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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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2009-01-12 Learning To Open To Experience 62:07
A central attitude of dharma practice is learning to open to experience instead of the typical contraction of grasping at pleasant or aversion towards unpleasant. Qualitites of opening include forgiveness, patience, sense of humor, presence and loving kindness are explored.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Monday and Wednesday Talks
2009-01-08 Emotional Awareness 53:28
An introduction to next week's (1-15-08) guest Paul Ekman, psychologist, leading expert on human emotions and facial expressions and co-author with the Dalai Lama on the recent book Emotional Awareness
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2008-12-18 James' Son, Adam's, First Dharma Talk 57:34
Reflections on the 3 months Adam has just spent sitting at IMS.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2008-12-03 Getting Unhooked 55:36
Smaller footprints
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2008-11-20 Anapanasti 55:30
Mindfulness of breathing
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2008-11-13 Making A Difference Together: Deepening Sangha Bonds 55:34
A discussion with community member Janet Keyes about a proposal to create a community support network with the intention of helping the IMCB sangha grow in caring and connection. The evening includes an invitation to attend an introductory meeting to help identify priorities and move forward in creating a more caring community. The talk also includes James reading a moving letter from Barack Obama to a 4-year old girl.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2008-11-06 Change 54:34
James Baraz talks about the stunning changes that have already taken place with the election of Barack Obama.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2008-10-23 Bodhisattva's Way Of Life #9: Dedication Of Merit 55:46
This week I will complete the Shantideva series with his final chapter on the power of dedicating your actions as an act of generosity. We often end the sittings or a period of practice by sharing any merit for the benefit of all beings. This practice can be used in very simple but potent ways as a method for brining a heartfelt sincerity to your practice for the benefit of specific individuals. For instance if you’re trying to change a habit, offering the merit of that wholesome change to someone who is having a hard time in their life. This practice of dedicating merit both connects you with others and motivates you beyond mere self-improvement. We’ll be exploring just how this can work in our daily life to give energy and enthusiasm to our practice.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2008-10-13 Samsara -The Wheel Of Birth And Death 55:55
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2008-09-18 Bodhisattva's Way Of Life #7: Enthusiasm, Zeal Or Heroic Perseverance 52:18
This week we will continue with our series on Shantideva’s Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life. The next chapter is on Enthusiasm, Zeal or Heroic Perseverance. What keeps us inspired to practice? How can we counter-act the three causes for laziness? What are the three inspiring causes for happiness? What’s the difference between negative and positive pride? What are the four powers that can fuel our practice?
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2008-09-11 Bodhisattva's Way Of Life #6: Working With Anger 53:32
This talk is continuing our series with Chapter 6 of Shantideva’s Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life. The theme is “Working with Anger” specifically cultivating Patience.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2008-09-04 Bodhisattva's Way Of Life #5: Not Causing Harm, Gathering Virtue, And Benefiting Others 47:10
The talk is about the next chapter 5 of Shantideva's Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life. This chapter is about the three disciplines: not causing harm, gathering virtue, and benefiting others. The title is translated has been translated as Vigilant Introspection or Guarding Alertness.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2008-08-28 Bodhisattva's Way Of Life - part 4: Using Our Intelligence 53:55
The chapter we'll be exploring is Awareness, what Pema Chodron calls Using Our Intelligence. It has also been translated as Carefulness. The theme is how we can use wise attention to prevent us from getting caught in afflictive emotions (kilesas or kleshas). Even when we know better we may still find ourselves going down a road of action we will later regret. This chapter is how as bodhisattvas we deepen our commitment to refrain from unskillful action.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2008-08-14 Bodhisattva's Way Of Life - part 3: What Are We Committing To? 47:03
Part 3 of Shantideva’s Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life. Commitment. Just what are we committing to when we decide to become bodhisattvas. One stanza from this chapter is as follows: “For all those ailing in the world, Until every sickness has been healed, May I myself become for them The doctor nurse, the medicine itself.”
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2008-08-07 Bodhisattva's Way Of Life - part 2: Preparing The Ground 56:57
This is the second chapter of Shantideva's "Bodhisattva's Way of Life" and discusses the importance of developing an attitude of reverence and devotion as well as purifying our past actions in order to plant the seed of awakening in fertile soil. We’ll be discussing not only the ideas but ways to incorporate them in your dharma practice.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2008-07-31 Bodhisattva's Way Of Life - part 1: Benefits Of Bodhicitta 59:54
I just received teachings with the Dalai Lama last week on the topic, I'm going to start a series on Shantideva's Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life. This is one of the Dalai Lama's central teachings. As he says, "If I have any understanding of compassion and the practice of the bodhisattva path, it is entirely on the basis of this text that I possess it."
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2008-07-03 Why Do Intensive Retreat Practice? 55:52
Why would you do a silent meditation retreat? This talk explores the value and experience of silent retreat practice. Along with James, Kate Janke, who returned from sitting a month at the Forest Refuge in Barre, Massachusetts, a few days before this was recorded, shares her thoughts and personal experience of retreat practice.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2008-06-28 Happiness: Not Forgetting The Gladness Of Heart In Practice 58:06
Abhayagiri Monastery
2008-06-28 Happiness: Not Forgetting The Gladness Of Heart In Practice 1:11:21
Abhayagiri Monastery
2008-06-23 Beyond Belief 61:58
With our thoughts we make the world,"says the Buddha. What limiting beliefs do you have about yourself and practice? What would it be like if you were not constrained by them. This talk also explores the different temperaments that people bring to practice, seeing there is no one right personality style that is required for awakening.
Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge June 2008 at IMS - Forest Refuge
2008-06-16 Trusting Your Buddha Knowing 61:46
The source of our awakening is right inside us. As we learn to listen deeply to the wisdom and purity of heart that is connected to the truth we are following the Buddha's instructions to be "be a lamp unto yourself."
Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge June 2008 at IMS - Forest Refuge
2008-06-09 Faith And Devotion 69:31
Practice is more than a mere dry analysis of reality. A heartfelt spirit in practice not only give us enthusiasm and confidence but can flowers as deep devotion to the Dharma.
Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge June 2008 at IMS - Forest Refuge
2008-06-02 The Power Of Intention 60:34
Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge June 2008 at IMS - Forest Refuge
2008-05-22 Buddhadharma As A Path Of Happiness - part 10: The Ease Of Being 52:33
This is number ten in a ten-part series on Buddhadharma as a Path of Happiness. This series covers the ten principles discussed in James' Awakening Joy Course from a dharma perspective.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2008-05-15 Buddhadharma As A Path Of Happiness - part 9: The Mystery Of Connection 50:36
This is number six in a ten-part series on Buddhadharma as a Path of Happiness. This series covers the ten principles discussed in James' Awakening Joy Course from a dharma perspective. James's dog "Pal" died this week.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2008-05-07 Buddhadharma As A Path Of Happiness - part 8: How Compassion Awakens Joy (includes reflections on the cyclone in Burma) 49:05
This is number eight in a ten-part series on Buddhadharma as a Path of Happiness. This series covers the ten principles discussed in James' Awakening Joy Course from a dharma perspective.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2008-05-01 Buddhadharma As A Path Of Happiness - part 7: Lovingkindness Toward Ourselves 58:16
This is number seven in a ten-part series on Buddhadharma as a Path of Happiness. This series covers the ten principles discussed in James' Awakening Joy Course from a dharma perspective.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2008-04-24 Buddhadharma As A Path Of Happiness - part 6: Letting Go 55:06
This is number six in a ten-part series on Buddhadharma as a Path of Happiness. This series covers the ten principles discussed in James' Awakening Joy Course from a dharma perspective. www.AwakeningJoy.net
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2008-04-10 Buddhadharma As A Path Of Happiness - part 4: Gratitude 52:02
This is number four in a ten-part series on Buddhadharma as a Path of Happiness. This series covers the ten principles discussed in James' Awakening Joy Course from a dharma perspective.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2008-03-27 Buddhadharma As A Path Of Happiness - part 3: Opening To Suffering 52:13
This is the third of a series based on cultivating the wholesome states that I share in my Awakening Joy Class. This first week we’ll explore the theme of Opening to Suffering.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2008-03-20 Buddhadharma As A Path Of Happiness - part 2: Mindfulness 54:47
This is the second of a series based on cultivating the wholesome states that I share in my Awakening Joy Class. This first week we’ll explore the theme of Mindfulness as a path for well-being. We will share some practical exercises to use in daily life as well as understand why mindfulness is called by the Buddha “the most direct way to overcome sorrow and despair and realize the highest happiness.”
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2008-03-13 Buddhadharma As A Path Of Happiness - part 1: Intention 56:51
This is the first of a series based on cultivating the wholesome states that I share in my Awakening Joy Class. I intend to explore these principles from a more traditional Buddhist perspective and show how they reveal Buddhadharma as a path of happiness. I’ll be suggesting techniques that can be practiced in daily life in addition to formal meditation. This first week we’ll explore the theme of Intention. “Intending is karma,” said the Buddha. Through intention we create our reality. The clearer we are on our intention, the greater influence we have on the direction of our lives.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2008-03-06 I Know I'm Stuck And I Still Can't Get Out! 56:08
Mindfulness practice helps us see clearly how we’re creating suffering for ourselves with our insecurities, self-judgments, judgments of others or other conditioned reactions. But often seeing these isn’t enough to release their hold on us. In fact, sometimes it’s more frustrating to see them but still feel as stuck as ever. We’ll explore how to work with this predicament wisely so we 1) don’t have to be at the mercy of our lofty ideals of good practice can use some simple but effective methods for moving to a greater place of well-being.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2008-02-14 Buddhist Master Series: Ajahn Jumnien 53:48
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2008-02-07 Buddhist Master Series: Ajahn Dhammadharo 55:31
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2008-01-31 Buddhist Master Series: U Ba Khin 57:05
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2008-01-24 Buddhist Master Series: Mogok Sayadaw 54:32
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2008-01-10 Buddhist Master Series: Taungpulu Sayadaw 51:49
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2007-12-13 Buddhist Master Series: Ajahn Naeb 50:52
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2007-12-07 Devotional Practice 1:53:34
Spirit Rock Meditation Center CDL DPP Reunion Retreat
2007-11-29 Buddhist Master Series: Ajahn Buddhadasa 55:21
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2007-11-15 Buddhist Master Series: Sunlun Sayadaw 53:59
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2007-11-08 Buddhist Master Series: Mahasi Sayadaw & Noteing 55:01
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2007-11-01 Buddhist Master Series: Ajahn Chah 2:10
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2007-07-19 "Calling All Bodhisattvas" 58:39
We are not practicing for ourselves alone. Everyone benefits from the fruits of our practice. This talk explores how to actively and skillfully express our compassion, held with equanimity, in the world.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Metta Retreat
2007-07-16 Forgiveness 59:10
Forgiveness is an essential part of Metta practice so that the heart can stay open and the kindness flows out easily. In this talk forgiveness toward ourselves, asking and extending forgiveness with others and forgiveness towards life are explored.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Metta Retreat
2007-07-12 Reflections On Power 55:31
This is a reflection stemming from the "Money, Sex, & Power" issue of the Inquiring Mind.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2007-07-05 Reflections On Sexuality 50:39
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2007-06-28 Reflections On Money 46:42
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2007-02-13 Spiritual Passion 52:02
Passion for practice fuels our effort. There are different sources of spiritual passion (four Iddhipadas) that correspond to different temperaments: zeal, effort, love of the Dharma and urgency.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center

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