Donate  |   Contact


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.
     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 ... 16 17 18 19
2020-12-10 Gregory Kramer on his book “A Whole Life Path" a fresh exploration of the 8-Fold Path. 63:42
Download Listen
with Gregory Kramer, James Baraz
Many lay Buddhists struggle to carry the benefits of their studies and meditation practice into their twenty-first-century lives. How might our daily experience of both life and the Buddha’s teachings shift if there were no separation between them? Gregory speaks about the realistic and comprehensive vision that arises when we ask this question: If every moment of my life is Path, then what does each path factor need to cover for this to be true in a grounded, practical way?
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2020-12-03 Three Pillars of Dharma 52:14
Download Listen
This is a continuation of the theme of the process of purification that leads to awakening. An exploration of what Joseph Goldstein calls "Three Pillars of Dharma." These are three spheres that we can cultivate which lead to supportive conditions for us to practice and then realize the fruits of practice. Includes Eve Decker offers a song on the theme.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2020-11-19 Transformation is Possible 50:20
Download Listen
When we start the spiritual journey we see that our mind is filled with unskillful habits of thought, colored by attachment, aversion and confusion. The Buddha described the process of purification that enables us to purify and transform first our outward conduct, then our thoughts and finally our subtle spiritual aspirations. This purification process leads ultimately to full awakening. The talk includes the Buddha's teaching of how this process works through the simile of the "Refinement of Mind."
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2020-11-12 Across the Great Divide: What the Dharma Can Offer for Healing Our Country 52:09
Download Listen
However you feel about the outcome, the presidential election has underscored the polarization that currently exists in our country. As long as each side mistrusts and fears the other, we cannot truly have peace and work together to make this a better society. What does the Dharma offer to help heal this divide? How can our practice support us individually and collectively to open our hearts with compassion and bridge the gulf with those who seem so different from us? How can we create better understanding and cut through "othering" so that each of us can contribute to greater healing rather than more divisiveness?
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2020-11-05 Letting Go of Knowing 50:00
Download Listen
The election and its aftermath has been quite a roller coaster ride. Can we find balance and patience with all feelings that arise while allowing the unfolding to happen in its own time? We explore this theme and offer some practices going through these uncertain times.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2020-10-29 A Time For Equanimity 60:45
Download Listen
We are in a unique moment in time for the United States and the world. How can we stay centered and even cultivate equanimity? Is it possible to hold a positive vision without getting caught in extra anxiety about the outcome? Can we allow for things to unfold as they will while having a clear focus of what we want to help create? Equanimity includes surrendering attachment while being inspired by gratitude, awe and possibility.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2020-10-15 Choosing Earth Pt. 1 with Duane Elgin and Friends 62:34
Download Listen
The second of two talks with wisdom teacher Duane Elgin and friends sharing Elgin's realistic, sobering but ultimately hopeful vision of where we could be heading the next fifty years. His book Choosing Earth: Humanity's Great Transformation to a Mature Planetary Civilization discusses the possibilities that lie ahead and the vision for how we can use this time to wake up as a species. A brief recap of previous talk with additional comments, Then an exploration of how to hold the unfolding from a psychological and Dharma perspective.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2020-10-08 "Choosing Earth" with Duane Elgin and Coleen LeDrew Elgin 64:28
Download Listen
James' special guests are wisdom teacher Duane Elgin (author of the classic Voluntary Simplicity) and his partner, Coleen LeDrew Elgin, share his realistic but hopeful vision of where we could be heading the next fifty years. His new book Choosing Earth: Humanity's Great Transformation to a Mature Planetary Civilization discusses the possibilities that lie ahead and the vision for how we can use this time to wake up as a species.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2020-10-01 Holding a Positive Vision: Part 3 44:48
Download Listen
A third in a series of talks on holding a positive vision. We explore some of the principles on mindful engagement presented in Sharon Salzberg's book Real Change: Mindfulness for Ourselves and the World
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2020-09-24 "Contributing Effectively in Times of Crisis" Part 2 49:55
Download Listen
This week we will continue with Roger Walsh's essay: "Ten Principles to Know to Contribute Strategically". These principles provide a big-picture context for understanding our current dilemmas, unearthing their deepest roots, and revealing the deepest and most effective responses. This is part of a series of talks on the importance of holding a positive vision even through the storm.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2020-09-17 "Contributing Effectively in Times of Crisis" Part 1 53:47
Download Listen
In this time of great chaos and confusion we look at wisdom thinker Roger Walsh's new essay: "Contributing Effectively in Times of Crisis". We start by looking at four crucial questions: 1) What can I do? 2) What do I feel called to contribute? 3) What's the most strategic thing I can do? 4) How can I live my life so as to be an optimal instrument of service? The talk ends with Melanie DeMore singing I'm Sending You Light"
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2020-09-10 Holding a Positive Vision 53:47
Download Listen
It seems like an accomplishment just getting through such tumultuous times--wildfires on the West Coast, storms around the country, coronavirus lockdown and the US in daily chaos. It would be understandable to succumb to anxiety and overwhelm. But as the Buddha taught, practice is about overcoming negative thoughts when they arise and cultivating wholesome thoughts and mind-states. We will explore the importance of holding a positive vision even through the storm.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2020-09-03 The Buddha as a Social Activist. 43:20
Download Listen
Sometimes the teachings seem to suggest a life of withdrawing from the world. But the Buddha himself was an example of engagement and could even be called a political revolutionary. As we try to sort out how to apply the teachings, (including duties of a good ruler) to contemporary issues, it can help to see his teachings in that light.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2020-08-27 Keeping Your Heart Open 57:24
Download Listen
It seems like we're collectively going through an intense initiation in so many ways--the wildfires, the virus, racial injustice, economic collapse and an election fraught with acrimony. The Buddha taught: "Hatred never ceases from hatred. Hatred only ceases from love." How can the teachings support us to skillfully keep our hearts open not only to those suffering but those who, through ignorance, cause suffering as well?
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2020-08-06 Keep Out the Hate, Let in the Love 46:19
Download Listen
How can we prevent succumbing to all the negativity around us--messages of fear, hatred or despair from the media or people in our lives? Can we protect ourselves and process the very real issues facing us while letting ourselves still be nourished by the goodness that's around us?
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2020-07-17 We Are What we Think 54:12
Download Listen
The Buddha taught: "We are what we think. With our thoughts we make the world." We will explore mana or "the conceit of I am" and how we construct a sense of self with our mind. Based on how we see ourselves or how we compare with others, mana or the conceit of “I am” is born. This tendency leads to "The Three Conceits: I am superior, I am inferior, I am equal to." If we're not mindful, we then erroneously proceed to make a permanent, solid entity of self. We explore how not seeing this clearly creates suffering and how we can free ourselves of this self-constructed suffering.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley :  IMCB Regular Talks
2020-07-10 How Not to Be a Hot Mess 63:15
Download Listen
with Craig Hase, Devon Hase, Eve Decker, James Baraz
Devon and Craig Hase join James in sharing about their new book How Not to Be a Hot Mess: A Survival Guide for Modern Life. The book offers a playful exploration of living a life of Integrity based on the teachings of the Buddha. Devon and Craig lead meditation retreats throughout North America and Europe. Devon teaches at the Insight Meditation Society and Spirit Rock. Craig spent six years in a Zen monastery and teaches mindfulness meditation, and dharma full time.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley :  IMCB Regular Talks
2020-07-03 Applying Early Buddhist Perspective to Contemporary Issues 55:09
Download Listen
Ven. Bhikkhu Analayo has just written an essay exploring how the early Buddhist perspective shows that diversity work can become an integral part of the Buddhist path of practice. We will explore some of Ven. Analayo's ideas and see how we can apply them in our own practice. We'll also touch a recent article by Bhikkhu Bodhi, another esteemed Buddhist scholar, entitled "From Tragedy to Hope: Reflections on the Killing of George Floyd".
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley :  IMCB Regular Talks
2020-06-18 Racism and White Privilege - Part 3: Working with Guilt and Shame 52:18
Download Listen
The Buddha spoke of hiri and ottappa (Shame and Dread) as "The Guardians of the World." These are considered two wholesome states as they can prevent us from engaging in unskillful actions. But guilt and shame associated with internalized racism can paralyze us or put up walls of resistance. This is especially true if we take those feelings personally and blame ourselves for the cultural conditioning we're shaped by. How can we work skillfully with those natural and understandable reactions?
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley :  IMCB Regular Talks
2020-06-11 Racism and White Privilege with Special Guest Deb Kerr - Part 2 57:13
Download Listen
We will continue our exploration of Racial Justice and White Privilege with Deb Kerr. who led us in a rich discussion last week. Deb is a core teacher at East Bay Meditation Center where she is a co-founder of EBMC and has served on the EBMC Board. Deb will offer teachings on how educating ourselves about race relates to and is an extension of dharma practice and how it connects the dots to the larger picture of systemic change.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley :  IMCB Regular Talks
2020-06-04 Exploring Racial Injustice and White Privilege 64:09
Download Listen
In the aftermath of the George Floyd tragedy and the protests that followed the community explores Racial Injustice and White Privilege. Special guest Deb Kerr, who is a Core Teacher of East Bay Meditation Center in Oakland. DE, who is one of EMBC's founders and has served on the EBMC Board has led White Privilege groups there.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley :  IMCB Regular Talks
2020-05-26 Tuesday Morning Dharmette and Instructions (Online Retreat at Spirit Rock) 47:36
Download Listen
Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  The Magic of Awareness - Online
2020-05-24 Transforming Suffering Into Happiness (Online Retreat at Spirit Rock) 60:15
Download Listen
Every momnet of mindfulness we are planting seeds of non-greed, non-hatred and non-delusion the basis of true happiness. This talk explores how that works and the bigger implication for our lives.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  The Magic of Awareness - Online
2020-05-24 Sunday Morning Dharmette and Instructions (Online Retreat at Spirit Rock) 49:17
Download Listen
Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  The Magic of Awareness - Online
2020-05-22 Friday Morning Dharmette and Instruction (Online Retreat at Spirit Rock) 48:13
Download Listen
Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  The Magic of Awareness - Online
2020-05-21 Creating a Life of Integrity: In Conversation with Joseph Goldstein 64:29
Download Listen
James invited Gail Stark to join him as his guest. Gail shares what it was like to spend 10 months practicing the 10 Paramis or Perfections under Joseph Goldstein’s guidance. Her new book, Creating a Life of Integrity: In Conversation with Joseph Goldstein, is a wonderful exploration of what it means to truly bring practice into your daily life guided by Joseph Goldstein, the ultimate Dharma coach.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley :  IMCB Regular Talks
2020-05-21 5 Spiritual Faculties: How the Practice Enfolds (Online Retreat at Spirit Rock) 63:11
Download Listen
Meditation and Dharma practice can be understood as a natural process of developing five qualities starting with Faith/Trust and culminating in Wisdom. This talk describes how that process unfolds.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  The Magic of Awareness - Online
2020-05-09 Loss, Grief and Death: Impermanence in Pandemic Times 56:25
Download Listen
The Buddha said to reflect each day on the facts of old age, sickness and death. He also said to to come to terms with the fact that everything and everyone near and dear to us will be separated from us. In these Covid-19 days our practice becomes letting go of what was and adjust to a new way of being. This practice of impermanence includes opening to loss, grief and death which is explored in this talk.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley :  IMCB Regular Talks
2020-04-30 Your Practice as a Gift to Others (Online Retreat at Spirit Rock) 44:49
Download Listen
Our own centeredness and kind awareness becomes one the greatest gifts we can offer others who are in distress. Without fixing or changing our compassionate presence is healing and a source of our own inner well-being, especially when we do't identify with being "the helper".
Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Centering: The Gift to Ourselves and Others - Online
2020-04-29 Wednesday Morning Instructions (Online Retreat at Spirit Rock) 47:00
Download Listen
Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Centering: The Gift to Ourselves and Others - Online
2020-04-28 Finding Your Center (Online Retreat at Spirit Rock) 47:22
Download Listen
How can we find balance in the times of great distress? The process of first connecting with out experience, then holding what's here and finally accessing that place of peace and spacious awareness that can hold it all are discussed. Practices to help find our center are offered.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Centering: The Gift to Ourselves and Others - Online
2020-04-17 The Profound Implications of Interconnectedness 41:44
Download Listen
"Talk for Pandemic Reality"
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley :  IMCB Regular Talks
2020-04-17 Finding Refuge 29:33
Download Listen
"Talk for Pandemic Reality"
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley :  Dharma and Yoga Training Program 2020
2020-04-17 Fear or Love: We Have a Choice 33:18
Download Listen
"Talk for Pandemic Reality"
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley :  IMCB Regular Talks
2020-04-16 Calling All Bodhisattvas 66:10
Download Listen
"Talk for Pandemic Reality" Including Jack Kornfield's "The Bodhisattva Responds to the Virus"
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley :  IMCB Regular Talks
2020-03-05 Skillful Letting Go Practice for Intense Times 49:08
Download Listen
In times of uncertainty and tension--whether a potential global pandemic, the climate crisis, high stakes election--it's easy for apprehension to become anxiety as we constantly are worried about what's to come. This talk explores how skillful letting go practices can help us maintain our centeredness while still being engaged.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2020-02-23 You Are Loving Awareness (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 63:27
Download Listen
Mindful awareness creates spaciousness for love to naturally shine through -- your true nature. The talk includes reminisces of Ram Dass, major benefactor of the insight meditation community, who passed away Dec. 2019 and whose practice was "I am loving awareness."
Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  February Monthlong
2020-02-21 Day 20 Afternoon Instructions: Mudita (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 50:01
Download Listen
Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  February Monthlong
2020-02-16 Dukkha as a Path to Awakening (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 59:53
Download Listen
Dukkha is an inevitable part of life, the 1st Noble Truth. How we meet it and work with it is a key issue of practice. If understood, it can be a doorway to liberation.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  February Monthlong
2020-02-16 Day 15 Morning Instructions: Big Mind (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 48:23
Download Listen
All experience arises and passed in the vast space of awareness. This meditation, adapted from Tibetan text, directs attention to awareness itself rather than the objects within the awareness.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  February Monthlong
2020-02-09 Practice as a Path of Happiness (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 60:47
Download Listen
Sometimes we can misunderstand practice as mainly overcoming suffering. The Buddha spoke of cultivating and increasing wholesome states and being mindful of the "gladness of the wholesome."
Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  February Monthlong
2020-02-09 Day 8 Morning Instructions: Choiceless Awareness (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 59:26
Download Listen
Guided meditation letting go of the primary object and allowing receiving each moment as it presents itself.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  February Monthlong
2020-02-07 Day Six Afternoon Instructions: Brahma Viharas - Forgiveness & Metta for Self (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 45:34
Download Listen
A guided meditation directing forgiveness & metta toward our body, mind & heart
Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  February Monthlong
2020-02-04 Day Three Morning Instructions (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 54:22
Download Listen
A guided meditation refining awareness of breath to deepen concentration.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  February Monthlong
2020-02-03 Five Spiritual Faculties (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 61:50
Download Listen
The Five 'Spiritual Faculties describe the unfolding of our practice. From Faith through Wise Effort, cultivating Mindfulness, deepening Concentration, flowering as Wisdom.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  February Monthlong
2020-01-30 The Quarrel at Kosambi 44:16
Download Listen
Telling of the story of the quarrel at Kosambi as well as discussions around the importance of community and how to make community stronger
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley :  IMCB Regular Talks
2020-01-03 Reflections on the Buddha's Teaching on Intention 57:50
Download Listen
As we start the New Year we explore Wise Intention, the basis of all karma and the second link of the 8-Fold Path. Clarifying your Intention is different from making a New Year's Resolution or going for a goal. It's what gives energy and power to our vision for practice.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley :  IMCB Regular Talks
2019-12-26 Honoring Ram Dass and End of Year Reflections 65:12
Download Listen
At the end of the year, we reflect on endings and new beginnings. James offers some reflections on Ram Dass, beloved teacher and mentor, who passed away on Sunday, December 22. Then the community shares an end of year ceremony for increasing wholesome states and weakening unwholesome states.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley :  IMCB Regular Talks
2019-12-05 Just Another Ego Trip 46:16
Download Listen
Sometimes our shyness or concern about what others think keeps us from expressing our gifts and making as meaningful a contribution as we can. In seeing through the constructed sense of self—the understanding of Anatta—those thoughts lose their power and don’t get in the way of expressing our true nature.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley :  IMCB Regular Talks
2019-11-03 Cultivating Courage: Fearlessly Standing in Truth 6:19:02
Download Listen
Spirit Rock Meditation Center

     1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 ... 16 17 18 19
Creative Commons License Content on this site is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Dharma Seed is a 501(c)(3) Non-profit organization. email: contact@dharmaseed.org