The House of Inner Tranquillity Podcast

Any withdrawal from reality brings suffering. Meditation increases awareness of suffering; one learns that one is responsible - suffering is volitional. The worse the escapism, the worse the suffering. Increased suffering drives one to find a way out - hence the world is totally compassionate. There can never be eternal hells or hopeless cases.

Alan James founded the House of Inner Tranquillity, along with his wife Jacqui James in 1980. He continued to teach the way to enlightenment until his retirement in 2010.   
This talk was given in October 1985

Not seeing the true profundity of our immediate reality, most people are endlessly caught up in the pursuit of personal fulfilment. Paul describes what it is like to be totally immersed in the dynamism and mystery of life. For example, a walk in the local countryside, although done many times, is experienced as if for the first time. True meditation, he says, is the practice of choice-less awareness without demands. By mindfully investigating experience for its own sake and lovingly encompassing everything encountered, it is possible to realise the perfection of now.

Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquillity.                 

This talk was given in May 2018

We all find ourselves in dispute with others from time to time and often, through the mutual need to defend oneself, rows are perpetuated. The discourse of the 'Parable of the Saw' forms the basis for this talk. It shows how the Buddha used stories and illustration to explain how those practicing his way might  deport themselves. Through restraint of negative responses, and the development of loving-kindness, mindfulness and insight, it becomes possible to peacefully endure all ways of speech.

Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquillity.                 

This talk was given in August 2011

The learner is the person who, dissatisfied with life, turns to a spiritual way. He remains a learner until he reaches enlightenment - and there can be no sudden leaps in his progress. Progress is won by reducing self-importance; this is achieved by, initially, taking the precepts, and cultivating metta and dana - and sense-restraint. Having established these, one can allay the hindrances long enough for insight to grow, until enlightenment is reached. The two essential factors in one's attitude throughout are systematic attention and earnestness of endeavour. Without the latter quality, one will find no zest in the practice - and without zest, physical and mental tranquillity will not develop, nor will concentration.

Alan James founded the House of Inner Tranquillity, along with his wife Jacqui James in 1980. He continued to teach the way to enlightenment until his retirement in 2010.   
This talk was given in September 1985

Most meditators are trying to get on, or are on, the path of stream-winning. Three fetters have to be overcome to reach the end of this, the first section of the total path: doubt, attachment to rule and ritual, and self view are discussed, with their opposites - devotion, adaptability, conditionality. The development of devotion is crucial - if doubt goes, the other fetters go too.

Jacqui James was a Buddhist Insight meditation teacher and the co-founder of the House of Inner Tranquillity. Jacqui passed away in 1989, aged only 42.  This talk was given in September 1985

Due to ignorance, beings have lost awareness of their innate wholeness and life becomes a restless search to try and rediscover it. This talk discusses restlessness in the form of sensual desire and how underlying issues such as boredom, painful feelings and even quietness perpetuate the desire for life to be different. Through learning to restrain acting upon such desires and generating insight knowledge, we eventually destroy the ignorance that creates restlessness and discover that the mystery of stillness is ever present.

Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquillity.                 

This talk was given in March 2013

Many come to the Buddha's teaching with fixed ideas and assumptions which cause them to warp the practice and resist instruction. The true path to understanding opens up when we accept that we do not really know. Developing inner honesty and becoming mindful of the transient nature of feelings, we create a space in which to experience the reality of what we do to cause our own suffering. Avoiding the trap of spiritual pride, we steadfastly follow the practice until we come to 'know that we know.'

Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquillity.                 

This talk was given in June 2009

All passionate involvement in the world stems from the belief that life should be different than it is. The cessation of suffering comes from the total acceptance of life could not be different than it is. The first step in walking the Buddha’s Noble Eightfold Path is to straighten one’s views to accord with reality. This talk explores two aspects of the training: the Divine Abidings and Insight Meditation. By learning how to be even-minded in every life situation, we can experience any of the worldly conditions without being disturbed by any of them.

Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquillity.                 

This talk was given in September 2009

Paul uses the analogy of a short walk to a gate to explain how it is not so much the Buddha's path to enlightenment that takes the time, but rather it is our habitual tendency to ignore reality and resist life that means we don't go straight to it. It is through vipassana (Insight meditation) that we correct our warped views of life and release ourselves from attachment, for, whilst there is still clinging to the parts, the whole can never be seen and understood.

Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquillity.                 

This talk was given in June 2013

This talk looks at the question 'Why are you here?' in terms of what the Buddha called Mundane Right View. Mundane Right View consists of a list of five statements about the nature of existence. It is maintained that these views are an accurate reflection of the way life really works. As such, the five points of Mundane Right View provide an ideal framework for pondering the question 'Why am I here?' and the possibility of discovering our true purpose in life.

Paul Harris is the Spiritual Head and principal meditation teacher at the House of Inner Tranquillity.                 

This talk was given in February 2012