The House of Inner Tranquillity Podcast

Dec 06 2024 173 ep. 30 mins 119

The House of Inner Tranquillity Podcast artwork

The House of Inner Tranquillity is a Buddhist Insight meditation centre located in south-west England. The centre was established in 1980 for those in search of a practical approach to the Buddha's teaching. Stripped of ritual and cultural accretions, the path is presented in a manner ideally suited to the needs of the modern westerner. Today, just as in the times of the Buddha, someone committed to truth can travel right to the end of the path and realise the goal of enlightenment. Countless talks on all aspects of the Buddha's teaching have been given at the Centre over the years. We have created these weekly podcast programmes as a way to make some of these talks available to a wider audience.

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S8 Ep6: "Uses and Abuses of Mental Energy" by Paul Harris

Dec 06 2024 33 mins

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.

S8 Ep5: "Breaking Down the Walls of Hearache" by Paul Harris

Nov 15 2024 36 mins

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.

S8 Ep4: "Searching for the Here and Now" by Paul Harris

Oct 25 2024 41 mins

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 t

S8 Ep3: "The Butterfly Effect" by Paul Harris

Oct 04 2024 42 mins

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.

S8 Ep2: "The Wish-Fulfilling Jewel" by Paul Harris

Sep 13 2024 27 mins

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 Bu

S8 Ep1: "Treasure" by Paul Harris

Aug 23 2024 27 mins

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

S7 Ep6: "Developing Compassion" by Paul Harris

May 31 2024 32 mins

In this podcast Paul outlines a practice for developing compassion. He describes its near and far enemies and their drawbacks, its relationship to wisdom and ends with a description of the benefits of living with a mind filled with compassion. Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquility. This talk was given in April 2007

S7 Ep5: "The Pursuit of Happiness" by Paul Harris

May 10 2024 36 mins

Paul discusses pitfalls that hamper mundane happiness, including expectations and attachment to views of how life should be, followed by ways to develop it using practices such as loving-kindness and service to others. He then describes how the practice of vipassana meditation, by looking at suffering and its true nature, leads eventually to supramundane happiness by the way of und

S7 Ep4: "The Good Friend" by Paul Harris

Apr 19 2024 32 mins

This podcast introduces the concept of a kalyanamitta, a good spiritual friend, the qualities that such friends have and the reasons why we need them. It also discusses the necessary qualities needed by the student in order for the relationship to grow and how it develops over time, leading the student on towards enlightenment. Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal medit

S7 Ep3: "Rolling the Dhamma Wheel" by Paul Harris

Mar 29 2024 30 mins

This podcast discusses the various aspects of the four noble truths and the three trainings of the noble eightfold path: sila (ethics), samadhi (mental development) and panna (wisdom). It then describes how insight develops and leads towards enlightenment. Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquility. This talk was given in