Best Open Sky Zen Podcasts (2024)

1
Nisargadatta Maharaji ~ Go Within Meditation 1:00:00

26m ago1:00:00

1:00:00

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. 🙏 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 podca…

1
Ayn al-Quzat Hamadani ~ The Frenzied Ones ~ Sufi Mystics 16:03

2h ago16:03

16:03

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 …

1
Longchenpa ~ Spaciousness Meditation ~ Dzogchen 26:07

4h ago26:07

26:07

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. Translat…

1
Sukhasiddi ~ Peerless Awareness ~ Vajrayana Buddhism 9:08

43m ago9:08

9:08

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 hom…

1
Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche ~ Undistracted Non-Meditation ~ Dzogchen 30:45

17d ago30:45

30:45

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 …

1
Fr. Ama Samy ~ The Practice of Zazen 16:31

1M ago16:31

16:31

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 Abhishiktana…

1
Master Shiwu 石屋 - Stonehouse ~ Entering the Mountains ~ Zen Buddhism (Chan) 25:24

14d ago25:24

25:24

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 tha…

1
Mind as Open Sky ~ Guided Meditation ~ Samaneri Jayasara 22:44

1M ago22:44

22:44

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. 🔆 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: …

1
St Teresa of Avila ~ The Interior Life 15:25

26d ago15:25

15:25

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…

1
Ajahn Chah ~ The Place of Coolness ~ Thai Forest Tradition 22:51

1M ago22:51

22:51

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. 🔆 These podcasts are not monetized. If you benefit from these podcasts and would like to support our nun's hermitage, there are two options…

1
Nisargadatta Maharaj ~ The Liberated One 24:58

2M ago24:58

24:58

This is a selection of key pointers from Nisargadatta formatted for guided meditation, taken from the text, 'I am That' - 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 Navna…

1
Vasubandhu's Six-Steps of Breathing Meditation 37:31

2M ago37:31

37:31

The Abhidharmakośabhāṣya (Treasury of Metaphysics with Self-Commentary) is a pivotal treatise on early Buddhist thought composed around the 4th or 5th century by the Indian Buddhist philosopher Vasubandhu. This work is a complete and systematic account of the Abhidharma, and is the peak of scholarship in the Fundamental Vehicle. It elucidates the B…

1
Shantideva ~ The Way of the Bodhisattva - Chapter 10 ~ Dedication 6:24

2M ago6:24

6:24

Shantideva’s Dedication Prayer is one of H.H. the 14th Dalai Lama’s favourite dedications, extracted from Chapter 10 of the Bodhicharyavatara of Master Shantideva.Treasured by Buddhists of all traditions, The Way of the Bodhisattva (Bodhicharyavatara) is a guide to cultivating the mind of enlightenment and to generating the qualities of love, compa…

1
Sudden Illumination ~ Zen Master Baizhang Huaihai 百丈懷海 25:26

2M ago25:26

25:26

Baizhang Huaihai (720–814 AD) was a Zen master during the Tang dynasty. A native of Fuzhou, he was a dharma heir of Mazu Daoyi. Baizhang's students included Huangbo, Linji and Puhua. He has been venerated as one of the greatest Chan teachers of the Tang era and even today he remains one of the most recognized Chan teachers of all time. His Zen teac…

1
Dipa Ma ~ Meditation is Love 9:42

2M ago9:42

9:42

A selection of quotes and extracts from teachings of Dipa Ma taken from the website: https://dipama.com/Nani Bala Barua (25 March 1911 – 1 September 1989), better known as Dipa Ma, was an Indian meditation teacher of Theravada Buddhism and was of Barua descent. She was a prominent Buddhist master in Asia and also taught in the United States where s…

1
Hafiz ~ The Path of Love ~ Sufi Mystics 9:25

2M ago9:25

9:25

Selected poems of Hafez taken from the text 'Drunk on the Wine of the Beloved' - translated by Thomas Rain Crowe. Persian lyric poet Hafiz (born Khwāja Šamsu d-Dīn Muḥammad Hāfez-e Šīrāzī) grew up in Shiraz. Very little is known about his life, but it is thought that he may have memorized the Qur’an after hearing his father recite passages. He is o…

1
Namkai Norbu ~ The Presence of Awareness ~ Dzogchen 29:38

3M ago29:38

29:38

Selected excerpts from the teaching given by Namkai Norbu entitled: The Mirror: Advice on Presence and Awareness. Chögyal Namkhai Norbu (1938-2018) was a Tibetan Dzogchen master. When he was two years old, Namkhai Norbu was recognized as the 'mindstream emanation', a tulku, of the Dzogchen teacher Adzom Drugpa (1842–1924). At five, he was also reco…

1
Zen Master Ryokan ~ A Solitary Mirror ~ Zen Buddhism 10:54

3M ago10:54

10:54

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 f…

1
Anandamayi Ma ~ On Rebirth 12:40

3M ago12:40

12:40

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 t…

1
The Practice to Liberation ~ Anapanasati ~ Teachings of the Buddha 26:37

3M ago26:37

26:37

A reading of the Anapanasati Sutta: Mindfulness of Breathing - MN 118 This reading is an amalgam of translations by Bhante Sujato, Bhikkhu Bodhi, Thanisarro Bhikkhu - compiled and edited by Ayya Jitindriya.The Ānāpānasati Sutta (Pāli), "Breath-Mindfulness Discourse," Majjhima Nikaya 118, is a discourse that details the Buddha's instruction on using…

1
The Way of Self-Inquiry ~ Drg Drsya Viveka ~ Advaita Vedanta 43:40

3M ago43:40

43:40

Dṛg-Dṛṣya-Viveka : An Inquiry Into The Nature of The ‘Seer’ and The ‘Seen’, Discrimination between the Real and the UnrealAttributed to Adi Śankarācarya and Bāratī Tīrtha - Translation by Richard Miller, PhDThe Dṛg-Dṛśya-Viveka contains 46 slokas/verses performing an inquiry into the distinction between the "seer" (Dṛg) and the "seen" (Dṛśya), an o…

1
Madam Guyon ~ The Prayer of the Heart ~ A Short and Easy Method of Prayer 53:28

3M ago53:28

53:28

These excerpts for meditation/contemplation have been taken from Madame Guyon's text, 'A Short and Easy Method of Prayer'. Published by the Christian Classics Ethereal Library.Jeanne-Marie Bouvier de la Motte-Guyon (Commonly known as Madame Guyon - 13 April 1648 – 9 June 1717) is Christianity’s best-known and most influential woman in church histor…

1
Song of Mind (Xin Ming) - Master Niutou Farong - Zen Buddhism 34:33

4M ago34:33

34:33

Reading of the famous seventh-century Zen classic Xin Ming, or "Song of Mind" - this poem is a masterpiece of expressing the inexpressible. 🔆 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 dir…

1
Longchenpa ~ Samsara as Like an Echo 40:19

4M ago40:19

40:19

These sublime and profound teachings on the nature of reality by the great master, Longchenpa is taken from the Finding Rest in Illusion trilogy . It is suitable for those practitioners who have an in-depth understanding and insight into Dzogchen's concepts and paradigm. Longchenpa, also known as Longchen Rabjam , ‘Infinite, Vast Expanse of Space’,…

1
The Stillpoint ~ A Guided Meditation ~ Samaneri Jayasara 27:39

4M ago27:39

27:39

This is a guided meditation spoken extemporaneously by Samaneri Jayasra on learning to recognise, abide in, and rest as, the stillpoint of intrinsic Awareness. 🔆 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: v…

1
Ajahn Pannavaddho ~ The One Who Knows ~Thai Forest Tradition 51:13

4M ago51:13

51:13

This is a reading of the chapter "Citta" taken from the text 'Uncommon Wisdom - Life and Teachings of Ajaan Pannavaddho. Written and compiled by Ajaan Dick Sīlaratano.Venerable Ajaan Pannavahho was the senior-most Western monk following Ajaan Mun’s path of practice for over 40 years. Ajaan Paññā, as he was called, was a man of intellectual brillian…

1
Lama Yeshe ~ Experiencing Silent Wisdom 28:15

4M ago28:15

28:15

A reading for meditation taken from the text, 'The Peaceful Stillness of the Silent Mind: Buddhism, Mind and Meditation' by Lama Thubten Yeshe.Lama Thubten Yeshe was born in Tibet in 1935. At the age of six, he entered Sera Monastic University in Tibet where he studied until 1959, when as Lama Yeshe himself has said, “In that year the Chinese kindl…

1
Naropa ~ Mahamudra Summary 12:38

4M ago12:38

12:38

A reading of the timeless teaching of Naropa's - "The Summary of Mahamudra". English version by Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche and Erik Pema KunsangNāropā (1016-1100) was an Indian Buddhist Mahasiddha. He was the disciple of Tilopa and brother, or some sources say partner and pupil, of Niguma. As an Indian Mahasiddha, Naropa's instructions inform Vajray…

1
Evelyn Underhill ~ The Mystic 14:31

5M ago14:31

14:31

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 ex…

1
Rumi ~ A Gold Mine ~ Sufi Mystics 10:23

5M ago10:23

10:23

These few selections of Rumi poems are from the newly translated text "Gold" - Rumi. Translated by Haleh Liza Gafori. The book can be purchased here:https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/bo...https://www.amazon.com/Gold-Rumi/dp/1...Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī (30 September 1207 – 17 December 1273), was a 13th-century Persian poet, faqih, Islamic schola…

1
Nisargadatta Maharaj ~ Turn Within ~ Advaita 32:58

5M ago32:58

32:58

Best to listen to this meditation with headphones 🎧 🎧 🎧This is a selection of key pointers from Nisargadatta formatted for guided meditation, taken from the texts, 'I am That' - 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 In…

1
Turning the Light Around ~ The Secret of the Golden Flower ~ Inner Alchemy 38:00

5M ago38:00

38:00

This reading is from chapter 3 and 4 of the teachings found in the text, The Secret of the Golden Flower, and explains in detail the method of 'turning the light around'. Translated by Thomas Clearly. According to Cleary, this text is is a lay manual of Buddhist and Taoist methods for clarifying the mind. A distillation of the inner psychoactive el…

1
Yoga Nidra with Gentle Rain ~ Relaxation and Healing 31:57

5M ago31:57

31:57

This is a guided Yoga Nidra meditation to induce deep relaxation and rejuvenation and to assist with deepening conscious Awareness in the pre-sleep and deep sleep states, with gentle rain sounds to help you relax and let go. Yoga Nidra, or yogic sleep is a state of consciousness between waking and sleeping, like the "going-to-sleep" stage, typicall…

1
Atmananda Krishna Memon ~ Mind as No Mind ~ Advaita 14:27

5M ago14:27

14:27

Selected excerpts from the text "Notes on Spiritual Discources" - taken by Nitya Tripta. For PDF and hard copy versions of the 3 Volume teaching see this website of Greg Goodes: https://greg-goode.com/article/notes-on-spiritual-discourses-of-shri-atmananda/Śrĩ Atmananda (8 December 1883 – 14 May 1959), also referred as Sri Atmananda Krishna Menon, …

1
Ajahn Lee ~ The Art of Letting Go ~ Theravadin Buddhist Forest Tradition 31:13

6M ago31:13

31:13

This is a reading of a chapter on 'The Art of Letting Go' taken from the text: "Keeping the Breath in Mind by Ajahn Lee. Translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. Phra Suddhidhammaransi Gambhiramedhacarya (1907–1961), commonly known as Ajahn Lee Dhammadharo, was a meditation teacher in the Thai Forest Tradition of the Dhammayuttika Nikaya order of Theravad…

1
Krishnamurti ~ The Quiet Mind 20:35

6M ago20:35

20:35

These extracts from Krishnamurti's talks on meditation have been taken from various sources and are intended for contemplation.Jiddu Krishnamurti (12 May 1895 – 17 February 1986) was an Indian philosopher, speaker and writer. In his early life he was groomed to be the new World Teacher but later rejected this mantle and withdrew from the Theosophy …

1
Ramakant Maharaj ~ The Inner Master ~ Advaita 15:02

6M ago15:02

15:02

A selection of pointers read from the text, 'Selfless Self: Talks with Shri Ramakant Maharaj'.Ramakant Maharaj was a direct disciple of the late Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj and spent 19 years with him. From 1962, he visited Nisargadatta Maharaj and listened to his lectures regularly, until his master's Mahasamadhi in 1981. During the last decade or so…

1
The Secret of the Golden Flower ~ A Synthesis ~ Inner Alchemy 45:38

6M ago45:38

45:38

This reading is a synthesis of the teachings found in the text, The Secret of the Golden Flower, translated by Thomas Clearly. According to Cleary, this text is is a lay manual of Buddhist and Taoist methods for clarifying the mind. A distillation of the inner psychoactive elements in ancient spiritual classics, it describes a natural way to mental…

1
Vivekachudamani ~ The Supreme ~ Advaita-Vedanta 26:31

6M ago26:31

26:31

A selction of verses taken from Vivekchudamani on the Supreme Self.The Vivekachudamani (lit. 'Crest-jewel of discernment') is a philosophical treatise within the Advaita Vedanta tradition of Hinduism, traditionally attributed to Adi Shankara of the eighth century. These verses were translated into Tamil prose by Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi while h…

1
Longchenpa ~ Now That I Come to Die 46:13

7M ago46:13

46:13

Selection of verses from Longchenpa's heartfelt parting advice to his students, exhorting them to vigorously engage the path to liberation while they are still able. It is said these are Longchenpa's final words prior to his death. Translated by Herbert V. Guenther.Longchenpa (1308-1364) stands at the center of the Nyingma tradition. Acknowledged b…

1
Atmananda Krishna Menon ~ Deep Sleep Peace ~ Advaita 7:30

7M ago7:30

7:30

Selected excerpts from the text "Notes on Spiritual Discources" - taken by Nitya Tripta. Śrĩ Atmananda (8 December 1883 – 14 May 1959), also referred as Sri Atmananda Krishna Menon, was an Indian sage, guru, and philosopher. He has been described by scholars as a "neo-Hindu". His teachings have become a foundation for a spiritual method called the …

1
Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo ~ The Essence of the the Practice 18:56

7M ago18:56

18:56

Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo (born 1943) is a bhikṣuṇī in the Drukpa Lineage of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. She is an author, teacher and founder of the Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery in Himachal Pradesh, India. She is best known for having spent twelve years living in a remote cave in the Himalayas, three of those years in strict meditation retreat…

1
5 Themes for Awakening ~ Teaching of the Buddha ~ Pali Buddhism 15:54

7M ago15:54

15:54

A reading for meditation of the Upajjhaṭṭhana Sutta (AN 5:57) ~ Subjects for Contemplation - Translated by Bhikkhu Bodhi.The Upajjhatthana Sutta ("Subjects for Contemplation") focuses on the five remembrances, or five facts, regarding life's fragility and our true inheritance. The discourse advises that these facts are to be reflected upon often by…

1
Ati Yoga (Dzogchen) ~ Part 3 - Natural Awareness ~ Dr Nida Chenagtsang (Weapon of Light) 17:19

7M ago17:19

17:19

This is a guided meditation taken from Dr Nida Chenagtsang’s 'Weapon of Light' series - a pithy synthesis of Ati Yoga (Dzogchen) instructions. The teachings focus on how to naturally and easefully access the natural state of mind in both the meditative state and daily life and to liberate the afflictive emotions. For more about Dr Nida and his work…

1
Ati Yoga (Dzogchen) ~ Part 2 - The Mind in Motion ~ Dr Nida Chenagtsang (Weapon of Light) 28:17

7M ago28:17

28:17

This is a guided meditation taken from Dr Nida Chenagtsang’s 'Weapon of Light' series - a pithy synthesis of Ati Yoga (Dzogchen) instructions. The teachings focus on how to naturally and easefully access the natural state of mind in both the meditative state and daily life and to liberate the afflictive emotions. For more about Dr Nida and his work…

1
Ati Yoga (Dzogchen) ~ Part 1 - Resting the Mind ~ Dr Nida Chenagtsang (Weapon of Light) 20:30

8M ago20:30

20:30

This is a guided meditation taken from Dr Nida Chenagtsang’s 'Weapon of Light' series - a pithy synthesis of Ati Yoga (Dzogchen) instructions. The teachings focus on how to naturally and easefully access the natural state of mind in both the meditative state and daily life and to liberate the afflictive emotions. For more about Dr Nida and his work…

1
Papaji ~ The Emptiness of Awareness ~ Advaita 17:13

8M ago17:13

17:13

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: David Parsons - "Inward Journey"https://www.disco…

1
Lama Zopa Rinpoche ~ Impermanence and Emptiness ~ Mahayana Buddhism 22:00

8M ago22:00

22:00

This is a reading of excerpts from the text, 'Virtue and Reality' by Lama Zopa Rinpoche.Thubten Zopa Rinpoche (3 December 1946 – 13 April 2023) was a Tibetan Buddhist lama in the Gelug school. He was one of the most internationally renowned masters of Tibetan Buddhism, working and teaching ceaselessly on almost every continent. He was the spiritual…

1
Anandamayi Ma ~ The Divine Instrument 12:01

8M ago12:01

12:01

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-per…

1
Meister Eckhart ~ The Eternal Birth ~ Christmas Sermon 33:33

8M ago33:33

33:33

This is a reading for meditation of "Sermon 2" (a Christmas Sermon) from 'The Complete Mystical Works of Meister Eckhart.' Translated by Maurice WalsheJohannes Eckhart was one of the greatest of Christian mystics. He was born at Hochheim in Thüringen, Germany, in 1260 and died c.1327. He entered the Dominican order when he was 15. Later he became a…

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