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.”

Koan Summer: Tianping on Pilgrimage

The odd exchange between Tianping and Xiyuan in this koan (Blue Cliff Record, Case 98) has the power to liberate. Even if we do not have the kind of arrogance that Xiyuan demonstrates, many of us show up in Zen feeling as if we’ll never get it, never understand. Both ways—to be full of one's attainments or to lack confidence completely—close off learning and growth. If you want to walk with this koan, try carrying around the mantra, “Mistake!” Notice all the times we set out

Jul 2