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.”

Dhyana Paramita: Calm Stable Presence

Seido explores the aspect of calm stability in dhyana paramita, or the perfection of meditation, and how to skillfully meet agitation or...

Nov 17, 2023

Joyful Energy & the Power of Sangha

In this talk, Seido explores the fourth paramita of virya from the point of view of the sangha jewel, a source of energy we often...

Nov 7, 2023

The Perfection of Joyful Effort

Seido introduces the 4th paramita of virya, purposeful energy employed on the path of practice. In this talk, she touches on an approach...

Oct 27, 2023

The Perfection of Patience Part Two

Seido explores the experience of impatience/intolerance, and how to work with anger skillfully. She calls attention to the current moment...

Oct 20, 2023

The Perfection of Patience

Seido talks about the 3rd paramita kshanti – translated at patience or forebearance – and how it applies not only to cultivating an...

Oct 13, 2023

What Blocks the Generous Heart?

Seido continues to explore the obstacles to realizing dana paramita – the perfection of generosity and giving as part of the fall Ango...

Sep 22, 2023

A Walk into the Six Perfections

Seido gives an introduction here to the six perfections, generosity, ethical action, patience, effort, meditation and wisdom, our fall...

Sep 16, 2023

Zen Essentials: Samu – Sacred Work

Seido talks about the importance of samu (work practice) for lay people expressing the three paramitas (virtues) of meditation,...

Jan 30, 2022