James Baraz's Dharma Talks
at Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
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.
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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Select from James Baraz's
450
talks
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VIEW ALL
2017-05-18
"Courage: An Essential Quality of Practice"
2009-04-09
“Am I Good Enough?”
2018-08-23
'The Dharma and Nature'
2016-08-25
"A Box Full of Darkness"
2014-10-09
"A Moment of Freedom: Interrupting Negative Thoughts."
2018-05-03
"A New Dawn for the Dharma"
2016-09-08
"All It Takes Is a Moment"
2015-09-17
"Anchoring Our Wisdom: Embodied Awareness"
2017-05-25
"Appreciating our Benefactors"
2014-09-25
"Behind is Just a State of Mind"
2017-01-19
"Being a Sacred Warrior in These Tough Times"
2018-02-01
"Belonging" --- (James was on retreat this day but invited two guests speake…
2018-09-13
"Changing Hearts and Minds"
2020-10-08
"Choosing Earth" with Duane Elgin and Coleen LeDrew Elgin
2018-04-19
"Clear Comprehension Part 1"
2018-05-10
"Clear Comprehension Part 2"
2017-03-02
"Connecting With the Enemy"
2020-09-17
"Contributing Effectively in Times of Crisis" Part 1
2020-09-24
"Contributing Effectively in Times of Crisis" Part 2
2018-10-11
"Equanimity: Finding Balance In Difficult Times"
2016-11-17
"Equanimity: Finding Balance In Difficult Times"
2014-06-19
"Finding What Your Looking For"
2018-03-02
"Getting Perspective On Our Perspective"
2014-11-20
"Grace Disguised as Obstacle"
2015-11-19
"Gratitude"
2017-08-17
"Hatred Never Ceases by Hatred"
2017-06-22
"How Liberating to See Clearly--
How Humbling to Still Get Caught."
2015-10-22
"I Didn't Know I Had It In Me: A Talk on Courage"
2014-10-23
"I Just Can't Decide!" - Wise Discernment in Daily Life
2016-03-03
"Intensive Practice: Benefits and How It Works"
2018-05-17
"It's All in Your Mind"
2009-01-29
"Letting In The Love"
2015-12-03
"Letting Your Heart Break."
2016-06-23
"Light brings out the darkness. Darkness brings out the light."
2015-10-01
"Loving the Earth"
2015-06-18
"Nice Guys Sometimes Finish First: Barbara Weiss, Steve Kerr and Pope Francis"
2017-09-07
"Peaceful Warrior in Modern Times"
2018-03-22
"Personal and Collective Karma"
2018-10-01
"Playground of the Mind: Exploring Bhikkhu Analayo's Brahma Vihara and Emptines…
2015-08-20
"Refinement of Mind, Part 1"
2017-12-28
"Reflections of the Past ---- Facing the Future"
2010-01-07
"Refuge in the Sangha"
2018-04-12
"Remembering What We Know"
2016-03-24
"Sacred Activism Part. 2: We Don't Know What We Don't Know"
2016-03-31
"Sacred Activism Part. 3: Working with Anger and Frustration" often natural res…
2016-10-20
"Schadenfreude: Working with Your less than Noble Thoughts"
2015-06-25
"Seeing the Big Picture"
2018-01-25
"Struggling is Extra"
2016-11-03
"The Big Shift: Learning to Open to Experience"
2016-03-10
"The Brightness of Awareness: An Evening with Catherine Ingram"
2018-03-08
"The Buddha’s Words on How to Skillfully Give Feedback."
2015-03-26
"The Choice Is Ours"
2016-09-29
"The Four Faults of Natural Awareness"
2016-09-22
"The Issue of Othering"
2017-11-16
"The Multiplication of Courage"
2015-01-29
"The Payoff in Suffering"
2016-12-08
"The Power of Equanimity"
2017-03-30
"The Problem With Being a Good Meditator"
2016-08-18
"The Tall Poppy and the Shrinking Violet"
2018-06-07
"The Teachings of Ajahn Chah"
2018-10-04
"The Third Precept: Trauma, Respect and Cultural Wake Up"
2017-03-09
"This Fleeting World"
2018-01-04
"Three Principles for Living a Good Life"
2016-01-07
"Turning Ghosts into Ancestors" Guest tonight: Joe Bobrow.
2018-04-26
"Voter Registration as Engaged Dharma Practice"
2017-11-09
"We are all Connected: Interconnectedness Within and Between Us"
2017-01-26
"What Are You Going To Do Now?"
2015-03-05
"What Do They Really Think About Me"
2024-10-17
"What, Me Worry?"
2016-05-26
"Who Are You Anyway - Attachment to Identity"
2018-02-22
“Facing the Unacceptable Without Burning Out”
(James was on retr…
2018-06-28
“Letting Go, Cessation and the Third Noble Truth”
(James was on retreat this d…
2015-12-10
“Mainlining Goodness”
2016-06-02
“Taking the Focus Off ME“
2015-12-17
“Tenderizing the Heart”
2015-03-12
“What Lineage Will You Choose?” or "Choose Your Lineage"
2011-03-17
1. Mindfulness (sati)
2013-04-18
1st Part: Working with our Habits, 2nd Part: Boston Marathon Bombings
2011-03-24
2. Interest/investigation (dhamma vicaya)
2011-03-31
3. Energy/effort (viriya)
2011-04-07
4. Joy/rapture (piti)
2022-06-09
5 Methods to Work with Troublesome Thoughts:
MN #20: Vitakkasanthana Sutta
2011-04-14
5. Calm/tranquility (passaddhi)
2011-04-21
6. Concentration (samadhi)
2011-04-28
7. Equanimity (upekkha)
2010-03-18
A Life Well Lived
2019-09-12
A Lineage of Goodness: Ode to Benefactors
2012-10-18
A Simple Twist of Fate
2013-09-12
A Star at Dawn: A Buddhist Perspective on Loss
2020-10-29
A Time For Equanimity
2012-12-20
A Time For Healing
2019-03-28
A Unified Theory of Well-Being
2021-07-15
Accessing Your Triggers for Insight
2020-11-12
Across the Great Divide: What the Dharma Can Offer for Healing Our Country
2001-07-18
After The Honeymoon, The Marriage: Plateaus In Practice
2016-06-09
Ajahn Chandako from Austraila with James
2021-10-28
Am I Enough?
2012-01-26
Amazing Grace
2022-06-16
Amazing Grace:
Why Do Some People Turn Their Suffering into Compassion While O…
2019-05-09
An Evening with Stephen Fulder, Founder of the Israeli Dharma Community
2025-08-21
Anapanasati: The Buddha's Teaching on Mindfulness of Breathing
2008-11-20
Anapanasti
2021-01-28
Anatta and Self-Forgiveness
2015-01-15
Anything Can Happen At Any Time
2012-03-29
Anything can happen at any time.
2022-10-20
Anything Can Happen at Anytime:
Holding Loss with a Tender Heart
2021-09-16
Anything Can Happen at Anytime: Working with Uncertainty
2020-07-03
Applying Early Buddhist Perspective to Contemporary Issues
1999-11-01
Appreciation As A Source Of Happiness
2012-06-14
Appropriate Response at the Tipping Point
2012-06-14
Appropriate Response at the Tipping Point: Concern for the Planet as Dharma Pra…
2011-06-02
Atammayatta: The Last Word and Final Sword of Buddhism
2016-09-15
Awakening Joy for Kids: Bringing the Dharma to the Next Generation
2010-01-28
Awakening Joy, the book.
2011-12-01
Balancing Contentment With Aliveness
2009-01-22
Barack Obama's Inauguration In The Context Of Dharma Practice
2012-04-19
Be the Awareness
2024-12-12
Befriending Eternity: 49 Days in Darkness
2024-12-23
Befriending Eternity: 49 Days in Darkness by Adam Baraz
2021-03-28
Befriending Ourselves Daylong
2009-08-27
Being the Awareness
2017-06-15
Benefactors: Part 2, Helping Others Shine.
2015-03-19
Berkeley Community's Own New Green Committee
2008-07-31
Bodhisattva's Way Of Life - part 1: Benefits Of Bodhicitta
2008-08-07
Bodhisattva's Way Of Life - part 2: Preparing The Ground
2008-08-14
Bodhisattva's Way Of Life - part 3: What Are We Committing To?
2008-08-28
Bodhisattva's Way Of Life - part 4: Using Our Intelligence
2008-09-04
Bodhisattva's Way Of Life #5: Not Causing Harm, Gathering Virtue, And Benefitin…
2008-09-11
Bodhisattva's Way Of Life #6: Working With Anger
2008-09-18
Bodhisattva's Way Of Life #7: Enthusiasm, Zeal Or Heroic Perseverance
2008-10-23
Bodhisattva's Way Of Life #9: Dedication Of Merit
2010-04-29
Breaking the Chains of Craving: Part 1
2010-05-06
Breaking the Chains of Craving: Part 2
2010-05-13
Breaking the Chains of Craving: Part 3
2010-05-20
Breaking the Chains of Craving: Part 4, with guest Kevin Griffin.
2011-04-18
Bringing Practice Into Daily Life
2008-03-13
Buddhadharma As A Path Of Happiness - part 1: Intention
2008-05-22
Buddhadharma As A Path Of Happiness - part 10: The Ease Of Being
2008-03-20
Buddhadharma As A Path Of Happiness - part 2: Mindfulness
2008-03-27
Buddhadharma As A Path Of Happiness - part 3: Opening To Suffering
2008-04-10
Buddhadharma As A Path Of Happiness - part 4: Gratitude
2008-04-24
Buddhadharma As A Path Of Happiness - part 6: Letting Go
2008-05-01
Buddhadharma As A Path Of Happiness - part 7: Lovingkindness Toward Ourselves
2008-05-07
Buddhadharma As A Path Of Happiness - part 8: How Compassion Awakens Joy (inclu…
2008-05-15
Buddhadharma As A Path Of Happiness - part 9: The Mystery Of Connection
2007-11-29
Buddhist Master Series: Ajahn Buddhadasa
2007-11-01
Buddhist Master Series: Ajahn Chah
2008-02-07
Buddhist Master Series: Ajahn Dhammadharo
2008-02-14
Buddhist Master Series: Ajahn Jumnien
2007-12-13
Buddhist Master Series: Ajahn Naeb
2007-11-08
Buddhist Master Series: Mahasi Sayadaw & Noteing
2008-01-24
Buddhist Master Series: Mogok Sayadaw
2007-11-15
Buddhist Master Series: Sunlun Sayadaw
2008-01-10
Buddhist Master Series: Taungpulu Sayadaw
2008-01-31
Buddhist Master Series: U Ba Khin
2020-04-16
Calling All Bodhisattvas
2022-03-17
Calming the Anxious Mind: Skillful Practices for Anxiety
2012-11-15
Cast Aside the Costume
2015-06-04
Castles Made of Sand
2017-04-20
Celebrating Earth Day: Calling All Eco-Sattvas
2022-12-22
Celebrating Solstice: Honoring the Duality of Light in the Midst of Darkness
2008-11-06
Change
2013-05-09
Change is Possible
2014-12-18
Change Is Possible
2023-11-17
Changing the Channel - Letting in the Good
2020-10-15
Choosing Earth Pt. 1 with Duane Elgin and Friends
2009-10-01
Cleaning Our Slate
2022-04-07
Clear Comprehension: The Buddha's Teaching on Four Different Elements of Practi…
2013-03-21
Community Sharing: Questions and Answers
2023-05-25
Compassion - Why and How
2010-09-23
Compassion is a verb
2009-04-16
Confidence
2022-11-17
Confidence and Humility: It's Not about Me
2017-03-16
Conscientious Compassion: An Engaged Dharmic Response to Forces of Greed and Ha…
2009-06-25
Contentment
2020-05-21
Creating a Life of Integrity: In Conversation with Joseph Goldstein
2011-12-15
Cultivating a Bodhisattva Heart
2023-10-19
Current Crisis in Israel and Gaza
2018-03-29
Dalits Buddhist in India
(formerly Untouchable Caste)
2021-04-08
Death and Dying
2014-05-29
Devotion in Dharma Practice
2014-06-05
Devotion in Dharma Practice, Part 2
2019-08-08
Dharmas Without Blame
2021-07-29
Different Lenses, Different Realities
2014-05-22
Discussing some of the provocative articles from the current Inquiring Mind iss…
2014-05-15
Discussing some of the provocative articles from the current issue of the Inqui…
2021-06-03
Divisiveness in the Buddha's Community: The Quarrel at Kosambi
2025-09-04
Don't Know Mind - Letting Go of Conclusions
2025-03-13
Don't Know Mind: Letting Go of Conclusions
2014-01-16
Earth As Witness: International Dharma Teachers' Statement on Climate Change
2010-04-22
Earth Day: 40th Anniversary
2019-06-20
Eco Dharma
2010-03-25
Elders (including his Mom)
2013-09-05
Emaho!: How Amazing
2011-05-19
Embodying Passion Through Expression
2013-01-03
Embracing Change
2012-01-19
Embracing Resistance
2009-01-08
Emotional Awareness
2012-11-08
Empathy: The Key that Unlocks the Heart
2021-10-07
Emptiness and the Big Perspective
2017-05-04
Emptiness is Everything
2023-12-28
End of Year Reflection:
Honoring this Moment Together
2018-12-27
End of Year Reflection!
2022-12-29
Endings and Beginnings:
A Ritual for the New Year
2011-01-13
Enlightenment Part 1.
2011-01-20
Enlightenment Part 2.
2011-01-27
Enlightenment Part 3
2011-02-03
Enlightenment Part 4
2022-01-20
Equanimity with Uncertainty: Finding Balance in Difficult Times
2016-04-24
Equanimity: Finding Balance in Our Practice
2020-06-04
Exploring Racial Injustice and White Privilege
2012-03-22
Facing in the right direction
2013-08-08
Facing in the Right Direction
2013-03-28
Facing in the Right Direction
2013-05-23
Faith
2020-04-17
Fear or Love: We Have a Choice
2016-10-06
Finding Freedom Through Grief
2020-04-17
Finding Refuge
2023-11-09
Fnding Refuge - Skillfully holding it all
2013-08-22
Follow Your Heartbreak
2025-12-04
For Goodness Sake:
Consciously Cultivating the Wholesome
2021-05-13
Forgiving the Unforgivable: Angulimala Sutta (MN #86)
2015-05-14
Freedom From Worry
2011-11-10
From Cynicism to Love
2022-10-06
From Heartbreak to Compassionate Action
1999-12-15
Generosity As A Source Of Happiness
2008-12-03
Getting Unhooked
2012-03-01
Gifts of Practice
2016-12-29
Goodbye 2016, Hello 2017: Reflecting on What We've Learned and Where We're Head…
2021-02-25
Gratitude
2022-04-21
Gratitude for Our Home: Celebrating Earth Day
2025-04-17
Gratitude Practice: "It Would Have Been Enough"
2024-03-21
Great Female Disciples of the Buddha
2020-12-10
Gregory Kramer on his book “A Whole Life Path" a fresh exploration of the 8-Fo…
2024-03-07
Groundlessness: A Doorway to Liberation
2019-03-28
Guided Meditation
2019-03-07
Guided meditation and honoring Hime Levine
2009-10-15
Heaven or Hell: The Choice is yours.
2020-09-10
Holding a Positive Vision
2020-10-01
Holding a Positive Vision: Part 3
2019-10-03
Holding Grief Through Connection
2019-10-17
Holding Grief Through Connection
2021-03-18
Honeyball Sutta: The Buddha's Teaching on Papanća
2019-12-26
Honoring Ram Dass and End of Year Reflections
2020-07-10
How Not to Be a Hot Mess
1999-09-02
How Suffering Can Lead To Faith
2010-06-24
How to get what you want...and not get what you don't want.
2010-09-16
How We Hold Ourselves with Others
2012-05-17
How Wonderful to See Defilements in the Mind: Practicing with U Tejaniya
2019-03-21
Humility and Confidence
2008-03-06
I Know I'm Stuck And I Still Can't Get Out!
2010-07-01
Independence Day: True Independence and Its Wider implications
2024-06-13
Inspiring Motivation for Practice:
The Four Mind Changers
2025-10-30
Instructions from My Teachers
2021-02-11
Intention from the Heart
2009-03-19
Interested Awareness
2019-05-02
Internally & Externally - Holding It All
2009-08-06
Intersecting realities
2013-10-24
Is There a Place for God in Buddhist Practice?
2012-04-12
It's Already Here
2022-10-13
It's Never Too Late: Responding Wisely with Unskillful Habits
2016-05-12
James with a special visitor: Buddhist Nun Ayya Yeshe
2008-12-18
James' Son, Adam's, First Dharma Talk
2019-12-05
Just Another Ego Trip
2015-05-28
Just Like Me
2014-03-09
Kalyana Mitta Half-Day workshop with James Baraz and Elad Levinson
2014-03-09
Kalyana Mitta Half-Day workshop with James Baraz and Elad Levinson
2012-07-05
Karma and Sila as Gaia Practices
2020-08-06
Keep Out the Hate, Let in the Love
2024-11-07
Keeping the Heart Open in Uncertain Times
2020-08-27
Keeping Your Heart Open
2009-03-26
Kind Awareness
2013-08-01
Kindness
2001-01-01
Learning To Love Yourself: A Bodhisattva Act
1999-01-01
Learning To Ride The Roller Coaster: Dealing With The Unexpected
2001-10-27
Letting Go Of Knowing
2020-11-05
Letting Go of Knowing
2021-10-14
Letting Go of Knowing: Loving The Mystery:
2012-03-08
Letting Go of Spiritual Views
2021-11-11
Letting Your Heartbreak Open to Active Hope
2011-07-14
Life Coming Together As You
2024-09-26
Like an Instrument with Sarah Marie Hopf
2014-01-09
Like Minded Friendship
2025-09-18
Longing for the Sacred
2017-12-07
Looking At Your Life Through a Dharma Lens
2000-03-23
Losing It: How Being Humbled Can Lead To True Humility
2020-05-09
Loss, Grief and Death: Impermanence in Pandemic Times
2024-09-19
Love Serve Remember
2018-06-14
Loving Goodness
2024-04-18
Loving the Earth through Joyful Connection
2008-11-13
Making A Difference Together: Deepening Sangha Bonds
2022-04-14
Maranasati: Practice with Death and Dying
2012-05-31
Melting into Love
2023-01-12
Motivation from the Heart: The Place of Devotion in our Practice
2025-10-09
Navigating the Truth of Suffering
2021-12-30
New Year's Gathering: Letting Go and Moving On
2012-10-04
No Credit, No Blame.
2012-09-27
No Place to Land
2019-09-19
No Time to Play Small: Acting with Courage, Wisdom and Love
2021-05-27
Not Seeing Dukkha is Dukkha
2024-01-18
On Having No Head: A Simple, Effective Anatta Practice
2009-07-16
On Metta
2009-03-05
Opening to the Heart's Tender Spot
2025-01-16
Our Greatest Protection
2011-03-10
Overview of the 7 Factors of Awakening
2013-12-26
Past, Present and Future: The start of a new year.
2012-12-27
Past, Present and Future.
2010-09-09
Personal and Global Responsibility
2012-12-13
Practicing With Difficult Emotions.
2012-09-20
Praise and Blame
2015-05-21
Q & A on Daily Life Dharma Practice
2020-06-18
Racism and White Privilege - Part 3: Working with Guilt and Shame
2020-06-11
Racism and White Privilege with Special Guest Deb Kerr - Part 2
2001-03-22
Refinement Of Mind - part 1
2001-03-29
Refinement Of Mind - part 2
2015-08-27
Refinement of Mind, Part II.
2010-11-18
Reflections on Bhikkhunis
2007-06-28
Reflections On Money
2009-06-11
Reflections on our Deepest Truths
2007-07-12
Reflections On Power
2007-07-05
Reflections On Sexuality
2020-01-03
Reflections on the Buddha's Teaching on Intention
2022-09-08
Refuge in the Buddha Within
2014-01-02
Refuge in the Sangha
2010-01-21
Refuge in the Sangha & Kalyana Mitta
2010-01-14
Refuge in the Sangha part 2
1999-01-01
Refuge In The Sangha: Importance Of Like-Minded Friendship
2009-03-12
Relaxed Awareness
2022-01-27
Remembering Thich Nhat Hanh
2010-06-10
Responding to the 2010 Gulf Oil Spill
1998-10-15
Right Thought: Creating An Inspiring Vision
2016-03-17
Sacred Activism Part 1: The Line Between Politics & Moral Imperative
2016-04-14
Sacred Activism Part 4: Holding a Vision
2016-04-21
Sacred Activism Part 5: The Seven Laws of Sacred Practice
2022-03-03
Sad Heart, Breaking Heart:
Working with the Invasion of Ukraine
2008-10-13
Samsara -The Wheel Of Birth And Death
2023-04-27
SANGHA! In Person and Online, Our First Hybrid Gathering!
2021-05-06
Saying Goodbye: When a Friend Dies
2024-10-31
Scary Times on Halloween:
Working with Fear
2011-12-08
Seeing Beyond Appearances
2021-09-23
Seeing Beyond the Mask: Looking Past Our Assumptions
2014-07-24
Seeing Everyone as Your Benefactor
2012-06-28
Seeing the System You Are Part Of
2013-01-31
Seeing Through Views.
2013-01-10
Shifting perspectives
2011-06-16
Shifting the Focus: From In Here to Out There
2009-12-10
Shower the People with Love
2023-08-24
Showing Up as a Joyful Responsibility
2021-11-04
Showing Up for Reality with Humility and Grace:
Terry Patten's Last Teaching
2020-03-05
Skillful Letting Go Practice for Intense Times
2018-01-18
Special Guests: Harold Hedelman, Lee Ballance and Mary Selkirk from Citizens Cl…
2012-07-19
Stewardship and Intention as Gaia Practices
2024-02-01
Sudden Awakening, Gradual Cultivation:
The Process of Purification
2014-09-11
Sudden Awakening/Gradual Cultivation
2010-07-08
Suffering is Grace
2014-04-17
Sutta Series: Anatta-lakkhana Sutta - The Discourse on the Not-Self Characteris…
2014-03-06
Sutta Series: Capala Sutta: The Buddha's Advice for Overcoming Sloth and Torpor…
2014-05-01
Sutta Series: Instructions to Anathapindika (MN #143)
2014-04-03
Sutta Series: The Angulimala Sutta - MN #86
2014-03-27
Sutta Series: The Removal of Distracting Thoughts - MN #20
2014-03-20
Sutta Series: The Simile of the Saw - Majjhima Nikaya #21
2014-03-13
Sutta Series: The Vacchagotta Suttas (MN(#71, #72, #73)
2025-03-06
Taking Sides in a World of Non-Duality
2012-08-23
Teaching what we need to learn.
2011-08-25
The Advantages of Spiritual Friendship
2019-04-25
The Anapanasati Sutta: The Buddha's Teaching on Mindfulness of Breathing
2025-01-30
The Antidote to Fear: Practicing in Uncertain Times
2009-04-30
The Bamboo Acrobats
2010-10-21
The Big E. What does it mean to you?
2009-11-19
The Body: The Storehouse of Experience
2020-09-03
The Buddha as a Social Activist.
2026-01-29
The Buddha on Views + Sangha Q&A
2009-08-13
The Buddha's 5 supports for practice
2011-11-17
The Buddha's Discourse on Blessings
2021-07-01
The Buddha's Pithiest Teaching: Bahiya Sutta
2023-05-18
The Buddha's Teaching on "One Fortunate Attachment"
2021-08-12
The Buddha's Teaching on How Practice Unfolds:
The Five Spiritual Faculties
2023-10-05
The Buddha's Teaching on Not getting Caught in Negative Tendencies
2020-12-17
The Choice is Ours:
Wise Relationship to Our Experience
2018-08-16
The Conflict Campaign: A Paradoxical Thinking Experiment in Israel.
2014-09-18
The Contagion of Goodness
2023-03-02
The Cosmic Game of Hide and Seek
2013-10-17
The Courage to Be Yourself
2022-03-10
The Dharma of Good Leadership
2022-06-12
The Five Daily Reflections
2013-03-14
The Five Reflections
2026-01-15
The Gift of Practice: A Choice in Every Moment
2012-01-12
The Honeyball Sutta:
The Source of Our Confusion and the Way Out
2025-12-18
The Light Inside the Darkness
2023-12-22
The Light Inside the Darkness:
A Winter Solstice Reflection
2010-02-11
The Lion's Roar
2014-10-16
The Magic of Awareness
2013-10-31
The Payoff From Fear
2024-05-02
The Power of Collective Intelligence: The Magic in Community
2013-01-17
The Power of Generosity
2013-04-04
The Power of Habit - Part 1
2013-04-11
The Power of Habit - Part 2
2018-10-18
The Power of Sangha + Moving Letter from Australia
2025-06-05
The Problem with Becoming: The Buddha's Teaching on Bhava
2022-05-19
The Problem with Resisting Reality: The Possibility of Real Freedom
2020-04-17
The Profound Implications of Interconnectedness
2020-01-30
The Quarrel at Kosambi
2011-10-27
The Race between Ignorance and Consciousness: Good or Bad News?”
2019-01-24
The Refinement of Mind
2001-03-08
The Retreat Experience: Why Intensive Practice?
2010-07-29
The Secret Ingredient for Equanimity
2021-02-18
The Secret Ingredients of Dharma Practice
2014-08-21
The Secret Instruction To Open Your heart And Deepen Your Mindfulness Practice
2023-04-06
The Secret to Bringing Out the Best in Others
2023-03-23
The Shift of Practice from “Doing” to “Being”
2011-09-08
The Shorter Discourse on Ways of Undertaking Things
2016-04-28
The Story of Devadatta: Lust for Power in the Buddha's Time
2009-05-28
The Storytelling Monk, Swami Sarveshwarananda Giri
2022-09-29
The Time is Now: Engagement as Practice
2009-07-30
The Woman at the Well
2010-07-15
This Business of Wanting.
2020-12-03
Three Pillars of Dharma
2017-06-03
Three Qualities of the Heart that Awaken Joy (Retreat at Spirit Rock
2024-05-23
Thursday is Wesak! Thursday is Wesak!
Honoring the Life and Teaching of the Bu…
2012-09-13
Titrating our Dukkha.
2020-11-19
Transformation is Possible
1999-08-26
Truthfulness
2023-06-22
Unhooking Yourself from Suffering
2014-01-23
Update on our progress in building community and more on Bob Doppelt's climate …
2009-05-14
Verses on the Faith Mind by Seng-T'san (3rd Zen Patriarch of China), part 1.
2009-06-04
Verses on the Faith Mind by Seng-T'san (3rd Zen Patriarch of China), part 3
2009-05-21
Verses on the Faith Mind by Seng-Tsan (3rd Zen Patriarch of China),
part 2.
2020-07-17
We Are What we Think
2025-01-09
We Are What We Think
2013-06-06
We Are What We Think, With Our Thoughts We Make the World
2026-01-01
Welcoming in the New Year Together!
2017-01-05
What Channel Are You Tuned To?
2024-11-21
What Do I Need Right Now?
2012-06-07
What do the three refuges mean?
2011-01-06
What really matters
2012-06-23
What supports Connecting?
2014-08-14
What Will You Do With Your Wild And Precious Good Karma?
2012-04-05
When bad things happen to good people.
2012-11-29
Who we really are
2008-07-03
Why Do Intensive Retreat Practice?
2013-01-24
Why I teach Awakening Joy.
2023-01-26
Why Intensive Practice
2021-12-23
Winter Solstice and Holidays: A Time to Keep the Heart Open
2019-01-03
Wise Vision, Wise Intention
2011-02-17
Working with the Judging Mind
2025-09-25
You Are Loving Awareness
2011-07-07
You Have a Choice
2009-07-02
You Never Know...
2022-09-22
You've Got a Friend: The Buddha's Advice on Good Friendship
2024-01-04
Your Heart Was Made For This
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Select one of James Baraz's 1 retreat
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1900-01-01
IMCB Regular Talks
2026-01-29
The Buddha on Views + Sangha Q&A
48:57
This talk discusses the Buddha's words on holding to fixed views from The Paramatthaka Sutta (Sn 4.5) followed by an open Q&A.
While the Buddha warned against attachment to views, some views are clearly aligned with the Dharma such as: causing harm will lead to suffering for oneself or another. How can we reconcile not holding to fixed views when you're clear that it is appropriate to take a strong stand against harm?
After reflections on this topic there is a Q&A session on this theme and other practice questions are explored.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2026-01-15
The Gift of Practice: A Choice in Every Moment
45:10
It seems with every day of news, there is more uncertainty, deep concern and unease. As much as we would like to, we can't control reality. However, the great gift of practice is that we can choose how to skillfully relate to our experience. This is a time for our practice to hold us. Instead of reacting impulsively in ways that just contract us more or with actions we later regret, we can respond effectively with a wise heart. This talk discusses teachings and practices that help us make that wiser choice.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2026-01-01
Welcoming in the New Year Together!
38:18
This talk will
1. Look back at 2025 reviewing what we've learned
2. Open to where we are in the present
3. Get in touch with our intention for the 2026 envisioning the qualities that will be most needed for us to deepen our understanding and inner peace
We will also share a New Year's ritual of letting go and cultivation. If you're at home bring a candle.
Please pause the audio to perform the exercises.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2025-12-18
The Light Inside the Darkness
43:57
As we head into the darkest period of the year we are processing dark forces of ignorance and hate in the news each day. The light and loving awareness can hold all the forces of ignorance-- both inside us and around us--with compassionate understanding This is a time to remember all that is good.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2025-12-04
For Goodness Sake:
Consciously Cultivating the Wholesome
46:21
The capacity to be touched by and love goodness is, in some sense, the heart of spiritual practice. Something in us loves the truth and is drawn to goodness around us. It makes us yearn to activate the good inside. It requires commitment to choosing wholesome qualities as our default instead of being drawn to the forces of attachment, aversion and ignorance within us.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2025-10-30
Instructions from My Teachers
40:12
We all have teachers who've inspired us to see life in a new way. Who have been your inspirations?
What have you learned from them? I thought I'd share some ways that instructions from two of my
teachers--Ram Dass and HWL Poonja (Papaji)-- have shaped how I see the world and how I practice.
The talk includes a recording of a significant dialogue from 1990 with Poonjaji that reconnected me
with my joy.
Here is a link to the dialogue of the Poonjaji satsang where James asked the question
https://docs.google.com/document/d/16TnL2Zev-6r_mZPrgdSxSTaYLoyzdLOg3CnJ2U3D6C8/edit?tab=t.0
Here is a link to the video on Youtube that is over an hour long
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrjspK5fHiQ. James is at 23:38
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2025-10-09
Navigating the Truth of Suffering
44:34
Suffering is the Buddha's 1st Noble Truth. Sometimes it can feel like it's all too much, especially in these days of extreme unpredictability. Legitimate reactions of anger, confusion and discouragement can lead to feeling of hopelessness or resigned acceptance. How can we use the practice to not only skillfully hold those feelings, but to transform them into wholesome uplifting responses such as courage, trust and compassionate action?
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2025-09-25
You Are Loving Awareness
45:21
Seeing sacredness, not only around us, but focusing inside the one who is perceiving. This mind/body (YOU) that is interacting with the world around it. I use Ram Dass's practice of seeing beyond this mind/body by abiding in the perspective "I Am Loving Awareness". This is where the devotional and non-dual meet.
To aid in this exploration James shares some powerful cuts from the album Ram Dass, a collaboration of Ram Dass's voice and teachings with background music by East Forest, who will be offering a hybrid concert "Echoes of Ram Dass" at Spirit Rock October 19, 2025.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2025-09-04
Don't Know Mind - Letting Go of Conclusions
44:02
Most of us like to have some sense of security thinking planning ahead or knowing what to expect can help us be more at ease. But the real freedom comes from realizing we really don't know how things will unfold. Although that might seem unsettling, it can allow us to be more at ease with the fundamental unpredictability of life.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
