Wisdom of the Masters

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...

This is a reading of selected key teachings/pointers from Bhagavan Ramana Maharshi taken from this website: https://www.inner-quest.org/Ramana_Words.htm Portrait of Bhagavan by Germana Di Paolo  Music: Wings Of An Angel (Master Unearthly Demagogue) - The Zen Of Drone- Simply Beautiful Drone Poems  -Spirit Myths With deep thanks to Wings for permission to use his beautiful music. 🙏 May w...

A selection of key pointers and quotes by Ajahn Chah on Dhamma and Meditation practice. For all the range of teachings given by Ajahn Chah, which are made available for free, please see this great website: https://www.ajahnchah.org/ ​  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 th...

These powerful and direct instructions for the dying process and navigating the bardo realms were read from the teaching: "The Refined Essence of Oral Instructions" by Padmasambhava. Translated by Eric Pema Kunsang. Taken from the text "Dakini Teachings". Music: "Horns - Sound Meditation" by Hilmar Hajek  "Distant Calling" - The Heart is Awake - https://theheartisawake.bandcamp.com "Finding S...

Shabkar Tsokdruk Rangdrol  (1781-1851) was a Tibetan Buddhist yogi and poet from Amdo. Shabkar's yogic and poetic skill is considered second only to Milarepa.  Shabkar begin his spiritual practice early, completing a one-year retreat at the age of 16, later becoming a Gelug monk at 20. Shabkar studied with masters of all major Tibetan Buddhist schools including Gelug and Nyingma, and rec...

“Who am I?” is the title given to a set of questions and answers bearing on Self-enquiry. The questions were put to Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi by  Sri M. Sivaprakasam Pillai around the year 1902. Translated by Dr. T. M. P. MAHADEVAN    I have omitted most of the questions for ease of flow - the answers are direct in answering the questions. Please note that all of my recordings ca...

A selection of Nisargadatta teachings and pointers on the theme of "detachment."   🙏 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 deepening spiritual understanding, contemplation, meditation,...

Selected excerpts of teachings taken from Sayings of Sri Ramakrishna and Gospel of Ramakrishna.  Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa  (18 February 1836 – 16 August 1886)  was an Indian Hindu mystic, saint, and religious leader in 19th century Bengal. Sri Ramakrishna experienced spiritual ecstasies from a young age, and was influenced by several religious traditions, including devotion towar...

Following numerous requests, here is a Guided Meditation on Self-Enquiry - spoken spontaneously by Samaneri Jayasara, ending with an {optional} poem for meditation written by Ayya Jitindriya.   Image: La Scapigliata, 2021, Found Stones, Chiang Mai, Thailand (Original by Leonardo De Vinci). Justin Bateman - Pebble Art https://landminds.weebly.com/ Music: Chinese Twilight by Klaus Schønning &nb...