Zen Podcast series based on Mountain Cloud Zen Center’s Thursday evening dharma talks that explore classical koans of Zen. The podcasts help us in our mission of offering core Zen training in the lineage of Sanbo Zen to create healthier and kinder lives for all, while also supporting our Three Treasures Prison Project in which we work with inmates in a maximum security prison, as well as serving the immediate community of Santa Fe, New Mexico, our international sangha, and the broader world community of all beings.
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Zen Podcast series based on Mountain Cloud Zen Center’s Thursday evening dharma talks that explore classical koans of Zen. The podcasts help us in our mission of offering core Zen training in the lineage of Sanbo Zen to create healthier and kinder lives for all, while also supporting our Three Treasures Prison Project in which we work with inmates in a maximum security prison, as well as serving the immediate community of Santa Fe, New Mexico, our international sangha, and the broader world community of all beings.
In this talk, Valerie begins with the poetry of love and loss as a portal to a saying from the eminent 9th century Chan/Zen master Joshu (Zhaozhou) about the timelessness
Scott’s talked is based on one of Joshu’s sayings. When asked “What is meditation?” he responded, “Non-meditation.” When asked how that could be, he said, “It’s alive! It’s alive!” Recorded
Fresh home from a memorial service for a beloved mentor and on the heels of the flooding in Texas, Valerie turns to case 41 of the Hekiganroku or Blue Cliff
In this talk, Henry explores our place in the world through koans and poems. Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation or becoming a member so we can continue
In this first teisho since returning from the North American Sanbo Zan sesshin led by Yamada Ryoun Roshi, Valerie takes up Case 4 in the Shoyoroku or Book of Serenity,
Insight Dialogue (ID) is a relational meditation practice for developing awareness, compassion and wisdom. It is designed to help us awaken together and integrate our understanding of Dharma teachings in
In this first dharma talk after returning from a monthlong mini-ango in Germany, Valerie turns to the final case in the Mumonkan or Gateless Gate, “Kempo’s One Way,” a koan
In this talk, David explores the depth and application of this teaching to our modern lives. He notes, “We often do not appreciate that the three poisons is a profound
Katie Arnold tells a story from her upcoming book How to Disappear about an arduous and illuminating long distance run in the high country. Katie Arnold is the author of
This talk was offered by Karen Waconda-Lewis at Mountain Cloud Zen Center on May 22nd, 2025. Karen discusses how the Noble Eightfold Path connects with Tribal spirituality. Please consider supporting
This talk was offered by Ruben Habito at Mountain Cloud Zen Center on May 15th, 2025. Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation or becoming a member so we
In this talk, David explores the idea of refuge. To take refuge is to run away to a hiding place…Is that what we should do? Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud
In this talk, Shana takes us right into “don’t know mind” as a portal to discovering our true nature and the freedom inherent in simply being alive. By tasting this
In this early spring talk, Valerie turns to the way of awakening, discovered and explored as this world – in the midst – just as it is. Not-two. The talk
In this talk, Valerie begins by revisiting themes from our recent sesshin – the wellspring of zazen, the intimacy of not-knowing, the peace that passes all understanding. The talk explores
In this teisho, Shana uses Ruben Habito Roshi’s “ABC’s of Zen” as parallels for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. She then explores Case 43 of the Shoyoroku as a pointer into
In this talk, Valerie begins with poetry as a portal to the language of koans, a language that uses words to go beyond words. Koans don’t just describe or express
In the Gateless Gate (Mumonkan) case 29, two monks watch a temple flag flapping in the wind. They argue back and forth: is it the flag that moves or the
This talk is offered in gratitude for the life of Johanna Sindelar, a long-time sangha member who dedicated over a decade of service to Mountain Cloud. As a tribute to
Zen Podcast series based on Mountain Cloud Zen Center’s Thursday evening dharma talks that explore classical koans of Zen. The podcasts help us in our mission of offering core Zen training in the lineage of Sanbo Zen to create healthier and kinder lives for all, while also supporting our Three Treasures Prison Project in which we work with inmates in a maximum security prison, as well as serving the immediate community of Santa Fe, New Mexico, our international sangha, and the broader world community of all beings.
