Dharma Talks

Debra Seido Martin is Zen West's Guiding Teacher. She was transmitted in 2009 by Kyogen Carlson, late Abbott of Dharma Rain Zen Center. Seido is an organic farmer and psychotherapist devoted to the wild and giving space of practice and grace of the land. She carries forward her teacher’s directive to “ordain into your life.”

Feb 14

Liturgy: Boundless Compassion

Seido talks about the absolutely essential need for practicing compassion. Included in the talk are common misunderstandings about how we...

Jun 27, 2024

Brahma Viharas: Compassion

Seido talks about the centrality of compassion in Zen practice and how to generate compassion for oneself, a fundamental requirement to...

Feb 2, 2024

Dharma Eye Series: Transforming the Three Poisons of Mind

Seido lays out a compassionate approach to transforming the three poisons of mind, greed, hate and delusion. By examining their interior...

Feb 24, 2023

Compassion for No-Self

In this talk, Seido speaks to the paradox of the profound acceptance required for deepening practice at the same time as one investigates...

Oct 31, 2022

Tenzo Kyokun: Roshin – Motherly Mind

Seido talks about Dogen’s advice to his cook to raise up “Roshin,” the mind of a loving parent that brings a affectionate care and...

Apr 15, 2022

Mark Unno on Boundless Compassion

Shin Buddhist Priest and U of O Professor of Religion Mark Unno speaks to Zen West about the Pure Land concept of the “foolish being” and...

Apr 1, 2022

Heart Sutra: Where’s the Heart?

In this talk, Seido suggests the Heart Sutra can be viewed as a way of teaching us how best to love the world by seeing it clearly, not...

Jan 18, 2022

Bodhisattva Activity: The Good News

In this talks, Seido calls attention to the way the daily news creates a distorted view of ourselves and suggests a second look based on...