Profile
Clouds in Water Zen Center is a vibrant and inclusive community in the Soto Zen Buddhist tradition, with a mission to awaken the heart of great wisdom and compassion. Founded in 1994, we regularly offer meditation, classes, and retreats. We are located in the historic Rondo neighborhood of St. Paul, and everywhere via Zoom. We welcome people of all backgrounds and faiths.
In addition to our meditation services throughout the week (early morning, noon, and Wednesday evening), practitioners gather on Sunday mornings for sitting, chanting, and a dharma talk by one of our many teachers or guests. We have a BIPOC sangha, a Queer Dharma Group, host a Buddhist 12-Step meeting, and run a flourishing Youth & Family program in addition to many other practice and study groups. We offer multiple paths of practice, from lay practitioners to jukai lay ordination and priest training and encourage 1:1 meetings with teachers.
Our commitment to social justice is at the heart of our work. Our Statement on Non-Harming underscores our approach to engaged Buddhism: racial justice work, interfaith collaborations, and community building through talking circles and more.
Those new to Buddhism and curious about Zen are welcome to our Getting Started in Zen class, or any of our many workshops, classes, and monthly sesshins (retreats). We also offer a brief intro to meditation orientation before our Sunday services. All of our programming is free or accessibly-priced and no one is turned away for lack of funds. We welcome you to our sangha!
