ANNOUNCEMENTS: NEW monthly Members Seminar! Learn more about this series here.

Here at Mountain Cloud, the Dharma is shared freely through countless programs — daily meditations both in person and online, a public archive of dharma teachings, weekly talks workshops and study groups, and monthly sangha gatherings. 

In this day and age, we are lucky to have countless resources for studying and practicing meditation, and Mountain Cloud may be only one of many places you engage with. Our Membership program provides an extra layer of continuity and support, whatever shape or rhythm your practice takes. That continuity is reciprocal: it creates a stable network we can engage with more intentionally, while helping sustain our work as a 501c(3) nonprofit organization.

Membership is designed for both local and global sangha to get additional support and opportunities throughout the year, but it doesn’t require being constantly involved. For some people, it means participating regularly; for others, it simply means having a dharma home they return to a few meaningful times each year. Either way, the ongoing relationship creates continuity — with teachers, with other practitioners, and with the themes that emerge over time.

We support your practice through:

• 1-1 Practice Guidance with authentic Sanbo Zen teachers
• More affordable access to deeper practice: 15% off retreats, 50% off 30 Days of Zen courses, and early retreat registration
• Members-only learning and practice, including weekly MembersLab, monthly Aging Buddhas, and our new monthly Members Seminar exploring where Zen meets the rest of life
• Informal sangha connection, through Members Brunches, our online Members’ Zone, and member-created affinity groups
• A voice in the life of Mountain Cloud, including Board elections and opportunities for shared leadership and facilitation

Membership and the 3 Pillars

At Mountain Cloud, we care for the whole meditator. We invest in our members by offering additional opportunities to deepen into the Three Treasures — Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. Our practice needs ebb and flow throughout our lives, and this structure creates a sustainable sangha that will be here for you across your lifetime of practice.

• 1-1 Practice Guidance: Members are connected with one of our authorized Sanbo Zen teaching team for dokusan (koan study) or more general practice guidance. Our team includes Associate Master Valerie Forstman, Teacher Carolyn Seburn, Teacher Scott Thornton, and Assistant Teacher Shana Smith
• Discounts: In order to support sustained and deep practice, Members receive 50% off of our 30 Days of Zen courses and a standing 15% off all sesshin, weekends, and zazenkai at the center!
• Additional Study and Practice Opportunities currently include:
  • MembersLab: A weekly co-created hour to experiment with topics and activities near to members’ hearts; examples include art-making and sharing, member teach-ins on Buddhist art, show and tell, and Dharma text discussion.
  • Aging Buddhas: Sanbo Zen teacher Scott Thornton facilitates group explorations on various themes related to the aging process; a chance to discuss the opportunities and challenges of aging in the Dharma.
  • NEW in 2027, monthly Members Seminar. Learn more about this series here.
• Special Sangha Connections
  • Members’ Brunch/Gathering twice a year to connect with fellow members
  • Members’ Zone online community forum for shared resources and conversation.
• Input and Shared Leadership
  • Members are invited to share their input on important organizational decisions– they vote on our Board of Directors, provide input through polling opportunities, and have the opportunity to participate in our sangha leadership group, the Mountain Cloud Stewardship Team.

So what does it cost?

We want to ensure that this extra level of support and continuity for your practice is accessible, so a few years ago we dropped our membership fees. (Note, ours is not a charitable donation membership model, but a “fee for service” model, because this allows us to provide a special mode of engagement with our sangha year-round.)

• Local Membership: $25.00 monthly, or $250 annually
• Global Membership: $15.00 monthly, or $150 annually

If finances interfere with your ability to become a member, please contact us so that we can work to remove any barriers to participation in this deeply meaningful program.

Why Your Membership Matters

Your membership allows us to depend on ongoing revenue and practice engagement from our beloved community members. That consistency in your “showing up” and in your annual or monthly fee, both help us plan and thrive throughout the year. Thank you for considering journing our sangha with this new level of intentionality!

• For questions regarding membership payment or arrangements OR for questions regarding the members offerings themselves (what they’re like, how they work, etc.), please contact our registrar, Xander.
• Curious to learn more about Membership from the 10,000 ft view? Sarah would love to answer your questions. You can email her at sarah@mountaincloud.org.
• Do you feel a recurring donation may be a better fit for you? Learn more about that here.