Zazenkai Series — Zen Women: Breaking Through in a Gateless World
Saturday, July 19th, 2025
This course is offered in-person & virtually
$50; scholarships available
Register Here
Zen Women: Breaking Through in a Gateless World
In a series of five Zazenkai/Daylong Retreats throughout 2025, Valerie presents us with a unique opportunity to experience the insights of ancestors rarely encountered due to the biases of their times. Valerie’s authentic dharma experience is matched by her skill as a scholar as she helps us learn about these historical figures, while helping us touch into their (and our) gateless world.
July’s Focus
In our June Zazenkai, we looked at a dharma dance between Ryu Tetsuma (Liu Tiemo) and Isan (Guishan) wherein these two masters use the language of coming and going to explore and express the boundless world where there is no coming or going – the feast at hand.
For the upcoming Zazenkai on July 19, Valerie will follow on this exchange by inviting us to keep company with “the old woman of Taizan.” This wise woman is unnamed but well-remembered in the koan tradition for positioning herself at a fork in the road on the way to Taizan, a high holy mountain and sacred pilgrimage site. Time and again passing monks ask, “What is the way?” And she replies, “Go straight on.”
Valerie expands on this in a special message:
Is this “old woman” giving directions – or is she pointing to the fact of who we truly are? Where is Taizan?
Join us on July 19 as we pick up the thread of Ryu Tetsuma and Isan, and follow the weft and warp of our own seeking to the foot of the mountain where nothing is lacking.
Participation Fee: The cost for the day is $50. Scholarships are available; please see the registration page for more details.
Series Dates:
January 12th (Email us for a copy of the teisho.)
February 15th (Email us for a copy of the teisho.)
June 28th (Email us for a copy of the teisho.)
July 19th – The Old Woman of Taizan (Register here)
November 8th (Register here)
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Zazenkai is a term used in Zen Buddhism to refer to a day of intensive meditation practice. The word “Zazenkai” is of Japanese origin, where “za” means sitting, and “zenkai” means gathering. During a Zazenkai, participants engage in periods of sitting meditation (zazen), walking meditation (kinhin), and may also include chanting, dharma talks, and other activities related to Zen practice. Zazenkais provide an opportunity for practitioners to deepen their meditation experience and strengthen their commitment to the path of Zen Buddhism. These events can vary in length, with some lasting a full day, as mentioned in your previous messages.
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Schedule (Mountain Time)
- 6:30-8:00am: Meditation
- 8:00-8:45am: Meal Break (breakfast provided for onsite participants)
- 8:45am: Guided Movement
- 9:00am: Meditation
- 10:00am: Dharma Talk
- 11:00am: Meditation (Optional Breakout Room following the talk)
- 12:00pm-1:00pm: Meal Break (On-site participants bring their own lunch. Tea service provided.)
- 1:00pm: Meditation and Q&A
- 2:00pm: Guided Movement
- 2:15pm: Q&A
- 3:00pm: Meditation
- 3:30pm: Closing
* Note for online participants — the retreat Zoom room will open shortly before 6:00 AM MT. For those who prefer not to or cannot join the 6:00 AM MT start time, you have the option to begin your day with movement at 8:45 AM MT or sitting and a short introduction at 9:00 AM. The dharma talk is scheduled for around 10:00 AM MT. The dharma talk will be recorded and made available on our YouTube Channel within two weeks.
Series Dates:
January 12th (Email us for a copy of the teisho.)
February 15th (Email us for a copy of the teisho.)
June 28th (Email us for a copy of the teisho.)
July 19th – The Old Woman of Taizan (Register here)
November 8th (Register here)
Join us onsite – and stay the night!
Immerse yourself — stay onsite for a Zazenkai: Personal retreats are one of the ways you can stay onsite at Mountain Cloud for a Zazenkai. During their stay, personal retreatants can freely enjoy the Zendo and land, 1-1 guidance with Assistant Sanbo Zen Teacher Scott Thornton, and the supportive embrace of daily community activity of residents. Choose from a range of lodging options from our dormitory style cottage, private cabins, and even camping. Members receive 50% discount for stays.
Residency is another way you can stay with us. Residents stay for 1-3 months, in an intimate cohort setting designed for lay practitioners seeking refuge in a moment of transition, depth for their practice, or community support. $800 per month includes any retreats or Zazenkai happening that month and training with Assistant Sanbo Zen Teacher Scott Thornton.
