1440 http://www.imcw.org en-us ℗ & © 2007 Insight Meditation Community of Washington Buddhist Dharma Talks Tara Brach Tara Brach, the senior teacher at the Insight Meditation Community of Washington (D.C.), shares a weekly talk on Buddhist teachings and practices. At the start of each evening, she guides her listeners through a 30-minute mindfulness meditation (also known as Vipassana) and then speaks for about 50 minutes. This podcast will include many of her recent talks and a few past evenings that cover key themes in Buddhist teachings. Information on these evenings, IMCW itself, and much, much more is available at www.imcw.org . no IMCW meditation@imcw.org Buddhism, Buddhist, Mindfulness, Meditation, Vipassana, Dharma, Buddha, Compassion, Sangha, Philosophy, Spiritual, Love, Insight http://www.imcw.org/audio/TBPodcast-RSSImage.gif http://www.imcw.org Tara Brach 2007-11-21 When we feel grateful, there is a sense of homecoming. We are connected with what we cherish, and in that abundance, our natural response is generosity. This talk explores two pathways that directly give rise to gratitude and generosity: full presence, and the intentional remembrance of what we love. no http://imcw.org/audio/2007-11-21-Gratitude-and-Generosity-TaraBrach.mp3 Sun, 16 Mar 2008 19:30:00 -0500 53:17 Buddhism, Buddhist, Mindfulness, Meditation, Vipassana, Dharma, Buddha, Compassion, Sangha, Philosophy, Spiritual, Love, Insight Tara Brach 2007-12-12 This talk investigates three core themes on the path of spiritual awakening: forgiveness, inner fire or aspiration, and the awareness of what we are...awareness itself. These living currents on the path are explored through an ancient Indian teaching story and guided reflections. no http://imcw.org/audio/2007-12-12-The-Path-of-Transformation-TaraBrach.mp3 Sun, 16 Mar 2008 19:30:00 -0500 52:05 Buddhism, Buddhist, Mindfulness, Meditation, Vipassana, Dharma, Buddha, Compassion, Sangha, Philosophy, Spiritual, Love, Insight Tara Brach 2007-12-19 In Buddhism, lovingkindness is considered a divine abode, our true home. This talk explores how we can recognize the mask that covers insecurity, inhabit our essential goodness of Being, and let ourselves touch and be touched by love. This awakening into wholeheartedness is the true revolution. no http://imcw.org/audio/2007-12-19-The-True-Revolution-TaraBrach.mp3 Sun, 16 Mar 2008 19:30:00 -0500 49:53 Buddhism, Buddhist, Mindfulness, Meditation, Vipassana, Dharma, Buddha, Compassion, Sangha, Philosophy, Spiritual, Love, Insight Tara Brach 2008-01-02 This talk reflects on the three gateways to liberating presence-- Buddha nature (our awakened heartmind); Dharma (the living moment, truth, nature of things) and Sangha (spiritual community.) The evening includes a ritual of "taking refuge" that invites our dedication to each domain of awakening and freedom. no http://imcw.org/audio/2008-01-02-The-Three-Refuges-TaraBrach.mp3 Sun, 16 Mar 2008 19:30:00 -0500 58:27 Buddhism, Buddhist, Mindfulness, Meditation, Vipassana, Dharma, Buddha, Compassion, Sangha, Philosophy, Spiritual, Love, Insight Tara Brach 2008-01-09 We realize and inhabit the fullness of what we are through the gateway of our senses. This reflection includes how we dissociate from our bodies (hearts, each other, earth) and the pathways of belonging. The evening is dedicated to John O'Donahue, a teacher of the divine longing that carries us to belonging. no http://imcw.org/audio/2008-01-09-Touching-Enlightenment-with-Our-Body-TaraBrach.mp3 Wed, 19 Mar 2008 19:30:00 -0500 44:55 Buddhism, Buddhist, Mindfulness, Meditation, Vipassana, Dharma, Buddha, Compassion, Sangha, Philosophy, Spiritual, Love, Insight Tara Brach 2008-01-30 Inquiry, or mindful investigation, is a direct way to deepen our attention and reveal the nature of reality. This talk explores the attitude, types of questions and practice of non-conceptual presence that awakens our deepest wisdom. no http://imcw.org/audio/2008-01-30-The-Power-of-Inquiry-TaraBrach.mp3 Wed, 26 Mar 2008 19:30:00 -0500 48:19 Buddhism, Buddhist, Mindfulness, Meditation, Vipassana, Dharma, Buddha, Compassion, Sangha, Philosophy, Spiritual, Love, Insight Tara Brach 2008-02-06 While we all want to be happy, our habitual ways of pursuing happiness leave us dissatisfied. What prevents us from being happy? What is true happiness? How do we relax and open to the blessings of our life that are always and already here? Though these reflections we explore together our potential to live from a profound place of inner freedom, peace and happiness. no http://imcw.org/audio/2008-02-06-Gateways-to-Happiness-TaraBrach.mp3 Wed, 26 Mar 2008 19:30:00 -0500 48:08 Buddhism, Buddhist, Mindfulness, Meditation, Vipassana, Dharma, Buddha, Compassion, Sangha, Philosophy, Spiritual, Love, Insight Tara Brach 2008-02-20 A full and listening presence is the gateway to genuine intimacy with our self and others. This talk explores the challenges to deep listening and the teachings and practices that guide us in developing this healing and liberating capacity. no http://imcw.org/audio/2008-02-20-Listening-Presence-TaraBrach.mp3 Thu, 27 Mar 2008 19:30:00 -0500 45:42 Buddhism, Buddhist, Mindfulness, Meditation, Vipassana, Dharma, Buddha, Compassion, Sangha, Philosophy, Spiritual, Love, Insight Tara Brach 2008-02-27 In the Art of Practice, we explore key techniques in preparing the grounds for true meditation. These include relaxation, identifying a home base, awakening the senses and re-mindfulness. These "skillful means" allow us to arrive Here, and to rest in a natural mindfulness, awake and open awareness. no http://imcw.org/audio/2008-02-27-Art-of-Practice--Mindfulness-TaraBrach.mp3 Thu, 27 Mar 2008 19:30:00 -0500 47:19 Buddhism, Buddhist, Mindfulness, Meditation, Vipassana, Dharma, Buddha, Compassion, Sangha, Philosophy, Spiritual, Love, Insight Tara Brach 2008-03-05 This second class in the Art of Practice reviews the basic components of meditation training and illustrates through several stories, the use of the acronym RAIN in awakening loving presence. The session includes a period of question/answer. no http://imcw.org/audio/2008-03-05-Art-of-Practice-RAIN-TaraBrach.mp3 Thu, 03 Apr 2008 19:30:00 -0500 53:21 Buddhism, Buddhist, Mindfulness, Meditation, Vipassana, Dharma, Buddha, Compassion, Sangha, Philosophy, Spiritual, Love, Insight Tara Brach 2008-03-12 The fruit of practice is releasing our identification with core beliefs and fear-based emotions, and realizing and inhabiting our Natural awareness. This is described as the N in RAIN - an acronym that can guide us in awakening loving presence. no http://imcw.org/audio/2008-03-12-Befriending-the-Deities-TaraBrach.mp3 Thu, 03 Apr 2008 19:30:00 -0500 48:45 Buddhism, Buddhist, Mindfulness, Meditation, Vipassana, Dharma, Buddha, Compassion, Sangha, Philosophy, Spiritual, Love, Insight Tara Brach 2008-03-19 This talk weaves two teachings that are key to awakening. "The most important thing is remembering the most important thing" helps us be guided by the compass of our heart in living our lives. And discovering that "what we long for is already here" lets us trust that the love or peace we seek is found in the fullness of presence. no http://imcw.org/audio/2008-03-19-Our-Hearts-Aspiration-TaraBrach.mp3 Thu, 03 Apr 2008 19:30:00 -0500 46:18 Buddhism, Buddhist, Mindfulness, Meditation, Vipassana, Dharma, Buddha, Compassion, Sangha, Philosophy, Spiritual, Love, Insight Tara Brach 2008-03-26 Empathy and aggression are both part of our evolutionary survival equipment. We awaken spiritually as we bring awareness to the vulnerability that drives aggression, and discover that we can directly cultivate our capacity to experience loving connection. no http://imcw.org/audio/2008-03-26-The-Two-Wolves-TaraBrach.mp3 Wed, 09 Apr 2008 19:30:00 -0500 45:45 Buddhism, Buddhist, Mindfulness, Meditation, Vipassana, Dharma, Buddha, Compassion, Sangha, Philosophy, Spiritual, Love, Insight Tara Brach 2008-04-02 We lose huge swaths of our life when caught in wanting experience to be more and different. Yet if we bring a mindful presence to the thoughts and feelings of wanting, we discover a portal into full aliveness and freedom. This talk explores how to recognize and investigate wanting mind; how by tracing longing back to it's very source we discover that what we long for is already here. no http://imcw.org/audio/2008-04-02-Wise-Understanding-of-Desire-TaraBrach.mp3 Wed, 09 Apr 2008 19:30:00 -0500 46:19 Buddhism, Buddhist, Mindfulness, Meditation, Vipassana, Dharma, Buddha, Compassion, Sangha, Philosophy, Spiritual, Love, Insight Tara Brach 2008-04-09 These talks investigate how fear, nature's protector, proliferates and becomes a trance of fear and the cause of deep suffering. We look at the "body of fear" - the thoughts, physicality, emotions and behaviors that express and fuel the trance of fear. Through stories and guided reflections we explore the ways that buddhist meditation can free us from the grip of unhealthy fear. no http://imcw.org/audio/2008-04-09-Meeting-Fear-with-a-Wise-Heart-1-TaraBrach.mp3 Fri, 11 Apr 2008 19:30:00 -0500 46:17 Buddhism, Buddhist, Mindfulness, Meditation, Vipassana, Dharma, Buddha, Compassion, Sangha, Philosophy, Spiritual, Love, Insight Tara Brach 2008-04-16 These talks investigate how fear, nature's protector, proliferates and becomes a trance of fear and the cause of deep suffering. We look at the "body of fear" - the thoughts, physicality, emotions and behaviors that express and fuel the trance of fear. Through stories and guided reflections we explore the ways that buddhist meditation can free us from the grip of unhealthy fear. no http://imcw.org/audio/2008-04-16-Meeting-Fear-with-a-Wise-Heart-2-TaraBrach.mp3 Sun, 20 Apr 2008 19:30:00 -0500 52:44 Buddhism, Buddhist, Mindfulness, Meditation, Vipassana, Dharma, Buddha, Compassion, Sangha, Philosophy, Spiritual, Love, Insight Tara Brach 2008-04-23 In the buddhist teachings, joy is a natural expression of our awakened heart. In these two talks we will explore how we block off joy, and ways that we can cultivate and embody this intrinsic facet of our being. no http://imcw.org/audio/2008-04-23-Realizing-Our-Natural-Joy-1-TaraBrach.mp3 Wed, 23 Apr 2008 19:30:00 -0500 49:36 Buddhism, Buddhist, Mindfulness, Meditation, Vipassana, Dharma, Buddha, Compassion, Sangha, Philosophy, Spiritual, Love, Insight Tara Brach 2008-04-30 In the buddhist teachings, joy is a natural expression of our awakened heart. In these two talks we will explore how we block off joy, and ways that we can cultivate and embody this intrinsic facet of our being. no http://imcw.org/audio/2008-04-30-Realizing-Our-Natural-Joy-2-TaraBrach.mp3 Wed, 30 Apr 2008 19:30:00 -0500 45:06 Buddhism, Buddhist, Mindfulness, Meditation, Vipassana, Dharma, Buddha, Compassion, Sangha, Philosophy, Spiritual, Love, Insight Tara Brach 2008-05-14 The Buddha taught that in any moment that we have an argument with life, we suffer. This talk explores the ways we are conditioned to think life should be different, and how the natural arising of unpleasant experience becomes locked into suffering. An experiential reflection guides us in how to respond, rather than react, to life's challenges...inhabiting a wise heart. no http://imcw.org/audio/2008-05-14-Golfing-with-Monkeys-TaraBrach.mp3 Wed, 14 May 2008 19:30:00 -0500 43:10 Buddhism, Buddhist, Mindfulness, Meditation, Vipassana, Dharma, Buddha, Compassion, Sangha, Philosophy, Spiritual, Love, Insight Tara Brach 2008-05-21 In the Buddhist tradition, the spring celebration of Vesak honors the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death. The archetypal theme that plays through these three events, and the core teaching of the Buddha, is that we each have the capacity to realize profound inner freedom, happiness and peace. We are no different than the Buddha, and our path is to realize the luminosity of our spirit. no http://imcw.org/audio/2008-05-21-Vesak--Path-of-Awakening-TaraBrach.mp3 Wed, 21 May 2008 19:30:00 -0500 53:53 Buddhism, Buddhist, Mindfulness, Meditation, Vipassana, Dharma, Buddha, Compassion, Sangha, Philosophy, Spiritual, Love, Insight Tara Brach 2008-05-28 The expression of inner freedom is a kind heart. This talk explores how we armor our hearts, and the pathways of awakening our natural capacity for loving unconditionally. The session includes an experiential inquiry that helps reveal the ways we create separation, and the possiblity of healing and freeing our heart. no http://imcw.org/audio/2008-05-28-My-Religion-is-Kindness-TaraBrach.mp3 Wed, 28 May 2008 19:30:00 -0500 48:02 Buddhism, Buddhist, Mindfulness, Meditation, Vipassana, Dharma, Buddha, Compassion, Sangha, Philosophy, Spiritual, Love, Insight Tara Brach 2008-06-11 In this talk Tara responds to questions from participants on how to bring a healing attention to anger, sleepiness, great loss and the wounds of our world. She grounds the teachings in the two wings of clear recognition (of what is happening) and an allowing presence, one that is full with compassion. no http://imcw.org/audio/2008-06-11-Question-Answer-TaraBrach.mp3 Wed, 11 Jun 2008 19:30:00 -0500 54:50 Buddhism, Buddhist, Mindfulness, Meditation, Vipassana, Dharma, Buddha, Compassion, Sangha, Philosophy, Spiritual, Love, Insight Tara Brach 2008-06-18 One understanding of suffering is that as individuals and a culture we are uprooted, that we have disconnected from our natural world, our inner life and a sense of belonging with each other. Some flags are speediness and over consumption, anxiety and depression. This talk explores how we have become uprooted and the three gateways of rediscovering our natural wholeness, spontaneity and inner freedom. no http://imcw.org/audio/2008-06-18-Planting-Yourself-in-the-Universe-TaraBrach.mp3 Wed, 18 Jun 2008 19:30:00 -0500 46:45 Buddhism, Buddhist, Mindfulness, Meditation, Vipassana, Dharma, Buddha, Compassion, Sangha, Philosophy, Spiritual, Love, Insight Tara Brach 2008-06-25 Based on one of the great legends from the court of King Arthur, this talk examines the freedom that is possible when we can see past the veil of illusion and realize the true nature that shines through all beings. no http://imcw.org/audio/2008-06-25-Soul-Recognition-TaraBrach.mp3 Wed, 25 Jun 2008 19:30:00 -0500 56:11 Buddhism, Buddhist, Mindfulness, Meditation, Vipassana, Dharma, Buddha, Compassion, Sangha, Philosophy, Spiritual, Love, Insight Tara Brach 2008-07-02 Most meditation guidance is aimed at formal sitting practice. Yet we spend much of our lives "doing" activities and often, in a way that lacks presence. This talk explores the practical ways that we can transform ego-based doing into activity that is aligned with our heart and expresses our natural creativity, joy and wisdom. no http://imcw.org/audio/2008-07-02-Conscious-Activity-TaraBrach.mp3 Wed, 02 Jul 2008 19:30:00 -0500 52:36 Buddhism, Buddhist, Mindfulness, Meditation, Vipassana, Dharma, Buddha, Compassion, Sangha, Philosophy, Spiritual, Love, Insight Tara Brach 2008-07-09 Our predicament is intuiting our true nature--love, awareness--and yet regularly contracting into the self-identity conditioned by wants and fears. This talk explores three essential and liberating ways of relating to our human conditioning: forgiving that it arises, interest in what is true, and regarding experience with friendliness and kindness. no http://imcw.org/audio/2008-07-09-The-Three-Attitudes-TaraBrach.mp3 Wed, 09 Jul 2008 19:30:00 -0500 48:36 Buddhism, Buddhist, Mindfulness, Meditation, Vipassana, Dharma, Buddha, Compassion, Sangha, Philosophy, Spiritual, Love, Insight Tara Brach 2008-08-13 The ways we try to control our life imprisons us in a contracted, fearful sense of self. Yet when we contemplate letting go of control, there is a sense that we will be endangered, that we will fail, that something will go wrong. This talk explores how, if we have the courage to "let everything happen" we discover a presence that is healing and freeing. As we learn to live from this allowing presence, our actions become naturally wholesome and wise. no http://imcw.org/audio/2008-08-13-Letting-Go-of-Control-TaraBrach.mp3 Wed, 13 Aug 2008 19:30:00 -0500 50:05 Buddhism, Buddhist, Mindfulness, Meditation, Vipassana, Dharma, Buddha, Compassion, Sangha, Philosophy, Spiritual, Love, Insight