Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley: dharma talks and meditation instruction

(Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley)

(Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley) 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) Join Eve Decker for an exploration of and practice with loving-kindness, the Buddha's teaching on cultivating well-being through warmth of heart.

(Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley) 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) Eve Decker explores approaches to difficult emotions, using mindfulness and compassion. This work comes from the Mindful Self Compassion curriculum developed by Dr. Kristen Neff and Dr. Christopher Germer.

(Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley) Here is a practice that is the secret to bring out the best in others. It's a simple yet powerful practice that puts people at ease and helps awaken a feeling of trust, safety, and loving kindness. And it feels good for the person practicing it as well.

(Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley) While it’s true that it takes effort to come back to the present moment each time the mind wanders, the most profound practice is when we let go of all effort and simply rest in the awareness that’s always here. This shift from “doing” to the complete relaxation of “non-doing” or simply “Being” is what the Tibetans call the deep and subtle practice of “No...

(Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley) After sitting a month at Spirit Rock Eve explores the power of seeing the mind and how and why not identifying with its contents is a path to freedom.

(Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley) A classical text from Kashmir Shaivism entitled "Realization of Our True Heart" or Pratyabijñāhṛdaya, describes in a few lines how we and everything in physical form is simply an expression of Divine Play of the universe –what in Hinduism is called the lila or dance of consciousness. This talk explores one perspective of the Mystery, that which cannot be...

(Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley) Alexa Redner continues her exploration from last week on what it means to really be with experience.

(Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley) Drawing from her experiences and insights as a Right Livelihood Coach and Buddhist Economist, Della Duncan offers an ecological metaphor for cultivating Right Livelihood and guides us through a series of questions to help us explore the themes, questions, and challenges we face in our Right Livelihood journeys.

(Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley) Kevin Griffin explores the Metta Sutta, the Buddha's words on Loving-Kindness. How can we actually live this teaching in an embodied way? Kevin's new book is Living Kindness: Metta Practice for the Whole of Our Lives. From Publisher’s Weekly: “The lucid analysis of Buddhist texts and the jargon-free examination of metta make this an ideal primer on a core...

(Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley) Going through the process of sitting in silence over a long period of time is a unique and profound experience. What happens on a month-long retreat and why do people do it? Though it is not possible for everyone to get away for that length of time or have the desire to do it, the principles shared can be applied to shorter retreats as well

(Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley) Devotion is not a topic often spoken of in our Buddhist community. Yet it plays a significant role in monastic communities and Tibetan practices. The Buddha spoke of Saddha, one's heartfelt connection to practice as one of the Five Spiritual Faculties and Powers. Devotion can be a major source of inspiration which can fuel our practice. How can we access...

(Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley) James and guest Elissa Epel, talk about her new book The Stress Prescription. Elissa is a long-time practitioner, highly-respected researcher and Professor and Vice Chair of UCSF's Department of Psychiatry. Here is James' book endorsement: “I love this book! Backed by solid scientific research, Elissa Epel’s engaging, user-friendly, down-to-earth style is...

(Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley) An end of year reflection and ritual that includes letting go of the past--not the lessons but the baggage that may come with them--and visioning the future--what we want to create for ourselves moving forward.

(Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley) We explore going through the dark as an essential element of coming into the light. How can we grow through our own journey of facing challenges while staying committed to facing in the direction of greater light.

(Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley) Join guest speaker, Alexa Redner, in exploring classical practices of finding freedom from suffering as well exploring pathways to creating beautiful and meaningful relationships with the challenges of life

(Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley) The Buddhist writer Wei Wu Wei wrote: "True humility is the absence of anyone to be proud." We are often humbled by life. How we handle it can either lead to defeat or profound growth. We explore how being humbled can deepen our capacity to open to all of our experience and strengthen our confidence and trust as we align ourselves with something greater t...