Welcome
Clouds in Water is a vibrant community in the Sōtō Zen tradition, with a vision to awaken the heart of great wisdom and compassion, end systemic oppression, and cultivate joy.
Our offerings include meditation, classes, talks, one-to-one meetings with teachers, affinity groups, Zen training, and retreats as a practice of Sōtō Zen Buddhism and social justice. We welcome people of all backgrounds and faiths. We are located in the Historic Rondo Neighborhood on unceded Dakota and Anishinaabe land in St. Paul, MN, and everywhere on Zoom.
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Upcoming Sesshin & Retreats
Sesshin
Sesshin, which means “collecting the heart/mind”, provides a rare chance to step into a sanctuary of stillness, to close the door for a little while on the cacophony, and to appreciate the freedom and spaciousness of life in the present.
Whether you are a beginner or experienced practitioner, we hope you will consider joining this wonderful practice.
A typical sesshin includes multiple periods of sitting and walking meditation, one or more Dharma Talks, traditional oryoki meals, zen chanting liturgy, temple care (mindful cleaning), body practice, rest breaks, and the opportunity to meet one-on-one with the teacher. We refrain from unnecessary speech and settle into silence.
If you are a first-timer, we recommend that you reach out to one of our teachers before registering.
RetreatsWe also often have half-day sits, cozy retreats, Queer Dharma Retreats, and more. These are often very beginner friendly!
Save the Date
Hokyoji Sesshin: July 26 - Aug 1
Clouds Sesshin: Sept 11 - Sept 12
Ryumonji Sesshin: Oct 16 - Oct 18
Clouds Half-day Retreat: Nov 14
Clouds Rohatsu Sesshin: Nov 30 - Dec 6
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Book Group - When No Thing Works: A Zen and Indigenous Perspective on Resilience, Shared Purpose, and Leadership in the Timeplace of Collapse
Hybrid In-person and Zoom
Tuesdays July 7, 14, 21, 7 - 8:30 p.m.
By donation: $5 - $280
No one turned away for lack of fundsBook group led by Revs Keika Karín Aguilar-San Juan and Jinzū Minna Jain
Join us as we navigate Roshi Norma Wong’s timely and poetic book together in a shared experience of reflection, practice, and action.
“With wise and witty prose that wanders and turns, guides and reveals, Zen master and Indigenous Hawaiian leader Roshi Norma Wong’s meditation holds our collective moment with gravity and tender care. She asks us to not only imagine, but to live into, a story beyond crisis and collapse—one that expands to meet our dreams of what (we hope) comes next while facing with clarity and grace our here and now in the world we share today.” -from Roshi Wong’s website.
Using breath, movement exercises led by Roshi Wong herself via videos, and reflection resources prepared by her own close community of practitioners, we will explore social and environmental crisis and collapse with curiosity and practice.
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Annual Sangha Picnic
Sunday August 9
In place of our usual Sunday Program
10:30 am - 1 pm
Hidden Falls Picnic Shelter
Potluck! Bring a dish to share!
10:30 - 11: Guided Zazen, Walking Meditation & Short Dharma Talk*
11 - 1: Picnic & Games
Please contact sosan@cloudsinwater.org to volunteer for set-up or clean-up, tech, and more.
We will attempt to create a hotspot for Zoom participation in the meditation and Dharma talk.
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 sesshin (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 sesshin (retreats).