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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Beyond McMindfulness, by David Loy and Ron Purser, Part 1
October 10, 20164 min read
...the rush to secularize and commodify mindfulness into a marketable technique may be leading to an unfortunate denaturing of this ancient practice. Suddenly mindfulness meditation has become mainstream, making its way into schools, corporations, prisons, and government agencies including the U.S. military. Millions of people are receiving tangible benefits from their mindfulness practice: less stress, better concentration, perhaps a little more empathy. Needless to say, this is an important development to be welcomed — but...
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The Path
October 7, 20161 min read
The best of the paths is the Eightfold [Path]; The best of the truths is the Four [Noble Truths]. The best of qualities is dispassion; And the best among god's and humans Is the one with eyes to see. This is the path For purifying one's vision; there is no other. Follow it, You'll bewilder...
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Teisho: Obedience
October 6, 20162 min read
“I am busy not influencing anything." ~ Master Mumon Description: Henry looks at the concept of obedience and how it applies to Zen and to the Sanbo Zen lineage. Henry explores the term obeisance as used in Case 35 from the Book of Equanimity, Rakuho’s Obeisance. He provides some reflections on obedience, humility, letting be, and putting what is above our sense of our self. He also explores the difference between a pressured kind of zen...
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A Zen Reflection on Pope Francis’ Visit to the US, by Joan Rieck
September 30, 20167 min read
...we are one family, living in one home with responsibility for each other and for our planet. Written by Sanbo Zen teacher Joan Rieck for the October 2015 newsletter of Sonnenhof, our center for Zen and contemplation in the Black Forest, Germany. Dear Friends, This past week, Pope Francis visited the United States and inspired millions of us with his humble demeanor and stirring words. He spoke movingly of the great challenges facing the...
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Teisho: Grief, Anger and Delusion: What are we doing when we sit?
September 29, 20161 min read
“There is not a hair’s-breadth of difference between oneself and others in the limitless universe; heaven, earth and I are of the same root.” ~ Henry Shukman Description: Henry opens this compelling talk with his deep concern about rising political turmoil, with neo-fascism and racism affecting the UK and other western nations. Henry talks about action in the face of turbulent times and explores how sitting is a powerful form of direct action. Meditation creates a space...
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The Dharma of the Rings, by David R Loy
September 23, 20167 min read
What is the Ring? Its magnetic-like attraction is a profound symbol for the karma of power. Can The Lord of the Rings be understood as a new Buddhist myth - a spiritual teaching that speaks to our situation today? Tolkien’s Middle-earth may not seem very susceptible to a Buddhist reading, given its uncompromising dualism between good and evil, and apparent endorsement of violence against evil. It’s clear that the only good orc is a dead...
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Teisho: Summer Sesshin: Experience not intellect (Part 5 of 5)
September 22, 20161 min read
“In practice, we meet in a different kind of way; silently, not looking at one and other, but experiencing one another with a different kind of intimacy ...” ~ Henry Shukman Description: In this final talk of our summer sesshin, Henry wraps up what he has been communicating during this week of silence. He stresses that Zen is not about understanding, which is why Zen has been passed on through living flesh and blood teachers. This kind...
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The Three Poisons, Institutionalized, by David R Loy
September 19, 20167 min read
...our present economic system institutionalizes greed, our militarism institutionalizes ill will, and the corporate media institutionalize delusion. The Buddha didn’t say much about evil, but he spoke often about what are sometimes called the three roots of evil, also known as the “three poisons”: greed, ill will, and delusion. His understanding of karma emphasized the role of these intentions: when what we do is motivated by greed, ill will, or delusion, dukkha “suffering” results. Today...
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The “Lack” of Money, by David Loy
September 16, 20167 min read
Money ends up becoming “frozen desire” - not desire for anything in particular, but desire in general. What is money? We use it every day, so we must understand how it works... or do we? Perhaps our familiarity keeps us from appreciating just how strange money actually is - and how it uses us. What is a dollar bill? A piece of paper. You can’t eat it, ride in it, or sleep on it. The...
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Teisho: Summer Sesshin: The Five Skandhas (Part 4 of 5)
September 15, 20161 min read
"We don’t know what’s good in the long run, but separation is an illusion. Anything that reinforces that illusion is misguided and will lead to more suffering ...” ~ Henry Shukman Description: In this fourth teisho of the summer sesshin, Henry explores how our conditioned ways of perceiving experience lead to delusion and separation. He details the five skandhas: form, sensation, perception, mental reaction, consciousness, and talks specifically about Buddha’s teachings on the skandhas. He then explores how...
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