Series Talks

Below are a variety of series talks given by James Baraz. For many more talks, including from Eve Decker and teachers from around the globe, see our Dharma Talks page.

The Sutta Series

• Capala Sutta: The Buddha’s Advice for Overcoming Sloth and Torpor

• The Vacchagotta Suttas

• The Simile of the Saw

• The Removal of Distracting Thoughts

• The Angulimala Sutta

• Anatta-lakkhana Sutta: The Discourse on the Not-self

• Instructions to Anathapindika

Appropriate Response at the Tipping Point

This series was inspired by Bob Doppelt’s book From Me to We: The Five Transformational Commitments Required to Rescue the Planet, Your Organization, and Your Life and the “Earth Now” issue of the magazine Inquiring Minds.

• Concern for the Planet as Dharma Practice

• Seeing the System You Are Part Of

• Karma and Sila as Gaia Practices

• Stewardship and Intention as Gaia Practices

7 Factors of Awakening

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.

• Overview of the 7 Factors of Awakening

• Mindfullness

• Interest/investigation

• Energy/effort

• Joy/rapture

• Calm/tranquility

• Concentration

• Equanimity

Enlightenment

The first talk provides an introduction to the topic of enlightenment. Part 1 focuses on the classic Theravadin meditative path to freedom, including progress of insight and stages of enlightenment. Part 2 discusses the sudden awakening path in various Buddhist schools. Part 3 focuses on non-Buddhist perspectives from the Advaita (non-dualist) philosophy. Part 4 explores the Path of Devotion or Bhakti path as a vehicle for awakening.

• The Big E. What Does It Mean to You?

• Enlightenment 1: Classic Theravadin meditative path

• Enlightenment 2: Sudden awakening path

• Enlightenment 3: Non-Buddhist perspectives from the non-dualist philosophy

• Enlightenment 4: Path of Devotion or Bhakti path

Breaking the Chains of Craving

James offers practices between sessions, such as experimenting with letting go of a simple habit in order to see the conditioning and to experience the aliveness of the present moment. For example, not reading or watching TV while eating. Includes lively comments and discussion from the sangha. Part 4 features Kevin Griffin - author, teacher, and innovator in the field of addiction treatment.

• Part 1

• Part 2

• Part 3

• Part 4 - featuring Kevin Griffin

Refuge in the Sangha

• Part 1

• Part 2

• Part 3 (Kalyana Mita)