The House of Inner Tranquillity Podcast

With less emphasis being placed on teaching children the nativity, the winter solstice now appears to have become a celebration of consumerism. And with the growth of scientific materialism and fundamentalism, many believe that we are entering a dark age where the spiritual dimension to life has been entirely lost from people's lives. This talk describes how the desire to "find the light" is unive...

In essence, meditation is simply the ability to be conscious of present experience in a peaceful and balanced way so as to observe and comprehend the true nature of reality as it unfolds. In practice, however, this is not an easy task and requires the development of spiritual intelligence. Using the illustration of a young man who decides to enter into full-time Buddhist training, this talk define...

The wheel of Condition-Dependent Origination is the Buddha's description of how life goes on in an endless series of birth and death. Success in vipassana meditation requires an open-minded attitude towards the idea of rebirth. Just as we know that love is real, although not verifiable objectively, in the same way, the proof for rebirth can only come from understanding one's own subjective experie...

Enlightenment is attainable by anyone, but sometimes students feel unworthy of realising it themselves. As the story of the monk Culapanthaka illustrates, you do not have to be clever to examine life closely. Everyone's situation is unique and contains all the lessons they need to learn about suffering and its cessation. As we see more and more that the unsatisfactory nature of life is fundamental...

An article in a Buddhist journal suggested that it is not possible to realise enlightenment in our times because there is too much greed, hatred and delusion. The best we can do, they say, is to practice the parami and hope for a rebirth where conditions are more favourable. This talk debunks that idea, pointing out that the gateway to enlightenment is guarded by nothing but our own ignorance and...

 We are so caught up in trying to make life different than it is that we take life for granted and miss the wonder and mystery of it all. The practice of Mindfulness of Breathing teaches us how to create a 'window' in to which we can peer and observe life as it actually unfolds. The practice succeeds when we abandon temporarily all craving and become totally interested in the breath for its own sa...

Everything in life is interconnected. From the huge gravitational pull of black holes, planets and suns to the 'spooky action at a distance' of minute photons, in reality there is no separation between things and everything carries an influence. People too are continually trying to influence one another such as via the media and advertising for instance. The meditator can influence the world aroun...

Although appearing relatively stable, life is actually very unpredictable. We seek greater knowledge of life as a way to master the uncertainty. Meditation is voluntarily choosing to remain in the uncertainty of the present in order to investigate our     subjective experience - something we have never done before. The hindrance of doubt, which is the attempt to ensure certainty, is prolific among...

So called because they are the necessary mental capacities that lead to enlightenment, the way the seven factors develop through meditation is explained in this talk. Starting with the basic instruction to 'rest content in the moment and watch the arising and passing of things', the obstacles to meditation are overcome by developing each factor until equanimity is properly established. It is with...

The point of following the Buddhas teaching is to bring us to the realisation that life is perfect as it is. This talk illustrates how, using this idea as a starting point, the three trainings in ethics, mental development and wisdom fit together. We can find out directly for ourselves the true nature of reality and we discover that all the magic and mystery we could ever want is all around us – w...

Is Buddhism relevant in the twenty-first century? The Buddha's teaching on the Four Nobel Truths relate to the same basic condition common to all humans regardless of the times. We all suffer and all seek freedom from suffering. But in this 'Age of Reason', we demand the freedom to find out the truth of things for ourselves. The talk looks at the three kinds of craving, how they manifest in daily...

During the Olympic Games people spontaneously developed the wholesome mental quality of sympathetic joy. This talk describes how to practice this 'divine abiding' and it's benefit as a way of overcoming envy and discontent. As all worldly aspirations are ultimately fleeting and unsatisfactory, it is the spiritual successes that lead someone towards enlightenment which regarded as having the greate...

Mind is a tool that we can learn to use effectively. Developing the practice of Metta teaches us how to use  thinking skilfully. We learn how to acknowledge our negative habit patterns and ways of overcoming resentment. We can practice mindfulness as a love for all objects. We see how developing a friendly attitude changes our perception of the world. The sense of love that emerges is not enlighte...

When new to this training, we may not wish to comply with the rules, we may want to choose our own path, to maintain control. It is, however, the giving up of our attempts to control that enables us to follow the Buddha’s path. The story of the monk Cula Panthaka illustrates how this approach can unfold. Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranq...

The problem of suffering cannot be eradicated through external means alone. Such activity merely perpetuates the round of suffering indefinitely and still one's own freedom is yet to be won. The Buddha's path includes within it a balanced approach to dealing with the needs of others. But in the final analysis, it is only by looking closely at how life is constructed moment by moment at its most fu...

This talk considers the importance of a good teacher and also of a sangha. It discusses ways of relating to the teacher and how to determine whether the teacher and the teachings are right for you. Peter Case was a monastic for two years at the House of Inner Tranquility in the 1980's and continues to be a student of Paul Harris.. This talk was given in December 2023.

This podcast explores the myths around enlightenment and the importance of personal practice rather than book learning. It discusses how vipassana meditation gradually erodes our wrong views and ends with a description of what enlightenment is. Peter Case was a monastic for two years at the House of Inner Tranquility in the 1980's and continues to be a student of Paul Harris.. This talk was given...

An arahant is a 'Perfected One', someone who has completed the Buddhist training and has realised the way life truly is. As such, they have accomplished the one true goal of this precious human life. They are free from all mental pollutions caused by delusion and are at peace. This talk describes a little of the way such individuals see life, some of the qualities needed to come to this same under...

This podcast considers the problems with speculating about life and contrasts speculation with the pragmatic and practical approach of the Buddha’s teaching. The unease that fuels speculation and also methods of restraining it are discussed. It concludes with the importance of insights and their role in the realisation of enlightenment. Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation te...

This talk discusses the correct level of mental energy for meditation, describing the Buddha’s teaching on Right Effort. The effects of imbalances in energy on meditation are described along with ways to resolve them. Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquiliity. This talk was given in April 2008.

This podcast explores how we create psychological barriers through resistance, ways to bring those barriers down, including mundane right view, the five precepts, metta and vipassana and how, finally, with enlightenment, there are no barriers. Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquiliity. This talk was given in August 2008.

Path and non-path teachings are discussed making the distinction between the search and the seeing. The practice of and reasons behind vipassana are described and the combination of path and non-path explored. Then Paul explains how, finally, at the end of the path, the way is clear for enlightenment to arise. Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner...

This talk considers the relationship between chaos and order and ways to bring harmony to our lives. Supporting conditions for mindfulness are explored along with how it uncovers the order behind the chaos, leading on towards enlightenment. Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquiliity. This talk was given in December 2008.

We sometimes find ourselves at a crossroads in life. Looking for a new direction, some are attracted to Buddha-Dhamma, with its promise of bliss, wisdom and enlightenment for those who practise it. The key to understanding is through developing mindfulness in all aspects of our lives. But this requires us to be willing to face our demons. By taking refuge in the Triple Gem - the Buddha, Dhamma and...

Material wealth is sought after because it is believed to bring us security and self-worth. However, all conditioned things are subject to decay and death and, therefore, attachment always brings with it the fear of loss. The Buddha enumerated seven 'treasures' that could not be taken away from us. These are explored in this podcast. Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teach...