Teachings

  • 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 only...

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  • Dharmatalk: Getting Better Resourced

    MCZCApril 4, 20191 min read

    "... We are draining poisons and clarifying the system ..." Description: This is the fifth teisho of the Summer 2018 sesshin. In this closing talk the value of Zen practice is explored with regard to how it teaches us about our human nature. Guided by the Dharma, we practice with the help of a teacher and in this process we are healing both self and world. Post & Featured image: Swirl by johnhain, Pixabay License.

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  • Message from Henry: Right Now – Here it is

    MCZCApril 2, 20191 min read

    The whole universe showing itself... Sometimes people ask: how can I get my practice into my daily life more? As if time on the cushion were segregated off from the rest of life. I don’t see that distinction at all. Why would sitting not be part of life? All the lessons that we learn through sitting apply to all of life. The whole of Zen training is about life itself. Just stop, look, listen, feel... Right now: here it...

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  • What Shall We Do? by David Loy

    MCZCMarch 30, 20197 min read

    ...humanity’s greatest challenge ever is also Buddhism’s greatest challenge ever. An excerpt from Ecodharma: Buddhist Teachings for the Ecological Crisis, by David Loy Buddhist teachings do not tell us what to do in response to the ecological crisis, but they have a lot to say about how to do it. Gautama Buddha lived about 2,400 years ago in what is now northeast India. Over the next millennium Buddhism spread to most of Asia, interacting with local cultures,...

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  • Dharmatalk: The Heart Sutra (Part 2)

    MCZCMarch 28, 20191 min read

    "... All things are essentially empty ..." Description: This is the fourth teisho of the Summer 2018 sesshin. This talk is a continuation of the third talk, exploring the gift of the Heart Sutra. “Therefore, in emptiness there is no form, no sensation, no perception, no mental reaction, no consciousness. All things are essentially empty.” Why is this good news for us? Post & Featured image: Mars Victoria Crater by WikiImages, Pixabay License.

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  • Message from Henry: Getting what we want?

    MCZCMarch 26, 20191 min read

    In training, in sitting long hours over decades, do we learn more from getting what we want? For example, from experiencing lovely states of calm and clarity, or perhaps even being graced with a  heart-stopping glimpse of the infinite, boundless, loving power of shunyata? Or, do we actually learn more from not getting what we want? From sitting still through all our trials, troubles and tribulations? Could it even be that learning to settle into not...

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  • Lost in Dream

    MCZCMarch 23, 20191 min read

    I never saw the heart beating in my chest the Love that was the melody to my life The life that I overlooked searching too far searching in the future for the Present I alway miss Here before me Me! This Being that beats in my heart this song that moves my fingers writing a song to It Self A music that rings in this autumn evening here at my desk Listening to You To You Finally! Image and poem by Rosa Bellino, October 2018...

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  • 2019 Spring Sesshin Photo

    MCZCMarch 20, 20191 min read

    Many thanks to our dedicated teacher Henry, Sandy and her phenomenal cooking cohort, and the diligent zendo team for a fantastic six day spring sesshin, March 11-17, 2019. And of course much gratitude for the participants! 

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  • Dharmatalk: The Heart Sutra (Part 1)

    MCZCMarch 20, 20191 min read

    "... Prajnaparamita is the mother of All ..." Description: This is the third teisho of the Summer 2018 sesshin. The focus of this talk is the Heart Sutra, which is the essence of the Perfection of Wisdom (Prajnaparamita) teachings. What are the five skandhas, or aggregates? The Buddha said, “The skandha of form is as empty, hollow, and insubstantial as a ball of foam on a river.” This points to what humans are capable of discovering about...

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  • Message from Henry: “My Practice”

    MCZCMarch 19, 20191 min read

    ...the practice was never “ours,” and it’s there ... that its true saving grace lies. It’s natural and appropriate that when we start to practice, most of us will think of it as “my practice.” It’s something I’m doing, and it’s for me. Many of us will tend to approach it as something we do to get certain benefits that we want. The “mindfulness movement” has drawn millions into some level practice on these premises. It’s all...

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  • Reflection

    MCZCMarch 16, 20191 min read

    When the Light Reflects on Itself – The world is created – A Wonderful reflection Of Itself into form – A form-less marriage Of Light and shadows. The Light Never changes True to Itself – Its projections Ever changing, flickering On the still canvass That embraces everything That Lights everything Lost in the dream You  walk Not knowing Your intimate face Till… One day You turn towards the Light And Smile A smile of recognition That you Are Home Always and finally Home -- Images and poem by Rosa Bellino, January 2019...

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  • Dharmatalk: Case 79 (Preface), Book of Equanimity: Chôsa Takes a Step

    MCZCMarch 14, 20191 min read

    "Oh no, love, you’re not alone." ~ David Bowie Description: This is the second teisho of the Summer 2018 sesshin. This talk begins with the story of Master Ganto and his great shout at the end of his life. (Warning: if you are listening with earbuds, keep the volume low—there is a very loud group shout!) This talk focuses on the introduction to Case 79, written by Master Bansho and on the teachings of Master Chôsa, which...

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  • Message from Henry: Don’t Stew and Don’t Check Out (revisited)

    MCZCMarch 12, 20192 min read

    There is a treasure trove of discovery to be made ... the very obstacle will surely turn into the path itself. If you’re sitting there stewing on the cushion, don’t check out. And if you’ve checked out, check back in! Just because you may be feeling bored during a sit, don’t think: there’s no point doing this, I’ll check out, whether physically or mentally. Either way, we’re missing the point of practice – which is to be with...

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  • Dharmatalk: Case 1, The Gateless Gate: Joshu’s Dog (Mu)

    MCZCMarch 7, 20191 min read

    Can you see the golden flash of Mu? Description: This is the first teisho of the Summer 2018 sesshin. Traditionally, during a sesshin, the first talk is about the first koan, Mu. Jôshû invites us to receive Mu—it is showing itself right here, right now. How do we fall into this receptive mode? One thing that can help is to investigate our notion of time and allow it to expand. Time can be glimpsed as endless and...

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  • Message from Henry: Not Knowing

    MCZCMarch 5, 20192 min read

    ... we never know what blessings can arrive in disguise. Yamada Koun tells the story of Hosshin Zenji, who began grew up in feudal Japan to be a humble, illiterate servant called Heijiro, around the time of Dogen. After mistreatment at the hand of his young master, Heijiro left the castle where he worked for a Zen monastery, and eventually made his way to a monastery in China. The master there gave him a koan to...

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