Dogen Studies: Twining Vines (three class periods)

[Register here]

Wednesdays, July 2, 9, and 16, 7 - 9 pm
In-person and on Zoom

When you take up Zen practice, you enter the stream of Buddhas and Ancestors. It doesn't matter how long you have been practicing, whether you are ordained or not, whether you know a lot or a little about Buddhism. When you enter the stream, you have already "arrived." Sosan and Koji will help us play with the ideas in this wonderful writing by the 13th century Zen teacher who is the founder of Soto Zen Buddhism. Twining Vines refers to the non-dual interconnection of teacher and disciple, but it can also refer to the ways in which we are all connected to and support each other.

Sosan Flynn (she/her)
She has studied and practiced Soto Zen Buddhism since 1992, receiving dharma transmission (full teaching authority) from Joen Snyder O’Neal in 2012. Sosan's areas of teaching include body awareness in Zen, loving-kindness practices, and the intersection of Buddhist practice and racial justice. She has officiated at many ceremonies (daily & special liturgies, weddings, baby namings, and memorial services), and offers premarital and couples counseling. Sosan was raised Catholic and practiced Catholicism for many years before embracing Buddhism as her primary religion. She has a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology and has worked in both community mental health and staff training. Sosan and her husband of 37 years live a short distance from Clouds in Water. For more information, see Sosan’s website.

Koji Acquaviva (he/they)
Koji is a Soto Zen priest and teacher. He began practicing Zen at the age of twenty at the San Francisco Zen Center where he was a resident student for ten years. He co-founded the Mid City Zen Center of New Orleans, Louisiana and served regularly as visiting teacher at the Austin Zen Center in Texas. In addition to Soto Zen, he's studied Vedanta, Hatha Yoga, and Tibetan Buddhism in residential practice centers. Koji encourages meditators to feel empowered to develop their own syncretic practice paths, availing themselves to the most supportive methods for their temperaments and needs. Koji is a member of the teacher ryo at Clouds in Water and is a staff member of Tergar International, a community of Tibetan meditation teacher Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche. As a queer and neurodivergent person, Koji makes his best effort to identify and confront spiritual teachings which re-inscribe harm for members of marginalized communities.

Contribution:
Clouds in Water relies on a Gift Economics Model of resource transparency, suggested sliding scale tiers and no set fees in order to balance financial sustainability, the Buddhist practice of generosity, justice and equity. Clouds in Water is a community supported temple, relying primarily on the donations and class fees that our sangha offers. Teachers are paid a percentage of the net for all classes and retreats.

Sliding Scale. We want you to know that your attendance is valued and important, no matter how much you contribute, and that no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Level 1: $300 (makes it possible for more people to attend who cannot afford the full amount)
Level 2: $200 (full cost)
Level 3: $90 (reduced cost)

Your Level: You choose the amount. No one is turned away due to inability to pay and teachers receive a portion of whatever you give. If you need to attend with a zero contribution, please email info@cloudsinwater.org and we will get you on the list.

Note: Anything over $200 is considered a tax-deductible donation.
Online registration ends 6/27/25.
If you wish to register after 6/27/25. Please contact Sosan at sosan@cloudsinwater.org. Please note that you may not get an immediate response.