in the Cloud

“Showing their backs then their fronts – falling maple leafs.”  ~ Ryokan

“Resolving the matter of Life and death is of prime importance.” To explore this phrase which is recited at the close of Zen Sesshins, Valerie turns to Dogen’s Genjokoan and digs into two truths, conventional and absolute, which are actually one truth. Dogen believes that in Zazen, we are practicing realizing, “ripening the sweet milk of the long rivers.” The entire Genjokoan essay funnels into this single phrase which perfectly expresses the two fold truth that shows up in every koan.

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.

Zazenkai, a Day of Zen led by Valerie Forstman. Saturday October 15, Register here

“Your consciousness does not exist separately from what it contains”

Henry explores presence from several different angles, including Internal Family Systems (IFS). The word presence includes some of what mindfulness means, and more. All you have to do is taste it. Presence is really about coming back to yourself, to your own experience.

I am here. It requires no blistering kensho experience, but presence softens the way we cling to ourselves.

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.

Zazenkai, a Day of Zen led by Valerie Forstman. Register here

Guest Speaker Karin Kempe of the Zen Center of Denver joins our Thursday Night Sit to offer a talk on Dogen’s statement, “Practice is Enlightenment, Enlightenment is Practice.” While this sounds great, it doesn’t always feel easy. We face resistance that comes up over and over again. Karin offers perspective on the Genjokoan and reminds us that the way is already here. It is not contingent on some method of practice, but within us.

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

Also, check out our Upcoming Events:

10 Days of Koans: An Introductory Intensive with Henry Shukman and Shana Smith and daily instruction. On-line event Sept 16-26. Details here.

Autumn Virtual Retreat, September 29-October 4, led by Valerie and Henry

Original Love: Awakening the Great Matter, starts in October.  Details here.

Valerie takes up case 29 of the Denkoroku, the record of the ‘transmission of light’ from Bodhidharma to Eka or Huike, as a way to explore the boundless clarity that is none other than this immediate world. One clarity, void of any separation. Hearing a turning word, Eka awakens to the reality Bodhidharma called “vast and void,” and illumines the way.

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

Also, check out our Upcoming Events:

10 Days of Koans: An Introductory Intensive with Henry Shukman and Shana Smith and daily instruction. On-line event Sept 16-26. Details here.

Sangha Meeting, Saturday September 17, 10am

Autumn Virtual Retreat, September 29-October 4, led by Valerie and Henry

Original Love: Awakening the Great Matter, starts in October.  Details here.

“Love sitting in Zazen, as if putting out a fire on top of your head” ~ Dogen

Valerie Forstman gives the second talk during the April Intro to Meditation weekend. What are you practicing for? We sit in the midst of it all, the pandemic, climate change, suffering and joy… all.

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

Also, check out our Upcoming Events:

10 Days of Koans: An Introductory Intensive with Henry Shukman and Shana Smith and daily instruction. On-line event Sept 16-26. Details here.

Sangha Meeting, Saturday September 17, 10am

Autumn Virtual Retreat, September 29-October 4, led by Valerie and Henry

Original Love: Awakening the Great Matter, starts in October.  Details here.