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 universal and ensures that there will always be teachers who find new ways to realise the beyond. Paul Harris is the Spiritual head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquillity. This talk was given in December 2014.

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 defines what spiritual intelligence is, how it is matured and the benefits that come from doing so. Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquillity. This talk was given in June 2014.

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 experience. This talk gives an overview of each of the twelve links and what to look for during mindfulness practice. Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquillity. This talk was given in March 2014

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 fundamentally irresolvable, the more we are able to let go of craving for it to be different and, hence, the less we suffer. Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquillity. This talk was given in February 2014

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 inner demons. The talk discusses the four things that the Buddha said that lead to the growth of wisdom. Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquillity. This talk was given in April 2013

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 sake. Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquillity. This talk was given in February 2013

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 around them and their own lives, both now and in the future by the way they choose to behave. The talk also describes the influence of the enlightened mind. Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquillity. This talk was given in December 2012

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 amongst meditators and highly destructive. It must be understood and overcome. This talk describes the amount of information it is necessary to have in order to practice Insight effectively. Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquillity. This talk was given in November 2012

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 all seven factors working in unison that the fetters binding us to samsara are destroyed forever. Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquillity. This talk was given in April 2012

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 – we just need to learn how to take off the blindfold. Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquillity. This talk was given in May 2012

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 life and meditation, and how they are overcome temporarily and permanently. Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal mediation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquillity. This talk was given in August 2012

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 greatest benefit. Wisdom is defined as knowing what does and does not lead to genuine happiness. Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal mediation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquillity. This talk was given in August 2012

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 enlightenment but has a similar quality, in the sense that all love is the absence of division. Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquillity. This talk was given in May 2012.

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 Tranquiliity. This talk was given in March 2012.

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 fundamental level that the transcendental understanding can be realised and the aggregates left behind forever. Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquiliity. This talk was given in March 2010.

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 in April 2023.

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 understanding and why arahants are worthy of the greatest reverence and honour. Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquiliity. This talk was given in December 2009.

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 teacher at the House of Inner Tranquiliity. This talk was given in October 2008.

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.