Teachings
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Barriers, Shana Smith (Video)
January 28, 20232 min read
Guest Sanbo Zen teacher Shana Smith comes to us from her home in Florida. She acknowledges the many challenges of our world (hurricanes, pandemic, politics, Ukraine) and that our practice has never been more important. Zen lives, breathes and informs our life inside these challenges. Shana points to the barrier Islands around Florida which were never meant to be developed because they shift and move with the ocean. These islands are living masses meant to...
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Rohatsu 6: Vibes, Awakening and What then? Henry Shukman (Video)
January 21, 20231 min read
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. https://youtu.be/aWEA11IPvw0
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Rohatsu 2022: Day 3, All-Inclusive Awakening with Valerie Forstman
January 17, 20231 min read
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...
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A Defense of Koans: Dharma Talk with Henry Shukman (video)
January 17, 20231 min read
Henry asks, “Why on Earth do we bother with koans?” One response Henry offers, "If you are sitting with a koan, the koan will dissolve any kind of knowing and bring you into the here and now in a way that cannot be anticipated." Continuing in his study of the Gateless Gate, Henry charges ahead with Case 10 Seizei the Poor, offering some perspective on this elusive case and encouragement to those interested in Koan...
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Sangha Meeting Minutes: January 14
January 15, 20235 min read
Teacher's Reports Valerie Forstman, Guiding Teacher The residents program is launched, under the guidance of Scott Thornton, and we can look forward to it growing over the next few months. The listening session in December was well attended and received. Members expressed interest in volunteering, community building, eco-dharma/climate care, and social justice. Members continue to offer useful input and we plan to periodically have much such sessions. Christian Casillas will lead a volunteer social outreach program collaborating with Upaya....
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Rohatsu 5: Cannot Get Wet, Cannot Get Dry, Valerie Forstman (Video)
January 15, 20231 min read
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....
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Rohatsu 4: Prajnaparamitra, The Heart Sutra, Henry Shukman (Video)
January 14, 20231 min read
What is this practice? Why do it? Essentially, it's all about slowing down and things falling away. Our very existence, our being gets simpler. Henry looks at the title and first lines of the central document of Mahayana Buddhism, The Heart Sutra. This document is a story about Avalokiteshvara going from contracted view, to full view. https://youtu.be/bhmnN9_vN6k
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Rohatsu 2022: Day 2, What Matters Most with Henry Shukman
January 12, 20231 min read
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...
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Rohatsu 3: One All-inclusive Awakening, Valerie Forstman (Video)
January 8, 20231 min read
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. https://youtu.be/JDtrN10NnPk
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Diamond Sutra and Living Beings, Maria Habito (Video)
January 7, 20232 min read
Abiding no-where, mind comes forth. Diamond Sutra Maria Habito returns to Mountain Cloud's zoom zendo and talks about the Diamond Sutra. When we enter deep silence, the diamond cuts through every notion we carry. It can show us intimate awareness of no self, no other, no sentient beings and no time. In this talk, Maria focuses on Living Beings, which refers to those who are not yet enlightened. However many species of living beings there are, Bodhisattvas...
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