In this talk, Valerie begins with the poetry of love and loss as a portal to a saying from the eminent 9th century Chan/Zen master Joshu (Zhaozhou) about the timelessness of our everyday lives. The talk explores Joshu’s response to a monk who asks, “During the 24 hours, how is mind put to use?” Joshu offers a response that calls us into the immeasurable dynamism of each present moment.

We are creatures inured to time. What happens when, in a moment of zazen, time stands still? Or all time is suddenly nothing but now?

Recorded on July 24th, 2025

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Scott's talked is based on one of Joshu’s sayings. When asked “What is meditation?” he responded, “Non-meditation.” When asked how that could be, he said, “It’s alive! It’s alive!”

Recorded on July 17th, 2025

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Fresh home from a memorial service for a beloved mentor and on the heels of the flooding in Texas, Valerie turns to case 41 of the Hekiganroku or Blue Cliff Record, “Joshu’s ‘Great Death.’” How does this case speak to the root of our human experience? What does it say about the coming and going of life and death? Might this ancient exchange between two masters – a generation apart in age – offer a word to us about the great matter?

Recorded on July 10th, 2025

Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation or becoming a member so we can continue to provide online programs such as this.

Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation or becoming a member so we can continue to provide online programs such as this.

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