Shraddha or 'confidence-faith' as an indispensable basis for the cultivation of Wisdom. In this talk Satyajyoti explores the teachings of the Buddhist teacher Shinran, who developed a tradition of complete and true entrusting to this dimension, sometimes referred to as 'other power'. 'Shinran overturns conventional tenets of Buddhism – and blows wide open our assumptions about how to live the Dharma life. Yet he is simply drawing out and taking to their furthest limits some essential teachings of the Buddha.' - Maitrisiddhi

This series of talks explores three great Buddhist symbols that describe the way things are: the wheel of life, the spiral path and the ultimate goal of Enlightenment. Together they form a guide to escape from the ultimate vicious circle into the complete freedom and fulfilment of Awakening. In this talk, Vidyavacin introduces the three family protectors - three archetypal figures representing different aspects of the ultimate goal of the spiritual life. Between them, Manjusri, Avalokitesvara and Vajrapani symbolise the complete spiritual development of a human being. These three aspects are Wisdom, the cognitive dimension; Compassion, the emotional dimension; Energy, the volitional dimension. Talk recorded on 10.03.20 at Sheffield Buddhist Centre.

In the game of life we wander between realms, moving from lower states to higher as our actions affect the state of our mind. Continuing from last week's talk, Dharmamayi gives us a closer look at what can emerge from 'the gap' in the chain of cyclic, repetitive existence. When we act creatively rather than reacting to events in the habitual way, a huge range of possibilities opens up. The spiral path is a progressive series of positive mental states leading to ever more free and expansive ways of living. It's a path we can all enter through choosing how to respond to what life brings, and is the same path which took the Buddha all the way to Enlightenment. This series of talks explores three great Buddhist symbols that describe the way things are: the wheel of life, the spiral path and the ultimate goal of Enlightenment. Together they form a guide to escape from the ultimate vicious circle into the complete freedom and fulfilment of Awakening. Talk recorded on 25.02.20

Tantric Buddhism developed outside the monasteries in small groups gathered around magical, shamanic gurus. In this talk Vadanya explores what magic is and how we can bring mystery into the forefront of life as an act of 'war against the ordinary'. If our eyes are open to it, magic can be a powerful tool for transforming ourselves towards our spiritual goals. Vadanya explains how magicians live backwards and describes a technique for casting spells using the Five Forces. With strong energies that 'increase the voltage of your mind' we can overcome our demons and make change happen. This new sangha night theme explores the scary, exhilarating, radical and challenging nature of the true Dharma. Over the course of coming talks we will be forging a Western tantra, bring the spirit of Vajrayana teachings into our here and now. Questions for reflection and discussion: What could you do to make life more magical this week? Do you have a spiritual goal that you could cast a spell to achieve? Recorded at Sheffield Buddhist Centre on 22.10.19