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 feelunworthy of realising it themselves. As the story of the monkCulapanthaka illustrates, you do not have to be clever to examine lifeclosely. Everyone's situation is unique and contains all the lessonsthey need to learn about suffering and its cessation. As we see moreand more that the unsatisfactory nature of life is fundamentallyirresolvable, the more we are able to let go of craving for it to bedifferent 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 torealise enlightenment in our times because there is too much greed,hatred and delusion. The best we can do, they say, is to practice theparami and hope for a rebirth where conditions are more favourable.This talk debunks that idea, pointing out that the gateway toenlightenment is guarded by nothing but our own ignorance and innerdemons. The talk discusses the four things that the Buddha said thatlead 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 andcontrasts speculation with the pragmatic and practical approach of theBuddha’s teaching. The unease that fuels speculation and also methodsof restraining it are discussed. It concludes with the importance ofinsights 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 ofimbalances in energy on meditation are described along with ways toresolve 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 throughresistance, ways to bring those barriers down, including mundane rightview, the five precepts, metta and vipassana and how, finally, withenlightenment, 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 distinctionbetween the search and the seeing. The practice of and reasons behindvipassana are described and the combination of path and non-pathexplored. Then Paul explains how, finally, at the end of the path, theway is clear for enlightenment to arise.Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquiliity.This talk was given in June  2008.

This talk considers the relationship between chaos and order and waysto bring harmony to our lives. Supporting conditions for mindfulnessare 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 newdirection, some are attracted to Buddha-Dhamma, with its promise ofbliss, wisdom and enlightenment for those who practise it. The key tounderstanding is through developing mindfulness in all aspects of ourlives. But this requires us to be willing to face our demons. Bytaking refuge in the Triple Gem - the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha - wefind the inspiration, guidance and friendship to help us overcome allthe obstacles in our path.Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquiliity.This talk was given in February 2009.

Material wealth is sought after because it is believed to bring ussecurity and self-worth. However, all conditioned things are subjectto decay and death and, therefore, attachment always brings with itthe fear of loss. The Buddha enumerated seven 'treasures' that couldnot be taken away from us. These are explored in this podcast.Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquiliity.This talk was given in August 2009.

In this podcast Paul outlines a practice for developing compassion. Hedescribes its near and far enemies and their drawbacks, itsrelationship to wisdom and ends with a description of the benefits ofliving 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 

Paul discusses pitfalls that hamper mundane happiness, includingexpectations and attachment to views of how life should be, followedby ways to develop it using practices such as loving-kindness andservice to others. He then describes how the practice of vipassanameditation, by looking at suffering and its true nature, leadseventually to supramundane happiness by the way of understanding andletting go of the pursuit of happiness.Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquility.This talk was given in February 2007 

This podcast introduces the concept of a kalyanamitta, a goodspiritual friend, the qualities that such friends have and the reasonswhy we need them. It also discusses the necessary qualities needed bythe student in order for the relationship to grow and how it developsover time, leading the student on towards enlightenment.Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquility.This talk was given in October 2007 

This podcast discusses the various aspects of the four noble truthsand the three trainings of the noble eightfold path: sila (ethics),samadhi (mental development) and panna (wisdom). It then describes howinsight 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 August 2007 

This talk describes how Buddhism shares aspects of several othersystems, including religion, ethics, psychology and philosophy. Itdiscusses how trying to mix different systems can lead to problems andthen points out the way in which Buddhism differs from all othersystems, how it is a middle way,  which is all encompassing.Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquility.This talk was given in February 2008 

This podcast discusses how life changes with the way we choose torespond to situations. It looks at the meaning of acceptance and theimpact it has on our actions, including meditation, and how acceptancedevelops interest which leads to understanding and wisdom into thetransient, conditioned nature of all things.Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquility.This talk was given in May  2015 

This talk discusses the Noble Eightfold Path and the Buddha’s approachto conflict resolution, along with ways to achieve physical andpsychological security.Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquility.This talk was given in February 2004 

This talk discusses rebirth and its importance within the Buddha’steaching. It explores the different impacts on our lives of holding aone-life view compared with a view of rebirth and describes how thenoting of the five aggregates in vipassana meditation can take usbeyond the cycle of rebirth to the realisation of enlightenment.Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquility.This talk was given in November 2006

In this podcast, Paul introduces the four cankers of sensual desire,becoming, views and ignorance, describes how they corrupt meditationand gives tips on how to overcome them. He then discusses ways toprepare in order to make the most of a retreat and the effect it canhave on our practice.

This podcast examines the power of the mind and how it can be used toinfluence our lives. It discusses the influence of the parami, kammaand rebirth, how the hindrances can hamper personal power and alsowarns about the potential dangers of the power of the mind. Finally itdescribes how certain acts of power can lead to enlightenment.Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquility.This talk was given in December 2005

This podcast discusses the role of renunciation in undertaking aBuddhist practice and the difference between renunciation andasceticism. It discusses how renunciation can show up our attachmentsand the hindrances to meditation, enable us to note the three marks oftransience, unsatisfactoriness and non-self and finally, bring us tothe realisation of nibbana.Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquility.This talk was given in October 2005

This talk discusses the topic of belief in self and the Buddha’steaching of non-self, what we mean by “self” and how it develops. Itintroduces the Buddha’s three-fold training of ethical conduct,concentration and insight. Then how to see through the illusion ofself by noting experience at the ultimate level, using the fiveaggregates.Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquility.This talk was given in August 2003

This talk discusses the five hindrances to meditation, using an analogy given by the Buddha. It describes how we use them in daily life to avoid unwanted situations and the problems they cause in meditation. Antidotes specific to each hindrance are discussed and then a description of how meditation can develop without the hindrances.Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquility.This talk was given in August 2004

This podcast discusses interconnectedness and the conditioned and conditioning nature of phenomena. Paul points out the importance of ethical conduct and kamma, then introduces the Abhidhamma - the higher teaching of Buddhism. He concludes with some descriptions of Nibbana, enlightenment.Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquility.This talk was given in June 2005

Paul describes the cycle of perceived threat, fear and response which is often perceived as aggression by the person receiving it, leading to more perceived threat, fear, reaction and so on.We break the cycle of fear and response by radical acceptance. By following the Buddha’s Noble Eightfold Path. Definitions of what he means by radical and acceptance are given with an example of the opposite. The importance of kamma and rebirth is discussed along with a description of the Buddha’s approach to fear using acceptance and mindfulness and how we can do the same.Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquility.This talk was given in April 2022

This talk describes ways in which we try to find happiness in this life and how, as the Buddha said: “Life is suffering”. Then, how we can come to the end of suffering by keeping the precepts, developing a regular practice using vipassana meditation, allaying the five hindrances and looking at the three marks of transience, unsatisfactoriness and non-self.Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquillity.This talk was given on 21st May 2003

Paul discusses samsara, describing a variety of realms of existence, from realms of ghosts and demons up to heavenly realms with the human world in between. Explores how to escape the wheel of rebirth, by developing faith, living according to mundane right view and most importantly, developing vipassana meditation.Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquillity.This talk was given on 9th October 2002

Suffering  within the four noble truths is discussed and the need to understand the cause behind it. The two arrows are described: how the first is inherent suffering that we are born with and that the second is conditioned by the craving to get away from the first. The importance of compassion to lessen self concern is described along with a description of insight meditation and how to approach it. Finally, there is a description of how the enlightened being approaches the two arrows.Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquillity.This talk was given on 3rd November 2021

A reading and discussion on the meaning of the Parable of the Raft. The importance of various aspects of the teaching, such as the five spiritual faculties and the parami, is described. Hindrances are discussed, how to deal with them and then what meditation is like when they have been set aside. Finally, on the realisation of enlightenment, how the dhamma and meditation are no longer needed.Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquillity.  This talk was given on 1st June 2022

Paul discusses the simplicity of being present, what obstructs it and what to do in order to obtain it; the difference between non-hatred and anti-hatred and the role of obsessions with the past, present and future; and how the absence of suffering is not something we create, but that it develops through dealing with the things that pull us into suffering.Finally, he describes how vipassana meditation can bring us to the present.Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquillity.  This talk was given on the 29th September 2021

What is meditation and how can we learn through it? Paul discusses the three trainings of the Buddha’s Noble Eightfold Path and how they work together. How to approach meditation: setting it up properly beforehand and how to deal with unwanted thoughts. How concentration and equanimity develop over time. and finally, the development of wisdomPaul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquillity.  This talk was given on 1st December 2021

This talk discusses the four bases of spiritual power (iddhipada). It explains what they are, how the meditation feels when they start to develop and also how to develop them. This is all illustrated using the description of skills needed in the example of driving to the meditation centre for a Wednesday evening meeting, and comparing these with those needed in meditation. Finally, there is a description of the end of the insight path, Nibbana.Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquillity.This talk was given on 4th May 2022

This concerns the story of Sona, who tried too hard in the meditation, and the Buddha’s instruction to him of using the middle way in terms of effort. It discusses setting up the meditation practice, then afterwards, reflecting on it and adapting our approach. It highlights important aspects such as creating a positive narrative about meditation, knowing its purpose, direction and focus and having clear comprehension of all of these.Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquility.This talk was given on the 1st September 2021

Brother Nigel is the long-standing Head Monk at the Monastery of Absolute Harmony. 

Audio recording of the book "Postcards from Beyond" by meditation teacher Paul Harris, uploaded in weekly installments. https://www.aukana.org.uk/books.html