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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Pride Month at Clouds
For Pride Month in June, Clouds will be offering programming specifically celebrating and caring for our trans, nonbinary and intersex community.
Pride month is a month of celebration and joy, and it is also a month of remembrance, community care, learning, action, and renewing our commitment to dismantling systems of oppression.
We will have a special altar in the zendo for the entire month of June, honoring trans, nonbinary, and intersex bodhisattvas and ancestors - feel free to add to it!
June 7 - 9-10:30am, Dharma Talk with Myoshin, inviting the sangha to explore the Dharma of gender.
June 7 - 11am-12pm, Workshop with Sosan- From Trans Erasure to Trans Affirmation: How Cisgender Allies Can Support Trans and Nonbinary Community Members
June 26 - 7-9pm, Mini Retreat with Jinzu, Betzi & Koji- Queer Dharma Retreat: The Dharma Gate of Queer Euphoria and Ease
June 27 - 12-4pm, People's Pride at Powderhorn Park, Clouds will have a booth.
June 28 - 9-10:30am, Pride Day Dharma Talk panel with Jinzu, Rin, Koji, and Haley.
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).