Wisdom of the Masters

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...

Ryōkan Taigu (1758–1831) was a quiet and unconventional Sōtō Zen Buddhist monk who lived much of his life as a hermit. Ryōkan is remembered for his poetry and calligraphy, which present the essence of Zen life. He renounced the world at an early age to train at nearby Sōtō Zen temple Kōshō-ji, refusing to meet with or accept charity from his family.   Music - Fred Mitchin - Zodiac -with thank...

These poems/stanzas written by Ilie Cioara have been formatted for the purpose of a guided meditation. Excerpts taken from the book by Cioara, "The Silence of the Mind" - translated by Petrica Verdes.  Ilie Cioara (1916 - 2004) was an enlightened mystic who did not belong to any lineage. He is unique in a way, in the sense that he lived in almost complete isolation, in Romania, Eastern Europe...

Selected excerpts of teachings from Sri Siddharameshwar. Taken from the Inner Quest website - https://www.inner-quest.org/Siddharameshwar_Self.htm 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...

An incredibly beautiful and powerful Vajra Song from the Omniscient Master entitled "Space Without Centre or Edge" - wonderful for meditation. Taken from the text "Quintessential Dzogchen: Confusion Dawns as Wisdom" - translated by Erik Pema Kunsang and Marcia Binder Schmidt. Music credits: Tonepoet - https://tonepoet.bandcamp.com/ 🙏 May whatever goodness arises from these readings/offerings be f...

This famous stotra by Adi Shankaracharya has been formatted for meditation and reflection.  When a young boy of eight (Adi Shankaracharya) while wandering in Himalayas, he encountered a sage who asked him, who are you? The boy answered with these verses, which are known as ‘Nirvana Shatakam’ or ‘Atma Shatakam’    Music : Deva Premal - "Chidananda" Image: "Shiva" by Apoorva Shettigar...

This is a brilliant and profound teaching from Thomas Merton on Awakening. It is an extract from his book "Seeds of Contemplation" (chapter on Pure Love).  Thomas Merton  (January 31, 1915 – December 10, 1968) was an American Trappist monk, writer, theologian, mystic, poet, social activist, and scholar of comparative religion. On May 26, 1949, he was ordained to the priesthood and given...

A terma text revealed by Nyang Ral Nyima Özer. Translated in Treasures from Juniper Ridge: The Profound Instructions of Padmasambhava to the Dakini Yeshe Tsogyal. Translated and edited by Erik Pema Kunsang & Marcia Binder Smith. 🙏 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 chann...

This wonderfully clear and profound teaching entitled, "Dzogchen Practice in Everyday Life" has often been attributed to H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche. However, this teaching is a teaching Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche gave his disciple Rigdzin Shikpo while still staying in Scotland. You can find the full version of this pithy teaching plus some information on the background in "The Collected works of C...

Key pointers from Nisargadatta on the power of awareness and transcending the 'I am' to the Absolute. Taken from the text "I Am That" by Maharaj (translated by Maurice Frydman). These have been compiled and intended for deep listening and meditation. 🙏 May whatever goodness arises from these readings/offerings be for the benefit of all sentient beings. ** Disclaimer: As a Buddhist nun, my intenti...

Catherine of Siena (25 March 1347 – 29 April 1380), a lay member of the Dominican Order, was a mystic, activist, and author who had a great influence on Italian literature and the Catholic Church. Canonized in 1461, she is also a Doctor of the Church.  She was born and raised in Siena, and at an early age wanted to devote herself to God, against the will of her parents. Despite Catherine's re...

One of Bhagavan Ramana's favourite traditional spiritual works was the Ribhu Gita. The Ribhu Gita forms the sixth section of the Sanskrit work known as Siva Rahasya. It is the teaching of Lord  Siva  in  Mount  Kailas to His devotee Ribhu, from whom the Gita derives its name. Bhagavan Ramana's often referred to the Ribhu Gita in his talks with devo...

An extract of Longchenpa's teaching focusing on the emptiness of all phenomena from the Trilogy of Rest.    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. 🙏 May whatever g...

Formatted for guided meditation purposes and based on the text: "The Nisargadatta Song of I Am" - original text compiled by Maurice Frydman. This compilation of excerpts by Jerry Katz provides an excellent introduction to the book "I Am That." Recording intended for use for deep, guided meditation. 🙏 May whatever goodness arises from these readings/offerings be for the benefit of all sentient bei...

Johannes Eckhart was one of the greatest of Christian mystics. He was born at Hochheim in Thüringen, Germany, in 1260 and died c.1327. He entered the Dominican order when he was 15. Later he became a distinguished professor and taught at different universities. His direct and accessible teachings of a person's closeness to God inspired many people and he became well known throughout Europe. He was...

Selected excerpts of teachings from Sri Siddharameshwar. Taken from the Inner Quest website - https://www.inner-quest.org/Siddharameshwar_Self.htm 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...

Our Real Home - A Talk to an Aging Lay Disciple Approaching Death by Ajahn Chah translated from the Thai by The Sangha at Wat Pah Nanachat.  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 sent...

Part 1 of the Treasury includes: Sections 1-2   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...