Clouds In Water Zen Center

A vibrant urban community in the Soto Zen Buddhist tradition dedicated to awakening the heart of great wisdom and compassion. We welcome people of all backgrounds and faiths.

 

COVID-19 Community Care Practice 

Masking is currently optional for our Sunday Public Program as well as classes, gatherings and private events unless specified by the teacher. Clouds in Water will continue to offer Zoom/In-person hybrid options for nearly all of our classes and gatherings. We respectfully request that in-person participants are vaccinated/boosted for COVID-19. We will not require proof of vaccination. Thank you for your flexibility and care.

 

Council Practice at Clouds

Clouds in Water offers regular talking circles where sangha members can share thoughts and feelings on various topics. In these circles we will invite you to speak from a zazen place, opening to spaciousness, ease and not-knowing. Our community will be stronger as we listen to more voices. Councils will be in person and on Zoom. Zoom Link.  Meeting ID: 889 6825 9373  Passcode: 628788

June 4, 11 am - 12 pm: Dismantling Heteronormativity, Cis-gender normativity, and Patriarchy. How can we be more aware of the ways in which these toxic forces operate in our minds and bodies, communities and society? How can we at Clouds in Water support more wholesome and inclusive behavior going forward?

July 30, 11 am - 12 pm: Jukai graduates. Reunion meeting of all past jukai graduates. Feedback to Clouds on the jukai process. What do you need to continue on your path now? How can you help others in the process?

September 17, 11 - 12 pm: Paths of Practice. We'll explore together the many different ways to practice - paths for family members, householders, those interested in priest or teacher training, those interested in deepening sangha commitments. An open discussion of where we are in our practice and how Clouds in Water can support us. This would also be a good session for those considering jukai (receiving the precepts in lay ordination).

Questions: Contact koji@cloudsinwater.org

Classes

Getting Started in Zen – June 21

Getting Started in ZenWednesday, June 21 7 – 9pm CTIn-person and on ZoomValue: $25 In this 2 hour workshop you receive all the tools you’ll 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…

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Release from Anger – July 8

Release from Angerwith Taizan AlfordSaturday July 8th, 9am – 12pm CTIn-person only and on Zoom We all have moments when anger arises. Something doesn’t go as we expected it to, someone is rude or mean to us, blames us for something we didn’t do, or harms us in some way. Our anger may turn outwards,…

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Hokyoji Retreat- July 17 – July 23

Summer Retreat at HokyojiMonday, July 17, 3pm through Sunday, July 23, 3 pmLed by Sosan Theresa FlynnIn Person Only The ten oxherding pictures describe the path of Zen training through images and commentaries. They depict a young oxherder on a journey to subdue the ox, the quest representing taming, training and transforming one’s own heart…

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How to be a Joyful Anti-Racist Buddhist Practitioner: a workshop for white-bodied people – July 29

How to be a Joyful Anti-Racist Buddhist Practitioner: a workshop for white-bodied people Sat., July 29, 9 am – Noonwith Or Laura Levinson. In-person only At its core, antiracism work is a practice of love and joy, as we learn to access our full humanity through ending white supremacy.  As white Sangha members, it is our…

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Finding Joy in the Midst of a Racialized World: a workshop for Black, Indigenous and People of Color – July 29

Finding Joy in the Midst of a Racialized World: a workshop for Black, Indigenous and People of Color Saturday, July 29, 2 – 6:30 pm IN-PERSON ONLY How do we find joy in a world that racializes and otherizes us? This BIPOC workshop will include movement, music, meditation, and a listening circle – a space to…

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Overview of 2023 Offerings

Click below for an overview of upcoming classes, sesshin, retreats, workshops and more. 2023

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Dharma Talks

Taking Care of Ourselves is Taking Care of Others

Dharma talk by Myo On Susan Hagler on Sunday, April 23, 2023. Podcast: Play in new window | Download Subscribe Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

There’s No Such Thing as a Clean Slate: Buddhism and Cultural Appropriation

Dharma talk by Aranya Minna Jain, Jake Nagasawa, Busshin Carol Iwata, Shozoku Yoko Nomura and Keika Karin San Juan on Sunday, April 16, 2023. Podcast: Play in new window | Download Subscribe Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

History of the Japanese Temple and the Heritage in Japanese Buddhism

Dharma talk by Rev. Chiemi Onikura Bly on Sunday, April 9, 2023. Podcast: Play in new window | Download Subscribe Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

The Practice of Waiting in the Midst of Impermanence

Dharma talk by Sosan Theresa Flynn on Sunday, April 2, 2023. Podcast: Play in new window | Download Subscribe Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

Compassionate Action

Dharma talk by Kyoku Tracey Walen on Sunday, March 26, 2023. Podcast: Play in new window | Download Subscribe Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

Practicing with Difficulties

Dharma talk by Sosan Theresa Flynn on Sunday, March 19, 2023. Podcast: Play in new window | Download Subscribe Apple Podcasts | RSS | More

New To Zen Buddhism?

Learn about practicing at Clouds in Water and read some basic advice on meditation.

Member of the Soto Zen Buddhist Association