Wisdom of the Masters

Ātma-bodha (Sanskrit: आत्मबोध) is a short Sanskrit text attributed to Adi Shankara of Advaita Vedanta school of Hindu philosophy. The text in sixty-eight verses describes the path to Self-knowledge or the awareness of Atman. The Vedanta tradition states that the text was written by Shankara for his disciple, Sanandana, also known as Padmapāda. 🔆 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 sublime and profound teaching on the nature of reality by the great master, Longchenpa is taken from the Finding Rest in Illusion trilogy - commentary . 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 brilliant teachers of the Nyingma lineage. He systematized the Nyingma teachings in his ‘Seven Treasures’ and wrote extensively on Dzogchen. 🔆 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.

Marguerite Porete (13th century – 1 June 1310) was a French-speaking mystic and the author of The Mirror of Simple Souls, a work of Christian mysticism dealing with the workings of agape (divine love). She was burnt at the stake for heresy in Paris in 1310 after a lengthy trial, refusing to remove her book from circulation or recant her views. It was reported in a chronicle that the crowd was moved to tears by the calmness of how she faced her end.  Porete's life is recorded only in accounts of her trial for heresy, at which she was condemned to be burnt at the stake. Porete's biography is probably biased and certainly incomplete. She was said to come from the County of Hainaut, a French-speaking principality in the Holy Roman Empire, though this is uncertain. Her high level of education means she is likely to have had upper-class origins. She is associated with the beguine movement and was therefore able to travel fairly freely.   Art image - "Ellipsis Halo " by Dan Hillier used with kind permission of the artist. Please see Dan's incredible art at: https://danhillier.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.”

Anandamayi Ma, a Bengali Saint known for miracles, discusses self-reflection, liberation from attachments, self-realization, and embracing joy through genuine appreciation and laughter in this insightful podcast.

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 🔆 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/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.

Master Hsu Yun or Xuyun  (Chinese: 虚云; - name meaning "Empty Cloud) born 5 September 1840 – 13 October 1959  was a renowned Chinese Chan Buddhist master and one of the most influential Buddhist teachers of the 19th and 20th centuries. According to Richard Hunn, Master Hsu is "Universally regarded as the most outstanding Buddhist of the Chinese order in the modern era."   When Xuyun was seventeen, he attempted to flee home to Mount Heng to become a monk without his family's permission. On a winding mountain path he encountered envoys sent by his uncle to intercept and escort him back. His aspiration was not realized and he was reproved and brought back home. His father formally arranged brides for him, and his marriage was completed. Although they lived together, Xuyun did not have sexual contact with his wives. Moreover, he extensively explained the dharma to the women so that they too would practice Buddhism. He left them this profound teaching "The Song of the Skinbag" which he wrote at the age of 19. Several years later Maser Hsu discovered that his two former wives had both ordained as bhikshunis (nuns). 🔆 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/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.

Edith Stein, a German Jewish philosopher who converted to Christianity and became a Discalced Carmelite nun, discusses surrendering to God, embracing true womanhood, and nurturing growth. She explores the inherent connection of a woman's soul and body, emphasizing the importance of fulfilling one's vocation and providing maternal sympathy and help.

A selection of poems from Cold Mountain - Hanshan - taken from "The Collected Songs of Cold Mountain", Bill Porter (Red Pine), trans.  The poet Hanshan, a name meaning “Cold Mountain,” ranks as one of the most eccentric and mysterious figures of Chinese literature. He is said to have lived during the Tang Dynasty (618-907), dwelling in a cave or hut in Tiantai Mountain near modern-day Taizhou, Zhejiang. In Chinese and Japanese art, he is often depicted as dirty and raggedy, smiling mischievously with his friend Shide . His poetry, written in a direct, colloquial style, was satirical and spiritual, touching on both Buddhist and Daoist themes 🔆 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/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.

These "pointers" from Longchenpa on the natural state of Freedom have been formatted for guided meditation purposes.  Excerpts taken from the text "A Treasure Trove of Scriptural Transmission." Translated by Richard Barron. 🔆 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/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 powerful teaching given by Venerable Sāriputta to the great lay disciple Anāthapiṇḍika as he lay dying, and in severe pain. Upon a request to visit him, Venerable Sāriputta provides a profound teaching, rarely offered to lay people, on non-attachment and non-grasping.  It is taken from the  Majjhima-nikāya: 143 - Translated by Bhante Sujato Art: Adam Shaw -" Fire of Bliss" 🔆 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/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. 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. This channel is not monetized for profit through 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."