Padmatara is an Order member who has been working with ways to bring more awareness to her own communication and is still learning from resistance and obstacles along the way. In this interesting, down to earth talk, she discusses the ethics of speech as well as authenticity, kindness and miscommunication.
Another of the talks from Taraloka inspired by Gampopa's 'Jewel Ornament of Liberation'. This is about the first of the Four Reminders or Four Mind-Turnings. It's not every human life that is precious. Preciousness comes when our human life has arrived at the unique occasion of the 'Eight Freedoms' and at the right juncture of the 'Ten Endowments' - and when we have a faithful heart. 
Another of the series of Taraloka talks taking their inspiration from Gampopa's 'Jewel Ornament of Liberation'. In this one Kulaprabha sets the scene for the teaching of the 'Four Reminders' - or 'Four Mind-turnings'. The talk was one given on a 'Going for Refuge' meditation retreat on the theme of spiritual death, so included in it is an overview of the place of spiritual death in the Western Buddhist Order's system of meditation. 
This is part of the 'Jewel Ornament of Liberation' series of talks from the community at Taraloka Retreat Centre. So far the series covers the first three chapters of that text : 'Motive', 'Working Basis', and 'Meeting Spritual Friends'. If you haven't come across this text before, then Kulaprabha's talk will give you an overview of all three chapters in the context of the Buddha's Enlightenment, Buddha Nature and what that means for us. 
How do you get used to being Enlightened? What happened to the Buddha in the weeks after his breakthrough experience? Kamalasila explores these questions in two ways - using the framework of the Western Buddhist Order's system of meditation to shed light on the process that unfolded in the Bodhisattva's mind and body as Enlightenment dawned; and connecting us imaginatively with the symbolism and image of Muchalinda, the great serpent, coiling his body protectively round the meditating Buddha.
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!