September 24, 2015

What does 'energy' mean?

September 24, 2015

What does 'energy' actually mean? This is one of the most ambiguous, yet most used, words in spiritual circles. It's time we clarify what we mean, because clear understanding is empowering!

Tantrik Studies

September 22, 2015

Abhinavagupta, Light on Tantra, Spiritual philosophy

The Nature of God/dess: Tantraaloka 1.68-81

Tantrik Studies

September 22, 2015

Abhinavagupta, Light on Tantra, Spiritual philosophy

The Nature of God/dess: Tantraaloka 1.68-81

In honor of the Fall Equinox, this post contains a never-before-seen translation of a passage on the relation of Śiva and Śakti (God and Goddess; Consciousness and its Powers) from Abhinavagupta's 'Light on Tantra' chapter one.

Tantrik Studies

September 15, 2015

The transmission of Tantra: an interview with Hareesh (part 3 of 3)

Tantrik Studies

September 15, 2015

The transmission of Tantra: an interview with Hareesh (part 3 of 3)

Part Three of a fascinating and wide-ranging interview.

Tantrik Studies

September 10, 2015

The transmission of Tantra: an interview with Hareesh (Part 2 of 3)

Tantrik Studies

September 10, 2015

The transmission of Tantra: an interview with Hareesh (Part 2 of 3)

Part Two of a fascinating and wide-ranging interview.

Tantrik Studies

September 6, 2015

The transmission of Tantra: an interview with Hareesh (Part 1 of 3)

Tantrik Studies

September 6, 2015

The transmission of Tantra: an interview with Hareesh (Part 1 of 3)

Part One of a fascinating and wide-ranging interview.

Tantrik Studies

September 3, 2015

Tantrik yoga

Deity Yoga: a Tantrik Technology

Tantrik Studies

September 3, 2015

Tantrik yoga

What is Deity Yoga, and why is it such a crucial part of Tantrik practice? This post explains in simple terms the essence of this ancient practice, which is still thriving today. Learn about the three bodies of each deity, and what makes them 'dead' or 'alive' -- and how contacting the living energy of these patterns of consciousness can be life-transforming.

Tantrik Studies

September 1, 2015

Abhinavagupta, Light on Tantra, Spiritual philosophy

The Nature of God: Tantraaloka 1.59-69

Tantrik Studies

September 1, 2015

Abhinavagupta, Light on Tantra, Spiritual philosophy

What is the nature of God according to nondual Tantra? For a Tāntrika, God is simply the unbounded Light of Consciousness when it reposes in its innate bliss, connected with its innate Powers. This post includes the first 10 verses of 34 verses on this subject found in Abhinavagupta's Tantrāloka.

Tantrik Studies

August 24, 2015

The mind: it's not what you think it is

Tantrik Studies

August 24, 2015

What's the difference between the Indian (yogic) conception of mind and the Western concept? How can understanding the yogic conception of mind change the way we experience ourselves and reveal deeper truth? 4 minute read.

Tantrik Studies

August 4, 2015

Abhinavagupta, Light on Tantra, philosophy, The nature of reality

The Nature of Reality: Tantraloka 1.52-57

Tantrik Studies

August 4, 2015

Abhinavagupta, Light on Tantra, philosophy, The nature of reality

The Nature of Reality: Tantraloka 1.52-57

What is the supreme principle, knowing which, all things are known in their true nature? Continuing with Abhinavagupta’s exploration of foundational principles of Tantrik philosophy in his LIght on the Tantras.

Tantrik Studies

August 2, 2015

Tantrik yoga

What is Tantra?: Setting the record straight

Tantrik Studies

August 2, 2015

Tantrik yoga

What is Tantra?: Setting the record straight

Breakthroughs in recent scholarship are helping us clarify the importance of this spiritual movement and the many misunderstandings that have surrounded it. The truth is slowly getting out there!

Tantrik Studies

August 1, 2015

Abhinavagupta, Liberation, Light on Tantra, philosophy

On Bondage and Liberation: Tantraloka 1.22-51

Tantrik Studies

August 1, 2015

Abhinavagupta, Liberation, Light on Tantra, philosophy

On Bondage and Liberation: Tantraloka 1.22-51

Tantrāloka chapter one, part two: On Insight & Ignorance, and Bondage & Liberation (verses 22-51).

Tantrik Studies

July 31, 2015

Abhinavagupta, Light on Tantra, Image: Kashmir Valley

Light on Tantra: Tantraaloka 1.1-21

Tantrik Studies

July 31, 2015

Abhinavagupta, Light on Tantra, Image: Kashmir Valley

The exquisite, heart-opening first 21 verses of "Light on the Tantras", in which Abhinavagupta eloquently praises his ishta-devatās and gurus. If the greatest genius of his era still needed wise guides and teachers, don't we all?

Tantrik Studies

July 28, 2015

Abhinavagupta, Light on Tantra

The Power of the Word: double meanings in the Tantraaloka

Tantrik Studies

July 28, 2015

Abhinavagupta, Light on Tantra

The Power of the Word: double meanings in the Tantraaloka

This rich post explores the nature of Sanskrit translation, especially in the case of intentional double meanings, as well as the authorship of the Tantrāloka and the cause of Abhinavagupta's enlightenment!

Tantrik Studies

July 20, 2015

Tantrik yoga

Tantrik philosophy for the layperson: What is the cause of liberation?

Tantrik Studies

July 20, 2015

Tantrik yoga

Tantrik philosophy for the layperson: What is the cause of liberation?

In just four verses from the Tantrāloka, we find Abhinavagupta’s succinct answer to the key question, “What is the cause of liberation?”

Tantrik Studies

July 15, 2015

Tantrik yoga

What is Shaivism?

Tantrik Studies

July 15, 2015

Tantrik yoga

What is Shaivism? This religion, the source of Tantra, once flourished throughout the Indian subcontinent as well as Southeast Asia. Read more about it in this fascinating excerpt from my dissertation.

Tantrik Studies

July 8, 2015

Tantrik yoga

Do we really have the power of choice? Part Two.

Tantrik Studies

July 8, 2015

Tantrik yoga

Do we really have the power of choice? Part Two.

One of the eternal questions -- is free will an illusion -- receives a fresh look. Can we integrate what science and spirituality have to say about it? Part 2 of 2. 4min read.

Tantrik Studies

July 8, 2015

Tantrik yoga

Do we really have the power of choice? Part One.

Tantrik Studies

July 8, 2015

Tantrik yoga

Do we really have the power of choice? Part One.

One of the eternal questions -- is free will an illusion? -- receives a fresh look. Can we integrate what science and spirituality have to say about it? Part 1 of 2. 4min read.

Tantrik Studies

July 7, 2015

Tantrik yoga

Definition of spiritual awakeness

Tantrik Studies

July 7, 2015

Tantrik yoga

Awakeness is no longer looking to the contents of your mind to define yourself; no longer investing emotional energy in preferences and mental images; no longer projecting your beliefs about reality onto reality; in other words, no longer seeing through the lens of the conditioned mind.

Tantrik Studies

July 4, 2015

The purpose of the spiritual life PART TWO

Tantrik Studies

July 4, 2015

The purpose of the spiritual life PART TWO

What does freedom from the mind-world look like? Is it really possible in our modern world, or is it only for Zen farmers? A powerful inquiry in a 5min read.

Tantrik Studies

June 24, 2015

Tantrik yoga

The purpose of the spiritual life (it ain't what ya think). Part One.

Tantrik Studies

June 24, 2015

Tantrik yoga

The purpose of the spiritual life (it ain't what ya think). Part One.

What are the two goals of the spiritual life according to original Tantra? How do these goals connect to the teaching that everything is consciousness? A powerful inquiry in a 5 minute read.