Mountain Cloud Zen Podcasts

For this final Rohatsu talk, Henry looks at three questions. What are we doing here, just sitting with each other? What is awakening? and What then? We are living “it” every moment. And, here’s a link to our YouTube video of this talk. Also, check out our Upcoming Events: Spring Online RetreatThursday-Sunday, March 23-26 Four-day online retreat led by Valerie Forstman Original Love 2023: Click here for full details

In this talk from day 5 of the Rohatsu sesshin, Valerie picks up on the previous day’s talk by Henry where he presents the title and first line of the Heart Sutra. Turning to the figure of Kannon, Kanzeon, or Avalokiteshvara, bodhisattva of great compassion, Valerie asks, “What is compassion?” In response, she lifts up the phrase, “Just compassion,” then turns to a koan that addresses the heart of the matter: who we truly are. The deep Sea of Ise – the sea of the world – calls to us, as does a single stone lying on its floor, a stone that cannot get wet and can never get dry; a single stone with one name inscribed on it. The koan asks, “How will you pick up that stone without wetting your hands?” And once you have it in the palm of your hand, what is the name? And, here’s a link to our YouTube video of this talk. Also, check out our Upcoming Events: Spring Online RetreatThursday-Sunday, March 23-26 Four-day online retreat led by Valerie Forstman Original Love 2023: Click here for full details Photo by David Clode on Unsplash

Henry Shukman, an expert in Mahayana Buddhism and the Heart Sutra, explores the practice of Zen Buddhism and the significance of the Heart Sutra. He discusses the importance of being present, patience in meditation, enhanced perception, the concept of the other shore, and the role of confusion and doubt in spiritual practice.

In celebration of Shakyamuni Buddha’s awakening, Valerie takes up the Head Chapter of the Denkoroku or Transmission of Light. “I and the great earth and all beings simultaneously attain the Way.” The invitation of this practice is to taste and see: Our sitting, standing, bowing, walking is nothing but that awakening – fully expressing it in every breath, every gesture. And, here’s a link to our YouTube video of this talk. Also, check out our Upcoming Events: Daylong Sit / ZazenkaiSaturday February 18, 2023Join Valerie Forstman and our Sangha for a Zazenkai. The Zazenkai will be both on-site and on-line. Spring Online RetreatThursday-Sunday, March 23-26 Four-day online retreat led by Valerie Forstman Original Love 2023: Click here for full details

Henry asks the question, matters most? When you reflect on this question, have any open mind, beyond ordinary or day to day concerns. He asks, what is this experience and what is it to be alive? And… who is having this experience? Watch this exploration of what actually matters and why. And, here’s a link to our YouTube video of this talk. Also, check out our Upcoming Events: Daylong Sit / ZazenkaiSaturday January 21, 2023Join Valerie Forstman and our Sangha for a Zazenkai. The Zazenkai will be both on-site and on-line. Spring Online RetreatThursday-Sunday, March 23-26 Four-day online retreat led by Valerie Forstman Original Love 2023: Click here for full details

In this talk from the first day of the Rohatsu sesshin, 2022, Valerie offers a tribute to Sr. Elaine MacInnes, Roshi, who died a week ago and whose celebration of life will be December 8. Drawing on the experience Sr. Elaine described as “light sitting in light,” Valerie turns to the koan, Mu – a tiny spark that can ignite an inexhaustible flame, opening our eyes to a world of boundless clarity and infinite love. And, here’s a link to our YouTube video of this talk. Also, check out our Upcoming Events: Daylong Sit / ZazenkaiSaturday January 21, 2023Join Valerie Forstman and our Sangha for a Zazenkai. The Zazenkai will be both on-site and on-line. Spring Online RetreatThursday-Sunday, March 23-26 Four-day online retreat led by Valerie Forstman

Join Stephen Snyder, a seasoned teacher in Jhana practice and coauthor of Practicing the Jhānas, as he unpacks the deep roots and transformative power of concentration meditation. He explores how Jhana predates Buddhism, serving as a precursor to the Zen lineage. Listeners learn about the essence of meditative absorption, the significance of present-moment awareness, and how breath techniques cultivate relaxation. Stephen guides us through the intricate layers of meditation, emphasizing the synthesis of traditional practices with modern mental wellness.

It is said that the Buddha teaches only suffering and its end, but what is suffering? Guest speaker Rick Hanson attempts to define this suffering, challenging that suffering is only a small part of everything that exists. Understanding this can help break the pattern of seeing meditation and mindfulness practices as a solution to suffering, rather than a practice worth immersing yourself in. While there is suffering in this world, this world is not all suffering. Rick invites all listeners to embrace this and examine their own experiences with suffering in a new light. And, here’s a link to our YouTube video of this talk. Also, check out our Upcoming Events: Thursday Evening EventsDecember 15, Sangha Listening Session led by Valerie.  This will be a hybrid event.  Original Love Stay tuned for Original Love 2023 details

“We don’t study koans, we use koans to investigate our life.” ~ Maezumi Roshi Guest teacher Peggy Sheehan from Zen Center Denver says that koans have been a life long practice, for her. In this talk she explores Case 3 from the Gateless Gate, Gutei’s Finger. Peggy’s work as a pediatrician informs her interest in this koan. Babies become interested in their finger from a young age; first simply pointing upward then, then pointing at things they want, expressing curiosity, often expecting a response. Peggy asks, where is this finger when you are living your life? Don’t underestimate the universe of one finger. Stay with just one; with just this breath, with Mu, with this finger, with just sitting. When going about your daily activitiesy, how do you present one finger? And, here’s a link to our YouTube video of this talk. Also, check out our Upcoming Events: Thursday Evening EventsDecember 15, Sangha Listening Session led by Valerie. Stay tuned for more details. This will be a hybrid event.  Original LoveStay tuned for Original Love 2023 details Rohatsu Sesshin, December 5-12. Hybrid Event.  Online space available for full and part time participation. 

On this first day of Fall, Teshin takes up case 27 of the Blue Cliff Record, Unmon’s Complete Exposure. The Case reads as follows: A monk asked Unmon, “What is it when the tree withers and the leaves fall?” Unmon answered, “Complete exposure of the golden wind”. And, here’s a link to our YouTube video of this talk. Also, check out our Upcoming Events: Thursday Evening EventsNovember 23, Thanksgiving Day, no eventDecember 1, Maria Habito guest speaker, online only. Original LoveStay tuned for Original Love 2023 details Rohatsu Sesshin, December 5-12. Hybrid Event.  Online space available for full and part time participation.