Wisdom of the Masters

Dzogchen, or the "Great Perfection," is considered by many to be the apex of Tibetan Buddhism, and Longchen Rabjam is the most celebrated of all the saints of this remarkable tradition. Natural Perfection presents the radical precepts of Dzogchen, pointing the way to absolute liberation from conceptual fetters and leading the practitioner to a state of pure, natural integration into one's true bei...

Adi Shankaracharya (788–820 CE) was born in Kaladi in Kerala and, after travelling the length and breadth of India three times in his spiritual journeys, died in Kedarnath at the young age of 32. His travels took him from the southernmost tip of the country to Kashmir in the north, Gujarat in the west and Odisha in the east, debating spiritual scholars everywhere, preaching his beliefs, establishi...

Dōgen Zenji (1200 - 1253) was a Japanese Buddhist priest, writer, poet, philosopher, and founder of the Sōtō school of Zen in Japan. Music: Zen Shakuhachi - Kyotaku Daylight - Shakuhachi, Hang and Gongs 🔆 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...

Excerpts from the teaching entitled "Beyond Nothing" - intended as a meditation.  Siddharameshwar Maharaj is one of the greatest unknown saints of the age who attained the highest abode of Eternal peace. He was born in August 1888 in the small village of Pathri, in the district Sholapur of India. From 1925 until 1936, he taught many disciples and helped dozens attain Self-realisation. His tea...

These selections of quotes/teachings from Nisargadatta have been formatted for Guided Meditation purposes and were compiled by Pradeep Apte. 🔆 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/Viveka...

Lal Ded (1320–1392), known as Laleshwari in other parts of the subcontinent, was a Kashmiri mystic of the Kashmir Shaivism school of philosophy.  She was the creator of the style of mystic poetry called vatsun or Vakhs, literally "speech" (Voice). Known as Lal Vakhs, her verses are the earliest compositions in the Kashmiri language and are an important part in the history of modern Kashmiri l...

This is a selection of teachings of Jesus from St John's Gospel.  The Gospel of John was the only gospel written by a follower of Jesus. The other three writers were followers of Jesus's apostles, and likely never met Jesus for themselves. John's message was a personal account of his following closely with Jesus. 🔆 If you benefit from these podcasts and would like to support our nun's hermit...

This is a reading of the chapter on Impermanence from Finding Rest in the Nature of Mind (Volume 1). Translated by the Padmakara translation group. 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 extensivel...

These are a selection of key Ramana quotes/teachings on Silence and Stillness intended as a guided meditation. Portrait of Bhagavan by Germana Di Paolo 🔆 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/payp...

Anandamayi Ma (née Nirmala Sundari; 30 April 1896 – 27 August 1982) was a Bengali Saint, described by Sivananda Saraswati (of the Divine Life Society) as "the most perfect flower the Indian soil has produced." Precognition, faith healing and miracles were attributed to her by her followers. Paramahansa Yogananda translates the Sanskrit epithet Anandamayi - as "Joy-permeated" in English. This name...

This is a guided meditation on resting and trusting in Awareness - emerging from my retreat. It includes a reading of Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche's famous prayer - Rest in Natural Great Peace.   🔆 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 thi...

Ajahn Chah  was a Thai Buddhist monk. He was an influential teacher of the Buddhadhamma and a founder of two major monasteries in the Thai Forest Tradition. 🙏 May whatever goodness arises from these readings/offerings be for the benefit of all sentient beings. Disclaimer:   As a Buddhist nun, my intention with these podcasts is to offer these creative adaptations of spiritual teachings...

Ajahn Chah  was a Thai Buddhist monk. He was an influential teacher of the Buddhadhamma and a founder of two major monasteries in the Thai Forest Tradition. 🙏 May whatever goodness arises from these readings/offerings be for the benefit of all sentient beings. Disclaimer:   As a Buddhist nun, my intention with these podcasts is to offer these creative adaptations of spiritual teachings...

Reading from the text - Be As You Are - by Sri Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi. I have omitted the questions for ease of flow. Edited by David Godman. 🙏 May whatever goodness arises from these readings/offerings be for the benefit of all sentient beings. Disclaimer:   As a Buddhist nun, my intention with these podcasts is to offer these creative adaptations of spiritual teachings for the purpose of...

A selection of key pointers of Annamalai Swami's taken from the text -  'Final Talks'  - edited by David Godman.  Annamalai Swami (1906–1995) was a direct disciple of Sri Ramana Maharshi who realized the Self after practicing Self-enquiry for decades. This experience gave him first-hand knowledge of how to perform Self-enquiry successfully, making his advice especially valuable to s...

Reading of Thich Nhat Hanh's famous poem - "Please Call Me by My True Names."  Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh is a global spiritual leader, poet and peace activist, revered around the world for his pioneering teachings on mindfulness, global ethics and peace.   Music by Maok -  "Darkness and Light" Please find more of Maok's music at his following sites: https://www.maok.sk/eshop/store....

A sublime and powerful terma treasure teaching given by the Great Master to 25 renowned disciples.  Text taken from the text "Advice from the Lotus Born" translated by Erik Pema Kunsang. 🙏 May whatever goodness arises from these readings/offerings be for the benefit of all sentient beings. ** Disclaimer: As a Buddhist nun, my intention with this channel is to offer these creative adaptations...

Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche (1910-1991) — born in the Dergé region of Kham, Eastern Tibet, was recognized as the mind emanation of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo.  Regarded by many as one of the greatest Dzogchen masters of the twentieth century, and the very embodiment of Padmasambhava, he was the teacher of many of the important lamas of today. 🙏 May whatever goodness arises from these readings/offer...

Shodoka - Song of Awakening or Enlightenment. This is one of the four essential Zen texts. It was written by Yoka Daishi in the seventh century in China. It is a testimony to his awakening; his writing and spiritual approach is simple in style. The Shodoka has been nicknamed “the Mahayana sutra that solves all problems.”   Music: 1 Hour Zen Shakuhachi - by Tea Roman 🙏 May whatever goodness a...

Reading of one of Gibran's famous poems, "The Beauty of Death."  Lebanon-born writer and artist Kahlil Gibran  (1883–1931) became known for his mystical Arabic and English works, most notably the 1923 publication, 'The Prophet.' Kahlil Gibran moved to the United States in 1895 and was exposed to Boston's artistic community. Music:  Time for Peace - One -Part 2. This beautiful music...

This reading is suitable and intended for experienced meditators who have an in depth understanding and practical insight into Dzogchen's perfection.   Longchenpa's teaching on the 4 Methods of Resting Imperturbably - read from the text: A Treasure Trove of Scriptural Transmission. Excerpt from the chapter on Natural Meditative Stability. Translated by Richard Barron (Lama Chökyi Nyima)...

Profound pointers on emptiness for meditation taken from the text entitled: "The Mirror of Essential Points" - A letter in praise of Emptiness by Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche.  Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche (1932-1999) was a revered Tibetan meditation master, scholar, and poet, whose extraordinary presence and brilliant teaching style made a deep impact on the current generation of Tibetan lamas and on the...

Picture number 8 of The Ten Ox Herding Pictures - 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  Music:  Zen Shakuhachi (Bass) Kyotaku 🙏 May w...

This text of 40 Verses was written by Bhagavan at the request of Muruganar, who wanted a concise synopsis of Ramana’s teaching, and wanted 40 verses to fit a classical Hindu poetic form. Ramana wrote the verses as they came to him, and Muruganar arranged them in a particular order.  Translated by Arthur Osborne Music: Time for Peace - "One" - Part 1 - (Meeting Silence)   https://timeforp...

His Holiness, the sixteenth Gyalwa Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpe Dorje (August 14, 1924 – November 5, 1981) was the spiritual leader of the Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism and part of the oldest line of reincarnate lamas in Vajrayana Buddhism known as the Karmapas whose coming was predicted by the Buddha in the Samadhiraja Sutra.  The 16th Karmapa was considered to be a "living Buddha" and...