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

(Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley) Second talk in an 8-week series on the 7 Factors of Awakening that began with an overview March 10. James highly recommended the booklet

The Power of Mindfulness by Nyanaponika Thera as a precise and concise guide for "tidying the mental household."

The talk ends with a homework assignment for the week.

(Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley) The 7 Factors of Awakening are the Buddha’s list of qualities that need to be developed in order to fully awaken. This eight-week series begins with an overview of all 7 Factors followed by a discussion of each individually in greater depth over the coming weeks. Besides exploring them theoretically, James encourages us to take them on as practices as we go through the weeks seeing how we can consciously cultivate them and bring them into our daily lives. The seven factors are:

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Open9ing to the moment and being with things as they are is easier said than done. This talk explores what gets in the way and the qualities and attitudes that support opening to the moment including forgiveness, patience, contentment and a sense of humor.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center)

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) How the practice is a path of real happiness through cultivating wholesome states and being present for them.

(Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley) A reflection on the comparing and judging mind highlighted with stories and readings. Includes a useful practice based on a quote from the 3rd Zen Patriarch: "The burdensome practice of judging brings annoyance and weariness." The evening ends with a brief discussion with the sangha. This talk was also given at the February 2011 month-long retreat at Spirit Rock:

Working with the Judging Mind

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center)

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) How being humbled can deepen our capacity to open to all of our experience and strengthen our confidence and trust.

(Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley) James continues his series on Enlightenment by exploring the Path of Devotion or Bhakti path as a vehicle for awakening.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Workshop for current and potential Kalyana Mitta / Dharma Friends facilitators or hosts.