Teachings
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Dharmatalk: Diamond Sutra and Living Beings with Maria Habito
March 17, 20231 min read
"Abiding no-where mind comes forth." Maria Habito returns to Mountain Cloud's zoom zendo and talks about the Diamond Sutra. When we enter deep silence, the diamond cuts through every notion we carry. It can show us intimate awareness of no self, no other, no sentient beings and no time. In this talk, Maria focuses on Living Beings, which refers to those who are not yet enlightened. However many species of living beings there are, Bodhisattvas lead all...
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Longing to Belong, Shana Smith (Video)
March 13, 20232 min read
Shana relays a personal story—about walking her dogs while trying to listen to a dharma talk on her phone—as an example of how what we are seeking and longing for – is already right HERE. She explores the koan “Seijo’s Soul Is Separated” Gateless Gate Case 35) as a pointer to seeing into the reality our non-dualistic true self, which helps us compassionately understand that we, by our very nature, belong to the world. https://youtu.be/td4Y7sdv7Bk Shana Smith...
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Life-and-death – the one and the many, Valerie Forstman (Video)
March 13, 20231 min read
On the eve of the one-year anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine, Valerie begins and ends with gratitude for the life and practice of a longtime practitioner, a woman of Ukrainian descent who died several months into the war. We hear the teaching of Karen Boreham on practice-awakening, unconditional love, beauty, bravery, empty-handed acceptance, and death. In between, Valerie takes up Case 149 from Dogen’s “Treasury of the True Dharma Eye.” The koan presents this...
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Rohatsu 2022: Day 6, Vibes, Awakening and What then? with Henry Shukman
March 7, 20231 min read
For this final Rohatsu talk, Henry looks at three questions. What are we doing here, just sitting with each other? What is awakening? and What then? We are living "it" every moment. And, here's a link to our YouTube video of this talk. Also, check out our Upcoming Events: Spring Online RetreatThursday-Sunday, March 23-26 Four-day online retreat led by Valerie Forstman Original Love 2023: Click here for full details
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Last Word, Part 2 with Henry Shukman
March 6, 20231 min read
Henry begins this talk by addressing a question that may nag at our practice: How at a time like this, with the world upended by the war in eastern Europe can we concern ourselves with koans? Continuing from his previous talk on March 3rd 2023, Henry returns to Case 13 of the Gateless Gate, providing additional commentary on the “Last Word.” https://youtu.be/6u_fGlophoo Photo by Mark Paul Petrick
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Last Word, Part 1 with Henry Shukman
March 6, 20231 min read
Henry begins this dharma talk by connecting the heartbreaking upheaval in Ukraine with the three poisons of Buddhism: greed, aversion and ignorance. We watch, stunned and horrified, as these forces reshape our world. Although conflicts like that in the Ukraine may come as a sudden shock, we are all susceptible to these poisons, therefore our world is as well. In this talk from March 3, 2022, Henry Shukman explores "Tokusan Carries his Bowls," Case 13 ...
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Application for Summer 2023 Sesshin – Onsite Attendance
March 1, 20233 min read
Please fill out this application if you wish to attend our June 26-July2 summer sesshin in person. This applies to those who plan for indoor lodging onsite, camping on our land, or commuting from home or a local lodging venue. Due to space considerations, not all applicants will be accepted. Private students of our teachers and MCZC members have priority. That said, you may still apply if this doesn't apply to you. A six day in...
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Rohatsu 2022: Day 5, Cannot Get Wet, Cannot Get Dry with Valerie Forstman
February 28, 20231 min read
In this talk from day 5 of the Rohatsu sesshin, Valerie picks up on the previous day’s talk by Henry where he presents the title and first line of the Heart Sutra. Turning to the figure of Kannon, Kanzeon, or Avalokiteshvara, bodhisattva of great compassion, Valerie asks, “What is compassion?” In response, she lifts up the phrase, “Just compassion,” then turns to a koan that addresses the heart of the matter: who we truly are....
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