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An exhibition by contemporary conceptual artists reflects the Buddha’sFirst Noble Truth: that suffering is an inescapable part of life. Yet,while the world appears to be undergoing profound change, enlightenedbeings tell us that life is already perfect as it is.In this talk, Paul explores whether the world as conceptualised by themind is truly as it appears, and how our experience of reality isbeing constructed moment by moment. Within each of us lies thecapacity to understand how life works and the Buddha’s teaching offersa practical path towards that understanding. Paul Harris is the Spiritual head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquillity. This talk was given in September 2015.

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.