Part 1: The Search for Mind – 10 March 2026

The Dhammapada tells us “Everything has mind in the lead, has mind in the forefront, is made by mind”. But what is the mind? This series of four evenings from Sangha Night at the Bristol Buddhist Centre explores various aspects of working with the mind in a Buddhist context. This first episode introduces the series and uses Milarepa’s text “The Shepherd’s Search for Mind” to begin our journey. In addition to a talk, this recording includes short exercises where we try to answer for ourselves the questions that the Tibetan sage posed to the young shepherd.

Part 2: Right Effort – 17 March 2026

Continuing our investigation into the mind from a Buddhist perspective in the ‘All in the Mind’ series of four, in this the second week we look at Perfect or Right Effort, one of the elements of the Noble Eightfold Path. This exceedingly useful practice guides us in our efforts to work with the mind, and can be employed, not just on a daily basis, but moment by moment.

Part 3: Perception & Reality – 24 March 2026

A goal of Buddhism is to understand the true nature of Reality, which implies we don’t currently know what it is. Yet we tend to think that Reality is all around us and evident, so where are we going wrong? Starting with the Discourse of the Explication of Underlying Meaning (Saṅdhinirmocana Sūtra), we unpack and explore the Buddha’s teaching on mind and perception in the light of a modern scientific understanding. This is the third week of four of the ‘All in the Mind’ series from Sangha Night. The recording comprises a talk with tricky questions and a guided meditation.

Part 4: Stillness, Simplicity and Contentment

In the final of four talks of the ‘All in the Mind’ series we look at the Third Precept. At first glance, it may seem that this precept against sexual misconduct has little to do with our exploration of the mind, but the positive aspect of the precept – the development of stillness, simplicity and contentment – gives us a clue as to its core essence. How do we transform our mind from one mired in craving, to one that is steeped in contentment. After all, without contentment, how can we ever be happy?