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Dharma Talks
given at Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
Publicly available talks can be browsed here in the order indicated by
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Get the latest Dharma talks from Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley by Podcast
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2021-06-03
Divisiveness in the Buddha's Community: The Quarrel at Kosambi
52:18
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James Baraz
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| One of the greatest challenges today in the US is divisiveness within the country. However, the Buddha faced the same problem right within his community! The Quarrel at Kosambi tells the story of his sangha dealing with a bitter argument that almost created a schism in the sangha. And the Buddha had a very difficult time trying to bring peace between the two factions. We will discuss this story and the lessons we can learn that can be applied in today's time. |
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2021-05-27
Not Seeing Dukkha is Dukkha
51:30
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James Baraz
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| This talk is based on a teaching from Joseph Goldstein: "Not seeing dukkha is dukkha." It's humbling to realize that we are creating much of our suffering. But it's through clearly seeing this that we also create the possibility of truly waking up. We can change our whole relationship to seeing how we get caught by old habits and thought patterns from self-judgment to compassion and liberation. |
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2021-05-20
Wise Speech
54:52
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Eve Decker
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| Practicing with skillful speech can support our well being and is an essential part of the path to freedom. |
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2021-05-13
Forgiving the Unforgivable: Angulimala Sutta (MN #86)
55:45
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James Baraz
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| Angulimala was a feared serial killer who was the scourge of the land--until he met the Buddha. We will explore his story and its relevance for our practice in learning to keep our hearts open to those who cause great harm. Why does the Buddha find it beneficial and how is this possible? |
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2021-05-06
Saying Goodbye: When a Friend Dies
60:25
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James Baraz
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| This past week James felt very fortunate to be with one of his dearest friends in his final days died. This talk explores that life passage. How can we say goodbye to a loved one and grieve fully with the understanding that death is a natural part of the life cycle? How can practice help us through that process? |
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2021-04-15
Lovingkindness for Self
57:10
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Eve Decker
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| The Buddha said you could look the whole world over and not find anyone more deserving of lovingkindness than oneself. And yet this does not come easily to many of us. Eve will lead us in exploring this essential practice. |
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2021-03-28
Befriending Ourselves Daylong
4:26:41
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James Baraz
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| James Baraz and Eve Decker
When we develop a basic kindness towards ourselves we not only learn to accept the difficult parts, but in the process embrace our humanity and see more clearly the beauty that's inside. As we do that we allow our goodness and True Nature to shine through. This becomes a gift to everyone we meet, a healing energy that awakens the goodness in others as well. |
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2021-03-18
Honeyball Sutta: The Buddha's Teaching on Papanća
56:36
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James Baraz
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| Have you ever wondered how your mind can move from one thought to getting lost in a complex story without you knowing how you got there? The Buddha describes this process in his Honeyball Sutta (Majjhima Nikaya #19) where he explains the phenomenon of papanća or proliferation of thought. The more we understand this porcess and work with it as practice, the less we get caught up in the stories the mind creates. |
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2021-02-25
Gratitude
52:46
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James Baraz
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| In the Mangala Sutta, the Discourse on Blessings, the Buddha teaches: "To be content and grateful is a blessing supreme." Gratitude is a particularly potent ally in awakening true happiness because it helps expand the mind as well as the heart. With a grateful heart we have a larger container and more space to hold the difficulties we encounter. When we pause to notice what we usually take for granted a new world of possibilities opens up. It's as if we've changed the station instead of being stuck on our own little "drama channel." |
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