Loading Events

« All Events

  • This event has passed.
Event Series Event Series: Introduction to Meditation

Introduction to Meditation

We are offering hybrid Introduction to Meditation classes held at Mountain Cloud and streamed to our online participants on zoom.

The first Wednesday of each month is Introduction to Meditation, a basic class for those wanting to learn how to meditate. The curriculum will cover meditation basics including: why we sit,  managing our thoughts, present moment awareness, mindfulness, the fruits and methods of practice. The class will include a short talk, meditation instruction and questions and answers. It designed for those new to meditation, those who need a refresher course and long term sitters who want to re-engage with the basics.

Meditation Support (the third Wednesday of each month) is for all sitters who want support and community engagement. This event will include one round of sitting, kinhin, a short talk or invitation to sharing, and Q&A. This class is for all sangha members who want practice guidance and support, a chance to sit with others, and more community interaction. It also provides additional support for those who attend the Introduction to Meditation Class on the first Wednesday of the month and any other less experienced practitioners. Valerie and other sangha teachers will lead this monthly class.

These classes – online and onsite – are free, open to all and require no registration. We ask that those who attend in person be fully vaccinated, preferably boosted. Masks are optional but recommended.

Zoom link and passcode:  sit.mountaincloud.org   Passcode: mountain22

Wednesday Schedule for October/November – 5:30pm MT

  • October 12:  Silent Sitting led by Will Brennan
  • October 19: Wisdom Wednesday Support led by Valerie, open to all levels of practice experience.
  • October 26: Wisdom Wednesday gathering led by Bill Bruce
  • November 2: Introduction to Meditation Class, co-led by Scott Thornton and Lisa Lincoln 
  • November 9: TBA
  • November 16: Wednesday Wisdom led by Scott Thornton

Donations are gratefully accepted – these events are dependent on your support. Give generously according to your means. Thank you.  DONATE HERE.

Meet our Teachers

Our Introduction to Meditation class is overseen by Sanbo Zen Teacher Valerie Forstman  and includes the following roster of trained teachers from our sangha….

Scott Thornton
Scott Thornton is an Assistant Teacher in the Sanbo Zen lineage. He has been a student of Ruben Habito Roshi for 22 years at The Maria Kannon Zen Center in Dallas, TX, and has recently moved to Santa Fe to practice at Mountain Cloud and to direct its Residents Program..

Scott has been a Clinical Psychologist for 34 years. His first career was in Theater, and he is still an active singer/songwriter and performer.

Mary Ann Bennett
Mary Ann writes, “I landed in my first Zendo about 20 years ago and felt I had come home. After studying yoga for 10 years and becoming a new yoga teacher, this was the next right thing for my spiritual journey. I fell in love with Zen. The grounded, ordinary, ‘Chop wood, carry water’ quality of this practice drew me in.”

Mary Ann became a member of Mountain Cloud and a student of Henry Shukman’s in 2014. She writes, “I treasure the sangha at Mountain Cloud. Even though I haven’t sat with them in person since Covid, the online support, inspiration, and learning feels like a family. It is an honor and a joy to lead some of these Intro to Zen classes. I look forward to meeting you!”

Bill Bruce
Bill is a senior student who has been an active member of Mountain Cloud for many years. He writes, “I have been blessed with guidance from Henry Shukman Roshi since 2011, and more recently, with Valerie Forstman Roshi.” Bill is a self-described family man with a background in home construction and carpentry. He is a welcoming presence at MCZC, now joining the cohort of teachers to welcome students to the weekly Intro Class.

Lisa Lincoln
Lisa is an avid meditator who started sitting at the age of 16 when her father asked her to try out meditation for stress relief. After years of trying to maintain her practice, she discovered Mountain Cloud, became a student of Henry Shukman (and then Valerie Forstman as well) and felt she had found her home.

Lisa has a passion for teaching. She works as a voice and theater teacher. Lisa writes, “I feel blessed to be able to teach the Introduction to Meditation Class with all the wonderful teachers at Mountain Cloud and share the life-changing gift of meditation and mindfulness with the students.”

Kathryn Stedham
Kathryn has taught Intro to Zen classes, in-person and online, for seven years at Mountain Cloud. She is also a frequent teacher for the Rio Grande Mindfulness Institute and has facilitated a weekly Mindfulness Class for patients at a local physician’s complex.

Kathryn began her training in the SanboZen lineage twenty-three years ago, first under the guidance of Bruce Harris and then, since moving to Santa Fe in 2011, with Henry Shukman. She has participated in numerous sesshins, NASZ retreats, as well as sits in Japan. Kathryn is a member of SanboZen International.  A former MCZC Board Member, Kathryn has been active in the life of the sangha since she arrived. Kathryn is an oil painter by profession. She is an avid equestrian and enjoys traveling internationally.

|Recurring Event (See all)

One event on October 5, 2022 at 5:30 pm

One event on November 2, 2022 at 5:30 pm

Date
September 7, 2022
Time
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Event Categories
, ,
Address
Mountain Cloud Zen Center
7241 Old Santa Fe Trail
Santa Fe, NM 87505 United States
Phone
(505) 303-0036
footer support banner image

Support Mountain Cloud

You can show your gratitude for Mountain Cloud events, retreats, podcasts and other teachings by making a one-time gift, or by becoming a supporting member.

Donate to Mountain Cloud Become a Member