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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Annual 24hr Community Sit-a-Thon
A Fundraiser for Clouds in Water
May 30 - 31Sit for Something That Matters.
This is more than a meditation—it’s a movement of care, community, and collective support.
Our fundraising goal for the Sit-a-Thon is $50,000. These funds directly support every aspect of running a Zen community refuge.
Every dollar donated to the Sit-A-Thon will be matched, dollar for dollar, with a gift towards paying down the mortgage!!
You’re Invited:
Volunteer your time to help bring this event to life.Make a donation to sustain the Zen Center.
Create your own fundraising page on GiveMN and invite others to support your “sit”.Whether you sit for peace, love, justice, or healing—your presence makes a difference.
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The Alysa Liu Disco Zen Tea Room
A small project by Marcus Young 楊墨 and Don't You Feel It Too?In-person only
Friday, May 1, 4:30 - 6:30 pm
Saturday, May 2, 4:30 - 6:30 pm
Monday, May 4, 5:00 - 7:00 pm
Tuesday, May 5, 5:00 - 7:00 pm
Sunday, May 10, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Were you enchanted by Alysa Liu’s gold medal performance and happy fearlessness? Do you connect her story to your mindfulness practice? Do you want to share sips of tea and dance tea drunk with me at Clouds in Water? (Or is it Zen drunk?)
Alysa is coming to perform her sparkly wisdom in St. Paul on May 10! In honor of her magical mindfulness, I'm hosting five tea sessions called "The Alysa Liu Disco Zen Tea Room." You're welcome to drop in at any time. We'll cultivate quiet sips and wild Donna Summer flow. We'll enjoy modest snacks alongside passages from the Tao. We'll look for our own gold medal comeback stories.
“I connect with everything, but I’m not attached to anything.” — Alysa Liu
No registration needed.
Come for a short or long while. -
Freeing the Mind - a Weekend Retreat with Anam Thubten
In-person only
Friday, June 12, 7pm - FREE Public Talk
Saturday & Sunday, June 13 - 14 : Weekend RetreatSaturday 10am - 4:30pm
Sunday 11am - 5pmThis series is hosted at Clouds in Water, but is not a Clouds in Water event. For registration information and fees, please click the link below.
Our human mind can easily become entangled in its own creations—concepts, beliefs, and emotional patterns. When this happens, the mind contracts, as if bound by a tight internal knot. This knot generates unnecessary suffering and obscures mind’s true nature. Yet within the mind lies the ability to unwind this knot and reveal its original, spacious nature—one that is intrinsically free, awake, and compassionate.
The Nyingma teachings of Tibetan Buddhism offer profound methods for experiencing the self liberation of mind in the realm of now. In this retreat, Anam Thubten will offer teachings and guided meditations based on the teachings of Dzogchen masters such as Dudjom Lingpa.
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Candlelight Restorative Yoga & White Clouds Old Path Yoga
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 weeksBy donation
No one turned away for lack of fundsCandlelight 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!
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).