Wisdom of the Masters

A reading of selected excerpts from the Record of Linji. The Linji lu (Record of Linji) has been an essential text of Chinese and Japanese Zen Buddhism for nearly a thousand years. A compilation of sermons, statements, and acts attributed to the great Chinese Zen master Linji Yixuan (d. 866), it serves as both an authoritative statement of Zen’s basic standpoint and a central source of material for Zen koan practice. Zen practitioners cherish it for its unusual simplicity, directness, and ability to inspire. Linji Yixuan ( died 866 CE) was the founder of the Linji school of Chán Buddhism during Tang dynasty China. 🔆 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 guided meditation on the power of listening as an effective means of entering into a meditative state. It encourages a gentle letting go of our reactivity to the sense world, and to the thoughts, concepts and the labels we attach to conditioned phenomena; and to finally recognise and rest into the continuity of Awareness as the background silence. It was spoken spontaneously by Jayasara. 🔆 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.

Explore the profound teachings of Abhinavagupta, a Kashmiri philosopher and mystic. Delve into the concept of absolute consciousness and how it shapes our daily lives. Discover the essence of living liberation, transcending societal norms to embrace non-duality. The discussion emphasizes recognizing inherent bliss rather than relying on conventional practices, offering a transformative perspective on existence. Abhinavagupta's rich legacy of wisdom and artistic influence shines brightly in this enlightening journey.

Sri Sarada Devi, a nineteenth-century Hindu mystic and saint, talks about the illusion of desire, the power of surrender and devotion, and the role of patience and effort in spiritual practice.

This is a reading of Chapter 1 of the Patanjali Yoga Sutras - Samadhi - translated by Alistair Shearer. The Yoga Sutras of Patañjali is a collection of Sanskrit sutras (aphorisms) on the theory and practice of yoga. The Yoga Sutras was compiled in the early centuries CE, by the sage Patanjali in India who synthesized and organized knowledge about yoga from much older traditions. The Yoga Sutras is best known for its reference to ashtanga, eight elements of practice culminating in samadhi, and also incorporate action yoga (Kriya yoga). The Yoga Sutras are a composite of various traditions. The Yoga Sutras built on Samkhya notions of purusha and prakriti, and is often seen as complementary to it. It is also closely related to Buddhism, incorporating some of its terminology such as the levels of samādhi which resemble the Buddhist jhanas. 🔆 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.

These profound teachings from Longchenpa have been formatted for guided meditation purposes. Excerpts taken from the text "A Treasure Trove of Scriptural Transmission." Translated by Richard Barron. Longchen Rabjam (1308-1363), is a great luminary of Tibetan Buddhism. He was highly skilled in all aspects of scholarship from an early age and excelled throughout his life in the practice and accomplishment of the Dharma. Regarded as a great Dzogchen master, Longchenpa had many pure visions where he was given direct instructions from Guru Padmasambhava and is recognised as an emanation of Vimalamitra. Longchenpa's prolific writings have made him one of Tibet's most renowned and precious teacher. 🔆 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.

Ajahn Chah, a Thai Buddhist monk and meditation Master, discusses the interconnected nature of virtue, deep peace, and wisdom on the path to liberation. He explores the relationship between virtue, Samadhi, and wisdom in the Theravadin Forest Tradition, as well as the importance of personal experience in understanding reality. Ajahn Chah emphasizes the need to put the teachings into practice and investigate their truth for oneself.

Kōbun Otogawa (乙川 弘文, Otogawa Kōbun) (February 1, 1938 – July 26, 2002) was an American Sōtō Zen priest. Otogawa, who preferred to be called by his first name, rather than by either of the Japanese Zen honorifics: sensei (teacher) or roshi (master), came to San Francisco, California, United States, from Japan in 1967 in response to an invitation from Shunryu Suzuki-roshi, serving as his assistant at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center until 1970. Otogawa was the son of a Sōtō Zen priest and was ordained a priest himself at the age of 12. He did undergraduate studies at Komazawa University and received a master's degree in Mahayana Buddhism from Kyoto University. He then trained for three years at Eiheiji. Among his primary teachers was the unconventional Zen master Kodo Sawaki, known as the last of the unsui, or wandering monks. 🔆 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.

Madame Guyon, a renowned French Mystic, discusses her imprisonment for advocating Quietism. Topics include inner purity, surrendering to God's immensity, and embracing contentment and love.

The Pratyabijñāhṛdayam of Rājānaka Kṣemarāja is an 11th century foundational text of Nondual Kashmir Shaivism. This ancient and profound 20-verse text reveals the direct non-path path to liberation. It explores how to achieve freedom from all limitations and unfolds the recognition that all things—you, me, and everything sentient and non-sentient are one, not separate. The Pratyabijñāhṛdayam is an essential text that holds immense significance when studying the teachings of Sāṁkhya-Patañjali Yoga, Advaita Vedanta, and the unqualified nondual teachings of Kashmir Shaivism. This profound scripture, written by the sage Kṣemarāja, serves as a bridge connecting these philosophical systems, offering profound insights, and deepening our understanding of the ultimate reality. Rajanaka Kṣemarāja (क्षेमराज) (late 10th to early 11th century) was a philosopher and brilliant disciple of Abhinavagupta, who was a peerless master of tantra, yoga, poetics, and dramaturgy. 🔆 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.