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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.
2015-02-06 Morning Instructions Day #6 12:20
Working with thoughts
Spirit Rock Meditation Center February Insight Meditation Retreat
2015-02-05 The Five Spiritual Faculties 64:54
The practice can be seen in terms of balance and an unfolding process. The Five Spiritual Faculties - Faith, Effort, Mindfulness, Concentration & Wisdom - describe both of these perspectives.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center February Insight Meditation Retreat
2015-02-01 Morning Instructions Day 1 44:07
Intro - finding an anchor, breath, body, sound
Spirit Rock Meditation Center February Insight Meditation Retreat
2015-01-29 "The Payoff in Suffering" 57:08
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2015-01-15 Anything Can Happen At Any Time 52:53
The one thing that is certain in life is its unpredictability. Having an awareness that inner and outer circumstances could change in a moment can inform our lives in a profound way. Rather than living with vigilance and fear an on-going understanding of the fragility in life can lead us to more wakefulness, appreciation and freedom.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2014-12-18 Change Is Possible 53:22
A talk focusing on the possibility of changing the direction of our lives and the importance of giving people an opportunity to thrive. This talk includes excerpts from Sean Kyler, one of the graduates give his moving valedictorian speech through a program that supports prison inmates getting their college degree.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2014-12-09 Transforming Suffering into Happiness (Non-Greed, Non-Hatred and Non-Delusion) 68:09
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley (Casa Pallotti) Casa Pallotti Melbourne Retreat
2014-12-08 Trusting in Your Buddha-Knowing 1:11:07
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley (Casa Pallotti) Casa Pallotti Melbourne Retreat
2014-12-07 Chanting and close of evening 29:57
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley (Casa Pallotti) Casa Pallotti Melbourne Retreat
2014-12-06 The Four Noble Truths 66:57
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley (Casa Pallotti) Casa Pallotti Melbourne Retreat
2014-12-05 The Five Spiritual Faculties 66:31
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley (Casa Pallotti) Casa Pallotti Melbourne Retreat
2014-12-04 Working with the Comparing Mind 63:51
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley (Casa Pallotti) Casa Pallotti Melbourne Retreat
2014-12-03 Opening (with Jill) - Basic Attitudes for Intensive Retreat Practice 1:20:05
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley (Casa Pallotti) Casa Pallotti Melbourne Retreat
2014-11-20 "Grace Disguised as Obstacle" 50:46
It's one thing to remember and cultivate gratitude for the blessings in our life. But it's even more profound to experience the possibility of a grateful heart even in the midst of difficulties.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2014-10-23 "I Just Can't Decide!" - Wise Discernment in Daily Life 58:10
We are continuously faced with decisions in our lives. Some are minor while others are more significant. How can we skillfully choose between all the options?
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2014-10-19 Mindfulness and Climate Action : 3 68:37
with Catherine McGee, Chris Cullen, James Baraz, Thanissara
Thanissara with James Baraz, Catherine McGee and Chris Cullen.
In collection: Mindfulness and Climate Action
2014-10-18 No Doing 11:28
with Anam Thubten
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2014-10-18 Emaho! How amazing! Wonder and Awe 33:10
with Anam Thubten
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2014-10-18 The Magic of Awareness, Part 3 1:50:54
with Anam Thubten
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2014-10-18 The Magic of Awareness, Part 1 3:10:43
with Anam Thubten
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2014-10-16 The Magic of Awareness 57:28
In examining the mind we can see the insubstantiality of our thoughts and the mysterious ground of emptiness from which they arise. This talk includes songs from the Tibetan classic Flight of the Garuda which explores the nature of awareness--empty of substance but at the same time fully awake.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2014-10-09 "A Moment of Freedom: Interrupting Negative Thoughts." 58:56
Even though we know that jumping on a particular thought train might lead to trouble in the mind, we can still hop on. How can we wake up and more consciously choose before taking the leap?
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2014-09-25 "Behind is Just a State of Mind" 57:27
The external pressure to accomplish and keep up we may feel from others is usually not as burdensome as the internal pressure we put on ourselves. How can we see through this self-created suffering and live our life with more ease?
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2014-09-18 The Contagion of Goodness 51:02
Just like anger and fear are contagious so is goodness. In fact, that is our true nature and there's a place in us that longs to come home to it. We just have to tune into all the goodness around us to remember.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2014-09-11 Sudden Awakening/Gradual Cultivation 49:16
Does awakening happen all at once or over time? Both. Even after one has an awakening experience there is still more work to be done. This talk explores awakening and the purification of habits that is an essential part of that process.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2014-08-31 Bringing Your Practice into the World 61:59
How your practice can unfold as yhou leave retreat includes seeing it as a path of happiness; value of opening to suffering; learning to listen to the truth inside and expressing your caring as compassionate action.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Labor Day Retreat
2014-08-28 The What, Why and How of Dharma Practice 59:45
Coming to retreat people often ask themselves "What are we doing and why?" This talk explains the basic principles of vipassana, why it's so transformative and attitudes that support the deepening of that transformation.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Labor Day Retreat
2014-08-21 The Secret Instruction To Open Your heart And Deepen Your Mindfulness Practice 48:56
You're probably very familiar with the power of mindfulness. But as powerful as it is to just see things clearly, we can include a perspective that will bring richness and depth to our dharma practice.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2014-08-14 What Will You Do With Your Wild And Precious Good Karma? 53:39
The fact that we're given a human birth is exceedingly rare in itself. But to hear the Dharma, and be motivated as well as have the opportunity to practice is extraordinary good karma. Reflecting on this brings gratitude and provides a strong incentive to practice for the benefit of all beings.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2014-07-24 Seeing Everyone as Your Benefactor 48:48
We learn from everyone who comes into our life--those that inspire and those who are challenging. If our intention is to wake up, then everyone can be seen as part of our process. This profoundly changes our relationship to all. Even the difficult ones are no longer the enemy.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2014-07-17 Bringing Your Metta Practice into the World 62:00
How to practically apply Metta practice in daily life towards self, others and beyond that makes a meaningful contribution to the world.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Metta Retreat
2014-07-16 Gratitude 59:33
Brief talk and guided practice
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Metta Retreat
2014-07-13 Seeing the Good-Inside and Out 58:42
We find what we look for. Our brains are wired to confirm our beliefs. One key to Metta practice is looking for the good. Then appreciating and enjoying it when it is recognized.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Metta Retreat
2014-07-12 Forgiveness 42:58
Brief talk and Guided Brahmavihara
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Metta Retreat
2014-06-19 "Finding What Your Looking For" 51:58
Our preconceptions and assumptions have a significant effect on how we perceive reality--what gets taken in and what gets filtered out. A rich area of practice is being aware of this so that we truly see clearly to the best of our ability. As we bring more awareness to our filters, we can also see others' Buddha nature inside them, and help it come out, even if they can't see it themselves.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2014-06-15 Dharma Q&A 31:25
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2014-06-15 Q&A 16:59
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2014-06-15 Dharma Q&A 17:36
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2014-06-15 Guided Meditation 23:12
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2014-06-13 Inner Harmony, Outer Contribution 63:18
Integrity and contentment are not only sources of true well-being but can lead to compassionate action, another support for deep happiness.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Awakening Joy
2014-06-12 Forgiveness 25:51
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Awakening Joy
2014-06-10 Three Paths to Joy 58:39
How mindfulness, intention and opening to suffering are pathways to true happiness.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Awakening Joy
2014-06-05 Devotion in Dharma Practice, Part 2 48:14
Although devotion plays a significant role in Monastic Communities and Tibetan practices it's not something that's often discussed in lay communities. Yet devotion can be a major source of inspiration which can fuel our practice.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2014-05-29 Devotion in Dharma Practice 52:41
Although devotion plays a significant role in Monastic Communities and Tibetan practices it's not something that's often discussed in lay communities. Yet devotion can be a major source of inspiration which can fuel our practice.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2014-05-22 Discussing some of the provocative articles from the current Inquiring Mind issue on "War and Peace" with co-editors Barbara Gates and Alan Senauke who will join us to deepen the conversation. 60:49
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2014-05-15 Discussing some of the provocative articles from the current issue of the Inquiring Mind on "War and Peace" and the Dharma 46:39
I encourage you to read this edition of the Inquiring Mind, especially articles by Bhikkhu Bodhi, Ann Wright, (a peace activist who spent many years in military and State Dept.) and many other thought-provoking pieces including the merits of bringing mindfulness to the military.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2014-05-01 Sutta Series: Instructions to Anathapindika (MN #143) 42:23
In this discourse Sariputta gives a teaching to Anathapindika, the greatest patron of the sangha, on his deathbed regarding not clinging to the body or mind as a doorway to liberation.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2014-04-17 Sutta Series: Anatta-lakkhana Sutta - The Discourse on the Not-Self Characteristic - SN #22 53:33
This is the second discourse given by the Buddha to his five original ascetic companions after setting the wheel of the Dharma in motion. The Buddha gives his teaching on Anatta (or not-self), and the five become enlightened.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2014-04-03 Sutta Series: The Angulimala Sutta - MN #86 53:01
One of the most inspiring teachings on the potential for each of us to change. Angulimala, a violent killer, encounters the Buddha, wakes up from his confusion and becomes a holy man. No matter how deep our unskillful habits are, we can take comfort and inspiration in the capacity of the heart to awaken and face in the right direction.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2014-03-27 Sutta Series: The Removal of Distracting Thoughts - MN #20 55:41
In this discourse the Buddha gives five different strategies for working with troublesome thoughts and mind-states. A very practical teaching on working with the mind when it gets caught and mindfulness is not strong enough.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks

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