Welcome
Clouds in Water is a vibrant community in the Soto Zen Buddhist tradition, with a mission to awaken the heart of great wisdom and compassion, interrupt systemic oppression and cultivate joy.
Founded in 1994, we regularly offer meditation, classes, and retreats. We are located in the historic Rondo neighborhood of St. Paul, and everywhere via Zoom. We welcome people of all backgrounds and faiths.
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Memorial & Grief Community Space
Every Wednesday, 5:30 - 7pm
Hybrid Zoom & In-Person
Come for any portion
Free
Join us Wednesday evenings as we come together to care for the death, grief and fear of this moment in Minnesota.
We will honor those who have died, including Renee Nicole Good, Keith Porter Jr., and the over 36 folks who have died in ICE custody in the last year, the terrible loss of those who have been disappeared and deported, and the ongoing death and loss in our trans community at the hands of state violence. We will honor our personal grief and fear, and the other kinds of death we are experiencing; deaths of certain visions for our futures, deaths of self-schemas, of safety frameworks, etc.
We will have traditional Zen Buddhist funerary and protection chants and ritual, meditation, tea, snacks, and a sharing circle. Come for any portion, leave at any time.
5:35-5:50 - 15 minutes of meditation
5:50-6 - explanation of ceremony and chants
6-6:15 - ceremony and chanting
6:15-7 - tea, snacks, and circle style check-in -
Silent Walk for Justice
Sunday, Feb 8, 3 - 4:30pm
In-person
Free
No registration
All are welcome to join this mindful walk in solidarity with those harmed by ICE, and to bear witness to all who have been harmed by state violence.
There will be no speeches. After we gather we will walk to the sound of bells through the neighborhood to be fully present and to manifest compassion. As we walk, we invite you to rest your attention on your feet on the ground, your breath, the people and places around you, and all that you see and hear.
Sponsored by Common Ground Meditation Center, Clouds in Water Zen Center, Minnesota Zen Meditation Center
Photo by Chad Davis from Minneapolis
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Heart of Great Compassion Bakesale
Sunday Feb 15, 10:30am - 2pm
This February, we’re bringing back a beloved winter bake sale with a new theme: Heart of Great Compassion.
This is a fundraiser for Clouds! And a way to take home some delicious local baked goods.
If you’re able to volunteer, please contact Eishō at eisho@cloudsinwater.org.
Bake Sale Schedule
Friday, February 13 | 5:00–7:00 PM
pre-ordered quiche pickupSaturday, February 14 | 2:00–5:00 PM
drop-off of donated itemsSunday, February 15 | 10:30 AM–2:00 PM
official bake sale
Find refuge in the heart of the Twin Cities
Dharma Talks
Meditation
Zazen (meditation) is at the heart of our practice. We have offerings throughout the week in person and on zoom. We also offer sesshins (retreats) throughout the year, at Clouds in Water and at Ryumonji Zen Monastery and Hokyoji Zen Practice Community.
All levels of experience are welcome!
Study
There is always a class, workshop, or practice group happening at Clouds! In addition to our Fall and Spring practice periods, we offer classes on anything from karma to the precepts to embodied social justice.
Community
Our sangha - community - is made up of a diverse groups of folks from all over the Twin Cities (and the country, via Zoom). We gather together every Sunday and have many opportunities to connect through our classes, practice groups, and sesshins (retreats).