Various Dates
7 pm -9 pm

In this 2-hour workshop, you receive all the tools you need to get started on your personal journey in Zen practice.

Instruction will be given in zazen meditation, basic Buddhist philosophy, developing a home practice, as well as practicing as part of a community.

There will be plenty of time for questions and conversation!

In-person only

Candlelight:Sundays, 7:00–8:15pm Beginning March 22nd, for 8 weeks

White Clouds: Tuesdays, 6:45 - 8:15pm
Beginning March 17, for 8 weeks

By donation
No one turned away for lack of funds

Candlelight Yoga with Eishō Felicia Sy:

As the week gently comes to a close, you are invited into a quiet, sanctuary of rest and collective care. Candlelight Restorative Yoga for Sleep is a deeply nourishing Sunday evening practice designed to support the body’s natural capacity to settle, restore, and prepare for sleep.

This class is well suited for all bodies and all levels, especially those experiencing stress, fatigue, or difficulty sleeping. Come as you are. Leave rested, grounded, and supported.

White Clouds Yoga with Maja Radovanlija:

White Clouds Old Path yoga is restorative slow flow style that draws from traditional Himalayan yoga, yoga Nidra, Yin yoga, Deep Listening and other relaxation/restorative traditions. We will go through very gentle movements, and relaxation techniques. Each class will have a deep listening component with live music (by me and my musicians friends).

All are welcome: this class is especially designed to accommodate all levels, and meet you where you are!

Zoom Only

Tuesdays, March 10 - April 7

7 - 8 pm

Sponsored by the WURK (white-practitioners unraveling racial karma) Group at Clouds

This is a peer-led group, so there is no associated fee. However, contributions are appreciated to help cover Clouds in Water's administrative costs.

Facilitated by Rakurei Tom Bailey and Patricia DeBoer

Join us to read and discuss this compelling invitation to racial healing by the late Dr. Larry Ward, cofounder of the Lotus Institute, who was ordained to teach by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh in 2000.

"Larry Ward offers a deeply insightful analysis of America’s racial karma- of how it operates individually and collectively- and how it can be worked with and transformed. Drawing on Buddhist psychology, trauma theory, neurosience, and years of practice, the result is a searing, liberative, and tender work."  Jan Willis, author of Dharma Matters

email rakurei@cloudsinwater.org with any questions.

Hybrid: In-person and Zoom

Wednesdays, April 8 - 29
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

By donation: $5 - $280
No one tuned away for lack of funds

With Kikan Michael Howard

Zen Master Dōgen’s Fukanzazengi (“Universal Recommendation for Zazen”) is the cornerstone of Sōtō Zen Buddhist teaching. Composed by Dōgen in the 13th century, this short text conveys the fundamental understanding of the Zen school, and both the how and the why of Zen meditation. Traditionally and at Clouds in Water, it is recited every evening during sesshin (meditation retreat), but it has meaning for practitioners in all walks of life (hence, “Universal Recommendation.”)

In this four-week course, we will survey Katagiri Roshi’s teachings on Fukanzazengi, drawn from talks transcribed by the course instructor, Kikan Michael Howard. Come join us for this fresh and lively investigation of teachings from two great Zen masters, Dogen and Katagiri!

Hybrid: In-person and Zoom

Tuesdays, May 5, 12, and 19, 2026

6:45 p.m. - 8:15 p.m.

By donation: $5 - $160
No one turned away for lack of funds

With Rev. Koji Acquaviva

When even for a moment you express the Buddha's seal with body, speech, and mind sitting upright in samadhi, the whole phenomenal world becomes the Buddha's seal and the entire sky turns into enlightenment. -Dōgen Zenji (道元禅師) in Bendōwa (辨道話)

In this three session class series we will focus on each of the three karmic gates of body, speech, and mind. They are called the three karmic gates because they are the three mediums for the creation of either liberation or harm. The Zen tradition holds that the practice of zazen with body, speech, and mind manifests the Buddha’s liberation. In each class we will focus specifically on how Zen practice is engaged through body, speech and mind.

In-person only

Saturday, June 6

9 am - Noon

By donation: $5 - $105
No one turned away for lack of funds

With Rin LaJoy and Joanna Hill

Participants in the Dharma of Plants workshop will learn about select central Buddhist teachings through the lens of our inseparable connections with nature. Participants will learn about the historical and cultural importance of the Bodhi tree, Ficus religiosa, the tree that Siddhartha Gautama was said to have meditated under when he attained enlightenment and became the Buddha. Participants will also learn about local connections with nature and sacred trees.

The Cedar tree is a very sacred tree to the Anishinaabe People. It is known as Nookomis Giizhik, Grandmother Cedar. Joanna will share about the medicinal uses and properties of Eastern White Cedar (Thuja Occidentalis).

Stinging Nettles is rich in many nutrients, a great food source, and has been used as a utility for Indigenous people to make cording for nets for fishing and other uses. We will learn about these two plants. It is noted in some texts that Milrapea, the Tibetan Buddhist, was sustained on nettles during his long retreats in mountainous caves. The class will have opportunities to participate, ask questions, and have hands-on activity with the plants.

Hybrid: In-person and Zoom

Sunday, June 7 - Saturday, August 15

By donation: $5 - $700 
No one turned away for lack of funds

With Keika San Juan and Sosan Flynn

Practice period gives us the opportunity to concentrate our Sangha energy on practicing together. This practice period, we'll focus on "Entering the Cave: Bringing Resolve, Courage, and Sincerity to Our Collective Practice."  A class will meet Thursday evenings. If you can't attend the class, a recording will be available. 

The practice period will open with a short ceremony on Sunday, June 7, and close with a formal Shuso Hossenshiki ceremony for Keika on Saturday, August 15 at 7:00 p.m.

It will also include two tea and discussion opportunities with the shuso, or “head monk”, Keika Karín Aguilar-San Juan. Tea Gatherings: Wednesday, August 5 and Wednesday, August 12 at 7:30 p.m.

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Summer Practice Period Class: Enter the Cave: How to Bring Resolve, Courage, and Sincerity to Our Collective Practice

Wednesday evenings, June 10 - July 22, 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

With Keika Karín San Juan and Sosan Flynn

Inspired by Huike’s pivotal encounter with Bodhidharma in ancient China, this class explores Zen Buddhism as a collective practice that develops resolve, courage and sincerity in the face of urgent and intense realities. Five themes or “research questions” will shape our study: What is Zen? What is practice? What is study? What is mind? What is action?

We will draw inspiration from a variety of materials - short readings, poems, videos, and images - to inspire individual reflection and small group exchange regarding our experience of the path and practice of Zen. Mini-lectures by Sosan and Keika will be amplified by guest speakers along with offering incense, bowing, chanting, gentle tai-chi movement, and free-writing

In person only

Friday, June 19, 5 pm through Sunday, January 20, 3 pm

By donation: $5 - $300
No one tuned away for lack of funds

With Koji Acquaviva and Shoken Winecoff

We are happy to continue to partner with Ryumonji Zen Monastery in northeastern Iowa for a lovely sharing of practice energy. Ryumonji, located about 3 hours from the Twin Cities, is designed from a blueprint of a classic Zen monastery in Japan. Built and operated in an environmentally sustainable way, its gorgeous buildings and temple grounds reflect the spirit of "peaceful dwelling." You will experience the deep quiet of the rural countryside, and if it's clear at night you will see the Milky Way! During this retreat you will learn about many of the Zen ritual objects and engage in some of the formal Zen practices. 

The retreat will include periods of sitting and walking meditation, dharma talks by Koji (Saturday) and Shoken (Sunday), traditional oryoki meals, zen chanting liturgy, temple care (mindful cleaning), body practice, rest breaks, and training in the Zen forms. While there will be some silence, there will also be time for conversation.

While this retreat is appropriate for beginners, if you have not done a sesshin previously, please contact the Koji before registering to help determine if retreat is right for you at this time.