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.”

Liturgy: Boundless Compassion

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

Feb 14

Liturgy: Instructions for Zazen

Seido reflects on the previous week's Shuso Hossen ceremony using Dogen's line that "zazen is not meditation practice." She talks about...

Jan 30

Liturgy: Heart of the Matter

What does the Heart Sutra mean with all of those "No's"? Talk includes background on the Heart Sutra and the change in consciousness it...

Jan 16

Liturgy: Atonement

Seido talks about the Atonement verse, the burden of karma and tells a story Kyogen was fond of called "Beyond the Pale of Vengeance."...

Jan 9

Liturgy: Introducing Zen's Musical Score

How should we relate to the liturgy that comes with Zen practice? Seido offers an in road to taking up the wisdom offered in the ancient...

Jan 4