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We have been telling ourselves and expanding upon the story of our lives since the moment we became conscious and self-reflecting as children. Now, when we meditate, we find these narratives to be an obstacle to our calm and happiness. This talk discusses how to improve the story of our lives in order that there be fewer to distract us when we meditate. Further we can learn how to remove ourselves from the content of thinking, before finally transcending all our stories completely. Paul's story is that he is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquillity.              This talk was given in February 2019.

What constitutes a good Buddhist? Mindfulness is called ‘choice-less awareness’ which means acknowledging and accepting the parts of our personality we consider negative. This way we can see that all mental states have the nature to change and are not ‘me’ or ‘mine’. This talk gives an overview of the four applications of mindfulness and stresses the need for establishing the right context for our mindfulness practice and what it reveals – what in Buddhism is called ‘clear comprehension.’ Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquillity.             This talk was given in May 2014.

People want evidence of rebirth, but what proof is there for a one-life view, of an entity that continues unchanged by conditions? There is, however, overwhelming evidence of the transient processes that give rise to conscious experience. We routinely will actions into being, and learning to use volition skilfully ensures pleasant future results. Developing insight wisdom gradually removes all misperceptions and clinging to the idea of self. This gives limitless freedom to explore the infinite mysteries of the ever-flowing, ever-changing stream of conscious experiencing. Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquillity.             This talk was given in December 2019.

Is it possible to always love the people around you? Paul explains that the realisation of ‘non-separation’ or ‘non-duality’ found at enlightenment is the realisation of love, however it is much more subtle than many think. Following a spiritual path helps us transcend the apparent divisions between things. For instance, practicing compassion brings the understanding of what unites us, rather than what divides us. Practicing Insight meditation shows us ultimately indivisible nature of conscious experience and leads to the recognition of that peace, happiness and undivided love that we are all seeking.  Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquillity.             This talk was given in October 2018.

Composure is the attitude of being self-possessed, or the absence of wildness. The Buddha encouraged his monks to adapt this mental quality in order to deal successfully with the ever-changing conditions of the world. This talk discusses four key aspects to develop mastery in composure: our views and intentions; being harmless; knowing oneself and realising emptiness. Even when you stub your toe, "the wisdom becomes so deep and complete that, in the end, you don't even have to practice composure." Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquillity.            This talk was given in August 2015.

What can we do when the mind is gripped by resentment? The Buddha encouraged students not to repay mean and hurtful behaviour in kind. Instead he taught loving-kindness as a way to respond positively. This talk explains various reflections we can employ to help release ourselves from resentment when it arises. When we can send out metta equally to everyone, including those with whom we have experienced difficulties, then we can be said to have won a battle hard to win. Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquillity.           This talk was given in November 2014.

The topic of food is a good way to show us how the Buddha's teaching works. He advocated generosity as a simple way to learn about action and result, and established the tradition of giving alms. The talk looks at the problems of obesity and anorexia, and how to mindfully deal with craving for food. Using Vipassana meditation we to observe the transient nature of the six senses and in so doing overcome all clinging attachment to the senses.  Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquillity.          This talk was given in September 2012.

To find lasting peace, love and understanding requires us to examine our deeply held assumptions about life and this requires commitment. In the world, we gauge a thing's worth by how difficult it is to acquire - there is always a cost. The cost of following the Buddha's way is in giving up our choices and options. This talk explains two levels of commitment: external and internal, and demonstrates how the recollection of death helps to clarify one's priorities in life. Enlightenment is rare but entirely possible with the right commitment.   Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquillity.         This talk was given in June 2012.

To find the highest happiness, the Buddha said, you have to know how this life works, rather than being preoccupied with the past or trying to make the future as you wish it to be. This talk looks at the Buddha's teaching on non-self, a much misunderstood aspect of his description of reality. Alan James founded the House of Inner Tranquillity, along with his wife Jacqui James in 1980. He continued to teach the way to enlightenment until his retirement in 2010.    This talk was originally given in January 1996.

Descriptions of enlightenment are like postcards in that they express what it's like to go 'beyond' but can never produce the experience itself. This talk looks at the value of hearing descriptions, debunks a few of the myths that surround it and discusses the limitations and dangers of all such descriptions. Hearing more and better descriptions cannot bring about the realisation. Rather, we must find out directly for ourselves that, "There is a conceptual reality which is constructed from ultimately existing phenomena. The total realisation of this is the 'beyond.'" Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquillity.        This talk was given in December 2007, when Paul was still a monk.

A talk on mindful investigation of what in Buddhism is known as the materiality aggregate. Are the fundamental building blocks of our physical universe dependable? What is the relationship between the material world and mind?  Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquillity.       This talk was given in December 2004, when Paul was still a monk.

What are some of the qualities of an "unshakeable" mind, the meditative mind that is capable of investigating and comprehending the deeper realities of existence? Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquillity.      This talk was given in October 2018

It could be said that there are as many definitions of love as there are people; from greed and attachment at one end of the spectrum to religious or mystical experience at the other. This talk describes how following the Buddhist training helps to develop and nurture our capacity to love by gradually discarding selfish action that harms ourselves and others, and generating relatively unselfish action that produces beneficial results. Finally, the training shows us the way to realise, for ourselves, the love that transcends all opposites - enlightenment. Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquillity.     This talk was given in December 2013

Spiritual teachings often portray life as an eternal dance, coming and going, twisting and turning, rolling up, evolving and dissolving, changing and changing again, all the while saying that this apparent movement is nothing more or less than "maya"  illusion. Alan James founded the House of Inner Tranquillity, along with his wife Jacqui James in 1980. He continued to teach the way to enlightenment until his retirement in 2010.   This talk was originally given in March 1988.

Seeking is craving. If you seek calm, all you get is turmoil. If you seek wisdom, all you get is stupidity. You need to learn how to abandon the search for happiness. When you finally stop seeking, then, and only then, can happiness visit you. Jacqui James was a Buddhist Insight meditation teacher and the co-founder of the House of Inner Tranquillity. Jacqui passed away in 1989, aged only 42.   This talk was given in December 1987

Some people are attracted to the Buddha's teaching because of its exotic eastern cultural heritage. At the House of Inner Tranquillity, we choose not use wind-chimes or prayer flags and neither do we chant or sit cross-legged. One student was disappointed about that and suggested that we "hadn't quite caught the essence of Buddhism."  This talk considers the Buddha's most fundamental teaching, the Four Noble Truths. Suffering, its origin and cessation constitute the basic premise on which the entire teaching rests. The sole aim of its practice is to provide the means for direct realisation of enlightenment and this is the true essence of Buddhism. Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquillity.    This talk was given in February 2006 when Paul was still a monk in training.

An outline of best practice for metta, a Buddhist meditation technique for the development of loving-kindness, friendliness and patience. Alan James founded the House of Inner Tranquillity, along with his wife Jacqui James in 1980. He continued to teach the way to enlightenment until his retirement in 2010.  This talk was originally given in December 1981. It has been remastered but the sound quality is variable.

Myths abound about the goal of the Buddha's teaching. Is enlightenment really absolute goodness and, if so, how do we define goodness? Is it the end of all desires, even the desire to get up in the morning? This talk looks at how wrong ideas about nibbana can warp a meditator's practice and how to let go of them, whilst continuing to walk the Buddha's Noble Path. Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquillity.    This talk was given in April 2015.

Following the Buddha's Noble Eightfold Path requires us to generate and encourage the growth of right speech. There is more to speech, however, than simply the words we use. We are in constant communication with one another both verbally and non-verbally. Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquillity.   This talk was given in March 2005 when Paul was still a monk in training.

How many of us have felt frustrated and disconnected from life? How many of us have felt that there must be more to life than just going to work everyday to earn money in order to eat just to go back to work again the next day? The infinite is calling each and everyone of us. It calls in a deep, silent voice, one that we find extremely difficult to recognise... Alan James founded the House of Inner Tranquillity, along with his wife Jacqui James in 1980. He continued to teach the way to enlightenment until his retirement in 2010.    This talk was originally given in July1982. It has been remastered but the sound quality is variable.