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The greatest gift is the
gift of the teachings
 
Tara Brach's Dharma Talks
Tara Brach
A pervasive but often invisible source of suffering in our culture is self-aversion. We are a busy culture, and we move through our life feeling anxious and dissatisfied, but not fully conscious of how we neglect or judge our inner experience. We suffer from a lack of belonging: to our own bodies, to each other and to the earth. When we practice Buddhist meditation, we learn how to listen deeply and hold our life tenderly.
2011-11-09 The Space of Presence 1:19:15
The perception of "there's not enough time or space" in life blocks our natural capacity for intimacy, creativity and wisdom. Pausing and connecting with the space of presence transforms our entire experience of being alive. This talk explores the pathways that reveal the space that is always here, the awake and loving space of our own awareness. (video available)
Insight Meditation Community of Washington DC IMCW Wednesday Evening Talks
2011-11-02 Divine Abodes: Equanimity 1:20:55
Equanimity is the mental state of balance and non-reactivity that arises when we are resting in open, wakeful presence. This talk reviews the key pathways to equanimity in the face of difficulty. We also explore the blessing of equanimity: the freedom to respond to our life with wisdom, compassion and love. (video available)
Insight Meditation Community of Washington DC IMCW Wednesday Evening Talks
2011-10-26 The Divine Abodes: Joy 1:25:13
Joy is an innate capacity, an expression of unconditional presence with life. Yet for many, it is blocked by our conditioning to grasp after life and to defend against loss. This talk explores how we can develop the selfless presence that allows for joy, and nourish that joy so it blossoms in our life.
Insight Meditation Community of Washington DC IMCW Wednesday Evening Talks
2011-10-19 The Divine Abodes: Compassion 1:20:56
We cultivate compassion by letting ourselves be touched by the suffering within and around us. Because our conditioning is to avoid vulnerability, the path of compassion requires courage and purposefulness. As we awaken to the truth of our connectedness, our hearts become increasingly tender and our actions serve the healing of our world.
Insight Meditation Community of Washington DC IMCW Wednesday Evening Talks
2011-10-13 Thursday AM - Question and Response on Retreat 12:29
Insight Meditation Community of Washington DC 2011 - IMCW Fall Residential Retreat: Intimacy with Life
2011-10-05 The Divine Abodes: Lovingkindness 1:25:21
Love is the most basic expression of who we are, and yet it is often obscured by the trance of separation and fear. This talk explores how we habitually armor our hearts, and the training of attention that awakens us to unconditional, all inclusive love. A classic form of the metta (lovingkindness) meditation is part of the talk.
Insight Meditation Community of Washington DC IMCW Wednesday Evening Talks
2011-09-28 Causing No Harm 1:22:35
The mindstates behind violence--anger and fear--are universal and natural. If they possess us and drive our actions, we suffer. If we learn to meet them with a mindful awareness--if we step out of judgment and angry reactivity--we serve our own freedom and the possibility of peace on earth as well.
Insight Meditation Community of Washington DC IMCW Wednesday Evening Talks
2011-09-21 Part 2: Do You Make Regular Visits to Yourself? 1:19:04
These two classes cover the basic instructions for Buddhist mindfulness (vipassana or insight) meditation. The first class explores the attitude we bring to meditation that makes it rewarding, and the training that helps us in "coming back" from thoughts. The second class guides us in "being here," in cultivating a mindful awareness that recognizes and accepts what is happening in the present moment. Both classes include guided meditations and valuable reminders that can support you in developing a rich meditation practice.
Insight Meditation Community of Washington DC IMCW Wednesday Evening Talks
2011-09-14 Part 1: Do You Make Regular Visits to Yourself? 1:21:13
These two classes cover the basic instructions for Buddhist mindfulness (vipassana or insight) meditation. The first class explores the attitude we bring to meditation that makes it rewarding, and the training that helps us in "coming back" from thoughts. The second class guides us in "being here," in cultivating a mindful awareness that recognizes and accepts what is happening in the present moment. Both classes include guided meditations and valuable reminders that can support you in developing a rich meditation practice.
Insight Meditation Community of Washington DC IMCW Wednesday Evening Talks
2011-09-07 Finding the Juice Inside of Fear 1:18:53
Learning to bring a mindful presence to fear is an intrinsic part of spiritual awakening. In this talk we look at the ways we get caught in the trance of fear, and how the two wings of presence--clear recognition and openheartedness--can free us. This process of facing unmet fears is necessary not only for our own healing, but for any possibility of peace and the healing of our planet.
Insight Meditation Community of Washington DC IMCW Wednesday Evening Talks

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