In this conversation, Sam speaks with Jayasāra about her decision to become a Buddhist nun in the Theravada tradition, her first awakening experience, LSD and the role of psychedelics in spiritual practice, different styles of Vipassana meditation, the illusion of the self, Tibetan Buddhism, the role of formal practice, stabilizing meditative insight, the student-teacher relationship, and other topics. 

Jayasāra has studied and practiced Buddhism and meditation in various capacities for over 35 years. She has a PhD and Master’s Degree in education, focusing on comparative spiritual traditions, Buddhism, and psychotherapy. Jayasāra is a 10-precept nun in the Theravada tradition and lives at Viveka Hermitage in southern New South Wales.