Teachings
You can find all of our weekly Dharma talks for free right here on this page, as well as on our YouTube channel and podcast. Live talks take place every Thursday from 5:30–7:00pm MT, both in-person and on Zoom (sit.mountaincloud.org — password: mountain22). Members receive access to some special archival materials.
-
Watering the Seeds of Ecodharma
August 4, 20268 min read
Reflections from the second year of Ecodharma May Conversation with Sarah and Abby Click on the video below for a discussion about this year's Ecodharma Residency, with Abby and Executive Director Sarah Giffin: https://vimeo.com/1212673774/00bf4fa41f?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci Abby's Reflections Additional written explorations by Abby “I learned that ways of being, ones which prioritize community, gratitude, and mindfulness, are possible, and are necessary to cultivate, experiment with, and grow, so as to provide alternative models to the predominant cultural...
Read more -
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 meditaton 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 world, as well. Listen below: Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation...
Listen to the talk -
The Origin of Path(less)
Written by Grant Goulet If you’ve tuned into our podcast lately, you might have noticed some changes. We’ve officially rebranded the Mountain Cloud podcast to in the Cloud. It’s a playful nod to a few things: our physical home high up in the clouds of Santa Fe, New Mexico; our incredible global sangha connecting digitally from the tech "cloud"; and the vast, spacious nature of the Zen transmissions themselves. Right now, our feed boasts over...
Read more -
Dharma Talk: “Waking into Wholeness” with Vanessa Zuisei Goddard
July 28, 20262 min read
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? Join Zuisei Goddard, Guiding Teacher of Ocean Mind Sangha, for an...
Listen to the talk -
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. Listen below: 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....
Listen to the talk -
Dharma Talk: “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 seasoned monk presents himself to a renowned...
Listen to the talk -
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. Listen below: 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....
Listen to the talk -
Dharma Talk: “A Message from the Oneness World” with Valerie Forstman
This talk begins with pointers to the “Oneness world” – responses to the earthquake in Mindanao, experiences following on a recent 27-day sesshin or ‘mini-ango,’ and the first line of the Heart Sutra threaded through Dogen. The talk then turns to Mumonkan or Gateless Gate 26, “Two Monks Roll up the Blinds.” Hogen (Fayan), the master in this case, conveys the whole of the matter in a single gesture: pointing. His teaching invites us to see that...
Watch the video -
Dharma Talk: “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 who 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 hinges on the question, can you – or can anyone – “attain Buddhahood”? More to the point, can you become anything?...
Listen to the talk -
Dharma Talk: “Wild Thing!” with Scott Thornton
Scott explores Case 53 of the Blue Cliff Record or Hekiganroku: “Hyakujo and the Wild Ducks.” Watch or listen below: https://vimeo.com/1198023812/68812ed6dd?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci 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....
Listen to the talk -
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. Listen below: 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....
Listen to the talk -
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? 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...
Listen to the talk -
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. Listen below: Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation or becoming a member, so we can continue...
Listen to the talk -
Dharma Talk: “The Circle Game: Reflections on Earth Awareness Teacher Training and This One Precious Life” with Shana Smith
Shana Smith is an Assistant Teacher of Sanbo Zen based in Florida. Shana provides online 1-1 practice support to our members, and provides workshops for our 30 Days of Zen Course and sesshins. Shana discovered yoga in 1990 and began attending regular classes in several different styles of yoga. After several years of ardent practice and study, she began to teach at her local studio and Yoga Temple. Shana became interested in the sensations and insights...
Listen to the talk
