in the Cloud

Mountain Cloud Zen Center

Welcome to the Mountain Cloud Zen Center "in the Cloud" podcast. Here, we'll be sharing our weekly Teisho's exploring classical Zen Koans, offered by Mountain Cloud teachers, and some guest teachers. Additionally, we have a conversation series, titled Path(less), which explores the "pathless path" of practice and life.

Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud Zen Center through donation and membership, both of which allow us to offer these and other programs. Visit mountaincloud.org for our daily meditation schedule, weekly talks, upcoming retreats, and more.

Reach out to grant@mountaincloud.org with any comments/suggestions.

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493 episodes
Updated Wednesday

Episodes493

Newest first

Wednesday · 56 min
Path(less): Henry Shukman
What a pleasure and a privilege to sit down with Henry Shukman for a conversation in the Study at Mountain Cloud. Henry's app, The Way, is a single-path meditaton program designed to bring the depth of traditional practice into the digital age. He's also the author of the excellent books, One Blade of Grass and Original Love. Henry and The Way offer opportunities to gather in-person around the world, as well. If you're enjoying these conversations, please consider supporting Mountain Cloud through donation and membership. Your contribution is a meaningful way for us to continue offering these programs freely. Donation Membership Reach out to grant@mountaincloud.org with any comments or suggestions.
Monday · 53 min
Teisho: "Walking Into Wholeness" with Vanessa Zuisei Goddard
Many of us come to spiritual practice because of a persistent feeling that there's something wrong—something off about us or about the world. Perhaps we struggle with loneliness or a sense of alienation. Perhaps we crave intimacy but are afraid to get close. Perhaps we wonder why there's so much conflict everywhere. Is there a better way to relate to others and to ourselves? In this Teisho, Zuisei Goddard, Guiding Teacher of Ocean Mind Sangha, takes up the koan of Senjo and Her Soul to show that when we look closely, we realize that our sense of separation is an illusion. That when we wake up to ourselves, we see that we've always been perfect and whole. Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation or becoming a member, so we can continue to offer these programs freely. Donations: https://www.mountaincloud.org/donate/ Membership: https://www.mountaincloud.org/about/membership/ Reach out to grant@mountaincloud.org with any comments or suggestions.
July 13 · 1 hr 3 min
Path(less): Light Watkins
A real joy chatting Light Watkins from his home in Mexico City. Light's latest book, The Year You Transform, is a wonderfully practical guide to how small, daily behaviors can have truly transformative power. If you're enjoying these conversations, please consider supporting Mountain Cloud through donation and membership. Your contribution is a meaningful way for us to continue offering these programs freely. Donation Membership Reach out to grant@mountaincloud.org with any comments or suggestions.
July 6 · 33 min
Teisho: "Abundance in an Undivided World" with Valerie Forstman
In this talk, Valerie begins with a look into Dogen's phrase, "mountain-still sitting," asking how this practice of divesting ourselves – "dropping away body and mind" – is, at the same time, an invitation to realize the inexhaustible abundance that runs through all things. The talk then turns to a koan that embodies this realization: case 10 of the Gateless Gate, "Seizei the Poor." In the case, a seasoned monk presents himself to a renowned master: "I am solitary and poor." This is no lament but the meeting ground for an exchange that freely illumines the awake world and invites us to taste and see. Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation or becoming a member, so we can continue to offer these programs freely. Donations: https://www.mountaincloud.org/donate/ Membership: https://www.mountaincloud.org/about/membership/ Reach out to grant@mountaincloud.org with any comments or suggestions.
June 22 · 1 hr 7 min
Path(less): Sarah Giffin
So nice to chat with Sarah Giffin, the Executive Director of Mountain Cloud Zen Center. Sarah's had an interesting pathless path to her current role at the Center, and has such a gift for storytelling. If you're enjoying these conversations, please consider supporting Mountain Cloud through donation and membership. Your contribution is a meaningful way for us to continue offering these programs freely. Donation Membership Reach out to grant@mountaincloud.org with any comments or suggestions.
June 9 · 33 min
Teisho: "In coming and going we never leave home" with Valerie Forstman
Returning to the zendo after co-leading a monthlong 'mini-ango' at a beautiful Zen center in the Black Forest region of Germany, Valerie reflects on travel and long sitting and Zen's ever-present invitation to come home to what we truly are. The talk then turns to case 9 in the Gateless Gate or Mumonkan, "Daitsu Chisho," another name for the essential wisdom that pervades all places. This koan hinges on the question, can you - or can anyone - "attain Buddhahood"? More to the point, can you become anything? If not, what is awakening? What liberating wisdom is it that is ours to discover without ever leaving home? Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation or becoming a member, so we can continue to offer these programs freely. Donations: https://www.mountaincloud.org/donate/ Membership: https://www.mountaincloud.org/about/membership/ Reach out to grant@mountaincloud.org with any comments or suggestions.
June 3 · 30 min
Teisho: "Wild Thing!" with Scott Thornton
Scott explores Case 53 of the Blue Cliff Record or Hekiganroku: "Hyakujo and the Wild Ducks." Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation or becoming a member, so we can continue to offer these programs freely. Donations: https://www.mountaincloud.org/donate/ Membership: https://www.mountaincloud.org/about/membership/ Reach out to grant@mountaincloud.org with any comments or suggestions.
May 28 · 1 hr 4 min
Path(less): Eric Zimmer
Really enjoyed this conversation with Eric Zimmer. Eric was in Santa Fe while touring in support of his latest book, How A Little Becomes A Lot. Also check out his incredibly popular podcast, The One You Feed. If you're enjoying these conversations, please consider supporting Mountain Cloud through donation and membership. Your contribution is a meaningful way for us to continue offering these programs freely. Donation Membership Reach out to grant@mountaincloud.org with any comments or suggestions.
May 18 · 40 min
Dharma Talk: "Touching the Earth" with David Loy
When the Buddha touched the Earth (bhumisparsha), was the Earth touching him? What does our nonduality with the Earth really mean? Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation or becoming a member, so we can continue to offer these programs freely. Donations: https://www.mountaincloud.org/donate/ Membership: https://www.mountaincloud.org/about/membership/ Reach out to grant@mountaincloud.org with any comments or suggestions.
May 14 · 52 min
Path(less): Elena Brower
Such a pleasure to sit down with Elena Brower in the Study at Mountain Cloud for a beautiful conversation around the pathless path of practice and life. Please check out Elena's latest book, Hold Nothing, as well as her Substack, where she writes on practice, study, and listening. Elena also hosts a wonderful podcast called Practice You. If you're enjoying these conversations, please consider supporting Mountain Cloud through donation and membership. Your contribution is a meaningful way for us to continue offering these programs freely. Donation Membership Reach out to grant@mountaincloud.org with any comments or suggestions.
May 11 · 32 min
Teisho: "The Circle Game" with Shana Smith
Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation or becoming a member, so we can continue to offer these programs freely. Donations: https://www.mountaincloud.org/donate/ Membership: https://www.mountaincloud.org/about/membership/ Reach out to grant@mountaincloud.org with any comments or suggestions.
May 1 · 58 min
Path(less): Tias Little
Such a joy to sit down with Tias Little (during a break from writing his latest book) on the beautiful grounds of Prajna Yoga. Tias and Surya offer amazing courses and classes, both in their temple in Santa Fe, as well as online. If you're enjoying these conversations, please consider supporting Mountain Cloud through donation and membership. Your contribution is a meaningful way for us to continue offering these programs freely. Donation Membership Reach out to grant@mountaincloud.org with any comments or suggestions.
April 27 · 33 min
Teisho: "Where the Active Wheel Revolves" with Valerie Forstman
In this talk, Valerie begins with an Earth Day reflection, acknowledging and honoring what Hakuin Zenji calls "this earth where we stand." The talk then turns to case 8 in the Gateless Gate or Mumonkan, "Keichu Makes Carts." The koan asks: What happens to the cart when all the moving parts are removed? And what about us? When all our concepts and assumptions fall away, what remains? In his verse to the case, Mumon calls this fundamental reality "the active wheel" – the wheel that is always functioning freely no matter the circumstances. Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation or becoming a member, so we can continue to offer these programs freely. Donations: https://www.mountaincloud.org/donate/ Membership: https://www.mountaincloud.org/about/membership/ Reach out to grant@mountaincloud.org with any comments or suggestions.
April 23 · 1 hr 7 min
Path(less): Katie Arnold
Really enjoyed this conversation with author, journalist, and ultra-endurance athlete, Katie Arnold. Her latest book, "Brief Flashings in the Phenomenal World", is a beautiful Zen meditation wrapped in a memoir. And check out all of the great things Katie is up to, including her next "Flow Camp", in Telluride, Colorado ... Website Substack Instagram Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud through donation or membership. Donation: https://www.mountaincloud.org/donate/ Membership: https://www.mountaincloud.org/about/membership/ Reach out to grant@mountaincloud.org with any comments or suggestions.
April 20 · 54 min
Dharma Talk: "Flower Garland Buddhism" with Ben Connelly
Ben's talk is based on his new book, Inside the Flower Garland Sutra: Huayan Buddhism and the Modern World. Huayan Buddhism arose in the sixth century in China rooted in the Mahayana Flower Garland (Huayan) Sutra. Huayan is relational, practical, and positive. Its emphasis on interdependence, celebration of the sensual world, and diversity of people and practices has much to offer during this era when many folks see ever-deepening divisions. Ben will illustrate the teachings with stories and lessons from his recent involvement with an array of nonviolent community responses to the violence ICE brought to his hometown Minneapolis over the last few months. Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation or becoming a member, so we can continue to offer these programs freely. Donations: https://www.mountaincloud.org/donate/ Membership: https://www.mountaincloud.org/about/membership/ Reach out to grant@mountaincloud.org with any comments or suggestions.
April 16 · 52 min
Path(less): David Loy
It was an honor to sit down with David Loy for this next conversation in the Path(less) series. David will be joining us here at Mountain Cloud for our May EcoDharma Residency. To learn more about David, his teachings, books and appearances, check out his webiste: https://www.davidloy.org Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud through donation or membership. Donation: https://www.mountaincloud.org/donate/ Membership: https://www.mountaincloud.org/about/membership/ Reach out to grant@mountaincloud.org with any comments or suggestions.
April 13 · 35 min
Teisho: "No Merit" with Scott Thornton
Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation or becoming a member, so we can continue to offer these programs freely. Donations: https://www.mountaincloud.org/donate/ Membership: https://www.mountaincloud.org/about/membership/ Reach out to grant@mountaincloud.org with any comments or suggestions.
April 6 · 46 min
Teisho: "The Nonduality of Good and Evil" with David Loy
Ukraine … Gaza … Iran … Can Buddhist teachings help us understand what is happening, and how we might respond? Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation or becoming a member, so we can continue to offer these programs freely. Donations: https://www.mountaincloud.org/donate/ Membership: https://www.mountaincloud.org/about/membership/ Reach out to grant@mountaincloud.org with any comments or suggestions.
April 2 · 53 min
Path(less): Valerie Forstman
Such a pleasure to sit down with Valerie Forstman, Guiding Teacher for Mountain Cloud Zen Center, for this first conversation in the Path(less) series. Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud through donation or membership. Donation: https://www.mountaincloud.org/donate/ Membership: https://www.mountaincloud.org/about/membership/ Reach out to grant@mountaincloud.org with any comments or suggestions.
March 30 · 35 min
Teisho: "In the Wake of Sesshin: Wash your bowls" with Valerie Forstman
In this first dharma talk following the Spring Sesshin, Valerie begins with a poem that whimsically maps the trajectory of practice. The talk then turns to Case 7 in the Mumonkan or Gateless Gate, "Joshu's 'Wash Your Bowls.'" A monk arrives at the monastery and asks for instruction. On the surface, Joshu's response is a word of practice guidance to the monk and to us. Deeper still, Joshu's every word presents the world where there is not the slightest bit of dust to wipe away. This world. This fact. The Gateless Gate that is always exactly where you are. Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation or becoming a member, so we can continue to offer these programs freely. Donations: https://www.mountaincloud.org/donate/ Membership: https://www.mountaincloud.org/about/membership/ Reach out to grant@mountaincloud.org with any comments or suggestions.

in the Cloud

Path(less): Henry Shukman

Teisho: "Walking Into Wholeness" with Vanessa Zuisei Goddard

Path(less): Light Watkins

Teisho: "Abundance in an Undivided World" with Valerie Forstman

Path(less): Sarah Giffin

Teisho: "In coming and going we never leave home" with Valerie Forstman

Teisho: "Wild Thing!" with Scott Thornton

Path(less): Eric Zimmer

Dharma Talk: "Touching the Earth" with David Loy

Path(less): Elena Brower

Teisho: "The Circle Game" with Shana Smith

Path(less): Tias Little

Teisho: "Where the Active Wheel Revolves" with Valerie Forstman

Path(less): Katie Arnold

Dharma Talk: "Flower Garland Buddhism" with Ben Connelly

Path(less): David Loy

Teisho: "No Merit" with Scott Thornton

Teisho: "The Nonduality of Good and Evil" with David Loy

Path(less): Valerie Forstman

Teisho: "In the Wake of Sesshin: Wash your bowls" with Valerie Forstman