Stories are powerful - they speak to parts of ourselves that respond to symbols, patterns and truths about human life that are deeper and far beyond our rational experience. Through the medium of stories Danayutta, Kavaradhi and Kavyamani explore the themes and motifs from the life of the Buddha, as well as the life stories of his disciples, monastic and lay, female and male, rich and poor. Reflecting on these stories they explore their relevance for our own Dharma lives. These stories were recorded on retreat at Taraloka in 2022. In this sixth and final talk of this retreat Kavyamani tells the moving story of the Buddha's final days, his Parinirvana.

The fourth of six informal talks by Saddhanandi exploring themes from one of Milarepa’s Songs: The Song of Self-Examination, found in the Chapter’ Meeting Rechunga’ one of Milarepa’s female disciples. This talk was recorded on retreat at Taraloka in 2022. The song offers an uncompromising criterion for the spiritual life: endurance of hardships, renunciation of ‘nature lands’ property, friends and lovers; and a willingness to follow the instructions of a Guru. Saddhanandi discusses the themes using extracts from Sangharakshita’s seminars on other Songs of Milarepa. Talk Four: Renunciation and Aloneness Exploring themes from the next verse in Milarepa’s song: attachment in its various forms. Also, the need to move towards the positive whilst practicing non-attachment. The talk then explores the loneliness inherent in conditioned existence – what Bhante calls ‘existential aloneness’.

The last of six informal talks by Saddhanandi exploring themes from one of Milarepa’s Songs: The Song of Self-Examination, found in the Chapter’ Meeting Rechunga’ one of Milarepa’s female disciples. This talk was recorded on retreat at Taraloka in 2022. The song offers an uncompromising criterion for the spiritual life: endurance of hardships, renunciation of ‘nature lands’ property, friends and lovers; and a willingness to follow the instructions of a Guru. Saddhanandi discusses the themes using extracts from Sangharakshita’s seminars on other Songs of Milarepa. Talk Six: Milarepa’s Understanding and Perspective The last verse of the Milarepa song – the themes of the transiency and precariousness of life, and then Bhante’s seminar exploration of Milarepa’s perspective on the nature of change, and of the ‘building of self’, and the importance to know the Dharma for ourselves and not just through books.

The third of six informal talks by Saddhanandi exploring themes from one of Milarepa’s Songs: The Song of Self-Examination, found in the Chapter’ Meeting Rechunga’ one of Milarepa’s female disciples. This talk was recorded on retreat at Taraloka in 2022. The song offers an uncompromising criterion for the spiritual life: endurance of hardships, renunciation of ‘nature lands’ property, friends and lovers; and a willingness to follow the instructions of a Guru. Saddhanandi discusses the themes using extracts from Sangharakshita’s seminars on other Songs of Milarepa. Talk Three: Milarepa and Going Forth Exploring the next verse of the Milarepa Song, looking at the need to ‘go forth’ – to step away from conditions that don’t support our spiritual aspirations, and to set up a lifestyle that is supportive.