The latest Budcast features meditation teacher Vajramitra introducing the role and scope of meditation in Buddhism. Meditation as 'coming home' to ourselves, and dealing with the scattered mind. Meditation as deep absorption, described by the Buddha with the features of a mysterious pool. And meditation as Insight into things as they really are.

Akashamitra talks us through what Virya (energy) is, how we can cultivate it and what blocks it. He looks at how our self view, including 'despondency and self-contempt', can hold us back, and how we can move beyond negativity towards a strong engagement with something 'bigger than me'.

In the second North London Buddhist Centre Budcast on applying the mandala of five faculties, Amalayodhin describes how facing suffering can blossom unexpectedly into confidence, the second faculty, and into an openness to what is bigger than our protective ego.

Ratnaprabha introduces the three types of mindfulness in Buddhism, and how they fit into the balanced mandala of five faculties, which also include confidence, energy, unification of mind, and insight. Mindfulness represents the integration aspect of Dharma life.

In the third 'Budcast' in the series 'The World Is Burning', Ratnaprabha describes how craving and ill will are mistaken responses that cause our experience of lack and frustration: they arise from delusion. The opposite of delusion is wisdom or insight. What is wisdom is Buddhism, how does it relate to mindfulness and awareness, and how can it be cultivated?

Budcast number two. Ill will is painful to oneself, and can lead to active hostility, yet we nurse our grievances. Why is this, is anger wrong, and how do you cultivate kindness? The second podcast on 'The World is Burning', the Buddha's teaching to the fire worshippers on Compulsion, Hostility, and Confusion, including the Buddha's encounter with the fire dragon (naga). By the new chair of the North London Buddhist Centre, Ratnaprabha.

Budcast number one, a talk on craving. How to spot it, what it leads to, how to tackle it. First of a series of podcasts on 'The World is Burning', the Buddha's teaching to the fire worshippers on Compulsion, Hostility, and Confusion. By the new chair of the North London Buddhist Centre, Ratnaprabha.