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.
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Dharma Talk: “Abundance in an Undivided World” with Valerie Forstman
June 23, 20261 min read
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...
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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?...
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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....
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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...
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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...
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Dharma Talk: “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 to the case, Mumon calls...
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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 when many folks see ever-deepening divisions. Ben illustrates the teachings with...
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Dharma Talk: “No Merit” with Scott Thornton
Watch or listen below: https://vimeo.com/1182296638?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.
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Dharma Talk: “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? Watch or listen below: https://vimeo.com/1180294616?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....
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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 word presents the world where there...
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Path(less): Intro
March 28, 20261 min read
Welcome to a new converation series, titled "Path(less)," on the "in the Cloud" podcast. In this introductory episode, 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.mountaincloud.org/donate/ Membership: https://www.mountaincloud.org/about/membership/ Reach out to grant@mountaincloud.org with any comments or suggestions....
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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. Watch or listen below: https://vimeo.com/1173388557?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci 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/
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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."...
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Dharma Talk: “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? Scott takes up this koan and these questions in his talk. Watch or listen below:...
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