Best Kamakura Podcasts (2024)

1
Breakthroughs Part 2 with Henry Shukman 40:05

7d ago40:05

40:05

At this time when many of us may be feeling daunted and uncertain, we gather in the zendo to tap into our shared deeper nature that meditation can open up, drawing sustenance and new perspectives from it. In this talk, Henry explores breakthrough experiences — sudden shifts in how we understand and experience this life. They can show up in many for…

1
Breakthroughs Part 2 with Henry Shukman 40:05

3d ago40:05

40:05

At this time when many of us may be feeling daunted and uncertain, we gather in the zendo to tap into our shared deeper nature that meditation can open up, drawing sustenance and new perspectives from it. In this talk, Henry explores breakthrough experiences — sudden shifts in how we understand and experience this life. They can show up in many for…

1
Poetry, Practice, and the Wild Ethics of Love: A Conversation with David Hinton 1:19:04

7d ago1:19:04

1:19:04

David Hinton has published numerous books of poetry and essays, and many translations of ancient Chinese poetry and philosophy—all informed by an abiding interest in deep ecological thinking. This widely-acclaimed work has earned Hinton a Guggenheim Fellowship, numerous fellowships from NEA and NEH, and both of the major awards given for poetry tra…

1
Poetry, Practice, and the Wild Ethics of Love: A Conversation with David Hinton 1:19:04

9h ago1:19:04

1:19:04

David Hinton has published numerous books of poetry and essays, and many translations of ancient Chinese poetry and philosophy—all informed by an abiding interest in deep ecological thinking. This widely-acclaimed work has earned Hinton a Guggenheim Fellowship, numerous fellowships from NEA and NEH, and both of the major awards given for poetry tra…

1
Valerie Forstman: Zen’s Subverting Impulse: Overturning the One 39:14

17d ago39:14

39:14

This week’s talk was offered by Mountain Cloud’s Guiding Teacher, Valerie Forstman. It was recorded on October 31st at the Zendo in Sante Fe. Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation or becoming a member so we can continue to provide online programs such as this. Donations: https://www.mountaincloud.org/donate/ Become a member: htt…

1
Valerie Forstman: Zen’s Subverting Impulse: Overturning the One 39:14

19d ago39:14

39:14

This week’s talk was offered by Mountain Cloud’s Guiding Teacher, Valerie Forstman. It was recorded on October 31st at the Zendo in Sante Fe. Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation or becoming a member so we can continue to provide online programs such as this. Donations: https://www.mountaincloud.org/donate/ Become a member: htt…

1
Kali Basman: Cultivating Wonder 33:58

1M ago33:58

33:58

Kali invites us to examine the wide array of features that comprise “The Practice Field,” the many aspects of our path of practice. She states that as a species we are quite proficient at ignoring our “shadow side of life,” those parts of us that help inform the richness of the practice field. Through this avoidance of difficult experiences, we con…

1
Kali Basman: Cultivating Wonder 33:58

1M ago33:58

33:58

Kali invites us to examine the wide array of features that comprise “The Practice Field,” the many aspects of our path of practice. She states that as a species we are quite proficient at ignoring our “shadow side of life,” those parts of us that help inform the richness of the practice field. Through this avoidance of difficult experiences, we con…

1
Spring Retreat Talk 4, Gathering the Heart Mind with Valerie Forstman 56:10

1+ y ago56:10

56:10

Dwelling no-where, mind comes forth ~ from the Diamond Sutra Heart mind directs us to the fundamental point of who and what we are. In Chinese there is one term for Heart Mind. No hyphen necessary, simply one. Contemporary Sanbo Zen teacher Migaku Sato wrote a poem with this line: In nothing at all-ness, there is endlessly everything. Out of nothin…

1
Spring Retreat Talk 4, Gathering the Heart Mind with Valerie Forstman 56:10

1+ y ago56:10

56:10

Dwelling no-where, mind comes forth ~ from the Diamond Sutra Heart mind directs us to the fundamental point of who and what we are. In Chinese there is one term for Heart Mind. No hyphen necessary, simply one. Contemporary Sanbo Zen teacher Migaku Sato wrote a poem with this line: In nothing at all-ness, there is endlessly everything. Out of nothin…

1
Spring Retreat Talk 3, The Boat is on the River with Valerie Forstman 41:01

1+ y ago41:01

41:01

Valerie explores the clarity and simplicity of Master Hogen who came to be known as the dharma eye of deep clarity. Focusing on Case 51 from Book of Equanimity, Valerie illuminates mind and consciousness through Hogan’s clarity. If you want to study buddha-dharma, everything you see is buddha dharma, a door, a window and the exquisite beauty of the…

1
Spring Retreat Talk 3, The Boat is on the River with Valerie Forstman 41:01

1+ y ago41:01

41:01

Valerie explores the clarity and simplicity of Master Hogen who came to be known as the dharma eye of deep clarity. Focusing on Case 51 from Book of Equanimity, Valerie illuminates mind and consciousness through Hogan’s clarity. If you want to study buddha-dharma, everything you see is buddha dharma, a door, a window and the exquisite beauty of the…

1
Spring Retreat Talk 2, The Stone Bridge: Crossing Over with Valerie Forstman 44:00

1+ y ago44:00

44:00

Something puts our feet on this path, starting from the ordinary dualistic world. Gradually, as we practice and practice, in some unguarded moment, everything falls away, and it’s just this. Heaven and Earth: without any space for a conjunction. Then we practice, practice, practice…. and return to the ordinary world, but it’s upside down. This grea…

1
Spring Retreat Talk 2, The Stone Bridge: Crossing Over with Valerie Forstman 44:00

1+ y ago44:00

44:00

Something puts our feet on this path, starting from the ordinary dualistic world. Gradually, as we practice and practice, in some unguarded moment, everything falls away, and it’s just this. Heaven and Earth: without any space for a conjunction. Then we practice, practice, practice…. and return to the ordinary world, but it’s upside down. This grea…

1
Spring Retreat Talk 1, Joshu’s Dog: Crossing Over, Fully Arrived with Valerie Forstman 39:19

1+ y ago39:19

39:19

Crossing over to the other shore is the heart of our practice and the heart of Buddha’s teaching. Eventually we realize that we were always on the shore, here and now, in the moment at hand. In this first talk of our Spring sesshin, Valerie looks at the famous koan: Does a dog have Buddha Nature? the traditional first teisho in a Zen sesshin. Valer…

1
Spring Retreat Talk 1, Joshu’s Dog: Crossing Over, Fully Arrived with Valerie Forstman 39:19

1+ y ago39:19

39:19

Crossing over to the other shore is the heart of our practice and the heart of Buddha’s teaching. Eventually we realize that we were always on the shore, here and now, in the moment at hand. In this first talk of our Spring sesshin, Valerie looks at the famous koan: Does a dog have Buddha Nature? the traditional first teisho in a Zen sesshin. Valer…

1
Dharmatalk: Diamond Sutra and Living Beings with Maria Habito 51:52

1+ y ago51:52

51:52

“Abiding no-where mind comes forth.” Maria Habito returns to Mountain Cloud’s zoom zendo and talks about the Diamond Sutra. When we enter deep silence, the diamond cuts through every notion we carry. It can show us intimate awareness of no self, no other, no sentient beings and no time. In this talk, Maria focuses on Living Beings, which refers to …

1
Dharmatalk: Diamond Sutra and Living Beings with Maria Habito 51:52

1+ y ago51:52

51:52

“Abiding no-where mind comes forth.” Maria Habito returns to Mountain Cloud’s zoom zendo and talks about the Diamond Sutra. When we enter deep silence, the diamond cuts through every notion we carry. It can show us intimate awareness of no self, no other, no sentient beings and no time. In this talk, Maria focuses on Living Beings, which refers to …

1
Rohatsu 2022: Day 6, Vibes, Awakening and What then? with Henry Shukman 45:32

2y ago45:32

45:32

For this final Rohatsu talk, Henry looks at three questions. What are we doing here, just sitting with each other? What is awakening? and What then? We are living “it” every moment. And, here’s a link to our YouTube video of this talk. Also, check out our Upcoming Events: Spring Online Retreat Thursday-Sunday, March 23-26 Four-day online retreat le…

1
Rohatsu 2022: Day 6, Vibes, Awakening and What then? with Henry Shukman 45:32

2y ago45:32

45:32

For this final Rohatsu talk, Henry looks at three questions. What are we doing here, just sitting with each other? What is awakening? and What then? We are living “it” every moment. And, here’s a link to our YouTube video of this talk. Also, check out our Upcoming Events: Spring Online Retreat Thursday-Sunday, March 23-26 Four-day online retreat le…

1
Rohatsu 2022: Day 5, Cannot Get Wet, Cannot Get Dry with Valerie Forstman 53:29

2y ago53:29

53:29

In this talk from day 5 of the Rohatsu sesshin, Valerie picks up on the previous day’s talk by Henry where he presents the title and first line of the Heart Sutra. Turning to the figure of Kannon, Kanzeon, or Avalokiteshvara, bodhisattva of great compassion, Valerie asks, “What is compassion?” In response, she lifts up the phrase, “Just compassion,…

1
Rohatsu 2022: Day 5, Cannot Get Wet, Cannot Get Dry with Valerie Forstman 53:29

2y ago53:29

53:29

In this talk from day 5 of the Rohatsu sesshin, Valerie picks up on the previous day’s talk by Henry where he presents the title and first line of the Heart Sutra. Turning to the figure of Kannon, Kanzeon, or Avalokiteshvara, bodhisattva of great compassion, Valerie asks, “What is compassion?” In response, she lifts up the phrase, “Just compassion,…

1
Rohatsu 2022: Day 4, Prajnaparamitra, The Heart Sutra with Henry Shukman 39:05

2y ago39:05

39:05

What is this practice? Why do it? Essentially, it’s all about slowing down and things falling away. Our very existence, our being gets simpler. Henry looks at the title and first lines of the central document of Mahayana Buddhism, The Heart Sutra. This document is a story about Avalokiteshvara going from contracted view, to full view. And, here’s a…

1
Rohatsu 2022: Day 4, Prajnaparamitra, The Heart Sutra with Henry Shukman 39:05

2y ago39:05

39:05

What is this practice? Why do it? Essentially, it’s all about slowing down and things falling away. Our very existence, our being gets simpler. Henry looks at the title and first lines of the central document of Mahayana Buddhism, The Heart Sutra. This document is a story about Avalokiteshvara going from contracted view, to full view. And, here’s a…

1
Rohatsu 2022: Day 3, All-Inclusive Awakening with Valerie Forstman 40:36

2y ago40:36

40:36

In celebration of Shakyamuni Buddha’s awakening, Valerie takes up the Head Chapter of the Denkoroku or Transmission of Light. “I and the great earth and all beings simultaneously attain the Way.” The invitation of this practice is to taste and see: Our sitting, standing, bowing, walking is nothing but that awakening – fully expressing it in every b…

1
Rohatsu 2022: Day 3, All-Inclusive Awakening with Valerie Forstman 40:36

2y ago40:36

40:36

In celebration of Shakyamuni Buddha’s awakening, Valerie takes up the Head Chapter of the Denkoroku or Transmission of Light. “I and the great earth and all beings simultaneously attain the Way.” The invitation of this practice is to taste and see: Our sitting, standing, bowing, walking is nothing but that awakening – fully expressing it in every b…

1
Rohatsu 2022: Day 2, What Matters Most with Henry Shukman 39:00

2y ago39:00

39:00

Henry asks the question, matters most? When you reflect on this question, have any open mind, beyond ordinary or day to day concerns. He asks, what is this experience and what is it to be alive? And… who is having this experience? Watch this exploration of what actually matters and why. And, here’s a link to our YouTube video of this talk. Also, ch…

1
Rohatsu 2022: Day 2, What Matters Most with Henry Shukman 39:00

2y ago39:00

39:00

Henry asks the question, matters most? When you reflect on this question, have any open mind, beyond ordinary or day to day concerns. He asks, what is this experience and what is it to be alive? And… who is having this experience? Watch this exploration of what actually matters and why. And, here’s a link to our YouTube video of this talk. Also, ch…

1
Rohatsu 2022: Day 1, Light Sitting in Light with Valerie Forstman 50:28

2y ago50:28

50:28

In this talk from the first day of the Rohatsu sesshin, 2022, Valerie offers a tribute to Sr. Elaine MacInnes, Roshi, who died a week ago and whose celebration of life will be December 8. Drawing on the experience Sr. Elaine described as “light sitting in light,” Valerie turns to the koan, Mu – a tiny spark that can ignite an inexhaustible flame, o…

1
Rohatsu 2022: Day 1, Light Sitting in Light with Valerie Forstman 50:28

2y ago50:28

50:28

In this talk from the first day of the Rohatsu sesshin, 2022, Valerie offers a tribute to Sr. Elaine MacInnes, Roshi, who died a week ago and whose celebration of life will be December 8. Drawing on the experience Sr. Elaine described as “light sitting in light,” Valerie turns to the koan, Mu – a tiny spark that can ignite an inexhaustible flame, o…

1
Dharmatalk: Zen Jhanas with Stephen Snyder 44:38

2y ago44:38

44:38

Guest speaker Stephen Snyder of the Jhana tradition visits Mountain Cloud and offers a teisho on the Buddha’s first and last practice. Jhana practice predates the Buddha by at least 1000 years and is the origin of our Sanbo Zen lineage. Stephen offers an introduction: what is Jhana practice? How are the lineages entwined? And, here’s a link to our …

1
Dharmatalk: Zen Jhanas with Stephen Snyder 44:38

2y ago44:38

44:38

Guest speaker Stephen Snyder of the Jhana tradition visits Mountain Cloud and offers a teisho on the Buddha’s first and last practice. Jhana practice predates the Buddha by at least 1000 years and is the origin of our Sanbo Zen lineage. Stephen offers an introduction: what is Jhana practice? How are the lineages entwined? And, here’s a link to our …

1
Dharmatalk: Life is Not Suffering with Rick Hanson 59:47

2y ago59:47

59:47

It is said that the Buddha teaches only suffering and its end, but what is suffering? Guest speaker Rick Hanson attempts to define this suffering, challenging that suffering is only a small part of everything that exists. Understanding this can help break the pattern of seeing meditation and mindfulness practices as a solution to suffering, rather …

1
Dharmatalk: Life is Not Suffering with Rick Hanson 59:47

2y ago59:47

59:47

It is said that the Buddha teaches only suffering and its end, but what is suffering? Guest speaker Rick Hanson attempts to define this suffering, challenging that suffering is only a small part of everything that exists. Understanding this can help break the pattern of seeing meditation and mindfulness practices as a solution to suffering, rather …

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