{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Dharma Talk: \u201cHow to See in the Dark\u201d with Valerie Forstman","description":" This talk begins with the question, \u2018What is it to be human?\u2019 When Siddhartha Gautama was 29 years old, he leapt beyond the palace walls of his rarified life in search of an answer to this question. One of Shakyamuni Buddha\u2019s earliest teachings points the way towards what he discovered: Stop and see. Stop the conditioned activity of our discursive minds, our habitual ways of framing the world, our fixed concepts about who and what we are. Put down the artifice of that narrow flashlight. Turn off the projector and see. See what remains. In effect, see in the dark. In response to this invitation, Valerie turns to case 89 in the Hekiganroku or Blue Cliff Record, \u2018Unmon\u2019s Bright Light.\u2019 Addressing the assembly, Unmon says, \u201cEveryone has their own bright light. When you look at it, you can\u2019t see it; it is complete darkness. Now, what is the bright light of you all?\u201d Unmon\u2019s own reply is a pointer to who we truly are and to how that matters in our lives. Recorded on October 23rd, 2025 Please consider supporting Mountain Cloud with a donation or becoming a member so we can continue to provide online programs such as this. Donations: https:\/\/www.mountaincloud.org\/donate\/ Become a member: https:\/\/www.mountaincloud.org\/about\/membership\/   ","author_name":"in the Cloud","author_url":"https:\/\/www.mountaincloud.org","html":"