Dharma Seed - James Baraz's Dharma Talks

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James Baraz's Dharma Talks

James Baraz

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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.

I try to use the formal teachings as a doorway for people to see the truth in themselves. I feel I'm doing my job when people look into themselves to come to their own deep understandings of the truth, access their own inner wisdom and trust in their "Buddha-knowing," as Ajahn Chah called it, which is different from their intellectual knowing.

The Buddha-knowing is a deeper place, underneath the concepts, which is in touch with the truth, with our seed of awakening. I want practitioners to have more and more confidence in, and familiarity with, that deeper place of knowing. It is accessing this dimension of our being that becomes the guide to cutting through the confusion caused by greed and fear. We have everything we need inside ourselves. We do not need to look to a teacher when we remember who we really are.

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2017-09-19 Working With The Judging Mind 63:13	Download Listen
We can easily get lost in our self-judgements, believing them to be true. This talk explains how to work with judgements and see through them to wake up to who we really are.
Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center : Three-Month Retreat - Part 1
In collection: Developing Our Practice

2017-09-17 Morning Instructions - Shifting the focus of attention 45:16	Download Listen
Using breath sensations and sounds. How to turn attention from one to another with ease and attention.
Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center : Three-Month Retreat - Part 1

2017-09-15 Introduction To Metta Practice - Self and Benefactor 50:05	Download Listen
Basics of Metta practice, including the first two categories of Self and Benefactor.
Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center : Three-Month Retreat - Part 1

2017-09-07 "Peaceful Warrior in Modern Times" 52:12	Download Listen
The Buddha spoke of the power of non-harming as a support for inner peace and outward harmony. But how can we both commit to being peaceful while courageously and passionately standing up for what we feel is right and make a difference in the world? This talk includes some of the Buddha's words on peace and non-harming as well as two clips of Julia Butterfly Hill speaking about "Anger v. Love" and "Fierce Compassion".
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley : IMCB Regular Talks

2017-09-03 "Hatred Never Ceases by Hatred" (Retreat Version) (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 60:46	Download Listen
With so much greed and hatred and cruelty in our world, it is easy to react with anger and ill will; but that only adds to the negativity. There is a better way to respond and bring more consciousness to this situation leading to effective action.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center : Labor Day Insight Meditation Retreat

2017-09-02 Day 3 Metta Practice (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 29:29	Download Listen
Spirit Rock Meditation Center : Labor Day Insight Meditation Retreat

2017-09-01 Working With the Judging Mind (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 56:18	Download Listen
We often get lost in our negative judgements about ourselves and how we compare with others. We can work with these mind habits and see them as a catalyst for true compassion.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center : Labor Day Insight Meditation Retreat

2017-08-17 "Hatred Never Ceases by Hatred" 49:12	Download Listen
The Buddha taught: "Hatred never ceases by hatred. Hatred only ceases by love. This is an ancient and eternal law." With tragedies like Charlottesville and the reaction of the president highlighting the forces of hate in our country in these crazy times, how can we avoid giving in to the same reaction within ourselves? How can we acknowledge our repugnance and activated feelings without adding more ill will as we emerge with a wise response? Teachings of Martin Luther King, Jr., Nelson Mandela and the Buddha help us hold this all with a dharmic perspective.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley : IMCB Regular Talks

2017-06-22 "How Liberating to See Clearly-- How Humbling to Still Get Caught." 64:00	Download Listen
In a moment our understanding of reality can change with new information or new perspective. Anger and ill will can be released and turn to compassion and forgiveness. And it's also true that old patterns can be activated once again in a surprising and humbling way. The process of waking up requires tremendous patience and a kind heart, especially towards ourselves.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley : IMCB Regular Talks

2017-06-15 Benefactors: Part 2, Helping Others Shine. 64:51	Download Listen
Description: This is a follow-up to James' "Appreciating Our Benefactors" talk (5-25-17). Besides gratitude for those who've been our benefactors, we can see ourselves as passing on the kindness and caring we've received. We can and do have a significant effect on everyone around us. We can practice seeing the beautiful qualities in others, believing in them and bringing out the best in them. By doing so we help them shine, make a meaningful contribution to the world and experience great joy. This talk also includes some words about James' local basketball team the Golden State Warriors, who just became NBA champions. The coach, Steve Kerr, tries to instill four core qualities in his players--joy, mindfulness, compassion and competition. And the players' unselfish style, subjugating individual glory for the good of the team, is the key to their success. They embody the attitude of bringing out the best and enjoying seeing each other shine.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley : IMCB Regular Talks

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