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 4, Prajnaparamitra, The Heart Sutra with Henry Shukman

    MC PodcastFebruary 7, 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. And,

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  • Structure, Natalie Goldberg

    MCZCFebruary 6, 20231 min read

    Natalie gives a personal talk about her experiences as a student of Japanese Zen Master, Katagiri Roshi. His example and presence, his consistent daily "showing up" and sitting for all sentient beings, taught Natalie about structure, practice and mind. This talk is filled with anecdotes - which were often unexpected Zen teachings - from Natalie's life long practice as a teacher and a student. Photo by Michael on Unsplash

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  • To Infinity and Beyond, Ruben Habito

    MCZCFebruary 6, 20231 min read

    Ruben’s talk at our January 19, Thursday Evening Event, examines how we are made for the infinite. Zen practice is an invitation to experience the infinite. Ruben explores how religion is the human search to find and experience something beyond this finite, fragile and temporary life. The heart that longs for this is embedded in all of us and is found in all traditions. Nothing will satisfy this longing except for the mysterious infinite or,...

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  • Message from Valerie: Suffering and Beauty

    Valerie ForstmanFebruary 1, 20232 min read

    How is it possible to reconcile suffering and beauty? In his first sermon after awakening, the Buddha said: “Within this fathom-long body is found all of the teachings, is found suffering, the cause of suffering, and the ending to suffering.” That’s this discrete body, with its sense-gates, experience, hindrances, and intrinsic potential to awaken - to realize what this ‘body’ really is. This very body. There’s another quote from the Pali canon, where the Buddha...

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  • Barriers, Shana Smith (Video)

    MCZCJanuary 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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  • Message from Valerie: An Invitation to Serve

    Valerie ForstmanJanuary 25, 20232 min read

    Mountain Cloud sangha members are currently coming together once each month to prepare and serve a delicious meal at the Interfaith Shelter, known as Pete’s Place, here in Santa Fe. For members interested in further engagement with vulnerable segments of our community, we have an opportunity to serve with fellow practitioners in Upaya’s Street Ministry project.  Upaya’s Street Ministry focuses on supporting member’s of Santa Fe’s community who are experiencing homelessness. Volunteers in the Street Ministry not...

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  • Rohatsu 6: Vibes, Awakening and What then? Henry Shukman (Video)

    MCZCJanuary 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.

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  • Message from Valerie: Empty Hands

    Valerie ForstmanJanuary 18, 20233 min read

    With empty hands, I take hold of the plow. ~ Fu Daishi Yesterday’s Sunday morning zazen at Mountain Cloud was another sign of life - the perimeter of the zendo full, with sitting followed by a lively gathering for tea and conversation. On Saturday, more than 60 people joined the online sangha meeting, which began with a 10-minute guided sit led by Henry (still recovering from Covid. Get well soon, Henry!) Mountain Cloud is navigating...

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  • Rohatsu 2022: Day 3, All-Inclusive Awakening with Valerie Forstman

    MC PodcastJanuary 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,

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  • A Defense of Koans: Dharma Talk with Henry Shukman (video)

    MCZCJanuary 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

    MCZCJanuary 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...

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  • Rohatsu 5: Cannot Get Wet, Cannot Get Dry, Valerie Forstman (Video)

    MCZCJanuary 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)

    MCZCJanuary 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.

    Watch the video
  • Rohatsu 2022: Day 2, What Matters Most with Henry Shukman

    MC PodcastJanuary 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,

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