Ongoing Program Offerings

Zen is what we do.

Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha is how we do it.

Whether you are are just starting out, or decades into your practice journey, we serve as a home for a lifetime of practice. We provide authenticated teaching, plentiful practice opportunities, and innovative experiences that foster community relationships.

Our strategy is to focus on the 3 treasures (“Sanbo”) — buddha, dharma, and sangha. Of course, these 3 are integral to one another, but below we’ve separated them to help explain the breadth of our offerings.

Dharma (teachings)

Weekly Dharma Talk (Hybrid, free):
Dive deep into Zen Koan study with Associate Master Valerie Forstman each Thursday, or listen later on our website, our Podcast, or Youtube Channel.

Weekly Intro Class (In Person, free):
Designed to return to again and again, this class led by Assistant Sanbo Zen Teacher is an opportunity to dive into practice basics.

1-1 Guidance with Authorized Teachers (for members):
Members are invited to work 1-1 with our teachers for practice guidance or formal koan training.

30 Days of Zen Online Courses (online, $99):
This dynamic course format includes a daily teaching & practice (provided via email), several live workshops, and a community forum. We have found these to be a great way to dive into zen teachings, motivate and deepen daily practice, and find sangha support.

Online Teachings (online, free):
Check out our Archive of talks and writings in our online archive, our Podcast, or Youtube Channel, and check out our Guided Lessons page for meditations.

Sangha (learning in community)

Weekly Wisdom Wednesdays (Hybrid, free):
Enjoy a more informal sit & conversation with an experienced community member to explore themes on lay practice.

Weekly Book Group with Scott Thornton (Hybrid, free):
Deep dive into a text with sangha members each week to stimulate your curiosity. Jump in to this group anytime!

Weekly Sunday Community Tea (In person, free):
After Sunday morning Zazen (8:30-9:30) stick around for some tea and conversation to get to know your fellow practitioners.

Semi-monthly Turtles/Ecodharma Group (hybrid, free):
This peer group convenes every other Thursday at 7pm MST following teisho to explore: “How can we, as Zen practitioners, respond to the current ecological crises with open hearts?” Discussion includes analysis of recent environmental events, relevant media, and our personal reflections on these issues.

Monthly Aging Buddhas Group (hybrid, for members):
This offering was prompted by dedicated sangha members looking to connect around themes of old age and dying — so central to life and the zen perspective, but also to our senior sangha members.

Semi-monthly Precepts Study Group (online, for members):
In Sanbo Zen tradition, we engage with the precepts later in our koan training, but we recognize the precepts are a vehicle for deepening practice at any level. This group meets twice a month with Nancy Mujo Baker Roshi to explore her book on the precepts, with experiential exercises.

Members Zone (online community forum for members):
This platform serves as an archive of resources, special offerings, and engagement among members.

NEW Members Lab (for members):
This is a weekly hour for members to connect around the week’s dharma talks, current events and emerging topics on the hearts of our sangha.

Buddha (practice itself)

Daily Sitting Schedule (free, hybrid):
Join us for zazen 7 days a week, onsite and in our online zendo. If you come in person, on mornings, stick around for breakfast and conversation with our residents and Assistant Teacher, Scott Thornton.

Zazenkai (hybrid):
These are daylong retreats, perfect for rejuvenating your practice with extended silence and support. They include a talk, option breakout discussion, Q&A, guided movement, and lots of zazen!

Intro Retreats (hybrid):
These weekend retreats are designed to support those who haven’t had a retreat experience before, or a Zen-style experience before, and provides a “beginner’s mindset” for longtime practitioners.

Sesshin (hybrid):
These 6-Day retreats provide a uniquely deep dive into silence, stillness, and practice in community, all the while guided and supported by the teachings and 1-1 guidance with Valerie Forstman.

Residency (1 month +):
Immerse yourself in the embrace of a lifestyle supported directly by practice. This intimate, cohort based program, is designed for lay-practitioners and builds in time for self-guided practice as well as ample opportunities for teachings and guidance. Great for lay practitioners seeking refuge in a moment of transition, depth for their practice, or community support. $800 per month includes any retreats happening that month and training with Assistant Sanbo Zen Teacher Scott Thornton (excludes May)

Personal Retreats:
You are invited to take refuge on our 24 acres of land, and in our beautiful zendo, for shorter self-guided retreats of your own design. Personal retreats have a nightly rate, provides access to our zendo, 24 acres, and Assistant Sanbo Zen Teacher Scott Thornton

Ecodharma Residency – Larger cohort experience in May with guest Teacher-in-Residence, David Loy. Commuter Options available. Includes a zazenkai & 6-day retreat and additional workshops


Keep Exploring

Buddy System

And if this is all too much to take in, reach out to our buddies, Kieran@mountaincloud.org (he/him) and Abby@mountaincloud.org (she/they). They are wonderful listeners and know our programs well, and can help make personalized recommendations or connect you with teachers or sangha members to support your journey.

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