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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Simplicity Zen Podcast Features Valerie Forstman
September 13, 20221 min read
Simplicity Zen is a Zen and mindfulness themed blog and podcast started by Gambo Berry Crawford. Enjoy Berry's interview with Valerie Forstman. https://simplicityzen.com/simplicity-zen-podcast-episode-39-an-interview-with-valerie-forstman/ Image by Takeshi Shimizu
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Dharmatalk: Infinitely Open, Endlessly Bright with Valerie Forstman
September 13, 20221 min read
Valerie takes up case 29 of the Denkoroku, the record of the ‘transmission of light’ from Bodhidharma to Eka or Huike, as a way to explore the boundless clarity that is none other than this immediate world. One clarity, void of any separation. Hearing a turning word, Eka awakens to the reality Bodhidharma called “vast and void,” and illumines the way. And,
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Within Practice We Meet Ourselves, Karin Kempe (Video)
September 12, 20221 min read
Guest Speaker Karin Kempe of the Zen Center of Denver joins our Thursday Night Sit to offer a talk on Dogen's statement, Practice is Enlightenment, Enlightenment is Practice. While this sounds great, it doesn't always feel easy. We face resistance that comes up over and over again. Karin offers perspective on the Genjokoan and reminds us that the way is already here. It is not contingent on some method of practice, but within us. Karin...
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Infinitely Open, Endlessly Bright (Video)
September 12, 20221 min read
Valerie Forstman takes up case 29 of the Denkoroku, the record of the ‘transmission of light’ from Bodhidharma to Eka or Huike, as a way to explore the boundless clarity that is none other than this immediate world. One clarity, void of any separation. Hearing a turning word, Eka awakens to the reality Bodhidharma called “vast and void,” and illumines the way. Image by Mark Petrick
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Message from Valerie: Welcome Suffering
September 7, 20222 min read
This Zen or Chan tradition is at root a response to suffering, sentient being suffering, suffering in all forms. The response is summed up in the first ennobling truth - there is suffering (dukkha) - and the first bodhisattva vow: Sentient beings are numberless; I vow to free them (or I vow to save them all). On the surface, this sounds like mission impossible. But it’s already going on. The vow points to the absolute capacity...
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Introduction to Meditation Weekend, Talk Two: All
September 6, 20221 min read
"Love sitting in Zazen, as if putting out a fire on top of your head" ~ Dogen Valerie Forstman gives the second talk during the April Intro to Meditation weekend. What are you practicing for? We sit in the midst of it all, the pandemic, climate change, suffering and joy... all. And,
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Celebrating Valerie, Scott and Bryan
September 5, 20221 min read
Close to seventy people showed up for the reception on Saturday September 3 to welcome our new teachers and executive director. Thank you to our reception host Henry Shukman and our party team: Karen, Margie, Vivian, Rachel, Christy, Joe and probably more, sorry for any omissions. Enjoy these photos from the day.... All photos taken by Mark Petrick.
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Rohatsu: In-Person Retreat Registration
September 1, 20222 min read
Use the form below to register and make your payment for Rohatsu 2022. You are receiving this link because you have been approved for on-site attendance. Most of you have arranged with Johanna your lodging or commuting status. Those of you who are staying on-site should select the Shared Cabin Option. Cabins will sleep three people. If we get in a squeeze a cabin may have a fourth person. Commuters, campers and van sleepers should...
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Introduction to Meditation Weekend: Q&A 1 with Valerie Forstman
August 30, 20221 min read
Description: This is Question & Answer session 1 from the Introduction to Meditation Virtual Weekend. Valerie Forstman is the speaker and teacher for this session. And,
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Introducing Bryan Baldwin, MCZC Executive Director
August 29, 20222 min read
Santa Fe resident Bryan Baldwin is joining Mountain Cloud Zen Center as our new Executive Director. Bryan brings more than 25 years of progressive responsibility helping mission-driven organizations become more purposeful, focused, and strategic. He has extensive nonprofit management experience and most recently served as a senior administrator for a large public university in New England and concurrently led its private foundation. The earlier part of his career was spent working in the international diplomatic...
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The Body of Awakening, Valerie Forstman (Video)
August 29, 20221 min read
In this talk from her Women in Zen series, Valerie explores the life, practice, and transmission experience of Zongchi, a woman born into the court who became Bodhidharma’s disciple and dharma heir. Zongchi realizes the joy of seeing who she truly is – and the timeless moment of seeing just once. Bodhidharma recognizes Zongchi’s eye as his own flesh. As Dogen puts it, “’You have my flesh” is “the true human body.” Photo/Image by Mark...
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