Mountain Cloud Zen Podcasts

This 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, Sekito (Shitou), taught, “What meets the eye is the Way.” How might these teachings illumine the way as we practice and live in the midst? Recorded on January 23rd, 2025.

Carolyn discusses Mumonkan case 11: Jôshû Examines the Hermits as an invitation to examine and trust our own discernment.

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/

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.

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 collective. Zen’s history is full of stories of sudden awakenings — moments when practitioners found they had broken out of familiar ways of perceiving and understanding their lives, into new ways of experiencing time, space, a profound sense of belonging, and of participating in the life of this world and all its beings. 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://sit.mountaincloud.org

David Hinton, a prolific author and translator, dives into the interplay of poetry, love, and ecology. He elaborates on the Taoist concept of an 'empty mind' and its connection to self-realization and nature. Hinton critiques how technological advancements affect human consciousness and urges a rekindled kinship with the Earth. He also connects ancient Chinese poetry and Chan meditation, highlighting poetry's power to deepen our bond with nature. The conversation beautifully intertwines art, love, and our ethical responsibilities to the environment.

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 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.org

Kali invites us to examine the wide array of features that comprise “The Practice Field,” the many aspects of our path of practice. She states that as a species we are quite proficient at ignoring our “shadow side of life,” those parts of us that help inform the richness of the practice field. Through this avoidance of difficult experiences, we contribute to our own suffering. Kali suggests that, with kindness and insight, we can lovingly examine how we are responsible for much of our suffering – not blaming (which consciously assumes we are creating harm) but rather taking responsibility for what we bring into our moments of practice. The invitation is to relax into being with whatever we are experiencing, whatever we have the opportunity to meet, with wonder and curiosity, grounded in our connection with our basic goodness. Recorded on October 24, 2024 * 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://sit.mountaincloud.org

Dwelling no-where, mind comes forth~ from the Diamond Sutra Heart mind directs us to the fundamental point of who and what we are. In Chinese there is one term for Heart Mind. No hyphen necessary, simply one. Contemporary Sanbo Zen teacher Migaku Sato wrote a poem with this line: In nothing at all-ness, there is endlessly everything. Out of nothing, here we are practicing, says Valerie or That thou art, says Ruben Habito. To further open, Valerie looks at goneness and oneness in Case18 from the Blue Cliff Record, The National Teacher’s Gravestone. And, here’s a link to our YouTube video of this talk. Also, check out our Upcoming Events: Mountain Cloud Summer Sesshin, hybrid eventJune 26 – July 2: Details and registration, click here Thursday Evening Event May 25th with Guest Speaker Diana ClarkMeditation: 5:30pm MTDharma talk: 6:00pm MTClick here for details Original Love 2023: Click here for full detailsClouds, River’s Lakes and Seas Weekend Workshop is coming up this weekend, May 27-28Register here.