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.
-
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,
Listen to the talk -
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.
Watch the video -
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...
Watch the video -
Rohatsu 2022: Day 1, Light Sitting in Light with Valerie Forstman
January 3, 20231 min read
In this talk from the first day of the Rohatsu sesshin, 2022, Valerie offers a tribute to Sr. Elaine MacInnes, Roshi, who died a week ago and whose celebration of life will be December 8. Drawing on the experience Sr. Elaine described as “light sitting in light,” Valerie turns to the koan, Mu – a tiny spark that can ignite an inexhaustible flame, opening our eyes to a world of boundless clarity and infinite love. And,
Listen to the talk -
Rohatsu 2: What Matters Most? Henry Shukman (Video)
January 2, 20231 min read
Henry asks the question, what matters most? When you reflect on this question, having an open mind is important, seeing beyond ordinary or day to day concerns. Henry 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.
Watch the video -
Rohatsu 1: Light Sitting in Light, Valerie Forstman (Video)
January 2, 20231 min read
Light Sitting in Light: the tiny spark of Mu In this talk from the first day of the Rohatsu sesshin, 2022, Valerie offers a tribute to Sr. Elaine MacInnes, Roshi, who died a week ago and whose celebration of life was December 8. Drawing on the experience Sr. Elaine described as “light sitting in light,” Valerie turns to the koan, Mu – a tiny spark that can ignite an inexhaustible flame, opening our eyes to...
Watch the video -
Dharmatalk: Zen Jhanas with Stephen Snyder
December 13, 20222 min read
Guest speaker Stephen Snyder of the Jhana tradition visits Mountain Cloud and offers a teisho on the Buddha’s first and last practice. Jhana practice predates the Buddha by at least 1000 years and is the origin of our Sanbo Zen lineage. Stephen offers an introduction: what is Jhana practice? How are the lineages entwined? And,
Listen to the talk -
Dharmatalk: Life is Not Suffering with Rick Hanson
December 8, 20221 min read
It is said that the Buddha teaches only suffering and its end, but what is suffering? Guest speaker Rick Hanson attempts to define this suffering, challenging that suffering is only a small part of everything that exists. Understanding this can help break the pattern of seeing meditation and mindfulness practices as a solution to suffering, rather than a practice worth immersing yourself in. While there is suffering in this world, this world is not all...
Listen to the talk -
Dharmatalk: Towards Healing with Peggy Sheehan
November 29, 20221 min read
"We don't study koans, we use koans to investigate our life." ~ Maezumi Roshi Guest teacher Peggy Sheehan from Zen Center Denver says that koans have been a life long practice, for her. In this talk she explores Case 3 from the Gateless Gate, Gutei's Finger. Peggy's work as a pediatrician informs her interest in this koan. Babies become interested in their finger from a young age; first simply pointing upward then, then pointing at...
Listen to the talk