mountaincloud.org/donate/ Become a member: https://www.mountaincloud.org/about/membership/
Dharma Talk: "Begin Again: The timeless gift of a new day" with Valerie Forstman
In this first Dharma talk of the new year, Valerie reads from a recently published collection of poetry, Begin Where You Are, then turns to the question, 'Where Are You?' Issuing from our practice, this question is not a matter of geographical location but a pointer to the fundamental reality of who and what we truly are. Centuries ago, Master Tosetsu Etsu famously addressed his monks with this fu
Dharma Talk: "One Treasure – Endlessly Functioning" with Valerie Forstman
In the wake of the Rohatsu sesshin at Mountain Cloud and our deep dive into Hakuin's Song of Zazen, Valerie begins this talk with a painting by Hakuin, an image of three blind men crossing a precarious log bridge. What does Hakuin's vision of 'crossing over' say about our practice, about awakening, and about the leap or fall right into the heart of this broken open world? By way of response, Valer
Dharma Talk – Illumined; Illumining: The Full Moon of Our Lives
On the occasion of the last full moon of this calendar year, Valerie turns to case 100 in the Blue Cliff Record or Hekiganroku. Speaking directly to our life and practice, Master Haryo (Baling), asks, "What is the sharpest sword? He himself answers, "Each branch of coral reflects the moon." How does that sharpest sword function and what does it have to do with the light of the moon? In the course
Dharma Talk: "The Boundless Way" with Maria Habito
Maria turns to Mumonkan Case 7, Joshu's "Wash your Bowl", his advice to a newcomer who earnestly asked him for instruction about the way. How does this simple instruction reflect the boundless way that Joshu himself asked his own teacher Nansen about when he first entered the monastery? Recorded on November 20th, 2025 Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation or becoming a membe
Dharma Talk: "Freedom and the Sound of the Bell" with Carolyn Seburn
How do we reconcile the wondrous and borderless reality of the essence with the messiness of our everyday lives? Are changing diapers, checking a phone or driving to work really compatible with "vast and void, no holiness?" Carolyn explores this question as it was posed by Unmon in 10th century China (Case 16 of the Mumonkan) "the world is vast and wide like this. Why do we put on our seven-panel
Dharma Talk: "Nothing Lacking" with Scott Thornton
In this talk, Scott takes up Case 10 of the Mumonkon, "Seizei the Poor." Recorded on November 6th, 2025 Donations: https://www.mountaincloud.org/donate/ Become a member: https://www.mountaincloud.org/about/membership/
Dharma Talk: "Bring me the Rhinoceros" with Valerie Forstman and Natalie Goldberg
For this talk, Valerie is joined by friend, author, artist, and dharma teacher, Natalie Goldberg. Together, Natalie and Valerie take up case 25 in the Book of Equanimity or Shoyoroku as a way of exploring the dharma that is at the heart of every koan – this world that is at once broken and utterly complete. Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation or becoming a member so we can co
Dharma Talk: "How to See in the Dark" with Valerie Forstman
This talk begins with the question, 'What is it to be human?' When Siddhartha Gautama was 29 years old, he leapt beyond the palace walls of his rarified life in search of an answer to this question. One of Shakyamuni Buddha's earliest teachings points the way towards what he discovered: Stop and see. Stop the conditioned activity of our discursive minds, our habitual ways of framing the world, ou
Dharma Talk: "Everywhere You Turn" with Valerie Forstman
This talk takes up case 34 in the Blue Cliff Record or Hekiganroku, "Kyozan's 'Not Wandering,'" as a guide to that exploration. Kyozan (Yangshan) asks a monk, "Where have you come from?" It's a common question – a fundamental question – that the monks of record repeatedly fail to realize. Here, the monk responds in terms of geography, the distance between here and there, near and far, coming and
Dharma Talk: "Zen Practice: Sweeping the Ground of our Lives" with Valerie Forstman
In this talk, Valerie returns to the basics of Zen practice beginning with a beloved verse by the renowned 8th century Chinese poet, Li Po. The poem is both a practice pointer and an expression of the fundamental reality we can discover along the way as practice unfolds: the essential world that is empty, boundless, and one, while, at the same time, exactly the world of our everyday lives. As a p
Dharma Talk: "The humanity of our life in a borderless now" with Valerie Forstman
In this talk, Valerie begins with the poetry of love and loss as a portal to a saying from the eminent 9th century Chan/Zen master Joshu (Zhaozhou) about the timelessness of our everyday lives. The talk explores Joshu's response to a monk who asks, "During the 24 hours, how is mind put to use?" Joshu offers a response that calls us into the immeasurable dynamism of each present moment. We are c
Dharma Talk: "It's Alive!" with Scott Thornton
Scott's talked is based on one of Joshu's sayings. When asked "What is meditation?" he responded, "Non-meditation." When asked how that could be, he said, "It's alive! It's alive!" Recorded on July 17th, 2025 Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation or becoming a member so we can continue to provide online programs such as this. Donations: https://www.mountaincloud.org/donate/ Bec
Dharma Talk: "The Great Matter: Arriving in the Light of Day" with Valerie Forstman
Fresh home from a memorial service for a beloved mentor and on the heels of the flooding in Texas, Valerie turns to case 41 of the Hekiganroku or Blue Cliff Record, "Joshu's 'Great Death.'" How does this case speak to the root of our human experience? What does it say about the coming and going of life and death? Might this ancient exchange between two masters – a generation apart in age – offer
Dharma Talk: "The World and Us" with Henry Shukman
In this talk, Henry explores our place in the world through koans and poems. Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation or becoming a member so we can continue to provide online programs such as this. Donations: https://www.mountaincloud.org/donate/ Become a member: https://www.mountaincloud.org/about/membership/
Dharma Talk: "Falling into the Heart of the World" with Valerie Forstman
In this first teisho since returning from the North American Sanbo Zan sesshin led by Yamada Ryoun Roshi, Valerie takes up Case 4 in the Shoyoroku or Book of Serenity, 'The World-honored One Points to the Ground.' "Here is a good place to build a temple," says the Buddha, pointing to the ground at the place where we stand. Manjusri bends down, picks up a blade of grass and sticks it in the ground
Dharma Talk: "The Practice of Insight Dialogue" with Nicola Redfern
Insight Dialogue (ID) is a relational meditation practice for developing awareness, compassion and wisdom. It is designed to help us awaken together and integrate our understanding of Dharma teachings in a direct and immediate way. Nicola's talk was followed with a brief period of Q&A. Nicola Redfern is an Insight Dialogue Retreat Teacher with an extensive background in both Zen and Vipassana m
Dharma Talk: "Homecoming: Not a single step taken" with Valerie Forstman
In this first dharma talk after returning from a monthlong mini-ango in Germany, Valerie turns to the final case in the Mumonkan or Gateless Gate, "Kempo's One Way," a koan that presents the world of absolute immediacy and infinite capacity, and invites us to taste and see. Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation or becoming a member so we can continue to provide online programs
How to Disappear
Katie Arnold tells a story from her upcoming book How to Disappear about an arduous and illuminating long distance run in the high country. Katie Arnold is the author of Brief Flashings in the Phenomenal World as well as critically acclaimed RUNNING HOME: A Memoir, published by Random House in March 2019. She is a contributing editor at Outside Magazine, where she worked on staff for twelve years
The Eightfold Path and Tribal Spirituality
This talk was offered by Karen Waconda-Lewis at Mountain Cloud Zen Center on May 22nd, 2025. Karen discusses how the Noble Eightfold Path connects with Tribal spirituality. Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation or becoming a member so we can continue to provide online programs such as this. Donations: https://www.mountaincloud.org/donate/ Become a member: https://www.mou
Zen is Basking in Love and Loving Back
This talk was offered by Ruben Habito at Mountain Cloud Zen Center on May 15th, 2025. Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation or becoming a member so we can continue to provide online programs such as this. Donations: https://www.mountaincloud.org/donate/ Become a member: https://www.mountaincloud.org/about/membership/
Dharma Talk: "Why I Love the Three Poisons" with David Loy
In this talk, David explores the depth and application of this teaching to our modern lives. He notes, "We often do not appreciate that the three poisons is a profound teaching, perhaps especially important today." Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation or becoming a member so we can continue to provide online programs such as this. Donations: https://www.mountaincloud.org/donat
Dharma Talk: "The Refuge of No Refuge" with David Loy
In this talk, David explores the idea of refuge. To take refuge is to run away to a hiding place…Is that what we should do? Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation or becoming a member so we can continue to provide online programs such as this. Donations: https://www.mountaincloud.org/donate/ Become a member: https://www.mountaincloud.org/about/membership/ Check out our website:
Dharma Talk: "The single stone ten thousand feet down in the sea of Ise" with Maria Reis Habito
Zen is a practice to deeply explore and fully live our true Self. Might the Koan about the stone deep down in the sea of Ise be a helpful pointer in this exploration? Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation or becoming a member so we can continue to provide online programs such as this. Donations: https://www.mountaincloud.org/donate/ Become a member: https://www.mountaincloud.or
Dharma Talk: Don't Know, Can't Know, Who Knows? with Shana Smith
In this talk, Shana takes us right into "don't know mind" as a portal to discovering our true nature and the freedom inherent in simply being alive. By tasting this freedom, we become better able to live, function, and respond compassionately even through difficult times. Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation or becoming a member so we can continue to provide online programs su
Dharma Talk: The Benevolence of Awakening with Valerie Forstman
In this early spring talk, Valerie turns to the way of awakening, discovered and explored as this world – in the midst – just as it is. Not-two. The talk weaves together a cross-section of experiences of homecoming with case 100 of the Book of Equanimity (Shoyoroku). In the case, Master Kaku of Roya receives the student's question and responds in kind: "The essential state is pure and clear; how a
Dharma Talk: "By Boat or By Land: Crossing over, fully arrived" with Valerie Forstman
In this talk, Valerie begins by revisiting themes from our recent sesshin – the wellspring of zazen, the intimacy of not-knowing, the peace that passes all understanding. The talk explores these themes by taking a fresh look at case 51 in the Book of Equanimity, 'Hogen's "Boat or Land,"' Master Hogen's question to a visiting monk elicits a response that resounds with the homecoming that is availab
Dharma Talk: "Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and the ABC's of Zen" with Shana Smith
In this teisho, Shana uses Ruben Habito Roshi's "ABC's of Zen" as parallels for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. She then explores Case 43 of the Shoyoroku as a pointer into finding our own unique ways to support the healing of a seemingly divided world. Shana will be leading a weekend retreat at Mountain Cloud in April - for more visit https://www.mountaincloud.org/event/intro-retreat-april-2025
Dharma Talk: "Waking up to this threshold moment" with Valerie Forstman
In this talk, Valerie begins with poetry as a portal to the language of koans, a language that uses words to go beyond words. Koans don't just describe or express the reality of who we truly are. They offer a turning word – a seed of awakening – that can open our eyes to that fundamental reality right in our midst. The talk will turn to case 12 in the Mumonkan (Gateless Gate), a single word that "
Dharma Talk: "What Moves?" with Valerie Forstman
In the Gateless Gate (Mumonkan) case 29, two monks watch a temple flag flapping in the wind. They argue back and forth: is it the flag that moves or the wind that moves? Seeing this, the 6th Chinese ancestor, Huineng, intervenes: "It is not the wind that moves. It is not the flag that moves. It is your mind that moves." Centuries of Zen students have taken up this case. What is mind? What is movin
Dharma Talk: Love and Loss in a Seamless World with Valerie Forstman
This talk is offered in gratitude for the life of Johanna Sindelar, a long-time sangha member who dedicated over a decade of service to Mountain Cloud. As a tribute to Johanna, Valerie begins with a look at the Heart Sutra in a rendering by Thich Nhat Hahn that was set to music in harmonies Johanna loved. The talk then turns to case 18 in the Blue Cliff Record, a koan that asks a renowned national
Dharma Talk: "Meeting Challenge with Equanimity" with Scott Thornton
In this talk, Scott draws from the Gateless Gate case 13, "Tokusan Carries His Bowls" as a case study for how we can meet mistakes, challenges, and misunderstandings with equanimity.
Dharma Talk: "Listen to the Heart of Things" with Maria Reis Habito
In this talk, Maria sheds light on how listening to the voice of a bird or the sound of rain can bring us fully back home to our true nature. In this context, Maria takes the experience of Fr. Shigeto Oshida as a spring board for Koan No. 46 in the Blue Cliff Record: Kyôsei's "Voice of the raindrops." Recorded on February 7th, 2025 _______ Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation
Dharma Talk: "The Year of the Snake" with Valerie Forstman
On this first day of the Lunar New Year with the world in turmoil, Valerie turns to case 22 of the Blue Cliff Record, "Seppo's 'Poisonous Snake.'" What life-giving poison is the koan presenting? What happens if you encounter the snake? The turning word in Seppo's own awakening story offers a pointer: If you want to expound a great teaching, it must flow forth from your own breast to cover heaven a
Dharma Talk: "What Meets the Eye" with Valerie Forstman
The talk begins with a look at Zen's parable of the second arrow. What does the story say to us now when we may find ourselves despairing about despair? In response, Valerie turns to the teaching of two root masters who lived during a particularly precarious time in China. Asked "What is the essential meaning of Chan?" Baso (Mazu) replied, "What is the meaning of this moment?" Baso's counterpart,
Dharma Talk: "The Path to Discernment" with Carolyn Seburn
Carolyn discusses Mumonkan case 11: Jôshû Examines the Hermits as an invitation to examine and trust our own discernment. Donations: https://www.mountaincloud.org/donate/ Become a member: https://www.mountaincloud.org/about/membership Check out our website: https://www.mountaincloud.org/ All are welcome to join us for sitting and dharma talks. Use this link to join us: https://sit.mountaincloud.o
January 9th Dharma Talk from Valerie Forstman
Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation or becoming a member so we can continue to provide online programs such as this. Donations: https://www.mountaincloud.org/donate/ Become a member: https://www.mountaincloud.org/about/membership Check out our website: https://www.mountaincloud.org/ All are welcome to join us for sitting and dharma talks. Use this link to join us: https://si
2025's First Dharma Talk
Welcome in the new year with this Teisho offered by Mountain Cloud's Guiding Teacher, Valerie Forstman. To see what Mountain Cloud has planned for the upcoming year, visit www.mountaincloud.org/newyear/
"Darkness and Light Reveal Our True Nature" with Maria Reis Habito
During the season of Rohatsu, Solstice, Christmas and Hanukkha, Maria takes up the psalm of Isaiah: "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light." This psalm becomes a starting point to reflect on how darkness and light feed our practice of seeing our true nature.
Breakthroughs Part 2 with Henry Shukman
At this time when many of us may be feeling daunted and uncertain, we gather in the zendo to tap into our shared deeper nature that meditation can open up, drawing sustenance and new perspectives from it. In this talk, Henry explores breakthrough experiences — sudden shifts in how we understand and experience this life. They can show up in many forms, and in many areas, both personal and collec
Poetry, Practice, and the Wild Ethics of Love: A Conversation with David Hinton
David Hinton has published numerous books of poetry and essays, and many translations of ancient Chinese poetry and philosophy—all informed by an abiding interest in deep ecological thinking. This widely-acclaimed work has earned Hinton a Guggenheim Fellowship, numerous fellowships from NEA and NEH, and both of the major awards given for poetry translation in the United States: the Landon Translat
Valerie Forstman: Zen's Subverting Impulse: Overturning the One
This week's talk was offered by Mountain Cloud's Guiding Teacher, Valerie Forstman. It was recorded on October 31st at the Zendo in Sante Fe. Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation or becoming a member so we can continue to provide online programs such as this. Donations: https://www.mountaincloud.org/donate/ Become a member: https://www.mountaincloud.org/about/membership/ Check
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