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.
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2023-12-22 The Light Inside the Darkness: A Winter Solstice Reflection 56:55
This Thursday our meeting will take place just as we arrive at this year's Winter Solstice (7:27pm Pacific Time). This longest night of the year has given rise to many holidays of light (Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Soyal, the winter solstice celebration of the Hopi Indians, and many others). We will explore accessing the light within as we experience the solstice and navigate the shadow within us and in the world.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2023-11-17 Changing the Channel - Letting in the Good 46:10
The barrage of frightening headlines every day often leave us with feelings of despair, hopelessness and negativity. While it's important to feel connected to the suffering all around us, it is equally important to nourish ourselves by opening to the goodness in life--both inside and around us. This helps us skillfully create a larger container so that we are not overwhelmed by the dukkha but rather can process it with balance and skill.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2023-11-09 Fnding Refuge - Skillfully holding it all 52:06
Refuge is a word that is often used in Buddhist teachings. We long to feel safe and protected from inner and outer harm. When everything seems out of control where can we find true refuge? How can the practice help us hold it all? This talk refers to a highly recommended conversation on the Mideast situation between two women (one Israeli, one German) who give communication trainings based on Nonviolent Communication: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K16F_lL4N1w.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2023-10-19 Current Crisis in Israel and Gaza 1:33:07
with James Baraz, Stephen Fulder
Israeli Dharma Teacher Stephen Fulder joins James and shares about the current crisis in Israel and Gaza
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2023-10-05 The Buddha's Teaching on Not getting Caught in Negative Tendencies 50:17
The Sabbāsava Sutta "All the Taints" (Majjhima Nikaya #2). The Buddha teaches seven methods for restraining and abandoning the "taints", the fundamental defilements that keep us in suffering.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2023-08-24 Showing Up as a Joyful Responsibility 43:12
This moment in time is calling us to contribute what we can to bring more consciousness into the world. But rather than acting from anger or despair I believe the key is to come from love and even joy. One of my teachers calls this our "joyful responsibility."
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2023-06-22 Unhooking Yourself from Suffering 44:49
A practice to shift from being caught in a suffering state to remembering that freedom is just a moment away. This is a way to change the channel from being lost in an unwholesome state to opening to a wholesome state.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2023-05-25 Compassion - Why and How 50:37
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2023-05-18 The Buddha's Teaching on "One Fortunate Attachment" 55:03
This discourse by the Buddha' is called "One Fortunate Attachment" (Majjhima Nikaya Sutta #131). Although the Buddha spoke of attachment as being the cause of suffering, he did teach there is one attachment that is wholesome and leads to the highest happiness. We will explore this wholesome attachment and see how it can be applied to everyday life
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley
2023-04-27 SANGHA! In Person and Online, Our First Hybrid Gathering! 50:43
James and Eve are delighted to host the first in person meeting at the Berkeley Buddhist monastery since Covid changed our lives. In addition to a Dharma talk and exploration about Sangha, Eve brings her guitar and shares some music.
Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley

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