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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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2012-08-02
Equanimity
59:25
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Arinna Weisman
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Equanimity is the mindful presence that neither grasps nor resists experience and is the ground for unconditional love and wise action. Arinna shares a variety of moving stories of deep equanimity and reflects on the position of equanimity as last in several important Buddhist lists. Concludes with a brief Q&A session.
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2012-08-16
Silent Illumination
60:41
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Will Kabat-Zinn
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In this talk, Will Kabat-Zinn explores the deeper meaning of the first five lines of the poem, "Guidepost of Silent Illumination" by Zen Master Hongzhi:
Silent and serene, forgetting words, bright clarity appears before you.
When you reflect it you become vast, where you embody it you are spiritually uplifted.
Spiritually solitary and shining, inner illumination restores wonder,
Dew in the moonlight, a river of stars, snow-covered pines, clouds enveloping the peak.
In darkness it is most bright, while hidden all the more manifest.
~ translated by Taigen Dan Leighton
The entire poem can be found on the web.
One source.
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2012-09-13
Titrating our Dukkha.
54:40
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James Baraz
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Though mindfulness meditation instructions generally suggest paying attention to what is predominant, focusing on overwhelming emotions especially those rooted in trauma is often not beneficial. This talk, which includes the Buddha's teachings on working with difficult emotions as well as theory from Somatic Experiencing (SE)—an approach to working with trauma—explores how to work with intense emotions by touching them a little at a time.
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2012-09-27
No Place to Land
57:17
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James Baraz
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Advaita teacher H. W. L. Poonja spoke of emptiness as "No place to land." This follow-up talk on Praise and Blame, discusses how understanding the Buddha's teaching on Emptiness—the selfless nature of the process—we can appreciate the positive impact we have on others without taking personal credit when praise comes our way.
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2012-10-04
No Credit, No Blame.
56:40
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James Baraz
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"In this world no one escapes from blame," said the Buddha. How can we deal with blame from others skillfully without getting crushed by criticism or react to it in a way that causes more suffering for ourselves and other? The key to not being lost in Praise or Blame is non-identification, not taking ownership of your experience. This includes not identifying with your body or mind. We can appreciate the gifts we've been given as well as our shortcomings without taking them personally. This is the natural by-product of understanding anatta, the selfless nature of existence.
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2012-10-18
A Simple Twist of Fate
50:46
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James Baraz
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Our lives are filled with turning points that can steer us in different directions. To have found the Dharma and be facing in the direction of greater consciousness is extraordinarily good karma that can powerfully fuel and inspire our practice with sincerity and gratitude.
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2012-11-08
Empathy: The Key that Unlocks the Heart
49:19
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James Baraz
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The ability to put oneself in someone else's shoes is the doorway to compassion. Once there is compassion then forgiveness, connection and genuine metta naturally follow. This talk includes a teaching from Thai master, Ajahn Maha Boowa, on the power of empathy.
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2012-11-29
Who we really are
49:28
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James Baraz
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Who You Really Are
Walt Whitman wrote: “I am larger, better than I thought; I did not know I held so much goodness." A key aspect of genuine awakening is realizing the basic goodness that is our true nature (when we're not confused or lost in our stories). What gets in the way of accessing this basic goodness? What supports it?
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2012-12-27
Past, Present and Future.
54:44
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James Baraz
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As 2012 comes to a close, this is a time to reflect on the lessons from the past year, where you are now and what your vision is of the New Year.
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2013-01-10
Shifting perspectives
47:46
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James Baraz
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When life is difficult or frustrating the teachings advise us to practice equanimity. One simple but potent way to do that is to take a step back and hold things with a wider perspective. We'll be exploring different practices that incline towards equanimity through this method.
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2013-01-17
The Power of Generosity
56:47
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James Baraz
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James is joined by Phil Catalfo, who runs the Berkeley Neighborhood Food Project, for a rich discussion about the power of generosity. Giving not only benefits the recipient but the giver as well. While BNFP alleviates the suffering of those who are “food insecure;” it also alleviates the suffering of the donors by providing them a means to process their feelings, thoughts, and memories about food, hunger, abundance, guilt, and so on. Participants report a vastly expanded sense of themselves and become profoundly grateful for the opportunity to experience that. They see that “everybody wins” is an actual option in this world. BNFP Website |
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2013-01-24
Why I teach Awakening Joy.
55:01
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James Baraz
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In the talk, I share what motivated me to teach Buddha Dharma as a path of happiness. Some of the teachings might obscure this fact through misunderstanding, as well as the underlying teachings that lead to genuine well-being.
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2013-01-31
Seeing Through Views.
50:58
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James Baraz
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"Seeing Through Views: A Doorway to Liberation"
As the Buddha said in the Paramatthaka Sutta: On Views: "A person who associates himself with certain views, considering them as best and making them supreme in the world is not free from contention (with others)." This talk explores the power, freedom and potential for deeper love that comes when we realize that our view is just one reality.
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