In the Cloud
A podcast from Mountain Cloud Zen Center
Touch into Zen wisdom with weekly Dharma talks and explore the broader threads of the spiritual path — through Zen and beyond — in our monthly Path(less) conversation series
What is Path(less)?
Path(less): An Exploration of the Pathless Path of Practice and Life is our bi-weekly conversation series. Campus Operations Manager Grant Goulet sits down with a variety of fascinating guests, in Sanbo Zen and beyond.
The “Pathless Path” is one of those classic Zen phrases that sounds like a riddle but is actually a precise pointer to reality. It highlights the central paradox of Zen: there is this thing called “awakening,” but there is no fixed route or set of steps to get there.
On this path, the source of truth shifts from what we “should” do to our own unique values and intuition. “Failure” stops being a setback and becomes an integral part of an interesting journey.
Throughout the Path(less) series, we’ll be tilling some rich soil, exploring questions like:
- How do we reveal and orient ourselves around our deepest values?
- How does meditation support us when there is no fixed map?
- How do we show up skillfully in support of collective flourishing?
Your Host
Grant Goulet is Mountain Cloud’s Campus Operations Manager and the host of our podcast’s Path(less) series. Following several years of online practice with Mountain Cloud, while based in Detroit, Michigan, Grant joined the Residency program in January 2024, and, since May 2024, has enjoyed the role of Senior Resident, providing operational management of on-site programs, assisting with facility and grounds caretaking, and leading hospitality for guests.
Grant is deeply interested in the supportive tripod of spiritual, philosophical, and scientific disciplines, with particular emphasis on metaphysics and the nature of consciousness. After several years of self-directed inquiry and contemplative practices, Grant was drawn to Zen through the writings and talks of Alan Watts, and has since deepened his appreciation for the tradition as the “the sword so sharp it cuts two into one.” Prior to taking up residency at Mountain Cloud, Grant utilized his PhD in Biomedical Engineering as faculty in academia, and executive leader in industry.
Off the cushion, Grant can be found running wild in the mountains around Santa Fe, taking pictures, writing down his philosophical musings, and traveling around with his partner, Kayla, and their dog, Maple, in their tiny house on wheels.
Episode Highlights
There’s no one better to start our conversation series than Mountain Cloud’s Guiding Teacher Valerie Forstman. This is a great place to start to dive into the paradoxes at the heart of Zen and to learn more about Valerie’s own path to Mountain Cloud.
Elena Brower is an author, poet, Zen practitioner, and graduate of Upaya’s chaplaincy program. Tune in to hear how Elena’s pathless path led her to be present in the spaces where life is at its most raw.
Another leader in the meditation world, Light Watkins is an author, speaker, and coach with a fascinating path into the world of meditation. He offers tangible wisdom for creating a simpler, more aligned life.
A well-known presence around Mountain Cloud, Henry Shukman sits down with Grant in the most recent episode, covering a wide breadth of topics to inspire one’s own pathless path.
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