Wisdom of the Masters

Selected passages read from the book 'Awareness' by Anthony de Mello.Anthony de Mello (4 September 1931 – 2 June 1987), was an Indian Jesuit priest and psychotherapist. A teacher and public speaker, de Mello wrote several books on spirituality and hosted numerous spiritual retreats and conferences. He is known for his storytelling, which drew from the various mystical traditions of both East and West.

Selected verses from the "Hua Hu Ching" by Lao Tzu. The Hua Hu Ching is a book containing later teachings attributed to Lao Tzu, the author of the Tao Te Ching. It is also known as "The Educate the Barbarians Sutra". While the Tao Te Ching is widely known and revered, the Hua Hu Ching's teachings are believed to be of equal importance. The Hua Hu Ching's teachings focus on attaining enlightenment and mastery through a path similar to the Tao Te Ching. They offer a practical guide to living a virtuous life, embracing the present moment, and discovering one's true self. The Hua Hu Ching's history is somewhat mysterious. While the original text was discovered in the Mogao Caves, it was also banned and ordered to be burned during a time of political turmoil in the 14th century. As a result, there are few complete and accurate manuscripts today, but the teachings have been preserved through oral transmission by Taoist masters.

A reading of selected pith instructions/verses for "excellent meditation" from the text 'Masters of the Zhang Zhung Nyendyud' - the Experiential Transmission of Bönpo Dzogchen.The text contains the heart teachings of ancient Bönpo Dzogchen Masters, translated and commented on by Yongdzin Lopön Tenzin Namdak Rinpoche, the current holder of this unique lineage.The Yungdrung Bön (Bön) Lineage tradition is one of the oldest indigenous spiritual traditions in the world. Originating in Central Asia with Tongpa Shenrap Miwoche (considered by tradition to be a full Buddha), the Bön Lineage teachings have been transmitted unbroken from teacher to student for over 17,000 years. This profound and uninterrupted transmission through generations has ensured the preservation and vitality of the Bön tradition, teachings and practices across millennia.Often referred to as Tibetan Bön Buddhism, Bön Lineage teachings share many similarities with Tibetan Buddhism yet maintain unique traditions, texts, rituals and practices intent on cultivating openness of heart, purification of obscurations and direct realisation of primordial awareness.The text can be found here:https://www.amazon.com.au/Masters-Zhang-Zhung-Nyengyud/dp/8170262682

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.

The "Sallatha Sutta: The Arrow" SN 36.6 (also known as the "Two Arrows" or "The Parable of the Poisoned Arrow") is a Buddhist parable that highlights the importance of understanding and managing our reactions to difficult experiences. The parable illustrates how we can choose to react to painful situations in a way that minimizes further suffering, rather than amplifying it. The first arrow represents the painful experience itself, while the second arrow symbolizes our resistance and negative feelings in response to that pain. The Buddha teaches that while we can't always control the first arrow (the initial pain), we can learn to control the second arrow by practicing mindfulness and non-resistance.Translated by Bhante Sujato

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 pointers from Longchenpa have been formatted for guided meditation purposes. Taken from the text - A Treasure Trove of Scriptural Transmission - A Commentary on the Precious Treasury of the Basic Space of Phenomena. Excerpt read from the chapter "Resting in Uncontrived Conduct".

Selected excerpts from Papaji's book - Wake up and Roar. This selection from the chapters on The Vehicle to Liberation, Thinking and Emptiness, and Realisation.Sri H. W. L. Poonja (1910 -1997) was born in Lucknow, India, known as "Poonjaji" or "Papaji" , was an Indian sage and jivanmukta (liberated being) who taught Self-enquiry as advocated by Ramana Maharshi.

This is a selection of verses taken from the Sermon on the Mount (using an amalgam of translations), as well as a short verse from Matthew's gospel. The Sermon on the Mount is a collection of sayings spoken by Jesus of Nazareth found in the Gospel of Matthew (chapters 5, 6, and 7) that emphasises Jesus's ethical and moral teachings, as well as his profound insights into cause and effect (the 'Law' of karma). It is the first of five discourses in the Gospel and has been one of the most widely quoted sections of the Gospels.

Selected excertps of poems from Rumi taken from Kulliyat-e Shams, 21 and Ode 314 - translated by Nevit Oguz Ergin.Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī (30 September 1207 – 17 December 1273), was a 13th-century Persian poet, faqih, Islamic scholar, theologian, and Sufi mystic originally from Greater Khorasan in Greater Iran. Rumi's influence transcends national borders and ethnic divisions.

This is a selection of non-dual pointers taken from Jean Klein's text, "Transmission of the Flame".Jean Klein (October 19, 1912 – February 22, 1998) was a French author, spiritual teacher and philosopher of Advaita Vedanta (Nondualism). He was born in Berlin and spent his childhood in Brno and Prague. Having left Germany in 1933 for France, he secretly worked with the French Resistance in the Second World War. Klein was a musicologist and doctor, traveled to India where he was influenced by Sri Atmananda Krishna Menon, studied Kashmir Shaivism and was sent to the West to teach Advaita Vedanta. He is regarded as one most eloquent communicators of non-duality in the second half of the 20th century.

This is a reading of Manjushrimitra's the Bodhicittabhavana, a seminal early text of Ati Yoga.Mañjuśrīmitra (d. 740 CE) was an Indian Buddhist scholar. He became the main student of Garab Dorje and a teacher of Dzogchen. He was a resident at Nalanda University where he became a respected Yogācāra scholar and practitionerAs explained by Yeshe Donden, "Manjushrimitra wrote the Bodhicittabhavana, in order to explain Ati Yoga to the Mahayana Buddhists who were in the majority in India at that time, and in particular to his fellow scholars from Nalanda University. Experts have determined that the work is written in the style of a learned Indian scholar, using the philosophy of post sixth century A.D. Mahayana Buddhism. Meditation on the Bodhichitta presents the Ati Yoga Semde teachings in a logical, intellectually cogent way with a high level of scholarly coherence. In this work, Manjushrimitra emphasized that intellectualism and logic do not bring about enlightenment and that “Those who seek the Truth should embrace direct experience if they hope to acquire realization.” We can see that Manjushrimitra has gone far beyond the concept of Bodhichitta found in Buddhist sutra and tantric writings and arrived at an understanding of Bodhichitta as presented in Ati Yoga (where it means the essential nature of mind, or awareness)."

Selected passages from the "The Sutra of Hui-neng, Grand Master of Zen" (Platform Sutra), using an amalgam of translations.Hui-neng (638-713) was a seminal figure in Buddhist history and is one of the most beloved and respected figure in Zen Buddhism. An illiterate woodcutter who attained enlightenment in a flash, he became the Sixth Patriarch of Chinese Zen, and is regarded as the founder of the "Sudden Enlightenment" school. He is the supreme exemplar of the fact that neither education nor social background has any bearing on the attainment of enlightenment. The Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch, which is said to be a record of his teachings, is a highly influential text in the East Asian Buddhist tradition.

Excerpts of clear pointings and teachings from the book "Annamalai Swami Final Talks" edited by David Godman. Annamalai Swami (1906–1995) was a direct disciple of Sri Ramana Maharshi who realized the Self after practicing Self-enquiry for decades. This experience gave him first-hand knowledge of how to perform Self-enquiry successfully, making his advice especially valuable to seekers. His teachings are delivered in plain, direct language.

Evelyn Underhill (6 December 1875 – 15 June 1941) was an English Anglo-Catholic poet and novelist as well as a pacifist and mystic. An only child, she described her early mystical insights as "abrupt experiences of the peaceful, undifferentiated plane of reality—like the 'still desert' of the mystic—in which there was no multiplicity nor need of explanation". The meaning of these experiences became a lifelong quest for understanding and integration and inspired in her much writing and contemplation.This reading is a short selection of pointings taken from the text, 'Mysticism'.

A brilliant, concise and clear set of instructions given by Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava) to a devoted old lady and her attendant. This terma text was 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.

These direct, powerful and humourous verses were spoken by the great Master, Patrul Rinpoche, to wake himself up to the reality of the ever-present Great Perfection.Translation by Constance Wilkinson.The original source can be found here: https://www.lotsawahouse.org/tibetan-masters/patrul-rinpoche/advice-from-me-to-myselfDza Patrul Rinpoche (1808-1887) — an enlightened master, who, though he lived the life of a vagabond, was one of the most illustrious spiritual teachers of the nineteenth century. Hailing from the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism, his principal teacher was Jikmé Gyalwé Nyugu, a great master who was one of the foremost students of Jikmé Lingpa. Music: Malte Marten & Lynxk - 'Whispers from Heaven'(with thanks to Malte for his kind permission to use his music).https://www.youtube.com/@MalteMartenhttps://open.spotify.com/artist/6gmfGQKmOr9z7GTYK7ecEj

One of Bhagavan Ramana's Maharshi's favourite traditional spiritual works was the Ribhu Gita. He often referred to the Ribhu Gita in his talks with devotees and seekers, and is reported to have said that if one repeatedly read Chapter 26 of the Ribhu Gita one could pass spontaneously into Samadhi, or the natural state of Self- Realization. Ribhu Gita means "The song of sage Ribhu", who received the knowledge from Parama Siva, the supreme lord. It forms the sixth canto called Sankara of the hundred thousand verse epic Sri Siva Rahasyam.

This is a 20 minute guided Yoga Nidra to help you relax, find inner peace and sleep. It follows the traditional guidance of systematically relaxing and being aware of each part of the body.Yoga nidra, or yogic sleep as it is commonly known, is an immensely powerful meditation technique, and one of the easiest yoga practices to develop and maintain. While the practitioner rests comfortably in savasana (corpse pose), this systematic meditation takes you through a guided body relaxation leaving you with a sense of wholeness.

Tong'an Changcha, a Zen master from China, wrote the poem 'Ten Verses of Unfathomable Depth' in the tenth century. It is still considered to be among the most profound teachings within the Zen tradition. Changcha lived in the Jianchang county of the Hong region and was a master of the Dharma with lineage inherited from Jiufeng. Changcha's poem, “Ten Verses of Unfathomable Depth,” is the basis for the work Unfathomable Depths by Sekkei Harada that explores Sōtō theory and practice. The book uses Changcha's poem as a starting point to address questions about the nature of Dharma transmission, how to practice with koans, and how to understand the "just sitting" of Sōtō Zen.

This is a selection of key pointers from Siddharameshwar taken from the website Inner Quest. 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 disciples and helped dozens attain Self-realisation. His teachings were further spread around the globe by his most revered disciples, such as Nisargadatta Maharaj, and others.

Selected excerpts of a teaching given by Ajahn Chah at the request of one of his students whose mother was on her deathbed. The student had expected just a short message for his mother, but instead Ajahn Chah gave this extended talk of the Dhamma of profound wisdom, compassion and encouragement for the mother and the whole family. 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 the Thai Forest Tradition. He was reputed to be an Arahant.

A reading of selected excerpts/verses from the gnostic text, The Sophia of Christ. The Sophia The Christ, also known as the Wisdom of Jesus Christ, is a Gnostic text that was first discovered in the Berlin Codex (a Codex purchased in Cairo in 1896 and given to the Berlin Museum which also contains the Gospel of Mary, the Apocryphon of John, and a summary of the Act of Peter). More famously, the Sophia of Jesus Christ is also among the many Gnostic tractates in the Nag Hammadi codices, discovered in Egypt in 1945. The Berlin-Codex manuscript (as opposed to its contents) probably dates to c. AD 400, and the Nag-Hammadi manuscript has been dated to the 300s. However, these are complemented by a few fragments in Greek dating from the 200s, indicating an earlier date for the contents. Sophia should be understood in its ordinary meaning as "wisdom", analogous to the titles Wisdom of Solomon and Wisdom of Sirach.

This is a selection of some key pointers from Nisargadatta on the nature of consciousness. The teachings have been extracted from the texts, 'Prior to Consciousness' and 'I am That'. Nisargadatta Maharaj (17 April 1897 – 8 September 1981), born Maruti Shivrampant Kambli, was an Indian guru of nondualism, belonging to the Inchagiri Sampradaya, a lineage of teachers from the Navnath Sampradaya and Lingayat Shaivism. Music: 'Sonic Medicine' by Rahjta Ren With thanks to Rahjta for his gift of music for this channel. More of his compositions can be found here: https://insighttimer.com/rahjta Art/image: 'We share our chemistry with the stars' - Mark Quinn http://marcquinn.com/

This is a reading of extracts of a talk given by Charlotte Joko Beck taken from the text 'Everyday Zen'. Charlotte Joko Beck (March 27, 1917 – June 15, 201) was an American Zen teacher and the author of the books Everyday Zen: Love and Work and Nothing Special: Living Zen. Born in New Jersey, Beck studied music at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and worked for some time as a pianist and piano teacher. She married and raised a family of four children, then separated from her husband and worked as a teacher, secretary, and assistant in a university department. She began Zen practice in her 40s with Hakuyu Taizan Maezumi in Los Angeles, and later with Hakuun Yasutani and Soen Nakagawa.Beck received Dharma transmission from Taizan Maezumi Roshi in 1978, but broke with Maezumi over his actions and opened Zen Center San Diego in 1983, serving as its head teacher until July 2006. Beck was responsible for a number of important innovations in Zen teaching. Because she was adept at teaching students to work with their psychological states, she attracted a number of students who were interested in the relationship between Zen and modern psychology.

A reading of one of Milarepa's songs taken from the text, Drinking the Mountain Stream: Songs of Tibet's Beloved Saint, Milarepa. Translated by Brian Cutillo and Kunga Thartse. Milarepa is one of the most important yogis and spiritual poets in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, but very little of his life is known with any historical certainty. Even the dates of his birth and death have been notoriously difficult to calculate. In any case, it is clear that he lived during the eleventh and early-twelfth centuries, at the advent of the latter dissemination of Buddhism in Tibet. At his mother's request, Milarepa left home and studied sorcery to take revenge on their cruel relatives, killing many people. Later he felt sorrow about his deeds, and became a student of Marpa the Translator. Eventually, Marpa accepted him, explaining that the trials were a means to purify Milarepa's negative karma. Music: "Surrendering to the Flow" by Malte Marten (with thanks to Malte for his kind permission to use his music). https://www.youtube.com/@MalteMarten

Longchenpa's Explanation of the Three Statements That Strike the Vital Point (by Garab Dorje). 1. Be introduced to your own nature. 2. Decide upon one thing. 3. Gain confidence in liberation. This commentary is drawn from Longchenpa's ​Profound Quintessence.​ ​The original translation is included in ​Great Perfection: Separation and Breakthrough​, translated by Cortland Dahl. 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.

Karl Rahner (1904-1984) was one of the most influential Catholic philosophers and theologians of the mid to late twentieth century. A member of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) and a Roman Catholic priest, Rahner, as was the custom of the time, studied scholastic philosophy, Rahner's philosophy posited that the dynamic thrust of the knowing mind understands the being-most-irreducible as God and the unity of being and spirit in knowing. The Absolute or God is implicitly and intrinsically affirmed in the dynamic of every act of knowing. Rahner maintained that the fulfillment of human existence consists in receiving God's self-communication, and that the human being is actually constituted by this divine self-communication. He identifies grace with the self-communication of God. For Rahner, the human being is intrinsically open to God or the Absolute. It is necessarily the receptacle of revelation. In Rahner's view, even if God or the Absolute remains utterly silent and completely hidden that silence and hiddenness, are, in fact, revelations. Revelation, however, does not resolve the Mystery; it increases cognizance of God's incomprehensibility. Experiences of the mystery of themselves point people to the Absolute Mystery, "an always-ever-greater Mystery." https://iep.utm.edu/rahner/ _____________________________________________

This is a selection of teachings taken from Jean Klein's text, "Transmission of the Flame" - formatted for guided meditation purposes. Jean Klein (October 19, 1912 – February 22, 1998) was a French author, spiritual teacher and philosopher of Advaita Vedanta (Nondualism). He was born in Berlin and spent his childhood in Brno and Prague. Having left Germany in 1933 for France, he secretly worked with the French Resistance in the Second World War. Klein was a musicologist and doctor, traveled to India where he was influenced by Sri Atmananda Krishna Menon, studied Kashmir Shaivism and was sent to the West to teach Advaita Vedanta. He is regarded as one most eloquent communicators of non-duality in the second half of the 20th century.

This is a selection of "Sayings of Jesus" from the gnostic Gospel of St. Thomas (translated by Stephen J. Patterson and James M. Robinson) plus a few other selections of Jesus' key teachings from other gospels. https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-topics/bible-versions-and-translations/the-gospel-of-thomas-114-sayings-of-jesus/ Here's the link to various other translations: http://gnosis.org/naghamm/gosthom.html The Gospel of Thomas (also known as the Coptic Gospel of Thomas) is a non-canonical sayings gospel. It was discovered near Nag Hammadi, Egypt, in December 1945 among a group of books known as the Nag Hammadi library. Scholars speculate that the works were buried in response to a letter from Bishop Athanasius declaring a strict canon of Christian scripture. Scholars have proposed dates of composition as early as AD 60 and as late as AD 140. The Coptic-language text, the second of seven contained in what modern-day scholars have designated as Codex II, is composed of 114 sayings attributed to Jesus. In the Gnostic Christian tradition, Christ is seen as a divine being which has taken human form in order to lead humanity back to the Light. The usual meaning of gnostikos in Classical Greek texts is "learned" or "intellectual". Art image - "Ground" by Dan Hillier used with kind permission of the artist. Please see Dan's incredible art at: https://danhillier.com/ Music: Father Archimandrite Serafim Bit-Kharibi and his choir - Saint- Petersburg

Selected teachings of Ma's taken from various sources. Anandamayi Ma ( 30 April 1896 – 27 August 1982) was a Bengali Saint, described by Sivananda Saraswati (of the Divine Life Society) as "the most perfect flower the Indian soil has produced." Precognition, faith healing and miracles were attributed to her by her followers. Paramahansa Yogananda translates the Sanskrit epithet Anandamayi - as "Joy-permeated" in English. This name was given to her by her devotees in the 1920s to describe her perpetual state of divine joy. Music: "Sleep Music" - Le Code Bandcamp : https://le-code.bandcamp.com/ Spotify : https://spoti.fi/3GN1OGm https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGykDEr7ugNVA6QylRuzOPA With thanks to Alex for his gift of music

Upasika Kee Nanayon or Kor Khao-suan-luang was a realized female practitioner from Thailand. She was mostly self-taught, reading the Pali canon and other Buddhist literature. She considered the Buddha's Dhamma as her primary teacher. Her dhamma talks and poetry were widely circulated. As word of her spread, she became one of the most popular meditation teachers in Thailand. This, and many of her talks, have been translated into English by Thanissaro Bhikkhu who sees her as "arguably the foremost woman Dhamma teacher in twentieth-century Thailand." The full text can be downloaded here: https://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/thai/kee/inward.html Art credit: "Looking Inward": Paitoon Jumee https://artscope.com.au/artist/paitoon-jumee/

A selection of poems read from the text, "The Mountain Poems of Stonehouse" - translated by Red Pine (Bill Porter) The Zen master, Shiwu 石屋, or Stonehouse (1272–1352) was a Chinese Chan poet and hermit monk who lived during the Yuan Dynasty. He was considered one of the greatest Chinese Buddhist poets and used poetry as his medium of instruction for Dharma. In 1312 at the age of forty he moved to Xiamu Mountain near Huzhou to live as a hermit and it is here that he composed his "Mountain Poems" (Shan-shih), one-hundred and eighty-four verses expounding Dharma and the facets of living in the mountains. Near the end of his life, monks asked him to record what he found of interest on his mountain; Stonehouse delivered to them hundreds of poems and an admonition: "Do not try singing these poems. Only if you sit on them will they do you any good." The text can be purchased here: https://www.amazon.com.au/Mountain-Po... Music: Time for Peace - Bridge - Stillness and Voices of the Land www.timeforpeace.bandcamp.com. With deepest thanks to Swami Madhuram Puri for his kind offering of this exquisite music for this channel. Art/image: Anna Vladi

This is a reading for meditation of Bhagavan Ramana's instruction to Frank H. Humphreys, a devotee. Ramana Maharshi ( 1879 -1950) was an Indian sage and jivanmukta (liberated being). He was born Venkataraman Iyer, but is mostly known by the name Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi. He was born in Tiruchuli, Tamil Nadu, India. In 1895, an attraction to the sacred hill Arunachala and the 63 Nayanmars was aroused in him and in 1896, at the age of 16, he had a "death-experience" where he became aware of a "current" or "force" which he recognized as his true "I" or "Self". Music: Le Code - Prophet Rev 2 & Strymon Big Sky Ambient Pads Sleep Music with Prophet Rev2 and Strymon Big Sky Ambient music with synth Bandcamp : https://le-code.bandcamp.com/ Spotify : https://spoti.fi/3GN1OGm

The Great Tantra of Vajrasattva is a Root Tantra of the Space Section first translated into Tibetan in the 8th Century by Vairochana Rakshita, a famous translator during the early period of Buddhism in Tibet. This tantra is one of a handful of the earliest translations of Ati Yoga teachings into the Tibetan language, where they were preserved long after the originals disappeared in India, possibly during the Islamic invasions. Vairochana did not attribute these Ati Yoga source texts to himself, but rather to Garab Dorje, who was revered as a full emanation of Vajrasattva in human form. Vairochana's translations stand on their own as jewels of Wisdom, the core teaching being always the same: the luminous, natural, non-dual mind of Great Perfection itself. Compiled by Yeshe Donden (Roger Calverley) integrating various contemporary English translations. With thanks to Roger for permission to read from this newly published work: "The Gospel of Garab Dorje" which can be purchased here: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0B3NBFF86?ref_=mr_referred_us_au_au Music: Bing Satellites - 'Mirage' - https://bingsatellites.bandcamp.com/ Rahjta Ren - "Pause" - (with thanks to Raj for his gift of music) https://soundcloud.com/rahjta-ren Ambient Pads in E Major - Vishal Bhojane https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwyPafq4iwg&t=72s&ab_channel=VishalBhojane

Niguma is considered one of the most important and influential yoginis and Vajrayana teachers of the 10th or 11th century in India. Born in Kashmire, she was a dakini, and one of the two female founders of the Shangpa Kagyu school of Vajrayana Buddhism, along with dakini Sukhasiddhi. Her birth name was Shrijnana (or Palgyi Yéshé in Tibetan). From the perspective of the spiritual lineage, it is said that Niguma's spiritual realisation originates directly from the Buddha Vajradhara, rather than from any living human teachers. The great meditation master and translator, Marpa Lotsawa received teachings from Niguma on at least two occasions. Marpa is said to have visited Niguma each time he traveled to India. Sources say that he sought out Niguma on the advice of Naropa, Niguma's brother. The elusiveness of Niguma is typical of the lore of the dakini, the very embodiment of liminal spiritual experience. Music: State Azure - Foundations 1

A reading of excerpts taken from Chapter 1 of The Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra - translated by Suzuki and Goddard. The Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra was first translated into Chinese in the 5th century and has been the subject of many treatises and commentaries. It is a distinctive and influential philosophical discourse in the Mahayana Buddhist tradition. The sutra recounts a teaching primarily between Gautama Buddha and a bodhisattva named Mahāmati ("Great Wisdom"). The sūtra is set in mythical Laṅkā, ruled by Rāvaṇa, the king of the rākṣasas. The Laṅkāvatāra discusses numerous Mahayana topics, such as Yogācāra philosophy of mind-only (cittamātra) and the three natures, the ālayavijñāna (store-house consciousness), the inner "disposition" (gotra), the buddha-nature, the luminous mind (prabhāsvaracitta), emptiness (śūnyatā) and vegetarianism. It is also notably an important sūtra in Zen Buddhism, as it discusses the key issue of "sudden enlightenment".

Sri Aurobindo (born Aurobindo Ghose; 15 August 1872 – 5 December 1950) was an Indian philosopher, yogi, maharishi, poet, mystic, and Indian nationalist. He joined the movement for India's freedom from British rule and for a duration (1905–10), became one of its most important leaders, before turning to developing his own vision and philosophy of human progress and spiritual evolution. At Pondicherry, Sri Aurobindo developed a spiritual practice he called Integral Yoga. The central theme of his vision was the evolution of human life into a divine life in a divine body. He believed in a spiritual realisation that not only liberated but transformed human nature, enabling a divine life on earth. In 1926, with the help of his spiritual collaborator, Mirra Alfassa (referred to as "The Mother"), Sri Aurobindo Ashram was founded.

Ryōkan Taigu 良寛大愚 (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. These selected excerpts and poems by Ryokan have been taken from the text "Great Fool" translated by Ryuichi Abé & Peter Haskel. Music: Joy of Resonance - Skyrim - Ancient Stones

This is a 15 minute guided body scan meditation to develop and deepen calm and insight. Focusing on simple tactile sensations can provide myriad health benefits for mind, body and heart, as well as lead to insights into the nature of impermanence and the non-self nature of the physical form.

Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection, OCD (c. 1614 – 12 February 1691) served as a lay brother in a Carmelite monastery in Paris. Christians commonly remember him for the intimacy he expressed concerning his relationship to God as recorded in a book compiled after his death, the classic Christian text, The Practice of the Presence of God. Brother Lawrence developed a simple way of praying from his heart which he called “practicing the presence of God.” And he learned to commune with God continuously, not only in church or personal devotions, but also as he worked in the kitchen, ran errands, or listened to people. His genuine spirit, cheerfulness, and peace attracted people within his community to share with him and seek his counsel and prayers. Eventually people from other parts of France, common people and church leaders alike, wrote to him or visited him for spiritual guidance. Music: State Azure - Ethereal Landscapes 3 stateazure.bandcamp.com/music

Annamalai Swami (1906–1995) was a direct disciple of Sri Ramana Maharshi who realized the Self after practicing Self-enquiry for decades. This experience gave him first-hand knowledge of how to perform Self-enquiry successfully, making his advice especially valuable to seekers. His teachings are delivered in plain, direct language.

This is a reading of selected pointers for meditation taken from the book "This" by Papaji. Formatted as a guided meditation. Sri H. W. L. Poonja (1910 -1997) was born in Lucknow, India, known as "Poonjaji" or "Papaji", was an Indian sage who taught Self-enquiry as advocated by Ramana Maharshi. Music: State Azure - Late Night Stream https://stateazure.bandcamp.com/

This is a selection of some key Pali suttas where the Buddha teaches directly on the topic of Nibbana. They are an amalgam of translations by Bhikkhus Bodhi, Thanisarro, Sujato, and Anandajoti. Compiled and edited by Ayya Jitindriya. They include, in order of reading: Udana 8.1 Udana 8.2 Udana 8.3 Udana 8.4 Majjhima Nikaya:140 Udana 8.10 Anguttara Nikaya 10.81 Bahuna Sutta

This is a series of some key pointers from Nisargadatta - designed for deepening meditation and stillness. The extracts have been taken from the text 'I am That' by Nisargadatta.

A selection of excerpts from the texts Tamhidát and Laváyeh by Ayn-al-Qużāt Hamadānī . Translated by Ali Yansori - with thanks to Ali for gifting this beautiful translation. Ayn-al-Qużāt Hamadānī (1098–1131) (Persian: عین‌ القضات همدانی), was a Persian jurisconsult, mystic, philosopher, poet and mathematician who was executed by the Seljuk rulers at the age of 33 on charges of heresy. He is one of the many overlooked figures of the pre-modern Islamic tradition. Born in Hamadhan in Seljuk Iran to a family of prominent Shāfi'ī scholars, by the age of 20 he had mastered Arabic, Persian, jurisprudence, ḥadīth, Qur'ān, poetry, kalām (dialectical theology), philosophy and various strands of mystical thought. A student of Aḥmad al-Ghazālī he became an eminent scholar and mystic in his own right, composing various works in both Persian and Arabic, the most important of which were Tamhīdāt and the Zubdat al-Haqāʾiq fī Kashf al-Khalāʾiq. Much of his mystical philosophy was focused on the concept of divine love. Music - from the album 'The Great Intimacy' by Sujatha Maheshwari With thanks to Sujatha for sharing this sublime music for this channel. You can find links to her album on all major platforms here: https://www.sujathamaheshwari.com/music Art/image: "Source" by Mevlana Canan Berber   / canan-berber  

These are some key pointers and teachings of Longchenpa's on developing/recognising the natural state of enlightened mind - formatted as a guided meditation. This is mainly suitable for those who have a good grasp of Dzogchen practice and Longchenpa's concepts and languaging. Taken from the text: A Treasure Trove of Scriptural Transmission. Translated by Richard Barron (Lama Chökyi Nyima). The book can be purchased here: https://tibetantreasures.com/products... 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.

Sukhasiddhi (flourished 11th Century) was an Indian teacher of Vajrayana Buddhism, a yogini and master of meditation. She was born in west Kashmir to a large, poor family. Sukhasiddhi arrived at tantric Buddhism late in life. She lived as an impoverished housewife and mother of six children until the age of fifty-nine. She was thrown out of her home by her husband and children, who were irate at what they considered her misplaced generosity to a stranger who came begging at their door. She traveled to Oḍḍiyāna, thought to be the land of dakas and dakinis, and there she met Virupa, a mahasiddha who became her guru. Very quickly Sukhasiddhi became completely realized and together with Niguma, as well as Rāhula, Maitripada and Vajrasapana, was the root teacher of the Tibetan yogi Khungpo Naljor, who founded the Shangpa Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. She is one of 84 known Mahasiddas. First section translated from the Tibetan by Sherab Drime (Thomas Roth) Music: Space Azure - Foundations I - https://azurestudios.bandcamp.com/alb... Art: Lasha Mutual - "Sukhasiddi with flowers and clouds" - With thanks to Lasha for permission to use her art for this channel. For more of her beautiful art see here: https://lashamutual.com/

A selection of key pointers taken from the text, 'Vajra Speech: A Commentary on The Quintessence of Spiritual Practice, The Direct Instructions of the Great Compassionate One' by Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche. Translated by Erik Pema Kunsang. Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche (1920 - 1996) was a Buddhist master of the Kagyü and Nyingma lineages who lived at Nagi Gompa hermitage in Nepal. Urgyen Rinpoche was considered one of the greatest Dzogchen masters of his time.

Ama Samy (Arul Maria Arokiasamy), S.J., born in 1936, is an Indian Zen master and Jesuit priest. Ama Samy was born to Christian parents in Burma in 1936 and grew up in India. After becoming a Jesuit priest in 1972, he began visiting Hindu ashrams and Buddhist meditation centers. He was introduced to Ramana Maharshi's teachings by Swami Abhishiktananda. His searching led him to become a wandering beggar for a period and to settle down as a hermit. Father Ama visited Japan and trained with Yamada Koun Roshi of Sanbo Kyodan. In 1982, Yamada Roshi authorized him to teach Zen. Ama Samy founded the Bodhi Sangha, the community of his disciples, in 1986. Bodhi Sangha became an independent Zen school when he left the Sanbo Kyodan organization in 2002. Ama Samy's method of teaching embraces both Soto and Rinzai Zen traditions and draws from the resources of Christianity and other religions. He lives and teaches at Bodhi Zendo Zen Center near Kodaikanal in South India.

This is a guided meditation on learning to relax in meditation, recognising the silence and stillness, and turning towards the open sky like nature of the mind.

A selection of key points for prayer and meditation from St Teresa of Avila's teachings. Excerpts taken from numerous sources, including: "The Way of Perfection", "Collected Works" and "Interior Castle." St Teresa of Ávila (March 28, 1515 – October 4, 1582) was a prominent Carmelite nun and Spanish mystic. St Teresa had many mystical experiences she tried to reflect in poems. She took an active role in the Carmelite order and was later canonised a saint by the Roman Catholic church.