Dharma Seed - James Baraz's Dharma Talks

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James Baraz's Dharma Talks

James Baraz

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I try to convey that the wisdom and compassion we are looking for is already inside of us. I see practice as learning how to purify our mind and heart so we can hear the Buddha inside. In doing so, we naturally embody the dharma and help awaken that understanding and love in others we meet.

I try to use the formal teachings as a doorway for people to see the truth in themselves. I feel I'm doing my job when people look into themselves to come to their own deep understandings of the truth, access their own inner wisdom and trust in their "Buddha-knowing," as Ajahn Chah called it, which is different from their intellectual knowing.

The Buddha-knowing is a deeper place, underneath the concepts, which is in touch with the truth, with our seed of awakening. I want practitioners to have more and more confidence in, and familiarity with, that deeper place of knowing. It is accessing this dimension of our being that becomes the guide to cutting through the confusion caused by greed and fear. We have everything we need inside ourselves. We do not need to look to a teacher when we remember who we really are.

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2014-05-29 Devotion in Dharma Practice 52:41	Download Listen
Although devotion plays a significant role in Monastic Communities and Tibetan practices it's not something that's often discussed in lay communities. Yet devotion can be a major source of inspiration which can fuel our practice.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley : IMCB Regular Talks

2014-05-22 Discussing some of the provocative articles from the current Inquiring Mind issue on "War and Peace" with co-editors Barbara Gates and Alan Senauke who will join us to deepen the conversation. 60:49	Download Listen
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley : IMCB Regular Talks

2014-05-15 Discussing some of the provocative articles from the current issue of the Inquiring Mind on "War and Peace" and the Dharma 46:39	Download Listen
I encourage you to read this edition of the Inquiring Mind, especially articles by Bhikkhu Bodhi, Ann Wright, (a peace activist who spent many years in military and State Dept.) and many other thought-provoking pieces including the merits of bringing mindfulness to the military.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley : IMCB Regular Talks

2014-05-01 Sutta Series: Instructions to Anathapindika (MN #143) 42:23	Download Listen
In this discourse Sariputta gives a teaching to Anathapindika, the greatest patron of the sangha, on his deathbed regarding not clinging to the body or mind as a doorway to liberation.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley : IMCB Regular Talks

2014-04-17 Sutta Series: Anatta-lakkhana Sutta - The Discourse on the Not-Self Characteristic - SN #22 53:33	Download Listen
This is the second discourse given by the Buddha to his five original ascetic companions after setting the wheel of the Dharma in motion. The Buddha gives his teaching on Anatta (or not-self), and the five become enlightened.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley : IMCB Regular Talks

2014-04-03 Sutta Series: The Angulimala Sutta - MN #86 53:01	Download Listen
One of the most inspiring teachings on the potential for each of us to change. Angulimala, a violent killer, encounters the Buddha, wakes up from his confusion and becomes a holy man. No matter how deep our unskillful habits are, we can take comfort and inspiration in the capacity of the heart to awaken and face in the right direction.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley : IMCB Regular Talks

2014-03-27 Sutta Series: The Removal of Distracting Thoughts - MN #20 55:41	Download Listen
In this discourse the Buddha gives five different strategies for working with troublesome thoughts and mind-states. A very practical teaching on working with the mind when it gets caught and mindfulness is not strong enough.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley : IMCB Regular Talks

2014-03-20 Sutta Series: The Simile of the Saw - Majjhima Nikaya #21 58:41	Download Listen
This is a discourse on practicing patience and a kind heart regardless of the circumstances.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley : IMCB Regular Talks

2014-03-13 Sutta Series: The Vacchagotta Suttas (MN(#71, #72, #73) 59:44	Download Listen
We continue the Sutta series exploring the Vacchagotta suttas from the Majjhima Nikaya. Vacchagotta asks many questions of the Buddha. In a series of conversations, the Buddha expounds to Vacchagotta on such topics as whether or not he's omniscient, on various speculative views about what happens after death and if nuns and householders can be enlightened.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley : IMCB Regular Talks

2014-03-09 Kalyana Mitta Half-Day workshop with James Baraz and Elad Levinson 27:17	Download Listen
James Baraz talking about Kalyana Mitta, exploring the idea, "What is 'Spiritual Friendship'?" The word "Mitta" is related to "Metta" or lovingkindness. Mitta means friend, Kalyana is Spiritual. So, KM is a Spiritual Friends group. This term is particularly used in the Theravada tradition to talk about the relationship we have with each other to have that third refuge in the sangha really flourish
Spirit Rock Meditation Center

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