Wisdom of the Masters

Here is a guided Yoga Nidra meditation for relaxation, healing, and to help you sleep.  Yoga nidra, or yogic sleep is a state of consciousness between waking and sleeping, like the "going-to-sleep" stage, typically induced by a guided meditation. Yoga nidra is a powerful meditation technique, and one of the easiest yoga practices to develop and maintain. While the practitioner rests comfortab...

Excerpts of Questions and Answers read from the text - The Zen Teaching of Huang Po on the Transmission of Mind - Translated by: John Blofeld.  Huang Po (died 850) was an influential Chinese master of Chan Buddhism. He was born in Fujian, China in the Tang Dynasty. Later he became a monk in Huangbo Shan (lit. Huangbo Mountain). That is how he got his name. Huang Po was a disciple of Baizhang...

This is a reading of the Buddha's detailed teaching on the Four Noble Truths excerpted from the longer teaching - The Maha-sattipatthana Sutta - Digha Nikaya 22. Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. 🔆 These podcasts are not monetized - an never will be. If you benefit from these podcasts and would like to support our nun's hermitage, there are two options to donate - via Paypal using t...

A reading of the Katha Upanishad translated by Juan Mascaró.  The Katha-Upanishad is probably the most widely known of all the Upanishads. It was early translated into Persian and through this rendering first made its way into Europe. The text presents a dialogue between an aspiring disciple, Nachiketas, and the Ruler of Death regarding the great Hereafter. Music by Maok - https://www.maok.sk...

This is a reading for meditation of Namkai Norbu's brief commentary (as well as the song itself) on the "Song of the Vajra". The origin of this song is the tantra of the union of sun and moon.  Chögyal Namkhai Norbu (1938-2018) was an eminent scholar of Tibetan culture and a master of life. A unique figure in the contemporary spiritual world, a Professor of Tibetan and Mongolian Language and...

Among the works in Longchen Rabjam's famous collection, the Seven Treasuries, is this book commonly known as the Chöying Dzod.  Longchenpa, also known as Longchen Rabjam , ‘Infinite, Vast Expanse of Space’, or Drimé Özer (1308-1364), was one of the most brilliant teachers of the Nyingma lineage. He systematized the Nyingma teachings in his ‘Seven Treasures’ and wrote extensively on Dzogchen....

🕊️ This is a reading of inspired reflections on "Peace" from Mahatma Gandhi - a collaboration between myself and Swami Madhuram Puri. Dedicated to Peace in the Ukraine and the whole world. 🕊️    Music track - "Peace for Ukraine" by Swami Madhuram Swami's wonderful music can be found here (Time for Peace) - https://timeforpeace.bandcamp.com/   Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869 -1948)...

These are a selection of key pointers from Nisargadatta taken from "Pointers by Ramesh Balsekar" and formatted as a guided meditation. 🔆 These podcasts are not monetized - an never will be. If you benefit from these podcasts and would like to support our nun's hermitage, there are two options to donate - via Paypal using this email address: vivekahermitage@gmail.com with PayPal or using this dire...

This is a reading of a series of questions that were put to Ajahn Chah by a group of monks in his monastery.  Ajahn Chah  was a Thai Buddhist monk and meditation Master. He was an influential teacher of the Buddhadhamma and a founder of two major monasteries in the Thai Forest Tradition. He was reputed to be an Arahant. 🔆 These podcasts are not monetized - an never will be. If you benef...

A reading of the 37 stanzas on the Bodhisattva practice by Gyalse Ngulchu Thogme Zangpo - a Buddhist master from Tibet. Translated by Yonten Gyatso with the help of Dechen Wangmo.  A explained by Yogi Prabodha Jnana, "each of these stanzas is either a contemplation to prepare us to face the world better, or an instruction for meditation. Taking inspiration from the Bodhisattva ideal, we can t...

A reading of Sanai's beautiful and profound, The Walled Garden of Truth.  Born in Ghazni in the south of Afghanistan sometime during the eleventh century, Sanai is considered one of the most influential early mystics from the Persian region. Despite his strong influence not much is known about his life and much is gleaned from his poetry which is often autobiographical. His name is generally...

This is a selection of clear pointing out instructions taken from the text "Present Fresh Wakefulness" by Chökyi Nyima Rinpoche (translated by Erik Pema Kunsang).  Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche (b. 1951) is a world-renowned Tibetan Buddhist teacher and meditation master in the Kagyu and Nyingma traditions. He is the abbot of Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery in Kathmandu, Nepal. He is the author of sev...

These is a reading of extracts from Krishnamurti's talks on meditation taken from various sources - intended for contemplation.  Jiddu Krishnamurti (12 May 1895 – 17 February 1986) was an Indian philosopher, speaker and writer. In his early life he was groomed to be the new World Teacher but later rejected this mantle and withdrew from the Theosophy organization behind it. He stressed the nee...

This is a guided meditation spoken extemporaneously on abiding in our unshakeable heart of Awareness. 🔆 These podcasts are not monetized. If you benefit from these podcasts and would like to support our nun's hermitage, there are two options to donate - via Paypal using this email address: vivekahermitage@gmail.com with PayPal or using this direct link: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/VivekaHermi...

Solitude (Viveka) by Buddhadāsa Bhikkhu - A Dhamma lecture given at Suan Mokkh on 8 February 1990.  Buddhadāsa Bhikkhu (Servant of the Buddha) went forth as a bhikkhu (Buddhist monk) in 1926, at the age of twenty. After a few years of study in Bangkok, which convinced him “purity is not to be found in the big city,” he was inspired to live intimately with nature in order to investigate Buddha...

This sublime and profound teaching on the nature of reality by the great master, Longchenpa is taken from the Finding Rest in Illusion trilogy . It is suitable for those practitioners who have a in-depth understanding and insight into Dzogchen's concepts and paradigm.  Longchenpa, also known as Longchen Rabjam , ‘Infinite, Vast Expanse of Space’, or Drimé Özer (1308-1364), was one of the most...

Selected excerpts and pointers from the text "I Am That" by Maharaj (translated by Maurice Frydman). These have been compiled and intended for deep listening and meditation. 🔆 These podcasts are not monetized. If you benefit from these podcasts and would like to support our nun's hermitage, there are two options to donate - via Paypal using this email address: vivekahermitage@gmail.com with PayPa...

Picture Number 7 of The Ten Ox Herding Pictures. The Ten Ox Herding teachings is a series of short poems and accompanying drawings used in the Zen tradition to describe the stages of a practitioner's progress toward enlightenment, and his or her return to society to enact wisdom and compassion.     Commentary by Yamada Mumom. Translated by Victor Sogen Hori 🔆 These podcasts are not...

Ashtavakra Gita is one of the advaitic masterpieces.  One of Sri Ramana Maharshi's most beloved texts. Without mincing matters it comes out with the advaitic truth, the whole truth and nothing but advaita which is the Truth. This book embodies Ashtavakra’s teaching to King Janaka which vouched him Self-Knowledge between the time he placed one foot upon the stirrup of his horse and lifted hims...

The poems are a collection of Rumi's verses on the topic of Awakening that speak directly to the heart, using the metaphors of the ocean, sunrise, and waves to point us back Home. 🔆 If you benefit from these podcasts and would like to support our nun's hermitage, there are two options to donate - via Paypal using this email address: vivekahermitage@gmail.com with PayPal or using this direct link:...

Selected excerpts and pointers from the text "I Am That" by Maharaj (translated by Maurice Frydman). These have been compiled and intended for deep listening and meditation. 🔆 If you benefit from these podcasts and would like to support our nun's hermitage, there are two options to donate - via Paypal using this email address: vivekahermitage@gmail.com with PayPal or using this direct link: https...

Ashtavakra Gita is one of the advaitic masterpieces.  One of Sri Ramana Maharshi's most beloved texts. Without mincing matters it comes out with the advaitic truth, the whole truth and nothing but advaita which is the Truth. This book embodies Ashtavakra’s teaching to King Janaka which vouched him Self-Knowledge between the time he placed one foot upon the stirrup of his horse and lifted hims...

This is a tribute to the precious teacher, Thích Nhất Hạnh, who has just left his body after 95 years and after giving so much of the Dharma. This is a reading of some key quotes and wisdom teachings that he left us.  We pay homage and reverence to Thầy - a great Bodhisattva. 🙏🙏🙏 🙏 May whatever goodness arises from these readings/offerings be for the benefit of all sentient beings.

This guided meditation has been formatted from a teaching where H.H. gave a clear exposition on meditation practice in London, 1979.  His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche (1904-1987) was considered the greatest terton (discoverer of hidden texts, or terma) of our time, His Holiness has also made a thorough and critical study of all four schools of Tibetan Buddhism, realizing the wisdom of all lineage...

This is reading of a selection of Ma's poems for meditation and contemplation. Sri Brahmajna Ma (21 February 1880 – 5 November 1934) was an Indian advaitin saint from East Bengal. What little is known about her reveals her as an illumined soul who was established in non-dual realization. Like Ramana Maharshi, she had no guru, but attained enlightenment through her own efforts at self-inquiry. 🔆 I...