James Baraz's most recent Dharma talks (Insight Meditation Society - Forest Refuge)

(Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley) We don’t have to wait to take Bodhisattva vows to practice the Bodhisattva attitude of being there for another’s suffering. In this talk we explore principles and practices to cultivate compassion—the heart of the Bodhisattva ideal—including 1) developing a caring heart towards those we may not feel an affinity and 2) holding the pain we feel at another’s suffering with wise discernment.

(Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley) Bay Area musician, composer and dharma student Ben Rivers speaks about what it’s like to live with severe disability from Parkinson's and Lyme diseases. He shares about his life as we explore seeing beyond appearances, relating to someone who seems different as not so different, with their own unique gifts and challenges.

(Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley)

(Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley) Not missing all the goodness and blessings in our life as an aid to true well being and happiness. The talk is based on the Buddha's Mangalam Sutta, which is also known as the

Discourse on Blessings

.

(Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley) When our hopes for a better world or better personal life are dashed, we can become cynical and begin to assume that forces of greed and hatred will win out over forces of consciousness and love. How can we keep our hearts open in the face of personal and societal disappointment?

(Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley) James reviews a number of things that are right with the world.

(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) The experience of contentment is the true happiness available through letting go and seeing our experience complete just as it is. Nothing needs to be added or taken away. This talk explores inner contentment, the state of “abundant enoughness”, while distinguishing it from complacency, laziness or just being resigned to the way things are. We can be inspired by a vision of awakening, develop our gifts and make a contribution, while we appreciate things just as they are in the moment.

(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) The source of our awakening is right inside us. As we learn to listen deeply to the wisdom and purity of heart that is connected to the truth, we are following the Buddha’s instructions to “be a lamp unto yourself.” This talk includes the Buddha’s five methods for dealing with distracting thoughts and how to discern the voice of wisdom from the voices of confusion and fear.

(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) This talk continues the exploration of how the practice cultivates happiness and joy. Five wholesome states that support true well-being are investigated including practices that help us access them.

(Cambridge Insight Meditation Center) Please note that first three minutes of the recording are silent.