Wisdom of the Masters

This is a guided meditation focusing on the breath and the first jhana based on the methods and teachings of Ajahn Lee. Translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.  Ajahn Lee (1907–1961) is regarded as one of the greatest teachers and meditation masters of the Thai Forest Tradition of the 20th century. Among the forest monks, he devised the most comprehensive meditation instructions, and composed the most detailed map of the jhānas. He was one of the first teachers to bring the teachings of the Forest Tradition to the mainstream of Thai society. He never spoke of his own meditative attainments, however it was widely discussed among his students that he may have had psychic powers. 🔆 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://paypal.me/VivekaHermitage or become at Patron at: https://www.patreon.com/jayasara 🙏 May whatever goodness arises from these readings/offerings be for the benefit of all sentient beings.

A reading of two Saint Kabir poems intended for contemplation and meditation. Translated by Robert Bly.  Though little is known of the life of the 15th-century Indian mystic and poet Kabir, it is believed he was born in or near Benares. He grew up in a family of Muslim weavers before becoming a disciple of the Hindu ascetic Ramananda. Kabir is considered both a Sufi and Brahmin saint. His poetry draws on both Hinduism and Islam, though he was critical of certain aspects of both faiths. Some of his verses are included in the compilation of Sikh scriptures known as the Adi Granth. His mystical poems are grounded in the details and earthly particulars of everyday life. 🔆 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://paypal.me/VivekaHermitage or become at Patron at: https://www.patreon.com/jayasara 🙏 May whatever goodness arises from these readings/offerings be for the benefit of all sentient beings.

This is a re-reading of various key pointers on self-liberation from Sri Ramana Maharshi with no music.  These selections from Bhagavan have come from numerous texts and were sourced from this website: https://www.inner-quest.org 🔆 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://paypal.me/VivekaHermitage or become at Patron at: https://www.patreon.com/jayasara 🙏 May whatever goodness arises from these readings/offerings be for the benefit of all sentient beings.

Bendōwa is Dogen's earliest known writing in Japanese and one of his most important and influential works. The whole text of the Bendowa is held in high esteem as being Dogen’s best and most comprehensible explanation of his understanding of Zen and the Dharma.  Jijuyū zanmai can be translated loosely as "samādhi of self-fulfillment and enjoyment" or literally as the "samādhi of receiving and using the self." Kosho Uchiyama comments, ". . . we can understand this samādhi of self-fulfillment and enjoyment as the samādhi or concentration on the self when it simply receives and accepts its function, or its spiritual position in the world." 🔆 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://paypal.me/VivekaHermitage or become at Patron at: https://www.patreon.com/jayasara 🙏 May whatever goodness arises from these readings/offerings be for the benefit of all sentient beings.

This is an excerpt from the teaching "Descending with the View from Above" from Guru Rinpoche/Padmasambhava  taken from the book "Treasures from Juniper Ridge" - translated by Erik Kunsang and Marcia Schmidt. 🔆 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://paypal.me/VivekaHermitage or become at Patron at: https://www.patreon.com/jayasara 🙏 May whatever goodness arises from these readings/offerings be for the benefit of all sentient beings.

Meister Eckhart, a renowned Christian mystic, delves into the timeless nature of existence, inner purification for divine connection, and the presence of God in all things. His teachings explore spirituality, living in the present moment, and aligning one's will with God's actions.

This is a guided 20-minute Yoga Nidra to help you sleep and relax. It contains the Schumann Resonance as a background sound as well as a deep meditation bell. The Schumann Resonance signal operates by being resonantly absorbed by brain systems and altering the serotonin/melatonin balance. Studies have shown people experience benefits like enhanced sleep, learning/memory, body rejuvenation, balance, improved stress tolerance, anti-jetlag, and grounding. 🔆 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://paypal.me/VivekaHermitage or become at Patron at: https://www.patreon.com/jayasara 🙏 May whatever goodness arises from these readings/offerings be for the benefit of all sentient beings.

This is a reading of the SUPPLEMENT to Reality in Forty Verses for meditation. Translated by Prof. K. Swaminathan This supplement consisting of a second forty verses was added to the original "Reality in Forty Verses". So indifferent to authorship was Bhagavan that he did not write all those supplementary verses himself. When he came upon a suitable one he used it - mostly translations from Sanskrit - and when not, he made one. The verses eliminated from the original forty verses were included in the supplement. These eighty verses are the most comprehensive exposition of the Bhagavan’s teaching. 🔆 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://paypal.me/VivekaHermitage or become at Patron at: https://www.patreon.com/jayasara 🙏 May whatever goodness arises from these readings/offerings be for the benefit of all sentient beings.

Hakuin Ekaku  (January 19, 1686 – January 18, 1769)  is undeniably one of the most important of all Zen masters.   He came into the Rinzai school of Zen and revitalized it during a period when its very survival was in question, focusing practice back on the basics of zazen and koan study.  He was the quintessential Zen master of the people, who extended his teaching far beyond the monastery to include folks from all walks of life.  All modern Rinzai masters trace their lineage back through Hakuin. Hakuin was born in the small village of Hara, at the foot of Mount Fuji, Japan. His mother was a devout Nichiren Buddhist, and it is likely that her piety was a major influence on his decision to become a Buddhist monk. Music: Adrian Freeman - Shakuhachi  & Handpan  https://adrianfreedman.bandcamp.com/   🙏 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, healing, devotion and relaxation for listeners. These podcasts are not monetized for profit through YouTube advertising revenue, and never will be. All the videos are strictly for educational purposes, not-for-profit and non-commercial. “All the words, music, images, and graphics used in the video belong to their respective owners and I or this channel does not claim any right over them. This video is posted for educational and spiritual purposes only. Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.”

These poems/stanzas of profound pointings written by Ilie Cioara have been formatted for the purpose of a guided meditation. Excerpts taken from the book by Cioara, "The Moment is Eternity" - translated by Petrica Verdes and with thanks to Petricia for gifting all of Ilie's books to me and permission to read/share them here.  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 in a communist country, completely oblivious of nonduality, Zen, etc. 🔆 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://paypal.me/VivekaHermitage or become at Patron at: https://www.patreon.com/jayasara 🙏 May whatever goodness arises from these readings/offerings be for the benefit of all sentient beings.