A talk given at Berkeley Zen Center on Saturday, November 16th 2024 by Penelope Thompson.Penelope Thompson

In Berkeley Talks episode 213, Timothy Tangherlini, a UC Berkeley professor in the Department of Scandinavian and director of the Folklore Graduate Program, discusses the vital role that storytelling plays in many cultures around the world, and how it can influence belief, for good and for bad. “Stories give a basis and a justification for people t…

(Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley) This week has been a test for anyone who values kindness, compassion, and equanimity. It's understandable to get lost in fear, confusion and despair. This is when spiritual practice is needed most. How can we use our practice to develop a balance of mind in unpredictable circumstances, and relate to those …

Hosted by visiting-Teachers-In-Residence Greg Fain and Linda Galijan.Linda Galijan

A talk given at Berkeley Zen Center on Saturday, November 2nd 2024 by Ryushin Andrea Thach.Ryushin Andrea Thach

In Berkeley Talks episode 212, a panel of UC Berkeley experts from former presidential administrations take a critical look at the issues that have led the U.S. to this year’s historic election and reflect on the future of American democracy. The Oct. 29 campus event was sponsored by the Goldman School of Public Policy and Cal Performances, and was…

Hosted by visiting-Teachers-In-Residence Linda Galijan and Greg Fain.Zenshin Greg Fain

(Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley) This Thursday is Halloween night. It's definitely scary times so I thought we could explore working with fear. Join us online.James Baraz

Hosted by visiting-Teachers-In-Residence Linda Galijan and Greg Fain.Linda Galijan

A talk given at Berkeley Zen Center on Saturday, October 19th 2024 by Gary Artim.Gary Artim

In Berkeley Talks episode 211, Bradley Onishi, a scholar of religion, an ex-evangelical minister and the co-host of the politics podcast Straight White American Jesus, discusses Project 2025, Christian nationalism and the November elections. “Project 2025 is a deeply reactionary Catholic vision for the country,” said Onishi, who gave the 2024 Berke…

Hosted by visiting-Teachers-In-Residence Greg Fain and Linda Galijan.Zenshin Greg Fain

(Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley) Alan Watts wrote a classic book The Wisdom of Insecurity. With the election in the States a few weeks away, dealing with significant uncertainty is on the minds of most everybody. Join us as we explore the topic of dealing with major uncertainty as Dharma practice together.…

A talk given at Berkeley Zen Center on Saturday, October 12th 2024 by Zenshin Greg Fain.Zenshin Greg Fain

In 2011, mass protests erupted in Syria against the four-decade authoritarian rule of the Assad family. The uprising, which became part of the larger pro-democracy Arab Spring that spread through much of the Arab world, was met with a brutal government crackdown. Soon after, the country descended into a devastating civil war that has killed hundred…

(Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley) An investigation into the teaching and practice of Wise Action. Born of Wise Understanding and Wise Intention, Wise Action is motivated by clarity and compassion, and is an essential part of the path to freedom.Eve Decker

(Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley) How might you let Life play you like an instrument? In this talk James shares the evening with Sarah-Marie Hopf, a good friend, dedicated practitioner, coach and meditation teacher who shares about her journey of progressively deepening trust in the dharma and our True Nature and opening to what wants to f…

A talk given at Berkeley Zen Center on Saturday, September 21st 2024 by Linda Galijan.Linda Galijan

In Berkeley Talks episode 209, renowned legal scholars Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of Berkeley Law, and Nadine Strossen, professor emerita of the New York School of Law and national president of the ACLU from 1991 to 2008, discuss free speech challenges facing universities today. They covered topics including hate speech, First Amendment rights, the He…

(Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley) The title of the evening is "Love, Serve, Remember". On October 13th, Spirit Rock hosts a special event Celebrating Ram Dass: Love Serve, Remember with Jack Kornfield, Joseph Goldstein, Sharon Salzberg, Krishna Das and others. Those three words were the instructions Neem Karoli Baba, Ram Dass' guru gave to…

A talk given at Berkeley Zen Center on Saturday, September 14th 2024 by Zenshin Greg Fain.Zenshin Greg Fain

A talk given at Berkeley Zen Center on Saturday, September 7th 2024 by Karen Sundheim.Karen Sundheim

In Berkeley Talks episode 208, three UC Berkeley professors from a wide range of disciplines — psychology, biology and ethnic studies — broach a deep question: What is understanding? “When I think about it through the lens of being a psychologist, I really think about understanding as a demonstration of, say, knowledge that we have about the world,…

(Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley) Join Eve for a look at the Buddha's foundational teaching. The Buddha said that he wished to teach only two things - suffering and the end of suffering. And the 4 Noble Truths, concluding with the fourth truth which is the Eightfold Noble Path, are his birds-eye view of how to do that.…

(Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley) Betsy shares some of her recent work called "Singing into the Unknown: Songs for Reimagining the Future" coming out the particular time of uncertainty we are currently in.Betsy Rose

A talk given at Berkeley Zen Center on Saturday, August 24th 2024 by Ellen Webb.Ellen Webb

In Berkeley Talks episode 207, bestselling author and UC Berkeley Professor Emeritus Michael Pollan discusses how he chooses his subjects, why he co-founded the UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics and the role of storytelling in shifting our perspective. “We're wired for story,” he told KQED’s Mina Kim, whom he joined in conversation…

(Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley) Join Eve for explorations of the Buddha's teachings on 'The Three Characteristics of Existence' - impermanence, unsatisfactoriness, and interdependence or not-self. The Buddha shared these insights because he saw that as we turn toward and embrace them, we suffer less and experience more peace.…

A talk given at Berkeley Zen Center on Monday, August 19th 2024 by Gerry Oliva.Gerry Oliva

A talk given at Berkeley Zen Center on Saturday, August 17th 2024 by Judy Fleischman.Judy Fleischman

(Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley) Join guest teacher Alexa Redner in an exploration the Buddhist Paramita of Resolve. What happens when we cultivate a spirited and loving commitment towards our wholesome desires? Alexa Redner has been practicing mediation since 2003. She holds a BA in Visual Arts and MA in Creation Spirituality from Naropa…

There’s a scene toward the end of the new Pixar film Inside Out 2 where the main character, 13-year-old Riley, is having a panic attack in the penalty box at a hockey match. She’s just been reprimanded for tripping an opponent in frustration. On the outside, she’s seen sitting in the small space while grasping at her chest and neck, breathing in an…

(Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley) The Buddha taught that there are three kinds of 'dukkha', or 'unsatisfactoriness'. Join Eve Decker to to explore these three and the power of deliberate presence and compassion to cool the flames of stress around life's challenges.Eve Decker

A talk given at Berkeley Zen Center on Saturday, August 3rd 2024 by Hozan Alan Senauke.Hozan Alan Senauke

(Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley) The Pali word 'dukkha', most often translated as 'suffering', in fact has multiple meanings depending on context. Join Eve Decker to take a look at this concept and some of the teachings on working skillfully with it.Eve Decker

In Berkeley Talks episode 205, sports journalist Jemele Hill discusses her career at the intersection of sports, race and culture in the U.S. at a UC Berkeley event in January 2020. "Sports journalism," began KALW radio journalist Hana Baba, with whom Hill joined in conversation as part of a Cal Performances speaker series. "So you’re growing up, y…

(Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley) The truth of impermanence means, among other things, that gain and loss are part of the territory of life for us all. When we face unwanted loss, grief is natural. Join Eve Decker for an exploration of Buddhist inspired teachings on wisely engaging with impermanence, loss, and grief.…

A talk given at Berkeley Zen Center on Saturday, July 20th 2024 by Carol Paul.Carol Paul

(Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley) Dear Friends, Join guest teacher for a look at the Buddhist teaching on "The Six Realms" - as we might be experiencing them right now. Judi Cohen is a mindfulness teacher, law professor, and long-time student of Vipassana.Judi Cohen

A talk given at Berkeley Zen Center on Saturday, July 13th 2024 by Laurie Senauke.Laurie Senauke

In Berkeley Talks episode 204, Michael Waldman, president and CEO of the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law, discusses the history of the Supreme Court and how its recent decisions will impact generations to come. “When you think of the topics for the first two years of this supermajority — guns, abortion, affirmative action, the inter…

(Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley) The Three Characteristics of ExistenceEve Decker

A talk given at Berkeley Zen Center on Saturday, July 6th 2024 by Sue Oehser.Sue Oehser

A talk given at Berkeley Zen Center on Saturday, June 29th 2024 by Ross Blum.Ross Blum

In Berkeley Talks episode 203, Alisha Gaines, a professor of English and an affiliate faculty member in African American studies at Florida State University, discusses why it’s important for Black America to “excavate and reconsider” its relationship to the plantation. “If we were to approach the plantation with an intention to hold space for the B…

A talk given at Berkeley Zen Center on Saturday, June 22nd 2024 by Susan Moon.Susan Moon

A talk given at Berkeley Zen Center on Saturday, June 15th 2024 by Susan Marvin.Susan Marvin

A talk given at Berkeley Zen Center on Friday, June 14th 2024 by Karen Sundheim.Karen Sundheim

In Berkeley Talks episode 202, New Yorker writer Adam Gopnik discusses liberalism — what it means, why we need it and the endless dedication it requires to maintain. Liberal democracy, he said at a UC Berkeley event in April, depends on two pillars: free and fair elections and the practice of open institutions, places where people can meet and deba…

A talk given at Berkeley Zen Center on Thursday, June 13th 2024 by Karen Decotis.Karen Decotis