Is kindness possible here? How does clarity help us open up to love? Maitrisiddhi explores the active and receptive aspects of the Metta Bhavana as expressed through the symbolism of Akshobhya, the Buddha of the East.

From the talk entitled Metta and Akshobhya's Mirrorlike Wisdom, the first of two talks given on "Living in the Mandala"; a retreat on the Brahma Viharas at Taraloka Retreat Centre, 2018.

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This is a quietly passionate talk by Jinapriya on the quicksilver nature of the Enlightenment experience - impossible to pin down, utterly transformative. His main theme within the frame of such a big question - 'What is Enlightenment?' - is the struggle to live our lives in the present moment, especially in the face of pain. We are met with a thoughtful series of reflections, stories and images that all look to open up the gates of perception, and prepare the heart for the biggest change imaginable and possible for all. In that sense, this is a truly optimistic talk.

From the talk entitled What is Enlightenment? Given at Cambridge Buddhist Centre, 2003.

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Here Vijayasri looks at the culmination of the sevenfold puja by exploring the Transference of merit and self-surrender section. She considers the importance of breaking our individual self view, including the telling of the story of the 1000-armed Avalokitesvara, a symbol of the Triratna Buddhist Order. Excerpt from the talk entitled Transference of Merit and Self-Surrender from the series in our series on Transforming Self and World through looking at the Sevenfold Puja given at the Croydon Buddhist Centre, July 2016.

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How can we be helpful? Do we go beyond ourselves to do things for others? Are we inspired by the ways in which we are helpful?

Taravandana explores the meaning of the final verses of the Sevenfold Puja as practiced in the Triratna Buddhist Community. The Transference of Merits verse is based on Chapter 3 of the Bodhicaryavatara, Way of the Bodhisattva by Shantideva.

Excerpted from the ninth talk in the Sevenfold Puja series at the Manchester Buddhist Centre, on Transference of Merits and Self-Surrender, March 2010.

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Spiritual practice can be thought of in terms of developing positive qualities within ourselves. But in a very real sense it also consists in creating sufficiently beautiful conditions within our minds so that something from outside us may be invited in. From the talk entitled Inviting the Enlightened Mind given by Vadanya during the third Great Gathering of 2017 at Padmaloka Retreat Centre.

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Jayaratna shares his story of about a recent journey to track down his difficulties with the Sevenfold Puja, and what he learned about himself in the process.

From the talk entitled Facing the Sevenfold Puja given at the Shrewsbury Sangha, 2018.

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Most of our life strategies are to avoid pain. We can ask ourselves - Do I want to be bound by suffering, or free from suffering? Aryajaya describes the movement towards the Three Jewels as a development of faith and effective Going for Refuge.

From the talk entitled Commitment Is Key given at Cambridge Buddhist Centre, 2016.

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Here Sangharakshita explores the Four Reliances as he distinguishes the meaning of vijnana (Discriminating Consciousness) and jnana (Transcendental Awareness) and then further distinguishes prajna-paramita (Perfection of Wisdom) from jnana.

Launching his book entitled Wisdom Beyond Words, 1993.

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Vajradevi introduces the idea of 'talking meditation', where we carry the thread of awareness through verbal communication. This extends beyond awareness of the speech precepts to being aware of the texture or tone of our own and others' voices, using a 'settled back' stance and giving priority to the thread of awareness/knowing over the content of what's being said. She gives tips for the practice: staying aware of our own minds, aiming to let go of trying and focusing so as to aim for a more panoramic awareness. From the talk Working Mindfully with Communication & Language which is part of the series Pathways to the Beautiful Mind: Bristol Rains Retreat, 2019.

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The Buddha and Ananda once tended a sick monk, neglected by his companions because of his 'uselessness'. Sangharakshita shows that people cannot be treated as 'things' in the spiritual community.

Excerpted from the talk entitled A Case of Dysentry as part of the series Incidents from the Pali Canon, 1982.

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