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.

  • Message from Henry: The Training

    MCZCApril 7, 20202 min read

    ...the training knows better than we do. Occasionally I experience a little worry about what I as a deluded former poet and writer with a long struggle in his meditation practice could possibly have to offer as a guide in practice. But then I remember there is a kind of answer: the training I have been through. Something that is definitely not personal to me. And the wisdom inherent in that training, which my teachers...

    Read more
  • Dharmatalk: One Infinite Gratitude

    MCZCApril 2, 20201 min read

    "... Zen practice offers stillness and silence ..." "…dissolving the great Gordian knot of self ..." Description: Gratitude for Buddha, Dharma and Sangha unites all the divergent streams of Buddhism. This talk touches on Transcendental Meditation and The Beatles, Emerson and Thoreau, and Swami Vivekananda. Zen practice offers stillness and silence and the potential for truly discovering the core fact of our existence, here and now. Post & Featured image: Beautiful Sunrise Ship morning background by...

    Listen to the talk
  • Message from Henry: Now What?

    MCZCApril 1, 20201 min read

    There used to be a voice in me that would say: So what now? But now what? It used to speak up regularly when I emerged from a retreat where I’d gone deep in practice. Or I’d be blown away by some kind of experience of unity or boundlessness, and sooner or later this voice would pipe up, saying: Now what? Like: OK, whatever it may be you have just experienced, what is the follow...

    Read more
  • Message from Henry: Wal-Gazing

    MCZCMarch 27, 20203 min read

    ...we simply meet it, allow it, receive it, as a thing, a phenomenon, an apparition. At certain times in its long history the Zen form of Buddhism has been known as the “wall-gazing school”. Bodhidharma, said to have brought “Dhyana” or “Zen” Buddhism from India to China in the sixth century, was sometimes known as the “wall-gazing brahmin”. For nine years he sat in his solitary cave gazing into the rock wall, staring into a...

    Read more
  • Dharmatalk: Case 98, Book of Equanimity: Tozan’s “Intimate with It” (Part 2 of 2)

    MCZCMarch 26, 20201 min read

    "Zen is a template for letting go ..." Description: This talk revisits the three bodies of Buddha and maps them onto the various approaches to Zen practice, including mindfulness. The Dharma-body is the subject of every koan; each one communicates the true fact of existence. Tôzan’s answer to the monk’s question in Case 98 does just this. Post & Featured image: Silhouette of bird flying and broken chains at sunset sky background by choat, purchased...

    Listen to the talk
  • Special Message from Henry

    MCZCMarch 25, 20206 min read

    Dear MC students, members, sangha, friends and supporters... Thank you all so much for making Mountain Cloud such a vibrant and thrilling community to be a part of. Yes, we gather primarily in order to be quiet and still together in person, to allow the deeper realities of our consciousness, our nature, and our very existence to show themselves. And also to ripen in the Dharma, in order to grow (let’s hope) as wiser, kinder...

    Read more
  • Dharmatalk: Case 98, Book of Equanimity: Tozan’s “Intimate with It” (Part 1 of 2)

    MCZCMarch 19, 20201 min read

    "... the single, infinite, empty fact that is always, powerfully, right here, now ..." I am always most intimate with it. ~Tôzan Description: This talk begins by addressing the difference between concentration leading to emptiness practice, and mindfulness meditation. In Case 98, a monk asks Tôzan about the three bodies of Buddha. Tôzan’s beautiful, nonconceptual response expresses the single, infinite, empty fact that is always, powerfully, right here, now. Post & Featured image: Rapid mountain...

    Listen to the talk
  • Message from Henry: Ease and Joy in Times of Uncertainty

    MCZCMarch 18, 20204 min read

    At any time, we can find within our experience a belovedness, an ease, that is intrinsic to our existence and our very consciousness. All of us in the Mountain Cloud sangha and network are blessed to be part of a deep and ancient lineage of practice. Throughout history we human beings have been through many challenging situations of many kinds, in all times and places. For example, in mid 8th century China, when Zen had...

    Read more
  • Dharmatalk: Case 97, Book of Equanimity: Emperor Doko’s Helmet Hood

    MCZCMarch 12, 20201 min read

    "Any sense experience is boundless and empty." Description: This inspiring talk explores the beautiful simplicity of Case 97. Emperor Dôkô says, “I have attained the treasure of the Central Plain.” His teacher, Master Kôke, asks the emperor to show it to him. What is this boundless treasure that cannot be quantified? It is always right here, right now. Post & Featured image: Yellow Sun Set in The Middle of The Ocean by osalenko, purchased from depositphotos,...

    Listen to the talk
  • Message from Henry: The Space in the Middle

    MCZCMarch 10, 20202 min read

    Suddenly it's clear: there's no one there. Just empty space. ... you become superconscious of your breathing, but it's no longer yours. It's like watching an animal breathe, as if through a lens. You ask, Who is it breathing? There is the rustle of inhalation followed by exhalation. Whose breath is it? You switch your attention to your sight. The question spontaneously arises: Whose sight is it? And there's hearing: some kind of faint hiss in the...

    Read more
  • Dharmatalk: Case 96, Book of Equanimity: Kyuho Does Not Acknowledge (Part 2 of 2)

    MCZCMarch 5, 20201 min read

    The fact of being is an utter mystery. Description: The focal point of this multifaceted talk is the seven-line verse by Master Sekisô in Case 96. Practice gives us a framework for seeking. What is to be found? In order to give us a taste of what Sekisô is conveying about the great mystery of existence and the varying depths of the awakening experience, each line of the verse is explored. Post & Featured image:...

    Listen to the talk
  • Message from Henry: Teacher-Student Relationship

    MCZCMarch 3, 20201 min read

    The teacher-student relationship is complex. Over the years Joan gently guided me, and sometimes not so gently. When I was full of myself, she reminded me that I had to try to live generously and kindly; when despondent, that I knew of a world of peace. She pushed me into seeing life as an ongoing exploration, and every moment as an opportunity for exploration. But perhaps the main thing is simply the teacher's presence in your...

    Read more
  • Henry Shukman and Sam Harris Interview / Waking Up Podcast

    MCZCMarch 2, 20201 min read

    Henry was recently interviewed by Sam Harris on the Waking Up podcast.  Waking Up is available with a subscription. If you'd like to listen, we have a special offer that allows us to listen for free to Henry and Sam's conversation. Waking Up also offers a 30-day free trial if you'd like to explore more of the Sam Harris' offerings. To take advantage of the special offer... Visit https://www.wakingup.com Click on 'Sign Up' in the upper...

    Listen to the talk
  • Dharmatalk: Case 96, Book of Equanimity: Kyuho Does Not Acknowledge (Part 1)

    MCZCFebruary 27, 20201 min read

    Each thing is itself a miracle. Description: What is a koan? Why are they used in Zen training? In the story of each koan, we are the main character with an opportunity to become clearly aware of our core nature. In Case 96, following the death of Master Sekisô, Kyûhô questions the head monk to discover whether or not he should become the next abbot of the temple. Kyûhô is unimpressed, demonstrating that the heart...

    Listen to the talk
footer support banner image

Support Mountain Cloud

You can show your gratitude for Mountain Cloud events, retreats, podcasts and other teachings by making a one-time gift, or by becoming a supporting member.

Donate to Mountain Cloud Become a Member