Clouds In Water Zen Center St Paul

ABOUT CLOUDS IN WATER

Clouds in Water Zen Center offers the opportunity for people to practice Zen Buddhism, whatever their background or faith may be. Zen Buddhism is about awakening the heart-mind to its own inherent wisdom and compassion.To facilitate this awakening, we offer classes and workshops, sesshins and retreats, individual meetings with the teachers, community meditation and chanting, family and youth programs, and support for practice in daily life.

We believe that guidance from experienced teachers and the support of a warm and open community are essential elements on the journey of opening the heart.Clouds in Water Zen Center welcomes people of every race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, creed, religious background, ability and disability. We welcome single people, people in committed relationships, families and children. We welcome you!

HISTORY

Our Founder: Dainin Katagiri-roshi Clouds in Water Zen Center follows in the lineage of Dainin Katagiri-roshi, a Soto Zen monk who came to this country in the early 1960’s, worked with Shunryu Suzuki-roshi for ten years at Zen Center in San Francisco, and came to Minnesota starting the Minnesota Zen Meditation Center in 1972.

The Early Years

Clouds in Water was founded by Dosho Mike Port who was the guiding teacher and executive director of Clouds in Water from 1994 to 2004. Byakuren Judith Ragir become the Guiding Teacher in 2007 and served the sangha until January 2015. The current Guiding Teacher is Sosan Theresa Flynn.In April, 2015 Clouds in Water moved to its current location at 445 Farrington St.in St. Paul three blocks from the Green Line – Western Station.

Clouds in Water Today

After a lengthy process of listening and discernment, the Board of Directors in 2014 voted to explore relocating from our home of 17 years in the Lowertown area of St. Paul. In the fall of 2014, the Board voted to acquire a building at 445 Farrington Street in the Aurora-St. Anthony neighborhood. After extension remodeling, the Clouds community joyfully moved in to their new temple on April 1, 2015.Clouds in Water Zen Center today offers a peaceful neighborhood facility for meditation, retreats, classes and family activities.