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The greatest gift is the
gift of the teachings
 
James Baraz's Dharma Talks
James Baraz
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.
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2024-03-07 Groundlessness: A Doorway to Liberation 60:09
Pema Chödrön writes: "It's not impermanence per se, or even knowing we're going to die, that is the cause of our suffering, the Buddha taught. Rather, it's our resistance to the fundamental uncertainty of our situation. Our discomfort arises from all of our efforts to put ground under our feet, to realize our dream of constant okayness. When we resist change, it's called suffering. But when we can completely let go and not struggle against it, when we can embrace the groundlessness of our situation and relax into its dynamic quality, that's called enlightenment, or awakening to our true nature, to our fundamental goodness." Let's investigate the underlying feeling of insecurity to see how it can be used as a path to real freedom.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2024-02-29 Transitions as a Focus of Practice (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 58:30
We can easily lose our mindfulness when we are experiencing a transition from a change of activity in our daily experience to major shifts in our life. In truth we are always in transition. This talk explores the power of bringing consciousness to transition as focal point of our practice.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center February Insight Meditation Retreat--1 Month
2024-02-22 Compassion (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 51:58
Compassion practice including all categories.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center February Insight Meditation Retreat--1 Month
2024-02-21 Devotion to the Sacred (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 64:44
Although devotion plays a significant role in Monastic Communities and Tibetan practices it is not something often discussed in lay communities. Yet devotion can be a major source of inspiration which can fuel our practice. How can we access it and have it moisten our sincerity of motivation?
Spirit Rock Meditation Center February Insight Meditation Retreat--1 Month
2024-02-19 Big Mind Meditation (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 60:37
This guided meditation, originally created by Joseph Goldstein, shifts the subject of attention from objects to the awareness that knows.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center February Insight Meditation Retreat--1 Month
2024-02-16 Trust (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 59:47
With so many strategies and messages about how to practice, how do we know the "right" way to practice? The Buddha said ultimately you should "be a lamp onto yourself." This comes down to trusting the wisdom inside. How can we discern the wisdom voice from the voices rooted in fear and confusion? This talk includes the 5 strategies offered by the Buddha to work skillfully with distracting thoughts.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center February Insight Meditation Retreat--1 Month
2024-02-10 Wise Effort: Balance and Cultivating Wholesome States (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 63:13
Wise Effort points to the importance of balance as well as the weakening unwholesome and cultivating wholesome states. This talk explores both aspects of this key practice issue.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center February Insight Meditation Retreat--1 Month
2024-02-04 Opening to the Whole Show (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 58:27
The Journey of Awakening is a process of discovering all the beautiful qualities that are uniquely expressed through you--the Buddha within that you take refuge in. It also involves understanding all the habits of mind that get in the way--including our fears, resistance, and identification with our experience. This talk describes the importance of opening to all of these places we usually hide from and the beneficial qualities that support that journey.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center February Insight Meditation Retreat--1 Month
2024-02-01 Sudden Awakening, Gradual Cultivation: The Process of Purification 52:56
Sometimes it feels as if our practice is taking one step forward and two steps back. Or two steps forward and two steps back. In this talk I want to explore the process of awakening in the context of understanding the trajectory of practice. Even though it might not seem as if much is happening or that you're truly growing, it's happening anyway. However, there are some things to know about how the process works that can help you develop patience, confidence and inspiration.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2024-01-18 On Having No Head: A Simple, Effective Anatta Practice 53:07
We all know the unpleasant feeling of self-consciousness. It is one thought away from self-judgment, self-criticism and a whole spectrum of “Selfing” thoughts. This week I want to share with you a simple and effective practice to cut through this painful negative mental habit which, when utilized, takes the “self” out of self-consciousness.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley

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