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!

Various Dates

Zen Family

For children ages 1-5 years old, and their caregivers

Zen Family Practice at Clouds in Water Zen Center is an opportunity for children ages 1-5 and their caregivers to learn and practice mindfulness together as part of a community.

Youth Practice

For Children Grades 1-6

In Youth Practice at Clouds in Water, students will learn broader concepts of the dharma and mindfulness through instruction by dedicated Zen practitioners.

Teen Practice

For 7th - 12th graders

The Teen Group is a combination of basic Buddhist teachings, fun activities, and social time. We practice inclusivity, self-awareness, and basic values such as honesty, patience, and compassion, as they relate to teen life.

Book Study of john a. powell's The Power of Bridging: how to build a world where we all belong.

Hybrid: In-person and Zoom

With Guiding Teacher Rev. Sosan Theresa Flynn (she/her)

Every other Tuesday, September 8 - October 20, 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

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

Online registration ends 9/8/26. If you wish to sign up after that date, contact sosan@cloudsinwater.org

"We can overcome the illusion of separateness by honoring our differences, transcending the notion that difference divides us, and instead co-create a world where everyone belongs." - john a. powell, director of the Othering & Belonging Institute and professor of law, African American studies and ethnic studies at UC Berkeley. 

In the study of Buddhism, we learn that everyone and everything is interconnected; we are never separate. From this wisdom, we can act as Bodhisattvas - beings who are committed to the liberation of all beings - and build a better world. In his beautiful book, john powell outlines our human tendency to make separations through seeing people not only as different, but as less deserving. He then shares strategies for shifting to bridging the gaps that divide us, and building true belonging. In this study group, we'll learn from professor powell, and bring our Buddhist perspective to this topic. Each chapter of the book includes reflection questions which we'll use for journaling and discussion.

The first nine people to register for this class will receive a free copy of the book (provided through a grant from the Bush Foundation).

In-Person only

With Guiding Teacher Rev. Sosan Flynn (she/her)

September 11 - 12, 2026

Starts at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, runs from 7:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. on Saturday.

By donation: $5 - $75
No one turned away for lack of funds

Online registration ends 9/9/26. If you wish to sign up after that date, contact sosan@cloudsinwater.org.

Sesshin, which means “collecting the heart/mind,” provides a rare chance to step into a sanctuary of stillness, to close the door for a little while on the cacophony, and to appreciate the freedom and spaciousness of life in the present. Whether you are a beginner or experienced practitioner, we hope you will consider joining this wonderful practice.

A typical sesshin includes multiple periods of sitting and walking meditation, one or more dharma talks, traditional oryoki meals, zen chanting liturgy, temple care (mindful cleaning), body practice, rest breaks, and the opportunity to meet one-on-one with the teacher. We refrain from unnecessary speech and settle into silence.

While some instruction is given during the sesshin, if you are a first-timer, we recommend that you attend a Getting Started in Zen session first, and reach out to one of our teachers before registering.

In person and Zoom

With Jake Nagasawa, PhD (he/him)

Every other Tuesday, September 15, 29, and October 13, 2026

7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

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

Online registration ends 9/13/26. If you wish to sign up after that date, contact myoshin@cloudsinwater.org.

Is Buddhism neutral and apolitical? Is there a history of political engagement? What do we understand about how Buddhists have historically responded in times of conflict and repression? We will begin exploring these questions by addressing topics such as Buddhist ethics; Buddhist political and social engagement; and Buddhism and war. We will then focus on two Zen Buddhists who were critical of Japanese militarism and imperialism: Uchiyama Gudō (1874-1911), a Sōtō Zen priest who was arrested for publishing subversive anarcho-socialist materials at his temple and Ichikawa Hakugen (1902–1986) a Rinzai Zen priest who was critical of Buddhist support for Japanese imperial expansion.

Hybrid: In-person and Zoom

With Sosan (she/her), MyoOn (she/her), Koji (they/all), Taizan (he/him), and Myoshin (she/her)

Thursday evenings, Sep 24 - Oct 22, 2026, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

By donation: $5 - $350
No one tuned away for lack of funds

Online registration ends 9/22/26. If you wish to sign up after that date, contact myoshin@cloudsinwater.org.

What is your deepest wish, your inner spiritual calling? In this class, we'll explore some of the fundamental practices of Zen Buddhism that support our spiritual practice. You’ll learn the meaning behind some of the daily chants and rituals, including the Four Bodhisattva Vows, the Three Refuges, the Verse of Formless Atonement, and the Three Pure Precepts. We will also discuss the importance of lineage in Zen, and the meaning of robes and rakasu. The text for the class wlil be Living by Vow: A Practical Introduction to Eight Essential Zen Chants and Texts by Shohaku Okumura.

This class is offered every two years as part of preparation for students formally receiving the precepts, but is open to everyone!

In-person only

With Rev. Myoshin Diane Benjamin (she/her) and Rev. Shoken Winecoff (he/him)

Fall Joint Sesshin with Clouds in Water and Ryumonji Zen Monastery

Friday, October 16, 5:00 p.m. through Sunday, October 18, 2:00 p.m.

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

Online registration ends 10/12/26. If you would like to register after that date, email myoshin@cloudsinwater.org.

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. 

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

In-person only

With Revs Koji Acquaviva & Jinzū Minna Jain

Tuesdays October 20, 27 & November 3, 10, 6:30 - 8:00 pm

By donation: $5 - $210
No one turned away for lack of funds

Online registration ends 10/16/26. If you would like to register after that date, email jinzu@cloudsinwater.org.

These are very difficult times, and many of us are yearning for a felt sense of something larger than ourselves. We are witnessing the power of ritual as potent medicine for collective grief and healing in our social movement spaces. How can we bring to life the often forgotten tools of ritual and magic within Zen Buddhism?

In this class we will explore the path of Buddhist rites and magic which have been present in every stream of Asian Buddhism since the earliest days of the tradition. We will look at the underpinnings of the rituals of the Sōtō school of Zen as well as other practices such as recitation and visualization and their role in transformation and liberation. We’ll experience an eye-opening ceremony for a new Buddha statue at Clouds, invite you to a seijiki ceremony for nourishing the spirits of those who have died, talk about the spirits who live on our altars (and in waterfalls!), learn what we’re actually doing when we offer incense, bells, and candlelight, and more. Our hope is that after this class, participants will feel a deeper connection to the Zen Buddhist tapestry of the seen and unseen, have a broader appreciation for the liturgical and tantric elements of Buddhism and find ways to integrate these practices into their daily lives. 

In-person and Zoom (for most sessions)

With Rev. Myoshin Diane Benjamin (she/her)

• Sunday, Nov. 8, meditation & opening Dharma talk (in person or Zoom) 9:00–10:30 am

• Tuesdays, Nov. 10/17: morning meditation (in person or Zoom) 6:30-8:00 am; evening zazen (via Zoom) 8:30-9:00 pm

• Wednesdays, Nov. 11/18: evening meditation (in person or Zoom), 5:30 – 6:00 pm

• Wednesdays, Nov. 11/19: class, 6:30 - 8:00 pm

• Thursdays, Nov. 12/19: morning meditation, (in person or Zoom) 6:30 – 8:00 am;

• Saturday, Nov. 14: half-day retreat (with MyoOn) (in person only; register separately for this offering)

By donation: $5 - $100   (not including Saturday half-day retreat)

No one turned away for lack of funds

Online registration ends 11/6/26. If you would like to register after that date, email myoshin@cloudsinwater.org.

A practice intensive offers a more focused, collective practice experience while maintaining our usual obligations. Over two weeks, participants are invited to attend morning sitting meditations at Clouds, a weekly evening sitting via Zoom, a half-day retreat on Saturday morning, and a class on two Wednesday evenings

During this practice intensive, we will receive inspiration and support from Zen Master Dogen’s essay, “The Bodhisattva’s Four Embracing Actions” or “The Bodhisattva’s Four Methods of Guidance.” The first is Giving; the second is Loving-Speech; the Third is Beneficial-Action; and the fourth is Identity-Action, or realizing the unity of self and others. Written in 1243 during a tumultuous time in the life of Dogen’s small monastic community, it offers guidance about how to live in our challenging times in a way that benefits others.

In-person only

With Rev. Koji Aquaviva (all pronouns) and Rev. Jinzu Minna Jain (they/them)

Friday, Oct 30, 7:00 - 9:00 pm 

No one turned away for lack of funds

Online registration ends 10/28/2026. If you would like to register after that date, email jinzu@cloudsinwater.org

A special evening to honor loved ones who have died.

Our family and loved ones touch us deeply. Reconnecting to them in our inner life allows us to feel the love, remember their presence, look for healing or find peace.

The Sejiki Ceremony has become a tradition at Clouds in Water to answer the call to honor our ancestors and heal our karma. We will start with quiet meditation and a deep listening of our heart. We'll "call in" the spirits with noisemakers, share stories of our loved ones who have died, offer food, and do a lovely service, including traditional Buddhist chants and the special Sejiki Song.    

Please bring a photo, a card with the person's name and/ or something the person liked to include in your reflection.  We will place them on the altar during the ceremony.