Welcome
Toku Cynthia Scott, teacher and forever student
Greetings and thanks for stopping by. Winter Sky Dharma is an online spiritual community grounded in Zen Buddhism and dedicated to wholeness. Everyone is welcome.
I've worn many hats in my life: a 30-year career as a professional editor and writer; a caregiver for terminally ill loved ones; nonprofit manager; and even, for a short time, a clockmaker with my own business. But what really makes me tick is the spiritual path: yours, mine, and humanity's. All of these experiences, and others, led me to priest ordination at Dharma Field Zen Center in Minneapolis in 2012. I trained there for four years under teachers Bev Forsman and Steve Hagen before becoming a student of Diane Sojun Martin of Indian Creek Zen Farm and Hermitage in Illinois. In 2020 I received the brown robe from Diane, which in Zen signifies completion of training with full authority to teach.
In addition to having served at Dharma Field, where I am still a member, I am a former executive director and dharma teacher at Clouds in Water Zen Center in St. Paul. I currently serve on the board of directors of Hokyoji Zen Practice community in southeastern Minnesota. I am also fully certified to teach The Realization Process by its founder, Judith Blackstone.
Questions? I'm happy to hear from you.
My philosophy
Walking a spiritual path begins with honoring one's life in all of its messy beauty. Our paths are never apart from our daily lives of work, relationships, joys, and sorrows. I offer students deep listening and the fruits of my many years of spiritual practice and training. That includes having been raised in the Catholic Church. I have come to appreciate many things about my Christian upbringing, not the least of which was the 22 precious years I had as a student of Chris Loegering, CSJ, who in Catholic parlance was called my spiritual director. She was the first of several spiritual teachers who have been pivotal in my life: Zen teachers Sojun Diane Martin, Steve Hagen, and Norm Randolph; and Realization Process teacher Judith Blackstone. I aspire to give back to students the qualities I am fortunate to have received from these and other teachers: integrity, a sense of humor, competence born of continuous learning, an open heart, and an unfailing BS detector. I welcome seekers of all practices, traditions, and faith—or none.
What I Do
- Lead weekly online Metta meditation and discussion
- Meditation classes, workshops, and practice periods
- Individual spiritual guidance
- Occasional classes in Zen and Buddhism
I offer 1:1 spiritual guidance for those who would like an ongoing relationship aimed at deepening, discerning, and clarifying their spiritual path in everyday life. Sessions are typically 45 minutes in a relaxed, confidential environment. I offer a free, no-obligation Zoom appointment to talk about whether this is for you. Please email me to explore this option.
Realization Process
Inhabit Your Body, Inhabit Your Life
I am a fully certified teacher of The Realization Process (RP), an innovative method of mind-body integration—also known as embodied non dual awakening. RP helps us uncover a very subtle, yet dynamic dimension of our being; we do this by learning to deeply inhabit our bodies. When we experience this dimension, we experience our uninjured wholeness. RP can transform our relationship to ourselves, our loved ones, and all beings. I integrate the methods and philosophy of embodied awakening in all of my work with students.
RP was developed by psychologist and spiritual teacher Judith Blackstone about four decades ago. RP is deeply resonant with Zen philosophy and practice; indeed, Zen and other non dual traditions were pivotal influences as Judith developed RP. As our culture's understanding of the deep connection between mind and body has grown, RP has been increasingly recognized as a valuable method of healing and growth.
