Karunagita, author of A Path for Parents (Windhorse publications 2005), gave this talk at the first weekend retreat for mothers held at Taraloka Retreat Centre, 2014. Here, she introduces the gifts of parenting, including the development of patience, maturity, opening to love and the development of wisdom through direct experience of the three laksanas, as well as the inherent challenges such as lack of time and how they can be approached.

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If a talk could ever be described as beautifully bracing, this is it! Amaragita brings a sharp-edged mind and a long-term perspective to the whole question of what practice is. As you might expect, she also brings humour, warmth and kindness too, qualities that more than balance out the penetrating clarity and sometimes challenging questioning underpinning this exploration of the possibility of practice - for all and especially for those raising families at any stage of life. Amaragita offers three principles for considering the possibilities of deepening into the Dharma in any situation, and they are are worth remembering - or as she says, remembering to remember! Great, gently radical words that are bold enough to imagine and even assume the possibility of a more compassionate future for all beings. Talk given as part of the 2015 Mothers Retreat at Taraloka Retreat Centre.

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The Imaginal Faculty....what is it and why does it matter in our spiritual lives? Taravandana offers a personal perspective on her journey and experience of it in her practice. She offers guidance and pointers on how to open up further to the Imaginal Faculty in our own practice. A talk given as part of a day for women training for ordination, Manchester Buddhist Centre, 2017.

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Here, Ratnaprabha discusses the value of using images and the imagination to become more emotionally involved in practice. Is an image of a Buddha or Bodhisattva used in meditation real or not?

Talk given at West London Buddhist Centre, 2015.

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A self-proclaimed 'doctrine follower', Nagasuri challenges herself to speak on the basis of her faith in the Buddha,and does so with moving eloquence. Personal, full of devotion, she shares over 30 years of being in contact with the Buddha and explains how the grace of the Buddha's blessings has opened her heart time and time again.

Talk given at the Women's International Order Convention 2011.

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In this talk Padmavajra contemplates Beauty in different areas of Dharma life, including the beauty of people, of ethics, of friendship, community and 'institutions', and of wisdom. He also looks at the relationship between metta, formless beauty and the yidam, as well as knowing what beauty really is and 'the pregnant man'. This talk was given at Padmaloka Retreat Centre during the Spring Short Order retreat in March 2019.

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Starting with a story from the Rastrapalapariprccha-Sutra, Vajratara draws out the significance of Sangharakshita's paper on the Fourth Laksana. This is the path of beauty, from contemplation of ugliness to the gateway of liberation called 'the beautiful'. To be on the path of beauty, we don't merely enjoy beauty, we have to surrender ourselves to that beauty.

Talk given at Tiratnaloka Retreat Centre, 2019.

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How will you conceive of yourself as becoming like the Buddha? Saccanama explores the three myths of spiritual life, that of self-development, that of self-surrender, and that of self-discovery. Recorded at the Swedish Summer Retreat at Dharmagiri, July 2019.

This talk is part of the series 'To Place the Heart Upon' - Exploring Faith in Buddhism.

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Subhuti considers the significance of Sangha day falling on the cusp of winter, and the importance of the seasons in human life. He recalls the genesis of Sangha day from the time of the Buddha, and considers it's relevance for us here in the 21st century.

Ultimately Subhuti focus on the Sangha jewels itself; its vital importance for the individual practitioner and as a real sign of hope for this world.

Talk given for the Sangha Day Celebration at London Buddhist Centre, 2012.

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The social and political landscape is changing. Societies are, on the one hand, fragmenting whilst, on the other, unifying within a growing culture of consumerism and individualism. How can we create a community that is unified and diverse, exemplifying real values and being a force for good in the world? Suryagupta, current chair of the London Buddhist Centre, inspires us all to shine the light of the Dharma in the world.

This keynote talk was given to launch the year of study and practice at the London Buddhist Centre, 2019.

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