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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Path(less): Tias Little
May 1, 20261 min read
Such a joy to sit down with Tias Little (during a break from writing his latest book) on the beautiful grounds of Prajna Yoga. Tias and Surya offer amazing courses and classes, both in their temple in Santa Fe, as well as online. Listen below: 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...
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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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Path(less): Katie Arnold
Really enjoyed this conversation with author, journalist, and ultra-endurance athlete, Katie Arnold. Her latest book, "Brief Flashings in the Phenomenal World", is a beautiful Zen meditation wrapped in a memoir. And check out all of the great things Katie is up to, including her next "Flow Camp", in Telluride, Colorado ... Website Substack Instagram Listen below: Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation or becoming a member, so we can continue to offer these programs...
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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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Path(less): David Loy
It was an honor to sit down with David Loy for this next conversation in the Path(less) series. David will be joining us here at Mountain Cloud for our May EcoDharma Residency. To learn more about David, his teachings, books and appearances, check out his webiste: https://www.davidloy.org Listen below: 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...
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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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Path(less): Valerie Forstman
Such a pleasure to sit down with Valerie Forstman, Guiding Teacher for Mountain Cloud Zen Center, for this first conversation in the Path(less) series. Listen below: 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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Dharma Talk: “The Oak Tree of Life” with Maria Habito
This talk is in reference to the Biblical “Tree of Life,” from which we disconnected when we ate from the “Tree of Knowledge.” How does our Zen practice help us to reconnect? Does Joshu's “Oak tree in the garden” give a hint? Recorded on February 19, 2026 Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation or becoming a member so we can continue to provide online programs such as this. Donations: https://www.mountaincloud.org/donate/ Become a member:...
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