in the Cloud

In this talk – an offering of gratitude for the life of a beloved sangha member, Valerie turns to Case 41 in the Transmission of Light or Denkoroko. A monk who has put to rest love of worldly attachments asks, “What, master, do you love?” The master’s response is an invitation to us to realize love beyond any measure.

And, here’s a link to our YouTube video of this talk.

Also, check out our Upcoming Events:

Thursday Evening Events
November 10 with Henry Shukman, hybrid event streamed from our zendo 
November 17 5:30pm – Fundraising Celebration in the place of our Thursday evening event
December 1, Maria Habito guest speaker, online only.

Original Love
November 14, Free webinar about Original Love’s Awakening weekend workshop. 
November 19-20, Awakening Weekend Workshop

Rohatsu Sesshin, December 5-12. Hybrid Event. 

Scott explores Case 32 from the Gateless Gate, A non-buddhist questions the Buddha. The non-buddhist says, in all earnestness to the Buddha: I do not ask about words, I do not ask about no-words.

The world honored one, just sat still.

The non-buddhist experiences a great opening as he witnesses the Buddha’s stillness and says, The world-honored one on his great benevolence and great mercy has opened the clouds of my delusion and enabled me to enter the way. Bowing, the non-Buddhist took his leave.

The Buddha answered every question in his silence, Who am I? Why are we here? What happens when we die? Why do we suffer? Buddha’s sitting isn’t just answering the question, his sitting is the question. Scott digs into additional gems form this koan. Be sure to watch, listen and absorb.

And, here’s a link to our YouTube video of this talk.

Also, check out our Upcoming Events:

Thursday Evening Events
November 3 with Bill Bruce, hybrid event streamed from our zendo
November 10 with Henry Shukman, hybrid event streamed from our zendo 

Rohatsu Sesshin, December 5-12. Hybrid Event.  Registration opens soon.

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

In this talk from our Thursday night series, Valerie takes up Case 26 of the Gateless Gate, Hogen’s “Two Monks Roll Up the Blinds.” The setting is in Master Hogen’s teaching room and the issue at hand is our propensity to judgment. What freedom is unleashed when the boundaries we imagine don’t hold up? And what compassion. Hogen points to the blinds, presenting the bright clarity that has been there all along.

And, here’s a link to our YouTube video of this talk.

Also, check out our Upcoming Events:

Thursday Evening Events
October 27 with Shana Smith
November 3 with Bill Bruce, hybrid event streamed from our zendo
November 10 with Henry Shukman, hybrid event streamed from our zendo 

Rohatsu Sesshin, December 5-12. Hybrid Event.  Registration opens soon.

“Your sitting is not for the world, it is the world.”

How can our practice be an offering to the world? asks meditation teacher Shana Smith. The question arose from the Florida Sanbo Zen Sangha as response to Russian’s invasion of Ukraine. Like all koans this question lived on in the weeks to follow. A number of koans came to mind as Shana thought about giving a talk to the MCZC community that addressed how our practice can be an offering to the world. Having a performance background, she considered the talk to be a presentation of the shout, a performance of sorts. Instead, however, Shana got quite ill with Covid. A strong NO resounded through her being. The dharma waits for no other time but now, to be ready.

Still wanting to explore this life koan, “How can our practice be an offering to the world?” Shana turned to another well known koan from both the Gateless Gate and the Book of equanimity, Wash your Bowl, for support.

And, here’s a link to our YouTube video of this talk.

Also, check out our Upcoming Events:

Original Love: Awakening: Ultimate Healing a six part series, starts Sunday October 9.  Details and registration here.

Rohatsu Sesshin, December 5-12. Hybrid Event.  Registration opens soon.

Photo by John Peters on Unsplash