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Retreat Dharma Talks
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IMCB Regular Talks
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Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
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2017-05-18
"Courage: An Essential Quality of Practice"
52:25
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James Baraz
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The Buddha spoke of waking up as going "against the stream" in order to see things with fresh eyes. One essential ingredient of the spiritual journey is courage required to grow and be willing to step outside of our comfort zones. Being a spiritual warrior means facing our deepest fears, dealing with loss, opening to the places inside we'd rather not see and trusting that your awareness can meet any moment that arises. We explore this topic in our dharma practice as it manifests on and off the cushion.
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2017-05-25
"Appreciating our Benefactors"
47:38
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James Baraz
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It’s important to recognize and appreciate all the support we receive in our spiritual practice as well as in our lives. If practice sometimes seems like a solitary experience we’re not realizing all the ways that life has been supporting us. This can be an on-going rich source of inspiration in our spiritual development and growth. We’ll explore various practices and reflections to make this come alive.
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2017-06-15
Benefactors: Part 2, Helping Others Shine.
64:51
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James Baraz
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Description:
This is a follow-up to James' "Appreciating Our Benefactors" talk (5-25-17).
Besides gratitude for those who've been our benefactors, we can see ourselves as passing on the kindness and caring we've received. We can and do have a significant effect on everyone around us. We can practice seeing the beautiful qualities in others, believing in them and bringing out the best in them. By doing so we help them shine, make a meaningful contribution to the world and experience great joy.
This talk also includes some words about James' local basketball team the Golden State Warriors, who just became NBA champions. The coach, Steve Kerr, tries to instill four core qualities in his players--joy, mindfulness, compassion and competition. And the players' unselfish style, subjugating individual glory for the good of the team, is the key to their success. They embody the attitude of bringing out the best and enjoying seeing each other shine.
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2017-06-22
"How Liberating to See Clearly--
How Humbling to Still Get Caught."
64:00
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James Baraz
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In a moment our understanding of reality can change with new information or new perspective. Anger and ill will can be released and turn to compassion and forgiveness. And it's also true that old patterns can be activated once again in a surprising and humbling way. The process of waking up requires tremendous patience and a kind heart, especially towards ourselves.
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2017-07-27
Equanimity
62:04
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Donald Rothberg
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We explore the nature of equanimity, why equanimity is important, several ways to practice equanimity, and some of the challenges of developing equanimity.
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2017-08-17
"Hatred Never Ceases by Hatred"
49:12
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James Baraz
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The Buddha taught: "Hatred never ceases by hatred. Hatred only ceases by love. This is an ancient and eternal law." With tragedies like Charlottesville and the reaction of the president highlighting the forces of hate in our country in these crazy times, how can we avoid giving in to the same reaction within ourselves? How can we acknowledge our repugnance and activated feelings without adding more ill will as we emerge with a wise response? Teachings of Martin Luther King, Jr., Nelson Mandela and the Buddha help us hold this all with a dharmic perspective.
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2017-09-07
"Peaceful Warrior in Modern Times"
52:12
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James Baraz
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The Buddha spoke of the power of non-harming as a support for inner peace and outward harmony. But how can we both commit to being peaceful while courageously and passionately standing up for what we feel is right and make a difference in the world? This talk includes some of the Buddha's words on peace and non-harming as well as two clips of Julia Butterfly Hill speaking about "Anger v. Love" and "Fierce Compassion".
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2017-09-14
"Loving Kindness"
53:20
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Kevin Griffin
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An attempt to look at how this practice known as loving kindness can really apply in a broader way than just a meditation.
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2017-11-09
"We are all Connected: Interconnectedness Within and Between Us"
62:58
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James Baraz
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The Buddhist concept of Anatta points to the fact that there is no separate self to whom life is happening. We are inter-connected. This talk explores different levels of this truth. As individuals, biologically we are not one being but rather a complex ecosystem comprised of many different beings. We are connected to each other through our relationships. And we are societal creatures who form groups. In the best of conditions those groups sometimes create an extraordinary field where the whole is greater than the sum of it's parts.
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2017-11-16
"The Multiplication of Courage"
51:04
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James Baraz
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Courage is contagious. Nelson Mandela spoke of the "multiplication of courage": When one brave person is willing to speak the truth, even though it might be met with strong resistance, it can spark another voice in the wilderness to do the same. And then other voices can be inspired to join in too. That is often how dramatic change can happen.
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2018-01-04
"Three Principles for Living a Good Life"
53:03
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James Baraz
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This talk was inspired by Frances Vaughan, a true woman of wisdom, who recently passed. Frances was a pioneer in the field of Transpersonal Psychology, served as President of both the Association for Transpersonal Psychology and the Association for Humanistic Psychology, authored many books including Awakening Intuition and The Inward Arc. At her recent memorial service we heard the three main principles that guided her life. The talk contained a moving short video of her life that can be accessed here:
https://vimeo.com/246379817 (password: GratitudeDec9).
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