This is a timely and invaluable talk from Paramabandhu. Drawing on many years of experience as a consultant psychiatrist and Dharma teacher, he invites us to consider the lessons Buddhist techniques around meditation and mindfulness training can bring to the field of mental health - especially to problems with depression and addiction. The talk evokes the Buddha in the Satipatthana Sutta to explore the four traditional foundations of mindfulness and discuss their potential use in therapeutic contexts. It is a kindly and empowering expression of practical hope, whose message applies to us all as we struggle to overcome whatever it is that holds us back from greater freedom in our lives.
Complete with a subsequent question-and-answer session on the talk in which Paramabandhu elaborates on the general theme. There's a wide range of material opened up - and considerable detail about how we can actually go about applying these techniques to whatever challenges we face in your own lives. Essential listening.
Please note - the questions in this recording were made at very low levels. We've amplified and clarified where possible - but the general sound quality drops noticeably at these points. However, they are all now audible and, in almost all instances, questions are repeated by Paramabandhu before he answers.
Talk given at San Francisco Buddhist Center, 2006
Why might gathering together in large numbers strengthen a spiritual community? Why did the Buddha counsel his monks not to change accepted practice? Do we respect spiritual elders? These are some of the questions asked in this exploration of what it's going to take to maintain the Western Buddhist Order and the FWBO as a vibrant and spiritually prospering community. Taking the Buddha's 'Seven points for the Stability of the Sangha' as his text, Sangharakshita explores their meaning and continuing relevance for 21st century Buddhists. 
This is the second talk in the series 'The Awakening Heart'. It touches on aspects of Sangharakshita's 'system of meditation', and most specifically the area of positive emotion. Kulaprabha brings her own depth of practice to bear on the material, especially her experience of leading through the 'Brahma Vihara' practices...
This is a very useful and, as ever, entertaining talk by Ratnaprabha on bringing Buddhist values and ideals into the workplace. Much food for thought on how to integrate practice into such a key area of our everyday lives. The talk has a useful potted history of experiments in co-operative working within the FWBO, and we also get Dogen's advice to the monastery cook to chew on. All in all, splendid stuff!
Here's a lovely talk from Padmavajra, given to celebrate Sangha Day in Birmingham. And who better to conjure the spirit of loving kindness as it permeates a community practising together and supporting each other in their great, shared endeavour.