The greatest gift is the
gift of the teachings
 
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.
     1 2 3 4 ... 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 ... 41 42 43 44
2013-01-10 Shifting perspectives 47:46
When life is difficult or frustrating the teachings advise us to practice equanimity. One simple but potent way to do that is to take a step back and hold things with a wider perspective. We'll be exploring different practices that incline towards equanimity through this method.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2013-01-03 Embracing Change 52:20
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2012-12-27 Past, Present and Future. 54:44
As 2012 comes to a close, this is a time to reflect on the lessons from the past year, where you are now and what your vision is of the New Year.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2012-12-20 A Time For Healing 51:58
Dealing with the tragedy of Newtown, Conn.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2012-12-13 Practicing With Difficult Emotions. 61:36
Exploring themes from the current issue (Volume 29/Number 1/Fall 2012) of Inquiring Mind with guest editor of the issue, Kevin Griffin.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2012-11-29 Who we really are 49:28
Who You Really Are Walt Whitman wrote: “I am larger, better than I thought; I did not know I held so much goodness." A key aspect of genuine awakening is realizing the basic goodness that is our true nature (when we're not confused or lost in our stories). What gets in the way of accessing this basic goodness? What supports it?
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2012-11-15 Cast Aside the Costume 49:44
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2012-11-08 Empathy: The Key that Unlocks the Heart 49:19
The ability to put oneself in someone else's shoes is the doorway to compassion. Once there is compassion then forgiveness, connection and genuine metta naturally follow. This talk includes a teaching from Thai master, Ajahn Maha Boowa, on the power of empathy.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2012-10-18 A Simple Twist of Fate 50:46
Our lives are filled with turning points that can steer us in different directions. To have found the Dharma and be facing in the direction of greater consciousness is extraordinarily good karma that can powerfully fuel and inspire our practice with sincerity and gratitude.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks
2012-10-04 No Credit, No Blame. 56:40
"In this world no one escapes from blame," said the Buddha. How can we deal with blame from others skillfully without getting crushed by criticism or react to it in a way that causes more suffering for ourselves and other? The key to not being lost in Praise or Blame is non-identification, not taking ownership of your experience. This includes not identifying with your body or mind. We can appreciate the gifts we've been given as well as our shortcomings without taking them personally. This is the natural by-product of understanding anatta, the selfless nature of existence.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley IMCB Regular Talks

     1 2 3 4 ... 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 ... 41 42 43 44
Creative Commons License