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.
If we possess the 'Ten Endowments', then we are come to the right juncture in this precious human life of ours. Such is the teaching in Gampopa's 'Jewel Ornament of LiIberation'. This is part of a series of talks and reflections from Taraloka inspired by this text. 
The Buddha realised full well how hard it was going to be to communicate what he had discovered to other people - to us. He knew that the grip of greed, hatred and delusion is very strong. He could imagine how vexatious it might be to teach. Fortunately for us, he could also see our potential. And so out of compassion he taught. Parami explores this theme of the Buddha's compassionate action and how ultimately it came from beyond self, beyond other - it emerged from his realisation of 'Emptiness'.
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.