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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Maria Reis Habito: Coming Out of Exile
April 11, 20241 min read
With grace and deep compassion, Maria Habito offers us a beautiful story of deliverance from exile. Like the Israelites being in bondage in Egypt, we are all in some kind of prison, even if it is a palace. “For even a palace has walls,” she reminds us. Drawing on the story of Shakyamuni Buddha from the Transmission of Light, by Master Keizan, we can appreciate the consonance of the deliverance from bondage with the Buddha’s...
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David Loy: Changing our Story
March 28, 20241 min read
In his teisho, David Loy leads us through a consideration of the stories that many of the world’s religions tell. They are stories which give priority to a world separate from this one, held out as a reward for leading an ethical life and for following the commandments of religion. Unfortunately for this world, the stories often devalue our home planet and make its destruction and the continuation of life here of no ultimate concern....
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Carolyn Seburn: The Barbarian Has No Beard
February 22, 20241 min read
In this teisho, Carolyn takes us through case 4 of the Mumonkan or Gateless Gate. The case is simply stated: Wakuan said, “Why has the western barbarian no beard?” The western barbarian is believed to be Bodhidharma who famously had a wild and generous beard. The pattern of this koan is referred to as “calling black white” as Yamada Koun said. Listen to this beautiful teisho and explore with Carolyn how to feed the spark...
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Teisho: Valerie Forstman: The Zero Point
February 8, 20241 min read
In this teisho, Valerie continues with the theme “beginners mind.” Drawing on Dogen’s fascicle “Continuous Practice” from the Shobogenzo, we are reminded of the all-inclusive and undivided circle of the way - the zero point of this very moment. This is “beginner’s mind” or “sho shin.” Valerie also completes the circle of Haryo’s “three turning words.” This one is known as Haryo’s “feather blown sword” or “sharpest sword.” A monk asks Haryo, “What is the...
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Teisho: Valerie Forstman: Falling into the Well
February 1, 20241 min read
Valerie takes up another of Haryo’s turning words in this teisho. A monk asks Haryo, “What is the Way?” Haryo answers, “A clearly enlightened monk falls into a well.” This falling is with eyes wide open, clearly seeing while stepping willingly into the unknown. Weaving a rich offering which includes the “Verse of Purification” from the Flower Ornament Sutra and quotes spanning the history of Zen from Dogen to Katagiria Roshi, Valerie leads us along...
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Teisho: Valerie Forstman: You Are That Shining
January 25, 20241 min read
This teisho by Valerie is offered on the night of the first full moon of the new year while a gentle snow settles on the piñon pines outside the zendo. Questions like: “What is this? Who am I? What is the full moon?” settle on us like snowflakes on the pine trees. Our koan to consider is Case #13 from the Blue Cliff Record, or Hekigonroku, “Haryo’s Silver Bowl.” A monk questions, “What is the...
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Teisho: Sean Murphy: The “Five Conditions”
January 18, 20241 min read
This Dharma talk is presented by Zen master and author Sean Murphy. Drawing on his long career as a Zen teacher, he presents a reframing of the important Buddhist concept of the five skandhas. The English translation of the five skandhas is often presented philosophically or as Buddhist psychology which may be difficult to understand and apply. Sean offers a simpler system called the “five conditions” which he originally learned from Zen teacher Bernie Glassman....
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