Dharma Seed - James Baraz's Dharma Talks

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2013-02-04 An Ode to Mindfulness 58:21	Download Listen
Why did the Buddha describe mindfulness as the direct path to overcome sorrow and lamentation, end suffering, discontent and realize the highest happiness? This talk reminds us what mindfulness practice is, why it is so profound and describes attitudes that optimally support mindfulness practice.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center : February Insight Meditation - 1 Month Retreat

2013-01-31 Seeing Through Views. 50:58	Download Listen
"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.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley : IMCB Regular Talks

2013-01-24 Why I teach Awakening Joy. 55:01	Download Listen
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.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley : IMCB Regular Talks

2013-01-17 The Power of Generosity 56:47	Download Listen
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
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley : IMCB Regular Talks

2013-01-10 Shifting perspectives 47:46	Download Listen
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.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley : IMCB Regular Talks

2013-01-03 Embracing Change 52:20	Download Listen
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley : IMCB Regular Talks

2012-12-27 Past, Present and Future. 54:44	Download Listen
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.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley : IMCB Regular Talks

2012-12-20 A Time For Healing 51:58	Download Listen
Dealing with the tragedy of Newtown, Conn.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley : IMCB Regular Talks

2012-12-13 Practicing With Difficult Emotions. 61:36	Download Listen
Exploring themes from the current issue (Volume 29/Number 1/Fall 2012) of Inquiring Mind with guest editor of the issue, Kevin Griffin.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley : IMCB Regular Talks

2012-11-29 Who we really are 49:28	Download Listen
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?
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley : IMCB Regular Talks

2012-11-15 Cast Aside the Costume 49:44	Download Listen
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley : IMCB Regular Talks

2012-11-08 Empathy: The Key that Unlocks the Heart 49:19	Download Listen
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.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley : IMCB Regular Talks

2012-11-03 Trust and Surrender is Available in Any Moment 57:17	Download Listen
While many wholesome states are experienced by cultivation, the state of peace and wholeness that is possible comes from relaxing all doing and simply allowing ourselves to just be. This state of being emerges from equanimity, involves trust and surrender and is available in any moment.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center : Awakening Joy: Dharma Practice as a Path of Happiness

2012-11-01 Buddha Dharma as a Path of Happiness 62:34	Download Listen
The Four Noble Truths are usually presented as the truth of suffering, its cause, its end, and the path that leads to the end. This talk presents these truths with an emphasis on well-being: 1) There is happiness, 2) There is a cause of happiness, 3) Happiness is possible, and 4) There is a path that leads to the highest happiness.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center : Awakening Joy: Dharma Practice as a Path of Happiness

2012-10-18 A Simple Twist of Fate 50:46	Download Listen
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.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley : IMCB Regular Talks

2012-10-04 No Credit, No Blame. 56:40	Download Listen
"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.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley : IMCB Regular Talks

2012-09-27 No Place to Land 57:17	Download Listen
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.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley : IMCB Regular Talks

2012-09-20 Praise and Blame 59:04	Download Listen
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley : IMCB Regular Talks

2012-09-13 Titrating our Dukkha. 54:40	Download Listen
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.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley : IMCB Regular Talks

2012-09-02 Transforming Suffering into Happiness 64:22	Download Listen
The magic of mindfulness is how it weakens unwholesome (akusala) states of suffering and strengthens wholesome (kusala) states of well-being. This talk explains this process of alchemy: how greed, hatred and delusion are trnsformed into generosity, loving-kindness and wisdom.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center : Labor Day Retreat

2012-08-30 What Am I Doing Here and Why Am I Doing It? 56:49	Download Listen
How mindfulness practice works on retreat, the benefits that it produces and helpful attitudes that support intensive retreat practice.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center : Labor Day Retreat

2012-08-23 Teaching what we need to learn. 54:56	Download Listen
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley : IMCB Regular Talks

2012-07-19 Stewardship and Intention as Gaia Practices 52:25	Download Listen
This is part 4 of the series 'Appropriate Response at the Tipping Point' that began 6/14. In this talk, James discusses the last two of the five transformational commitments in Bob Doppelt's book From Me to We: 4. Acknowledge your trustee obligations and take responsibility for the continuation of all life 5. Choose your own destiny
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley : IMCB Regular Talks
In collection: Appropriate Response at the Tipping Point

2012-07-10 It's Really Possible! 60:32	Download Listen
To love ourselves, love others unconditionally to let in the love that comes our way, to realize more and more that love is our true nature -- these are tehe gifts of metta practice. With sincere intention and commitment, we can realize these fruits. We have everything we need to do this.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center : Metta Retreat

2012-07-05 Karma and Sila as Gaia Practices 53:57	Download Listen
This is part 3 of the series 'Appropriate Response at the Tipping Point' that began 6/14. In this talk, James discusses the first three of the five transformational commitments in Bob Doppelt's book From Me to We: 1. See the systems you are part of 2. Be accountable for all the consequences of your actions 3. Abide by society’s most deeply held universal principles of morality and justice
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley : IMCB Regular Talks
In collection: Appropriate Response at the Tipping Point

2012-06-28 Seeing the System You Are Part Of 59:40	Download Listen
Sharing a positive vision for the future from Ernest Callenbach’s "Epistle to Ecotopians". We then begin to explore the first of five Dharma principles using systems and sustainability expert Bob Doppelt’s book From Me to We. The ignorance of these principles is what perpetuates the problem and the understanding of them is the key to changing our consciousness and providing a path toward healing the planet. This is part 2 of the series 'Appropriate Response at the Tipping Point' that began June 14.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley : IMCB Regular Talks
In collection: Appropriate Response at the Tipping Point

2012-06-23 What supports Connecting? 1:18:55	Download Listen
with Daniel Ellenberg
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley : IMCB Regular Talks

2012-06-23 Obstacles to Connecting in Relationships 62:33	Download Listen
with Daniel Ellenberg
Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2012-06-23 The Art and Practice of Connection 1:40:40	Download Listen
w/ Daniel Ellenberg
Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2012-06-14 Appropriate Response at the Tipping Point: Concern for the Planet as Dharma Practice 46:36	Download Listen
This is the first of a four-part series inspired by the Spring 2012 issue of Inquiring Mind, entitled 'Earth Now.' In addition to reading this issue, especially the interview with Joanna Macy: Woman on the Edge of Time, James also suggested these readings: Ernest Callenbach’s essay "Epistle to Ecotopians" and Bob Doppelt's book From Me to We: The Five Transformational Commitments Required to Rescue the Planet, Your Organization, and Your Life. The series continues on 6/28, 7/5, and 7/19.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley : IMCB Regular Talks
In collection: Appropriate Response at the Tipping Point

2012-06-14 Appropriate Response at the Tipping Point 3:32:40

Listen to tracks Show 4 Tracks

A four-part series inspired by the Spring 2012 issue of Inquiring Mind, entitled 'Earth Now.'

Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley : IMCB Regular Talks

In collection: One Earth Sangha

2012-06-07 What do the three refuges mean? 51:12	Download Listen
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley : IMCB Regular Talks

2012-05-31 Melting into Love 51:49	Download Listen
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley : IMCB Regular Talks

2012-05-17 How Wonderful to See Defilements in the Mind: Practicing with U Tejaniya 58:09	Download Listen
On his return from a 2-week retreat at IMS in Barre, MA, with Burmese Master Sayadaw U Tejaniya, James shares the essence of U Tejaniya's unique approach to practice and the impact it has on one's life. Teachings by Sayadaw U Tejaniya Retreat at Insight Meditation Society, Barre, MA, April-May 2012 Workshop at Insight Meditation Center, Redwood City, CA, June, 2007 23-points for Right Attitude for Meditation
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley : IMCB Regular Talks

2012-05-12 CDL & DPP Reunion: Talk 4 of 4 30:38	Download Listen
Spirit Rock Meditation Center : CDL & DPP Reunion: May 12th, 2012

2012-05-12 CDL & DPP Reunion: Talk 2 of 4 66:06	Download Listen
Spirit Rock Meditation Center : CDL & DPP Reunion: May 12th, 2012

2012-04-19 Be the Awareness 48:46	Download Listen
When we're not identified with mental or physical phenomena, we can let the pure awareness underlying reality naturally shine through.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley

2012-04-12 It's Already Here 49:13	Download Listen
Freedom is right here, right now, present and available in every moment.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley : IMCB Regular Talks

2012-04-05 When bad things happen to good people. 53:06	Download Listen
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley : IMCB Regular Talks

2012-03-29 Anything can happen at any time. 47:30	Download Listen
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley : IMCB Regular Talks

2012-03-22 Facing in the right direction 39:34	Download Listen
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley : IMCB Regular Talks

2012-03-08 Letting Go of Spiritual Views 52:06	Download Listen
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley : IMCB Regular Talks

2012-03-01 Gifts of Practice 51:11	Download Listen
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley : IMCB Regular Talks

2012-02-27 Contentment 59:02	Download Listen
The Buddha called contentment "the greatest wealth." Contentment, "santutthi" in Pali, supports many other wholesome states including, renunciation, equanimity, peace, gratitude and generosity. We can cultivate contentment on and off the cushion while not being complacent or lazy in our dharma practice.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center : Insight Meditation Retreat, February Month long

2012-02-20 Fear as Practice 60:16	Download Listen
Spirit Rock Meditation Center : Insight Meditation Retreat, February Month long

2012-02-16 Dharma Practice as a Path of Happiness 69:41	Download Listen
Spirit Rock Meditation Center : Insight Meditation Retreat, February Month long

2012-02-13 Comparing Mind 58:48	Download Listen
Spirit Rock Meditation Center : Monday and Wednesday Talks

2012-02-08 This Precious Opportunity 63:24	Download Listen
Suffering can lead to contraction and more suffering or can be a catalyst for awakening. Just why and how some people have the good karma to hear the Dharma and practice is a mysterious blessing and precious opportunity. This talk explores the different temperaments that fuel practice, known as the Four Iddhipadas.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center : Insight Meditation Retreat, February Month long

2012-02-03 The Wise Attitude in Practice: Relaxed, Interested, Kind Awareness 57:28	Download Listen
If we can remember the skillful attitude of relaxation, interest and kind awareness with our experience the practice unfolds naturally and deeply.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center : Insight Meditation Retreat, February Month long

2012-01-26 Amazing Grace 48:48	Download Listen
Suffering is an integral part of life—the First Noble Truth. How is it possible that some people go through suffering and even trauma and, instead of becoming bitter or damaged, use it as a catalyst for deep compassion and awakening? Most people don’t realize they have the choice to work skillfully with regard to the challenges life gives them. This is one of the greatest blessings of practice. Consciously appreciating this blessing brings a deeper connection to practice.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley

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