Why are there eight 'limbs' of yoga? Why not six? Or fifteen? Take a closer look ~ there ARE other systemizations of yoga. This post continues our investigation into the original diversity of the yoga tradition. 

My first post on Abhinavagupta's breathtaking 'The Essence of Ultimate Reality' (Paramārtha-sāra), a concise and poetic introduction to Tantrik philosophy written 1000 years ago. 

Continuing my translation of 'Light on Tantra' chapter one, this section is FASCINATING, covering as it does the Tantrik view of the nature of reality as patterned flows of energy. Incredible correspondence with quantum physics!

Why is the word deva (meaning 'deity', or 'God') used to denote the Supreme Consciousness? Because, we learn, the Sanskrit root div means ‘play’, 'joy, ‘urge to transcend’, ‘daily conduct’, ‘radiance’, ‘praise’ and ‘movement’.

Continuing a series of posts translating the first chapter of the Tantraaloka, this passage explains why Bhiarava is the name for the Divine in nondual Tantra.

The second post celebrating the 1000th anniversary of the conclusion of Abhinava Gupta's career, this one features a new translation of his 15 Verses on Awakening!

Celebrating 1000 years exactly since Abhinavagupta's last dated work, this post explores what made him one of the greatest Tantrik masters. 

Continued from the previous blog post, this one is a discussion of the similarities and differences between the Vedāntic model of the koshas and the Tantrik 'five-layered self'.

According to Tantrik philosophy, the primary cause of suffering is not knowing who -- or what -- you really are. Not only that, but your limited view of your own being determines the extent to which your spiritual practice can liberate you from suffering. How?  Read and find out.

What are the three primary methods to liberate awareness from its self-imposed bondage? Why do we need all three? Why does spiritual work tend to falter without this key teaching on upāya - skillful means?

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!