03:01 Q1) Do you believe in Devas, and other subtle bodied beings in higher, lower and parallel realms? 03:12 Q2) When did you first start to believe in these things and why? 22:32 the next three questions flow together: Q3) Do you believe that belief in such things is central to the Buddhist world view and to Buddhist practice? Q4) What are the benefits if one can take this aspect of cosmology on board? Q5) What are the possible drawbacks if one does not? 41:03 Q6) Are there potential dangers in believing in such things? 44:28 Q7) Can you tell us some stories from personal experience, or things that you have heard first hand from your own teachers and friends, which might help us to be more open to the possibilities?

Our habitual ways of avoiding pain keep us from experiencing intimacy with our inner life and with each other. This short talk and guided meditation offers instruction in saying “yes” to the life we encounter. As we release resistance, we discover the creativity, wisdom and love that express our truest nature (a reflection from the archives).

When we are suffering, we are believing something untrue – usually a limiting story about who we are. This talk explores the roots of our self-doubts, and the teachings and practices that remind us of our basic goodness – the loving awareness that is our source (given at the Fall 2019 IMCW 7-Day Silent Retreat). I really invite you to experiment and find the way of remembering love that warms your heart because it’ll help you trust your heart and we deep down really want to trust the goodness of our hearts. May we trust who we are. ~ Tara

Talk originally given on December 12, 2024 I’m happy to share the evening with my son, Adam Baraz, who will reflect on the recent completion of his fifth Darkness Retreat, a 49-day “Bardo Retreat” in Tuscany, Italy. Adam will discuss the psychological, physical, emotional, and spiritual journey of “being alone in the dark” for 7 weeks. He will describe the practical aspects of preparation, meditation practice, challenges, and benefits of extended darkness retreat practice.

Life is generally measured in terms of clock-and-calendar time. However, to attempt to live accordingly is stressful, binding us to impatience, regret, and expectation. The familiarity of these patterns makes them ‘myself’. In Dhamma practice, we attune to an embodied stability that yet moves us into fresh presence. Our practice then is free from seeking certainty.

An Online Dharma Hall session includes a Guided Meditation, a Dharma Talk, and responses to unrecorded questions. A three-part series examining the role of passion, compassion, and dispassion on the Buddha's path to peace. This week, the freedom pathway and fruit of compassion. Including the interplay between compassion, forgiveness, and healing of the heart; the well-being that comes from the cultivation of a boundless expansive heart—and how this way we can resource ourselves beyond habitual routes (that don't really work) towards satisfaction and well-being that (really does).

Teachings on mindfulness of the heart/mind including guided practice recognizing and allowing our emotions, moods, and mindstates.

Stories and teachings on working with Nivaranas - they are not hindrances if we know them with mindfulness.