Zen Jhanas – Dharma Talk with Stephen Snyder
Dharma
Guest speaker Stephen Snyder of the Jhana tradition visits Mountain Cloud and offers a teisho on the Buddha’s first and last practice. Jhana practice predates the Buddha by at least
Watch Video
Gratitude
Continuous practice, day after day, is the most appropriate way of expressing gratitude ~ Eihei Dogen With regular practice, meditation is known to calm our nervous systems, enhance present moment
Continue reading
The Eightfold Path: Dharma Talk with Bill Bruce (video)
A more beautiful world our heart knows is possible. Bill Bruce is a long term Zen practitioner and sangha member. Bill opens his dharma talks with a simple story from
Watch Video
Lotus Blossoms in a World at War: Dharma Talk with Valerie Forstman (video)
Four weeks into the invasion of Ukraine, Valerie takes up case 21 of the Blue Cliff Record, “Chimon’s Lotus,” alongside the poem, “Peace,” by the German SanboZen master, Silvia Ostertag.
Watch Video
Practice as Pilgrimage
The Way is never apart from you, right where you are. Why should we wander here and there to practice? Eihei Dogen Zen has deep roots in the practice of
Continue reading
Last Word – Part Two: Dharma Talk with Henry Shukman (video)
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
Watch Video
This Blue Sky: Zazenkai and Q&A with Valerie Forstman (videos)
In this talk from our Women in Zen Zazenkai series, Valerie looks into the life and work of Chiyo-ni, the first renowned woman haiku master, reading these evocative verses alongside
Watch Video
Q&A with Henry Shukman and Valerie Forstman (video)
In light of many questions coming in, Henry and Valerie have decided to dedicate this Thursday evening event to answer questions the sangha may have. More Q&A sessions will follow
Watch Video
Substance of Practice
Under the shadowless tree all people are in one boat. from Case 18, Blue Cliff Record; case 85, Book of Serenity When National Teacher Nanyang is about to die, his
Continue reading
Last Word – Part One: Dharma Talk with Henry Shukman (video)
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
Watch Video
Peace
Peace Sitting in silence you should simply let yourself fully arrive. Let yourself fully arrivein the peace of this moment. How can you actually do that,let yourself arrive in peace,given there are so many
Continue reading