Dharma Talks
given at Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
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2025-03-06
Taking Sides in a World of Non-Duality
49:46
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James Baraz
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This talk explores the view that the wide and profound perspective of Non-Duality sees that everything belongs. One is not creating divisions between "good and bad" or "right and wrong". It is all part of the dance of life. However, in the relative level of reality these categories are real and shape our thoughts, reactions and actions.
The Buddha advises us to not be attached to views and opinions. How can we reconcile this paradox and live with this wise non-dual perspective while taking a courageous stand against the forces of greed, hatred delusion that are creating suffering?
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Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
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2025-01-30
The Antidote to Fear: Practicing in Uncertain Times
51:41
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James Baraz
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It seems like many are feeling either a low-level anxiety or fear these days. Fear about their safety, about disasters like fire or floods, about what the future holds. While this is natural and understandable, when our minds get hijacked by fearful thoughts, it is almost impossible to have a wise or appropriate response.
In this talk we explore practicing and skillfully working with fear so that it can transform into courage, compassion and wisdom.
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Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
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2025-01-09
We Are What We Think
47:51
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James Baraz
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The subject of this talk is the opening verse of the Dhammapada, the famous collection of the Buddha’s teachings. The verse starts out with these words: “We are what we think. With our thoughts we make the world.” This teaching can be truly transformative in one’s meditation practice as well as in one’s life.
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Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
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2025-01-02
Dharma from the Heart
59:28
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Ramona Lisa Ortiz-Smith
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Ramona Lisa Ortiz-Smith, MBA, brings over 25 years of cumulative meditation practice and spiritual studies to her livelihood as a Spiritual Teacher and Leader. Silent Vipassana (insight) meditation retreats, Theravada Buddhist studies and earth-based indigenous spirituality and healing arts are at the heart of her practice. Ramona Lisa is passionate about long silent retreat practice, spiritual studies and sharing wisdom teachings.
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Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
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2024-12-26
Intention And songs in remembrance of Alan Senauke
60:00
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Eve Decker
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Join Eve for an evening of exploring the Buddha’s teaching on Intention - a powerful and potentially transformative mental energy that precedes action. Live at the Berkeley Buddhist Monastery, 2304 McKinley Ave., Berkeley, and online (Zoom link below). We will also share some songs in remembrance of Alan Senauke, the Abbot of the Berkeley Zen Center who passed away on Sunday December 22. Alan was a great Buddhist teacher, social activist, and singer/songwriter.
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Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
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2024-12-23
Befriending Eternity: 49 Days in Darkness by Adam Baraz
59:06
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James Baraz
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Talk originally given on December 12, 2024
I’m happy to share the evening with my son, Adam Baraz, who will reflect on the recent completion of his fifth Darkness Retreat, a 49-day “Bardo Retreat” in Tuscany, Italy.
Adam will discuss the psychological, physical, emotional, and spiritual journey of “being alone in the dark” for 7 weeks. He will describe the practical aspects of preparation, meditation practice, challenges, and benefits of extended darkness retreat practice.
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Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
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