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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Don’t-Know Mind
May 9, 20201 min read
But when you allow each thought to be met with “Is it true?” life will show itself to you. Eventually, you find yourself ending every thought with a question mark, not with a period. You’re able to rest in the never-ending enlightenment of the don’t-know mind. ~ Byron Katie A mind at Home with Itself Photo and creation by Rosa Bellino
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Dharmatalk: Shimmering Particles
May 5, 20201 min read
"The ‘story of me’ fell away utterly and completely." ~ Francis Bennett Description: This encouraging talk begins with excerpts from the book I Am That I Am by Francis Bennett. Zen practice allows us to join a level of experience where we are never separate from anything. This experience that can arise from deep absorption is beautifully conveyed in this talk, pointing to the value of concentration practice. There are references to Case 99, Unmon’s...
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Dharmatalk: Case 99, Book of Equanimity: Unmon’s “Bowl and Pail”
April 28, 20201 min read
"You can’t see the Way; you can discover that you are the Way" Description: In Case 99, a monk asks Master Unmon, “What is the dust-dust samadhi?” This term, also translated as moment-by-moment samadhi, is explored at various levels in this talk. Unmon’s response to the monk is simple and beautiful, conveying a world where there is no separation. Post & Featured image: Natural green background with selective focus by Krivosheevv, purchased from depositphotos, for use...
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Sharing One Breath
April 25, 20201 min read
Kono iki ya Ah this breath Mae wa dare no ka Whose breath was it before? Hitotsu no ki One Spirit. Text and photo by Rosa Bellino
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Dharmatalk: Spreading the Love
April 21, 20201 min read
"... The Way is always waiting to show itself in every single moment ..." [caption id="attachment_18780" align="aligncenter" width="940"] Great Wall of China in Jinshanling, Hebei Province, China[/caption] Description: Beginning with some reflections on the book American Veda, this talk unfolds into a discussion of the Zen poem “Shin Jin Mei,” written by Sosan. The first line reads “The Great Way is not difficult for those who do not pick and choose.” Practice allows us to...
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Dharmatalk (Guest): Ruben Habito: Zen Eye on Good Friday
April 14, 20201 min read
"... And suddenly the darkness turned into a bright and luminous light ..." Description: In this brief Zen talk on Easter weekend 2020, Ruben Roshi walks us through a famous Zen koan from the "Gateless Gate", transposing the characters to the Montepulciano region of Italy, and brings us to the wordless "wine of astonishment" that awakening allows us all to drink. Listen and be inspired! Post & Featured image: Bright lights in darkness — Photo by I_g0rZh, purchased...
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