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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.
2012-04-12 It's Already Here 49:13
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
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2012-03-29 Anything can happen at any time. 47:30
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2012-03-22 Facing in the right direction 39:34
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2012-03-08 Letting Go of Spiritual Views 52:06
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2012-03-01 Gifts of Practice 51:11
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2012-02-27 Contentment 59:02
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
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Insight Meditation Retreat, February Month long
2012-02-16 Dharma Practice as a Path of Happiness 69:41
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Insight Meditation Retreat, February Month long
2012-02-13 Comparing Mind 58:48
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Monday and Wednesday Talks
2012-02-08 This Precious Opportunity 63:24
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
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
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
2012-01-19 Embracing Resistance 35:46
When things don’t go the way we hoped, resistance is often a natural response. A key element in our practice is how we respond to that resistance. Of course accepting things as they are is an essential part of our practice. This includes accepting the resistance. But an even more powerful practice is actually embracing the resistance so that it becomes a direct doorway to freedom.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2012-01-12 The Honeyball Sutta: The Source of Our Confusion and the Way Out 57:10
In this discourse the Buddha explains how we get lost in our stories through papanca or proliferation of thought. The talk focuses on how papanca works in our lives and how we can work with it to free ourselves of confusion.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2011-12-15 Cultivating a Bodhisattva Heart 55:06
We don’t have to wait to take Bodhisattva vows to practice the Bodhisattva attitude of being there for another’s suffering. In this talk we explore principles and practices to cultivate compassion—the heart of the Bodhisattva ideal—including 1) developing a caring heart towards those we may not feel an affinity and 2) holding the pain we feel at another’s suffering with wise discernment.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2011-12-08 Seeing Beyond Appearances 47:44
Bay Area musician, composer and dharma student Ben Rivers speaks about what it’s like to live with severe disability from Parkinson's and Lyme diseases. He shares about his life as we explore seeing beyond appearances, relating to someone who seems different as not so different, with their own unique gifts and challenges.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2011-12-01 Balancing Contentment With Aliveness 48:39
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2011-11-17 The Buddha's Discourse on Blessings 49:53
Not missing all the goodness and blessings in our life as an aid to true well being and happiness. The talk is based on the Buddha's Mangalam Sutta, which is also known as the Discourse on Blessings
.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2011-11-10 From Cynicism to Love 42:08
When our hopes for a better world or better personal life are dashed, we can become cynical and begin to assume that forces of greed and hatred will win out over forces of consciousness and love. How can we keep our hearts open in the face of personal and societal disappointment?
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2011-10-27 The Race between Ignorance and Consciousness: Good or Bad News?” 53:31
James reviews a number of things that are right with the world.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2011-10-20 Contentment: The Peace of Not Wanting What You Don’t Have 67:04
The experience of contentment is the true happiness available through letting go and seeing our experience complete just as it is. Nothing needs to be added or taken away. This talk explores inner contentment, the state of “abundant enoughness”, while distinguishing it from complacency, laziness or just being resigned to the way things are. We can be inspired by a vision of awakening, develop our gifts and make a contribution, while we appreciate things just as they are in the moment.
Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center Three-Month Retreat - Part 1
2011-10-12 Trusting Your Buddha-Knowing 59:55
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 a lamp unto yourself.” This talk includes the Buddha’s five methods for dealing with distracting thoughts and how to discern the voice of wisdom from the voices of confusion and fear.
Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center Three-Month Retreat - Part 1
2011-10-06 Awakening Joy: Dharma Practice as a Path of Happiness: Part 2 62:01
This talk continues the exploration of how the practice cultivates happiness and joy. Five wholesome states that support true well-being are investigated including practices that help us access them.
Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center Three-Month Retreat - Part 1
2011-10-05 Awakening Joy: Dharma Practice as a Path of Happiness 64:59
Please note that first three minutes of the recording are silent.
Cambridge Insight Meditation Center
2011-09-30 Awakening Joy: Dharma Practice as a Path of Happiness: Part 1 64:23
The Buddha was called The Happy One. With the emphasis on suffering, its cause and it’s end, we can forget that this path is really a path of cultivating true happiness. In this talk we look at three principles of the teaching that can be the foundation for true well-being and how it can be cultivated both on and off the cushion.
Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center Three-Month Retreat - Part 1
2011-09-21 The Power Of Intention 62:59
Intention is the basis of all karma. It is also a key aspect of dharma practice, both in moment to moment experience as well as our aspiration, vision that fuels our practice.
Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center Three-Month Retreat - Part 1
2011-09-14 The Comparing Mind 60:01
The tendency to compare ourselves to others or against some idealized standards is the cause of much suffering. This self-judgement is based on what the Buddha called "the conceit of I am". This talk explores how to work skillfully with the judging and comparing mind.
Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center Three-Month Retreat - Part 1
2011-09-08 The Shorter Discourse on Ways of Undertaking Things 52:43
The Buddha says: There are 4 ways of undertaking things. There is a way undertaking things that is pleasant now and ripens in the future as pain. There is a way undertaking things that is painful now and ripens in the future as pain. There is a way undertaking things that is painful now and ripens in the furter as pleasure. There is a way undertaking things that is pleansont now and ripens in the future as pleasure.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2011-09-04 Awakening Joy: The Buddhist Path to Happiness 64:21
Using the Buddha's teachings on cultivating wholesome states to awaken our innate capacity for well-being.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Labor Day Insight Meditation Retreat
2011-09-01 The Essence of Practice: Relaxed, Interested, Kind Awareness 57:28
This talk addresses what we're doing in practice, why we're doing it and the attitudes that most support the unfolding.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Labor Day Insight Meditation Retreat
2011-08-25 The Advantages of Spiritual Friendship 37:27
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2011-07-22 Bringing Metta into the World 1:15:24
Closing talk with all teachers.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Metta Retreat
2011-07-19 Mudita 47:17
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Metta Retreat
2011-07-19 Metta Instructions: The Neutral Person 50:25
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Metta Retreat
2011-07-18 Whose Love is it Anyway? 57:37
Although metta practice can seem dualistic (me sending love to others) it is really an anatta practice that reveals the selfless nature of reality. The love that connects us isn't owned by anyone. This talk includes two guided meditations: 1) metta towards self and 2) seeing ourselves as part of a lineage of benefactors-the love and caring we receive from others passing through us to those we care about and support.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Metta Retreat
2011-07-14 Life Coming Together As You 51:55
The teaching of Anatta (not self) points to the fact that from the perspective of ultimate reality we are not separate entities to whom life happens. All the people in our life who’ve inspired and impacted us live through us even after they are gone. And we in turn impact the lives of many others and live through them. This talk includes a guided practice to understand anatta from this perspective—that the love we’ve received from others and pass on doesn’t belong to any of us.

James dedicated this talk to his father Arnold, who would have been 93 today; it begins with a moving reminiscence of their relationship.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2011-07-07 You Have a Choice 49:35
We each have our own unique journey. While there are as many different possibilities as there are people, we have a choice whether to go through life as a heavy assignment or as an extraordinary adventure of awakening. If we're fortunate enough to discover a spiritual path that supports the latter, we want to make the most of our opportunity.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2011-06-16 Shifting the Focus: From In Here to Out There 57:55
It’s very easy to get trapped in the web of “selfing” which is the one step from self-consciousness. How can we shift the focus so that our interactions with others opens us to true connection?
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2011-06-07 One Earth Sangha 40:24:32
with Ayya Anandabodhi, Ayya Santacitta, Ayya Santussika, Bob Doppelt, Catherine McGee, Chas DiCapua, David Loy, Donald Rothberg, Jack Kornfield, James Baraz, Joanna Macy, Malcolm Margolin, Margarita Loinaz, Mark Coleman, Nina Wise, Paul Hawken, Rob Burbea, Sayadaw Vivekananda, Tara Brach, Thanissara, Various, Wes Nisker
One Earth Sangha is oriented toward Buddhist and mindfulness practitioners seeking dharma, practices and community around care for the Earth. See their website here: One Earth Sangha
2011-06-02 Atammayatta: The Last Word and Final Sword of Buddhism 49:20
The Buddhist concept of Atammayata or "unconcoctibility" literally means "not made of that." The revered 20th Century master Ajahn Buddhadasa called this principle, "the last word and final sword of Buddhism."
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2011-05-21 The Joy of No Self, with Anam Thubten Rinpoche - Part 3 55:24
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2011-05-21 The Joy of No Self, with Anam Thubten Rinpoche - Part 2 40:13
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2011-05-21 The Joy of No Self, with Anam Thubten Rinpoche - Part 1 62:33
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2011-05-19 Embodying Passion Through Expression 53:52
There is a certain aliveness that comes when we speak honestly in a vulnerable, yet clear communication. It aligns us with our truth and we become authentic and wisely powerful. But it's often not easy to do that. I've based this talk on my son Adam's final thesis from Naropa University where he recently graduated with a B.A. in somatic and contemplative psychology. I was quite impressed and moved by it. It made me think. I wanted to share it as we explore Wise Speech together.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2011-04-28 7. Equanimity (upekkha) 54:04
Seventh and final talk in an 8-week series on the 7 Factors of Awakening that began with an overview on March 10, 2011.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2011-04-21 6. Concentration (samadhi) 51:57
Sixth talk in an 8-week series on the 7 Factors of Awakening that began with an overview on March 10, 2011.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2011-04-18 Bringing Practice Into Daily Life 0:10
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2011-04-14 5. Calm/tranquility (passaddhi) 51:28
Fifth talk in an 8-week series on the 7 Factors of Awakening that began with an overview on March 10, 2011.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2011-04-07 4. Joy/rapture (piti) 50:23
Fifth talk in an 8-week series on the 7 Factors of Awakening that began with an overview on March 10, 2011.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2011-03-31 3. Energy/effort (viriya) 55:33
Fourth talk in an 8-week series on the 7 Factors of Awakening that began with an overview on March 10, 2011.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2011-03-24 2. Interest/investigation (dhamma vicaya) 56:36
Third talk in an 8-week series on the 7 Factors of Awakening that began with an overview on March 10, 2011.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2011-03-17 1. Mindfulness (sati) 51:30
Second talk in an 8-week series on the 7 Factors of Awakening that began with an overview March 10. James highly recommended the booklet The Power of Mindfulness by Nyanaponika Thera as a precise and concise guide for "tidying the mental household."

The talk ends with a homework assignment for the week.

Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2011-03-10 Overview of the 7 Factors of Awakening 55:53
The 7 Factors of Awakening are the Buddha’s list of qualities that need to be developed in order to fully awaken. This eight-week series begins with an overview of all 7 Factors followed by a discussion of each individually in greater depth over the coming weeks. Besides exploring them theoretically, James encourages us to take them on as practices as we go through the weeks seeing how we can consciously cultivate them and bring them into our daily lives. The seven factors are:
  1. Mindfulness
  2. Interest/investigation
  3. Energy/effort
  4. Joy/rapture
  5. Calm/tranquility
  6. Concentration
  7. Equanimity
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2011-03-02 Opening to the Moment 61:49
Open9ing to the moment and being with things as they are is easier said than done. This talk explores what gets in the way and the qualities and attitudes that support opening to the moment including forgiveness, patience, contentment and a sense of humor.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center February Monthlong Insight Retreat
2011-02-25 Working with Thoughts & Skillful Discernment 56:42
Spirit Rock Meditation Center February Monthlong Insight Retreat
2011-02-21 The Joy of Wholesome States 61:04
How the practice is a path of real happiness through cultivating wholesome states and being present for them.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center February Monthlong Insight Retreat
2011-02-17 Working with the Judging Mind 64:30
A reflection on the comparing and judging mind highlighted with stories and readings. Includes a useful practice based on a quote from the 3rd Zen Patriarch: "The burdensome practice of judging brings annoyance and weariness." The evening ends with a brief discussion with the sangha. This talk was also given at the February 2011 month-long retreat at Spirit Rock: Working with the Judging Mind

Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2011-02-15 Working with the Judging Mind 56:07
Spirit Rock Meditation Center February Monthlong Insight Retreat
2011-02-10 Humility and Confidence 57:37
How being humbled can deepen our capacity to open to all of our experience and strengthen our confidence and trust.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center February Monthlong Insight Retreat
2011-02-03 Enlightenment Part 4 52:07
James continues his series on Enlightenment by exploring the Path of Devotion or Bhakti path as a vehicle for awakening.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2011-01-30 Kalyana Mitta / Dharma Friends Facilitators Workshop: Part 1 of 3 1:31
Workshop for current and potential Kalyana Mitta / Dharma Friends facilitators or hosts.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Kalyana Mitta / Dharma Friends Facilitators Workshop at the Berkeley Buddhist Monastery.
2011-01-30 Kalyana Mitta / Dharma Friends Facilitators Workshop: Part 2 of 3 1:28:51
Workshop for current and potential Kalyana Mitta / Dharma Friends facilitators or hosts.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Kalyana Mitta / Dharma Friends Facilitators Workshop at the Berkeley Buddhist Monastery.
2011-01-30 Kalyana Mitta / Dharma Friends Facilitators Workshop: Part 3 of 3 29:31
Workshop for current or potential Kalyana Mitta / Dharma Friends facilitators or hosts.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Kalyana Mitta / Dharma Friends Facilitators Workshop at the Berkeley Buddhist Monastery.
2011-01-27 Enlightenment Part 3 54:43
A presentation of non-Buddhist perspectives on enlightenment through stories and quotes of Advaita (non-dualistic) teachers such as Ramana Maharshi, Poonjaji, Eckhart Tolle, and Adyahshanti. The talk ends with a brief guided meditation.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2011-01-20 Enlightenment Part 2. 54:15
Enlightenment: It's already here...and right now.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2011-01-17 Discussion with Mirka Knaster, author of "Living This Life Fully: Stories And Teachings of MUNINDRA" 64:45
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Monday and Wednesday Talks
2011-01-13 Enlightenment Part 1. 54:22
The classic Theravadin meditative path to freedom, including progress of insight and stages of enlightenment.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2011-01-06 What really matters 54:52
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2010-11-18 Reflections on Bhikkhunis 51:27
James examines some of the recent history surrounding Bhikkhunis and Western Buddhist practice.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2010-10-24 The Joy of Letting Go, part 2 1:17:06
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2010-10-24 The Joy of Letting Go, part 1 48:19
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2010-10-23 The Hard Things That Open The Heart 34:51
Opening AM Session
Spirit Rock Meditation Center
2010-10-21 The Big E. What does it mean to you? 50:25
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2010-09-23 Compassion is a verb 30:21
Caring for the earth 10/10/10
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2010-09-16 How We Hold Ourselves with Others 45:45
The ability to let go of the past and to forgive depends on how we hold ourselves with others. This talk explores how we affect others and how we can move to a greater connection.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2010-09-09 Personal and Global Responsibility 46:04
Personal and Global Responsibility
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2010-09-05 Trusting Your Buddha Knowing 59:45
Working with thoughts including the Buddha's methods for dealing with distracting thoughts. How to discern the voice of wisdom from the voices of confusion and fear.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Labor Day Retreat
2010-09-02 Relaxed Interested Kind Awareness 56:04
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Labor Day Retreat
2010-07-29 The Secret Ingredient for Equanimity 49:51
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2010-07-20 Awakening Joy and Mudita 59:04
How the metta practice awakens happiness and well-being, including the mudita practice of sympathetic joy.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Metta Retreat
2010-07-15 This Business of Wanting. 51:10
This Business of Wanting.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2010-07-08 Suffering is Grace 50:37
Suffering is Grace
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2010-07-01 Independence Day: True Independence and Its Wider implications 45:04
What does it mean to be truly independent? Independent from what? And if we are genuinely independent how does that affect the way we live our lives?
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2010-06-24 How to get what you want...and not get what you don't want. 54:58
How to get what you want...and not get what you don't want.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2010-06-10 Responding to the 2010 Gulf Oil Spill 45:31
Talk on the 2010 Gulf Oil Spill.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2010-05-20 Breaking the Chains of Craving: Part 4, with guest Kevin Griffin. 59:01
with James Baraz, Kevin Griffin
Breaking the Chains of Craving: Part 4, with guest Kevin Griffin. Beginning introductions of Inquiring Mind publisher Alan Novidor and editor Barbara Gates.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2010-05-13 Breaking the Chains of Craving: Part 3 53:46
Breaking the Chains of Craving: Part 3
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2010-05-10 3 Principles of Awakening Joy 60:51
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Monday and Wednesday Talks
2010-05-06 Breaking the Chains of Craving: Part 2 45:46
Breaking the Chains of Craving: Part 2
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2010-04-29 Breaking the Chains of Craving: Part 1 52:15
Breaking the Chains of Craving: Part 1
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2010-04-22 Earth Day: 40th Anniversary 48:46
Earth Day: 40th Anniversary
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2010-03-25 Elders (including his Mom) 24:43
James interviews his mom, Selma Baraz (or maybe it's the other way around).

For more from Selma, see also the YouTube video of Selma entitled: Confessions of a Jewish Mother: How My Son Ruined My Life!
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2010-03-18 A Life Well Lived 55:22
A Life Well Lived
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2010-03-03 Awakening Joy 60:59
Guest Dharma Talk
Common Ground Meditation Center
2010-02-25 Trusting Your Buddha Knowing 63:12
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 a lamp unto yourself".
Spirit Rock Meditation Center February 2010 Month Long
2010-02-19 Awakening Joy 66:13
Practice is more than just opening to suffering. It is a path of happiness. We can incline the mind to open to and awaken wholesome states that lead to well-being and, ultimately, liberation.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center February 2010 Month Long
2010-02-15 Abundant Enoughness: The Practice of Contentment 61:01
The Buddha spoke of Nekkhama or renunciation as source of happiness. This is because it gives rise to contentment-seeing this moment as complete as it is. This talk explores the experience of inner contentment.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center February 2010 Month Long
2010-02-11 The Lion's Roar 54:49
In Tibetan teachings the Lion's Roar is the "fearless proclamation that every situation is workable." Being humbled can lead to a profound, wise humility, doubt can lead to strong confidence and vulnerability and can be the path to fearlessness.

James presented another version of this talk at the February 2010 month-long retreat at Spirit Rock.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2010-02-09 Our Greatest Protection 59:28
Sincerity of heart is the most important ingredient that we can bring to practice. This talk explores that theme with special focus on the Four Iddhipadas, or Bases of Success that fuel our sincere motivation.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center February 2010 Month Long

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