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.

  • 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...

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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,...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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  • Dharmatalk (Guest): Ruben Habito: Zen Tribute to Mary Oliver (Part 2 of 2)

    MCZCFebruary 28, 20191 min read

    "... all my life I was a bride married to amazement ..."  ~Mary Oliver Description: This is the second part of a talk given by Ruben Habito, founding teacher of Maria Kannon Zen Center in Dallas, TX. It is an appreciation of the poet, Mary Oliver, who died on January 17, 2019. Ruben Roshi elaborates on her invitation to pay attention and how this allows our life to unfold in joy and ease and in natural...

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  • Message from Henry: Deep Dependable Peace

    MCZCFebruary 26, 20191 min read

    Imagine how this world might be, if more people knew a deep dependable peace in their core. Whatever suffering you have faced in the course of practice - for example on your last retreat - remember the hard times, don’t gloss over them in your mind. Instead cherish them. Embrace yourself for having suffered through difficulties in that way. Open your heart in self-compassion. Let those times help you to understand that others suffer too,...

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  • Dharmatalk (Guest): Ruben Habito: Zen Tribute to Mary Oliver (Part 1 of 2)

    MCZCFebruary 21, 20191 min read

    "My work is loving the world."  ~Mary Oliver Description: This talk was given by Ruben Habito, founding teacher of Maria Kannon Zen Center in Dallas, TX. It is an appreciation of the poet, Mary Oliver, who died on January 17, 2019. Her words have a deep resonance with the world that we experience when practicing Zen. Ruben Roshi beautifully relates them to the three fruits of Zen—pay attention, be astonished and love the world. NOTE: The...

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  • Message from Henry: Love Always Wins

    MCZCFebruary 19, 20192 min read

    In the end, love always wins. Gandhi said: When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it --always. In the end, love always wins. It can’t fail to. It predates life and death. That’s why sometimes on their death beds, along with...

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  • Dharmatalk: Case 79, Book of Equanimity: Chôsa Takes a Step (Part 2)

    MCZCFebruary 14, 20191 min read

    "... To awaken is not enough; we have to get down from the pole to be acting as servants of the Dharma, out of love and service for all beings ..."   Description: What would it be to have no story? The great masters lived detached from all stories, and the koans share the freedom this gave them. This talk continues the discussion of Case 79 from last week, and introduces the  poetic verse that accompanies the...

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  • Message from Henry: Dealing with Stewing – more…

    MCZCFebruary 12, 20192 min read

    We simply become cognizant of these phenomena and let them be. For example, it could be your neighbor is fidgety. Or a window blind keeps stirring and knocking against the sill. Or there’s a shadow that won’t stop moving within your field of vision - from some leaves on a branch outside, perhaps. Or somebody’s breathing noisily. Because of that external “irritant” you can’t settle into your breath practice. The frustration quotient is rising and...

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  • Dharmatalk: Case 79, Book of Equanimity: Chôsa Takes a Step (Part 1)

    MCZCFebruary 7, 20191 min read

    "... A sweetly sorrowful joy is a hallmark of our practice deepening ..."   Description: This talk begins with a bit of the history of the evolution of meditation practice in the West. This unfolds into an exploration of Case 79, where Master Chôsa comments on Master E. Master E has not fully broken through and manifested his body throughout the ten directions -- in other words, discovered his true identity as one, empty, infinite reality,...

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  • Message from Henry: Don’t Stew….and don’t check out

    MCZCFebruary 5, 20192 min read

    When we find ourselves stewing on the cushion, caught in “proliferations” of difficult, negative thoughts and feelings, it can be tempting to stew all the harder, ruminating on all the imagined wrongs in life, feeling more and more uncomfortable, and disappointed or frustrated in ourselves, or in our neighbors, or our nearest and dearest. Or perhaps in our practice itself. Wasn’t it meant to help? Isn’t it supposed to deliver peace and joy and all...

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  • Sangha Meeting Minutes: January 26, 2019

    MCZCFebruary 1, 201914 min read

    Thank you to all who attended our January 26 sangha meeting. Attendees are listed at the end of this report. We have three sangha meetings per year. Minutes are published on our website and will continue to be posted on our bulletin board. Brief Meditation: Led by Henry Approval October sangha meeting minutes:  Moved and approved by attending members. Ratification of 2019 Board and Recognition of out-going board members Two outgoing board members, Kathryn and...

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