Wisdom of the Masters

Latest Episodes:

Working Skillfully with Pain ~ A Guided Meditation ~ Samaneri Jayasara May 21, 2026

Show notes

This guided meditation offers a gentle and compassionate way of working with pain in practice. Beginning with grounding awareness in the body and the natural rhythm of the breath, it invites you to settle the mind through calm presence and embodied attention. From this foundation, the meditation introduces the Buddhist teaching of the “two arrows” — the understanding that while physical pain may be an unavoidable part of human life, much of our suffering comes from the second arrow: the mind’s resistance, fear, tension, and identification around the experience.Through careful guidance, you are encouraged to explore pain not as an enemy to fight or suppress, but as a changing field of sensation that can be met with wisdom, curiosity, and kindness. The practice helps illuminate the difference between direct physical experience and the layers of mental suffering we unconsciously add to it.

🙏 May whatever goodness arises from these readings/offerings be for the benefit of all sentient beings.

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Yeshe Tsogyal ~ The Dakini Queen May 15, 2026

Show notes

This is a reading for meditation of three poems written by Yeshe Tsogyal on the nature of the Dharmakaya and her complete realisation. Translations are by Keith Dowman (poem 1) and Tarthang Tulku.Yeshe Tsogyal was an 8th-century Tibetan Buddhist master and the foremost disciple of Padmasambhava. Revered as a fully enlightened Buddha in the Tibetan tradition, she played a central role in preserving and transmitting the teachings of Vajrayana Buddhism in Tibet. Known for her profound wisdom, intense spiritual practice, and realization, she remains one of the most beloved and inspiring female figures in Tibetan Buddhism.

Yeshe Tsogyal is celebrated for her extraordinary perseverance and realization. Traditional biographies describe years of intensive retreat, austerities, meditation in remote caves, and encounters with both external hardships and inner psychological challenges. Through these practices, she attained complete enlightenment.

She played a crucial role in preserving and transmitting Buddhist teachings in Tibet. Tibetan sources credit her with recording many of Padmasambhava’s teachings and concealing them as “terma” (hidden spiritual treasures) to be rediscovered in later centuries by realized masters known as tertöns. Because of this, she is often seen as one of the foundational figures in Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism.

🙏 May whatever goodness arises from these readings/offerings be for the benefit of all sentient beings.

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Ibn Arabi ~ The Prayer of Protection ~ Hizb Al-Wiqayah May 10, 2026

Show notes

Ibn Arabi’s Hizb Al-Wiqayah (The Prayer of Protection), also known as al-Dawr al-A‘la, is a powerful 33-verse Sufi invocation for spiritual safeguarding, divine protection, and elevation.The text can be found in 'A Prayer for Spiritual Elevation and Protection: Al-Dawr al-a'la (Hizb al-Wiqaya)' by Muhyiddin Ibn 'Arabi (Author), Suha Taji-Farouki (Translator).Ibn Arabi’s Prayer of Protection isn’t really about “protection” in the ordinary sense of warding off external harm. Its essence is much deeper and more radical. For Ibn Arabi, "protection" is primarily about maintaining one's spiritual station and protecting the soul from the greatest harm of all: heedlessness (ghafala), or forgetting the Divine.

🙏 May whatever goodness arises from these readings/offerings be for the benefit of all sentient beings.

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How to Practice Self Inquiry ~ (based on Ramana Maharshi teachings) Apr 28, 2026

Show notes

This meditation guides you through a process of calming the mind in order to begin the process of self inquiry based on the teachings of Ramana Maharshi. After establishing a degree of calm and settledness, it invites you to explore and question the nature of this mind-body experience and the relative and ultimate truths. The meditation is grounded in the principles of Bhagavan's teaching and interspersed with some direct quotes of his.

🙏 May whatever goodness arises from these readings/offerings be for the benefit of all sentient beings.

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Essence of Ribhu Gita ~ Advaita Vedanta Apr 20, 2026

Show notes

A reading for meditation of selected verses from the 'Essence of Ribhu Gita'. Translated by Professor N.R. Krishnamoorthi Aiyer.The Ribhu Gita is a revered Advaita Vedānta text that teaches the direct realization of the Self as pure, indivisible awareness. It is presented as a dialogue between the sage Ribhu and his devoted disciple Nidagha. The teaching is uncompromisingly non-dual, declaring that the Self alone exists and that all apparent multiplicity is merely a superimposition upon that reality.The text is famous for its radical simplicity and repetition, repeatedly affirming the truth that Brahman alone is real and identical with the Self.The Ribhu Gita has been especially cherished in the tradition of Ramana Maharshi, who often recommended its study. Portions of the text were translated into Tamil by Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi, and it became an important scripture for many non-dual practitioners.Music: Meditative Mind

🙏 May whatever goodness arises from these readings/offerings be for the benefit of all sentient beings.

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The Secret Path of Prayer ~ Early Eastern Christian Mystics Apr 14, 2026

Show notes

A selection of excerpts for prayer/contemplation taken from 'The Book of Mystical Chapters, The Esoteric Spiritual Doctrine of the Early Christian Monks and Ascetical Teachers of the East.' The reading includes teachings from: of Hesychios of Sinai, Aphrahat the Persian, John Klimakos The Ladder, Evagrios of Pontus, John Klimakos, and Theodoros.Translated by Father John Anthony McGuckin. The Book of Mystical Chapters presents the inner spiritual teachings of early Eastern Christian monks, focusing on the path of inner purification, stillness, and direct experience of the divine. It emphasizes detachment from worldly distractions, the transformation of the mind and heart, and the realization of unity with God through contemplative awareness and disciplined practice.

🙏 May whatever goodness arises from these readings/offerings be for the benefit of all sentient beings.

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Ryokan ~ This Floating World ~ Zen Buddhism Apr 08, 2026

Show notes

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.These selected excerpts and poems by Ryokan have been taken from the text "Great Fool" translated by Ryuichi Abé & Peter Haskel.

🙏 May whatever goodness arises from these readings/offerings be for the benefit of all sentient beings.

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The Eight Worldly Conditions (AN 8:6) ~ Teachings of the Buddha Apr 04, 2026

Show notes

A reading for contemplation of the sutta - Dutiyalokadhammasutta - AN 8:6 The Dutiyalokadhammasutta (“Second Discourse on the Worldly Conditions”) teaches about the eight worldly winds that constantly affect human life:Translation: Amalgam of Translations from Bhikkus Bodhi, Thanissaro and Sujato - compiled by Ayya Jitindriya

🙏 May whatever goodness arises from these readings/offerings be for the benefit of all sentient beings.

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Nisargadatta ~ The True Guru Mar 28, 2026

Show notes

This is a selection of teachings on the topic and principles of the 'The True Guru' as taught by Nisargadatta Maharaj. The words are an amalgam of pointers/teachings taken from the text 'I am That' by Nisargadatta (translated by Maurice Frydman).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.________________________________🙏 May whatever goodness arises from these readings/offerings be for the benefit of all sentient beings.🔆 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. All offerings will go towards supporting monastic requisites and overheads at Viveka Hermitage.There are two options to donate using this email address: vivekahermitage@gmail.com with PayPalor using this link: https://paypal.me/VivekaHermitage Alternatively, donations can also be made via 𝐖𝐈𝐒𝐄 - please contact us on the email above for account details or if you have a WISE account use the direct link: ⁠https://wise.com/pay/me/margarets448⁠

Peace Pilgrim ~ The Power of a Quiet Loving Life Mar 23, 2026

Show notes

A reading for contemplation of some of Peace Pilgrim's reflections taken from the text, 'Peace Pilgrim, Her Life and Work in her Own Words.'Peace Pilgrim was born Mildred Lisette Norman in 1908 in New Jersey, USA. She lived a fairly conventional life early on—interested in writing and social issues—but went through a deep personal crisis during the years surrounding World War II.That period profoundly shook her. She saw the devastation caused by human greed, fear, and division—and began to question not just society, but herself. She eventually came to a simple but radical conclusion:𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐞 𝐧𝐨 𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐬.On January 1, 1953, she set out on what she called a “pilgrimage for peace.” She took a vow to remain homeless by choice, own only what she could carry, walk across the United States, and speak with anyone willing to listen about peace. She said she would continue walking “until mankind learns the way of peace.”She walked over 25,000 miles (40,000+ km) across America, often along highways, in all weather, with no money. She relied entirely on food offered by strangers, places to sleep given freely, and trust in human kindnessBefore beginning her walk, she described undergoing a 15-year period of intense inner work—what she called her “preparation.” During that time, she simplified her life, let go of material attachments, faced her fears, ego, and conditioning, and cultivated love, humility, and trust.She eventually experienced what she described as a state of inner peace that did not depend on circumstances._______________________________🙏 May whatever goodness arises from these readings/offerings be for the benefit of all sentient beings.❤️ A sincere thank you to all listeners and donors for your appreciative comments and offerings of generosity in support of this channel and its intention.Every day I am deeply touched by your warm support and kind messages of gratitude.

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