in the Cloud

Description: This is Question & Answer session 1 from the Introduction to Meditation Virtual Weekend. Valerie Forstman is the speaker and teacher for this session.

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

Also, check out our Upcoming Events:

Original Love, Deep Clear Lake: Weekend Retreat, September 10-11 led by Henry Shukman

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

Listen to this talk by Valerie Forstman from the April 2021 Introduction to Meditation Weekend Retreat. A talk at a Zen retreat is traditionally called a teisho which means, Presentation of the Shout. Valerie asks What is the Shout? It’s just this, presenting the fact of who we truly are and offering pointers on how to practice.

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

Also, check out our Upcoming Events:

Original Love, Deep Clear Lake: Weekend Retreat, September 10-11 led by Henry Shukman

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

Valerie examines beginner’s mind and explores the question”what is Zen?” during our March 2021 one-day Introduction to Meditation retreat.

Suzuki Roshi – a Japanese Zen master who brought Zen teaching to America in the mid 20th century – said: Beginner’s mind is the mind of compassion. As Zen practitioners we turn this compassion toward ourselves.

Valerie describes the four motivations that bring people to Zen meditation.
1. Curiosity
2. Seeking well-being
3. Wanting to develop a practice or commit to a spiritual path.
4. Looking urgently for answers to the question Who am I?

Suffering brings most of us to practice. The sense that things in our life are fundamentally out of kilter creates an urgency to find clarity about our life.

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

Also, check out our Upcoming Events:

Original Love, Deep Clear Lake: 6 Sundays beginning July 31, 10am – 12pm
And Weekend Retreat, September 10-11 led by Henry Shukman

Sangha Meeting, Saturday September 17, 10am

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

Photo by Mattia Faloretti on Unsplash

“Zen is awakening to the dynamic reality of the present moment…..Zen is finding love in all things at all times. ”   ~ Ruben Habito

Valerie explores Zen practice from the mind of compassion and curiosity,  looking at the Buddhist origin story – Shakyamuni’s awakening – and the fruits of practice. Valerie asks, What is Zen? A life long path of awakening and a practice to cultivate present moment awareness on and off the cushion. This talk is the first teisho from our February 2021 Valentine’s weekend Introduction to Zen Retreat.

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

Also, check out our Upcoming Events:

Original Love, Deep Clear Lake: 6 Sundays beginning July 31, 10am – 12pm
And Weekend Retreat, September 10-11 led by Henry Shukman

Sangha Meeting, Saturday September 17, 10am

Autumn Virtual Retreat, September 29-October 4, led by Valerie and Henry
Registration opens soon.

Photo by Luca Micheli on Unsplash

“… Zazen has been described as silently not influencing anything …”

Koans can provide helpful perspectives for dealing with the uncertainty of current world events. In this talk, Valerie Forstman discusses Case 20 from the Book of Equanimity, in which Jizo tells his student that not knowing is most intimate. She deeply explores the intimacy revealed through this koan of a world that is so near to us yet so well able to maintain itself that we needn’t do anything to influence it.

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

Also, check out our Upcoming Events:

Original Love, Deep Clear Lake: 6 Sundays beginning July 31, 10am – 12pm
And Weekend Retreat, September 10-11 led by Henry Shukman

Wednesdays with Will,  August 3 and 10, 5:30-7pm, both on line and at Mountain Cloud

Sangha Meeting, Saturday September 17, 10am

Autumn Virtual Retreat, September 29-October 4, led by Valerie and Henry
Registration opens soon.