Longing to Belong, Shana Smith (Video)
Author Archives: MCZC
Shana relays a personal story—about walking her dogs while trying to listen to a dharma talk on her phone—as an example of how what we are seeking and longing for
Watch Video
Life-and-death – the one and the many, Valerie Forstman (Video)
On the eve of the one-year anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine, Valerie begins and ends with gratitude for the life and practice of a longtime practitioner, a woman of
Watch Video
Last Word, Part 2 with Henry Shukman
Henry begins this talk by addressing a question that may nag at our practice: How at a time like this, with the world upended by the war in eastern Europe
Watch Video
Last Word, Part 1 with Henry Shukman
Henry begins this dharma talk by connecting the heartbreaking upheaval in Ukraine with the three poisons of Buddhism: greed, aversion and ignorance. We watch, stunned and horrified, as these forces
Watch Video
Buddha’s Parinirvana – The Great Unbinding,Teshin Matt Sweger (Video)
Celebrated on February 15, Teshin commemorates the passing on of the Buddha – parinirvana – and looks at the ways we understand death, the central question to be resolved in
Watch Video
Everyday a Good Day, Valerie Forstman
Speaking in the wake of multiple mass shootings, Valerie turns to Unmon (Yunmen) and his living koan, “Every Day is a Good Day.” The talk begins and ends in music
Watch Video
The Heart of Dogen’s Fukanzazengi
Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced. Valerie unpacks the first paragraph of Dogen’s Fukanzazengi, Universally Recommended Instructions on Doing Zazen. This opening
Watch Video
The Capacity to Awaken, Valerie Forstman
In this talk from the first Zazenkai of 2023 at Mountain Cloud, Valerie turns to Mahapajapati, mother to Siddhartha Gautama after his birth mother dies and the first female dharma
Watch Video
The Advantage of New Years, Valerie Forstman
In this first talk of 2023 at Mountain Cloud, Valerie opens with a dedication of the year to hearing the cries of the world, responding in wisdom and compassion, and
Watch Video
Structure, Natalie Goldberg
Natalie gives a personal talk about her experiences as a student of Japanese Zen Master, Katagiri Roshi. His example and presence, his consistent daily “showing up” and sitting for all
Watch Video
To Infinity and Beyond, Ruben Habito
Ruben’s talk at our January 19, Thursday Evening Event, examines how we are made for the infinite. Zen practice is an invitation to experience the infinite. Ruben explores how religion
Watch Video