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.”

A Break From Zen

Even if you are devoted to zazen, it is good to take a break from sitting. Every so often, forget you practice Zen. Just go about your life and see what happens. It is a great learning opportunity. We notice what happens in our life naturally, how we’ve been changed by the practice, and what we experience when we don’t sit. Putting down the forms also allows us to see our big ideas about Zen, and put those down, too.

Dec 18, 2025