Tantra Illuminated with Dr. Christopher Wallis
Tantra Illuminated with Dr. Christopher Wallis is a journey through the depths of the human experience, as viewed through the lens of nondual Shaiva Tantra. Hosted by Sanskritist and scholar-practitioner Dr. Christopher Wallis, the podcast explores Classical Tantra and its intersections with philosophy, neuroscience, psychology, healing arts, and spirituality. It includes conversations with spiritual teachers, readings from Sanskrit scriptures, guided meditations, and contemplative reflections. The aim is to inspire, educate, and ignite transformative conversations.
Episodes
Rasa: The Transformation of Emotion into Sublime Beauty
What if our emotions are not obstacles to awakening, but doorways into a deeper experience of consciousness?In this teaching episode, Hareesh unpacks the Tantric theory of rasa—the experience of ordinary human emotions as sublime, universal beauty. Drawing on the work of Abhinavagupta, he explores how great poetry, storytelling, and classic cinema resonate so deeply because they awaken something u
Practical Spirituality with Mark Davis
What does it mean for spiritual practice to become genuinely useful in the midst of ordinary life?Mark Davis is the founder of Hypno-CBT® , a science-based therapeutic model he's developed over the last 20 years. In this conversation we explore the contemplative and practical roots of Mark’s work. They discuss stilling the mind, agency, self-objectification, disinhibition, and the pragmatist
Kuṇḍalinī or Prāṇotthāna? Grounding Energetic Overload
Does the intensity of energy in your system feel destabilizing? Drawing from classical Tantra frameworks as well as modern lived experience, this episode is focused on practical guidance, tips, and suggestions for those experiencing "energetic overload," or something like it. It emphasizes the importance of grounding, discernment, and caring for the nervous system when one's experiences feel desta
Kuṇḍalinī and the Power of Self-Recognition with Igor Kufayev
What if the awakening of Kundalinī is not about attaining something new, but recognizing what has always been present?In this conversation, Igor Kufayev shares insights from decades of direct experience with the unfolding of Kundalinī, offering a grounded perspective on a process often surrounded by intensity and misunderstanding. The dialogue explores the relationship between energetic awakening
Effective Method & Pure Motive: The Keys to Tantrik Practice
What truly makes a spiritual practice effective—and what quietly undermines it?In this teaching episode, we look at two essential foundations of the Tantric path: upāya (effective method) and śuddha-bhāva (pure motive). The conversation clarifies how genuine transformation depends not only on the techniques we use, but on the intention and orientation behind them. What is the difference between pr
The Real Vijñāna-Bhairava-Tantra (Revisited)
What makes the Vijñāna-bhairava-tantra one of the most radical and influential texts of the nondual Śaiva tradition?In this episode, we return to this remarkable scripture and the vision of practice it offers. Rather than turning away from the body or the senses, the Vijñāna-bhairava presents more than a hundred contemplative gateways into direct awareness—through breath, sound, perception, and ev
A Life of Learning with Alexis Sanderson
What does it take to devote a lifetime to the careful study of a spiritual tradition?In this wide-ranging conversation, Hareesh sits down with the renowned scholar Alexis Sanderson to reflect on the path that led him to become one of the foremost authorities on the Tantric traditions of India. From an early fascination with classical languages to his encounter with the works of Abhinavagupta, Sand
The Vijñāna-bhairava-tantra: audiobook, chapter 1
In this episode, Hareesh reads the first chapter of the Vijñāna-Bhairava-Tantra audiobook, published in the Tantra112 app. He introduces the text and guides us through its opening verses, where Bhairavī turns to her beloved Bhairava and asks: what is the true nature of reality? Despite having heard and studied the teachings in depth, she remains unsatisfied and longs for the essential truth. This
New Horizons: AI, Neuroscience & Awakening with Ruben Laukkonen
What can emerging technologies reveal about the nature of mind, consciousness, and awakening—and where do their limits lie?In this forward-looking conversation, Hareesh is joined by neuroscientist Dr. Ruben Laukkonen to explore the meeting points of classical Tantra, neuroscience, and artificial general intelligence. Drawing on both scientific models and contemplative insight, they reflect on how
Finding Freedom in Troubled Times with Tina Rasmussen
In this grounded and compassionate conversation, Dr. Tina Rasmussen reflects on the nature of awakening in the midst of difficulty — personal, collective, and existential. Speaking from decades of lived inquiry and realization, she points toward a freedom that does not depend on circumstances being resolved, but emerges through honesty, deep presence, and allowing in relation to one’s own experien
The Real Story on Kundalinī
What is Kundalinī—really—and how did its meaning become so widely misunderstood?In this episode, Hareesh offers a careful historical and philosophical inquiry into one of the most charged and confusing terms in modern spirituality. Tracing the word Kundalinī back to its earliest appearances in classical Tantric sources, he reveals how its original meaning differs radically from popular contemporar
The Mystical Positivist With Stuart Goodnick and Dr. Robert Schmidt 2
In this second part of the archival conversation, Hareesh continues his dialogue with hosts Stuart Goodnick and Dr. Robert Schmidt, turning toward the dynamics of the energy body, emotional digestion, and the long arc of integration. They explore how unresolved impressions (saṁskāras) shape our sense of self, why true digestion requires presence rather than suppression, and how imaginal practices
Resting into Pure Being
Today's episode is a short 15-minute guided meditation invites you to return to your most essential presence—the natural, uncreated awareness that has no beginning or end. Through gentle instruction, you are guided to let go of effort and rest in the still, open, intimate ground of being itself. A foundational and centering practice for anyone seeking simplicity, clarity, and natural presence.Disc
Tantra Meets Dzogchen with Ācārya Malcolm Smith
In this illuminating conversation, Hareesh and Ācārya Malcolm Smith trace the philosophical and experiential meeting points between Tantra and Dzogchen, while honoring their distinct lineages. The discussion touches on the origins of Dzogchen, the role of direct recognition in awakening, the tension between conceptual purification and non-conceptual realization, and how both traditions articulate
Rewiring your Reality with Shamil Chandaria
What happens when the rigor of neuroscience meets the depth of nondual philosophy?In this wide-ranging conversation, Hareesh and Dr. Shamil Chandaria explore the meeting point between consciousness studies, neuroscience, and the Tantric vision of reality. They discuss Shamil’s new course Rewiring Your Reality—a 21st-century synthesis of meditation, philosophy, and cognitive science—and examine per
The Mystical Positivist With Stuart Goodnick and Dr. Robert Schmidt 1
In this archival conversation originally recorded in 2016 for The Mystical Positivist radio show, Hareesh joins hosts Stuart Goodnick and Dr. Robert Schmidt to reflect on the meeting point between spiritual experience and critical inquiry. The dialogue traces Hareesh’s early encounters with meditation and grace, the unfolding of his path through the Shaiva Tantra tradition, and the pitfalls of con
The Pulsing Heart of Infinite Stillness
This guided meditation invites you to rest in the vast silence that underlies all experience, a stillness untouched by thought or sound. Within this infinite quiet, a subtle pulsation arises—the gentle rhythm that gives birth to life itself. By attuning to both the stillness and its living pulse, we discover a presence that is at once serene and dynamic, grounding and liberating. A simple yet prof
The Mandala of Relationality with Josh Schrei from The Emerald
What if awakening is not only an inward journey, but also a maṇḍala woven of our relationships with others and the world?This episode turns to the animist and tantric vision of relationality, where every connection—whether with people, nature, or the subtle dimensions of being—forms part of a greater sacred whole. Through the lens of classical teachings, animism and myth we are invited to reimagin
Scriptural Reading: The Vijñāna-bhairava-tantra
What lies at the heart of one of the most revered scriptures of non-dual Tantra?In this episode, we hear a direct reading of the opening and closing verses of the Vijñāna-bhairava-tantra, a text composed over a thousand years ago that frames 112 transformative meditation practices. These verses are far more than an introduction or conclusion—they carry profound insights into the nature of reality,
Discovering the Authentic Self with Kiran Trace
What does it mean to live from the deepest truth of who we are?This episode turns toward the question of authenticity—not as a fixed identity, but as a living presence that shines through when we release the layers of conditioning and self-concept. The episode unpacks how the authentic self is discovered not by constructing a new persona, but by attuning to the spacious, luminous awareness that un
Heart - Lotus Meditation
This episode offers a gentle, evocative meditation that invites you to attune to the lotus of light at the center of the chest—a sacred center of feeling and awareness. Guided through breath, imagery, and felt sense, you’ll be led to experience the heart not just as a metaphor, but as a living site of inner unfolding. Whether you're lying down or sitting upright, this short meditation is an access
“Tantric Sex vs. Tantrik Yoga” with Ashton Szabo
This episode offers a clear, grounded conversation on one of the most misunderstood aspects of Tantra: the role of sexuality. In dialogue with Ashton Szabo, we trace the origins of this confusion, distinguishing between classical Tantra and modern neo-Tantra, and examining how the term itself was co-opted in the West. Listeners are introduced to the true context of sexual practice in the original
The Three Effective Methods
How can spiritual practice truly encompass the whole of our being—body, mind, and spirit?This episode unpacks the teaching of the Three Upāyas—or “effective methods”—a foundational framework in non-dual Śaiva Tantra articulated by the great master Abhinavagupta. These methods are known as the Divine Method (śāmbhava-upāya, nonconceptual direct awareness), the Empowered Method (śākta-upāya, contemp
Attuning to Fundamental Consciousness with Judith Blackstone
What if our most subtle awareness could be both deeply personal and seamlessly connected to all of life?In this rich and nuanced conversation, Judith Blackstone shares insights from her decades of teaching the Realization Process—a nonsectarian path to embodying nondual awareness. Touching on themes of individuality, resonance, psychological healing, and the tactile texture of consciousness, the d
The Real Vijñāna-bhairava
This episode offers a clear introduction to one of the most influential yet widely misunderstood texts in the nondual Shaiva Tantra tradition: The Vijñāna-bhairava-tantra. We talk about the text's historical significance, its radical approach to practice, and how it diverges from earlier yogic traditions like Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtras. Rather than rejecting the senses or the body, the Vijñāna-bhaira
On Teachers, Truth, and Tantra, interview by Christine Marie Mason
This week’s episode is an archival conversation with Christine Marie Mason, originally recorded in September 2024 for The Rose Woman podcast. Together, they explore the evolution of Christopher’s teaching path, the enduring relevance of Classical Tantra, and the deeper practices that support spiritual liberation. The episode touches on the historical roots of Neo-Tantra and its divergence from Cla
Yoga Nidra: Body of Joy
This week’s episode offers a deeply restorative yoga nidra practice titled Body of Joy. Unlike other guided meditations previously shared on the podcast, this one invites you to lie in stillness - awake, aware, and fully relaxed out of the impulse to move. While yoga nidra is often used as a tool for rest, this practice is not for sleep but for remaining conscious in the liminal space of deep rela
The End of Suffering with Artur Appazov
This week’s episode is a deep and moving conversation with Artur Appazov, returning to the podcast for a second time. Artur shares his perspective on the nature of suffering, how it arises from mistaken identity and resistance to pain, and how it can dissolve through the recognition of our true nature as openness itself. Through inquiry and reflection, he offers a powerful invitation and tools to
Shaivism in Kashmir by Alexis Sanderson
This week’s episode features a reading of six foundational articles on Shaivism, originally written for the Encyclopedia of Religion in the late 1980s. These are: Kashmir Shaivism, Krama Shaivism, Trika Shaivism, and Abhinavagupta by Alexis Sanderson, Pratyabhijñā by André Padoux, and Pāśupata by David Lorenzen.Together, they offer a concise yet profound overview of several key lineages within the
Tantra Illuminated interview by J. Brown
This week’s episode is an archival interview by J. Brown, originally aired on the Yoga Talks Podcast in 2016. In this conversation, we explore the art and science of translating Sanskrit, the influence of Tantra on modern yoga, the legacy of Abhinavagupta, and the subtle difference between speaking about nonduality and directly experiencing it. The episode touches on key themes such as the integra
Bhūta-shuddhi: Five Elemental Energies Meditation
This week’s episode is the guided meditation Bhūta-shuddhi, the purification or recalibration of the five great elemental energies in the body. This ancient practice, central to classical Tantric yoga, harmonizes the five great elements—earth, water, fire, air, and space—through visualization and mantra, restoring balance to both body and mind. In this practice, you will be introduced to the esote
Trika Maṇḍala Prakāśa with Christian de Vietri
This week’s episode is a conversation with accomplished artist and scholar-practitioner Christian de Vietri about his journey from the contemporary art world to the study and practice of Tantric sacred art. Christian, known for his large-scale public installations and fine art, shares how he came to know and practice non-dual Shaiva Tantra, how this transformed his approach to artistic expression,
Mandala and Āgamic Identity by Alexis Sanderson (Part Two)
This week, we continue the abridged reading of Alexis Sanderson's 1986 article, Mandala and Āgamic Identity in the Trika of Kashmir. Here Sanderson unveils the role of Kāīi-based practices within the Trika tradition, exploring how Abhinavagupta infused the tradition with the transformative energy of Kāīi worship, elevating the Goddess to a central role in tantric initiation and ritual.
Shifting Paradigms and Near Enemies: interview by J. Brown
This week’s episode features an archival conversation from about four years ago during the pandemic with J. Brown, host of the Yoga Talks podcast. J. Brown has been practicing yoga for over 25 years and is widely known as a writer and industry-leading podcaster. His signature offering is a deeply breath-centered, therapeutic yoga practice inspired by the TKV Desikachar tradition, aimed at fosterin
Mandala and Āgamic Identity by Alexis Sanderson (Part One)
This episode features a reading of Alexis Sanderson's second article, first published in 1986, entitled Mandala and Āgamic Identity in the Trika of Kashmir. Here Sanderson focuses on the esoteric and ritualistic dimensions of the Trika tradition in medieval Kashmir. In this article, we explore the themes of tantric initiation, the mandala as a tool for self-realization, and the concept of āgamic i
Spiritual Practice and the Dimensions of Nonduality with Tina Rasmussen
In this episode, we talk to Tina Rasmussen, Ph.D., meditation teacher, Buddhist practitioner, and author of Practising the Jhānas. Tina shares her remarkable path of awakening, which began at the age of 13 and unfolded through profound solo retreats, including a transformative year-long retreat in 2003. She discusses her experiences as the first Western woman to complete the detailed jhāna path in
Purity and Power by Alexis Sanderson
This episode offers a special reading of Alexis Sanderson's groundbreaking academic article, Purity and Power among the Brāhmans of Kashmir. Professor Emeritus of Eastern Religions and Ethics at the University of Oxford and Emeritus Fellow of All Souls College, Sanderson is widely regarded as the greatest living scholar of Tantric studies in the Western world. His illustrious 40-year career began
Bridging Scholarship and Practice: Interview by Jacob Kyle
This week’s episode features an archival interview with Jacob Kyle, yoga and meditation teacher, writer, philosophy educator, and founder of Embodied Philosophy, an online educational platform for wisdom studies and contemplative practices, as well as host of the Chitheads podcast. The conversation explores the role of the scholar-practitioner in bridging the gap between rigorous academic scholars
Listening with the Whole Body
This week's episode is a guided meditation centered on a simple yet profound somatic inquiry: What might it feel like to listen with the whole body? We are invited to listen to the whole of experience, cultivating presence by tuning into the vibrancy of awareness. Through gentle attention, we explore what it means to listen, not just with the ears, but with the entirety of our body. The meditation
Unraveling into the Infinite with Kiran Trace
This episode features a conversation with Kiran Trace, a renowned teacher, speaker, and author who has helped thousands of people worldwide on their path to awakening. Kiran has developed a powerful set of tools to support people in freeing themselves from suffering and integrating their spiritual awakening into daily life. Her own journey began with a radical, spontaneous awakening—with no prior
The Essence of Tantra, Chapter Five (Part Three)
This episode concludes our reading of Chapter Five of Abhinavagupta's Tantrasāra. Here, we learn about The Rite of the Phonemes, or varṇa-uccāra (also known as varṇa-vidhi) in Sanskrit, exploring teachings on two of the most significant bīja mantras of the Trika lineage, the seed syllables of dissolution and creation. These mantras are uniquely powerful by virtue of their inherent vibrational
Tantrik Sādhanā in the Modern World with Ben Joffe and Katherine Bennett
This week’s episode features an archival conversation with Ben Joffe and Katherine Bennett, exploring what it means to practice tantrik sādhanā in today’s world. We share personal stories about our journey as scholar-practitioners, discussing how to balance academic rigor with spiritual practice, and how to integrate philosophical study with lived experience. The conversation touches on the critic
The View and the Goal of Practice
In this solo episode, we talk about one of the most fundamental aspects of tantric practice which is the alignment of view, practice, and goal in the non-dual Shaiva Tantra tradition. Our practice must be empowered by a view of reality that aligns with our ultimate goal, because without this alignment, even the most diligent practice may not lead to the desired outcome. Traditionally, the threefol
The Nature of Reality with Shamil Chandaria
In this week's episode, we welcome Dr. Shamil Chandaria, a philanthropist, entrepreneur, technologist, and academic with interdisciplinary research interests spanning computational neuroscience, artificial intelligence, and the philosophy and science of human wellbeing. His PhD from the London School of Economics focused on the mathematical modeling of economic systems, and he later earned an MA i
Near Enemies of the Truth: Interview by Ralph Cree
In this episode, I was interviewed by Ralph Cree for his "Evolving Spiritual Practice” podcast. Ralph, a seasoned traveler with extensive studies in Central Asian and ancient Indian religions as well as the world’s shamanic traditions, also has a profound interest in psychedelics and entheogens. Our conversation explores the core themes of my latest book, "Near Enemies of the Truth," addressing sp
The Essence of Tantra, Chapter Five (Part Two)
In this episode, we continue with the scriptural reading from Abhinavagupta's "Tantrasāra," specifically with the second part of Chapter Five, titled "Illumination of the Individual/Embodied Method (ānava-upāya)." Here the focus is on the practice of prāṇa-uccāra, the elevation of the life-force. In this chapter, Abhinavagupta presents some esoteric teachings in the form of homologies, associ
Unbounded Freedom with Ruben Laukkonen
This week's episode features Dr. Ruben Laukkonen, an accomplished researcher in meditation and altered states of consciousness. With a PhD on insight experiences from the University of Queensland and postdoctoral work on the neuroscience of meditation at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Ruben now serves as an assistant professor at Southern Cross University. His research investigates some of the rare
The Path of Tantra: Interview by Adam Keen
This week's episode revisits a conversation with Adam Keen from the Keen on Yoga podcast. Originally recorded in mid-2023, this discussion offers a personal glimpse into my journey, complemented by rapid-fire questions about Classical Tantra, neo-tantra, and hatha yoga, among other topics. We delve into the nuances of the Yoga Sutras, reincarnation, the process of digesting experiences for resolut
Tantra & Animism: a Double-barrel Interview with Josh Schrei
This week's episode features a conversation with Josh Schrei, a writer, teacher, and lifelong student of cosmologies and mythologies, particularly those from the Indian subcontinent. Throughout his life, Josh has explored the animate spaces of the imagination through teaching, meditation, yogic practice, wilderness immersion, art, music, and public speaking. He is the founder of The Emerald podcas
Exploring the Subtle Body
This week's episode is a meditation practice in which we focus on fully feeling all the subtle sensations in our body, from the pelvic floor to the crown of the head. Beginning from a place of grounded awareness in the body, we are invited to explore the physical and energetic realms of our being. The practice gradually moves through our energy centers emphasizing direct experience over visualizat
The Yoga of Being with What Is: Interview by Amisha Ghadiali
This week’s episode features an archival interview with Amisha Ghadiali, founder of a conscious jewelry brand, speaker, author, and facilitator. Her podcast, All That We Are (formerly known as The Future is Beautiful), explores the intersections of activism, the sacred, creativity, and regeneration—spaces where our inner and outer worlds dance. From healing trauma to connecting with nature, embrac
The Stanzas on Divine Pulsation (Spanda-kārikā)
This week’s episode is a scriptural reading from the Spanda-kārikā, or the Stanzas on Divine Pulsation, by the great 9th-century tantrik master Kallaṭa from Kashmir. The Spanda-kārikā is a foundational text of Kashmir Shaivism or nondual Shaiva Tantra, and it explores the dynamic nature of consciousness and how we can access it to live an awakened and liberated life. This episode presents a straig
The Play of Infinity with Artur Appazov
This week's episode features a conversation with Artur Appazov, a Stanford graduate international criminal lawyer who experienced a really profound shift during one of our immersion programs. The shift led to a year and a half of intensive integration practice to stabilize, ground, and fully integrate his realization. Artur shares his journey, detailing how the awakening process initially unfolded
The Essence of Tantra, Chapter Five (Part One)
This episode features a scriptural reading from Chapter Five of Abhinavagupta's "Tantrasāra," The Essence of Tantra. In this chapter, titled “Illumination of the Individual/Embodied Method (ānava-upāya),” we receive specific practices that you can incorporate into your daily practice sessions. These practices engage the body-mind through imagination (buddhi) with powerful meditative visualization
The Heart of Recognition: Interview by Ashton Szabo
This week’s episode features an archival interview by Ashton Szabo, dedicated yogi and co-founder of The Alchemy Yoga Center in Bali. The interview was recorded just before the release of The Recognition Sutras. It centers around this 11th-century tantric text, the Pratyabhijñāhṛdaya, which means “The Essence of the Recognition Philosophy”—recognition, that is, of oneself as a direct expression of
The Energy Body
This week's solo episode clearly and precisely explains the energy body, or subtle body (sūkṣma-śarīra), as understood in Classical Tantra—the tradition that originated these terms. I share precise definitions of terms such as nādī (energy channels), chakra (energy centers), and bindu (essence point), while addressing some of the most widely held myths and misunderstandings related to these concep
Deity Yoga and the 21 Tārās with Chandra Easton
This week's episode features a conversation with Chandra Easton, also known as Lopön Yeshe Dawa Zangmo, a Dharma teacher, author, and translator of Tibetan Buddhist texts. Since 2001, she has taught Buddhism and Hatha Yoga. In 2015, she was awarded the title of Vajra Teacher, Dorje Lopön (Vajrāchārya), signifying a tantric master in Vajrayana Buddhist traditions, by Lama Tsultrim Allione and H.E.
The Essence of Tantra, Chapter Four (Part Two)
This episode concludes our reading of Chapter Four of Abhinavagupta's "Tantrasāra," which we started reading in Episode 16. This part of the śākta-upāya or “Illumination of the Empowered Method” is particularly esoteric, presenting some of the most significant and traditionally secretive teachings of the non-dual Shaiva Tantra tradition. Abhinavagupta explores the various names and aspects of the
Exploring Nondual Shaiva Tantra: Interview by Michael Taft
In this episode, recorded in March 2023 for the Deconstructing Yourself podcast hosted by Michael Taft, we look at the similarities and differences between Tantrik Shaivism, Tantrik Buddhism, and Vedanta. Alongside Michael - spiritual teacher, bestselling author of "The Mindful Geek" and co-founder of The Alembic in Berkeley - we debunk a few myths and misconceptions about these s
The Sacred Cave of the Heart
This episode offers another guided meditation foundational to the Tantrik path, inviting us to explore the sacred cave of the heart. In this traditional meditation, we guide the center of consciousness or selfhood—often felt in the head or between the eyes—to descend to the mysterious and quiet region at the heart's base. Here, we can immerse ourselves in the stillness and silence within, experien
In Conversation with A.H. Almaas (Hameed Ali)
This episode is a conversation with Hameed Ali, who publishes under the name of A.H. Almaas. Hameed is founder of The Diamond Approach to Self-Realization, a contemporary teaching that developed within the context of both ancient spiritual teachings and modern depth psychology theories. He has authored 18 books about spirituality and realization, including the Diamond Heart series, The Pearl Beyon
The Essence of Tantra, Chapter Four (Part One)
This episode is a scriptural reading and continues our exploration of Abhinavagupta's "Tantrasāra," focusing on Chapter Four, entitled “Illumination of the Empowered Method (śākta-upāya)”. The text is a magnificent description of the śākta-upāyas, the contemplative process that can refine one’s understanding of reality, ultimately leading to the experiential realization of one's true nature.
Classical Tantra & Abhinavagupta with Ben Williams
In this episode, we speak with Dr Ben Williams, an intellectual historian specializing in Indian religions and Shaiva Tantra. His academic focus has primarily been on Abhinavagupta. He holds extensive training in Indian philosophy, literature, and aesthetics, and currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Hinduism at Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado, where he also leads the newly launched
The Three Stages of Awakening
This week's solo episode explores the teaching of the three stages of awakening, or three samāveśas, rooted in the 7th-century Mālinīvijayottaratantra and further elaborated by Abhinavagupta in Tantrasāra. This teaching, preserved both in the scriptures and through oral transmission, clarifies the multifaceted nature of spiritual awakening. Each of three samāveśas, which literally means 'immersion
The Idealist View with Bernardo Kastrup
This week's episode features a conversation with philosopher and scientist Dr. Bernardo Kastrup, a prominent figure in the renaissance of metaphysical idealism—the view that reality is fundamentally mental, meaning to say that everything that exists is consciousness or Mind. Bernardo Kastrup is also the Executive Director at the Essentia Foundation, a new foundation dedicated to exploring the natu
The Essence of Tantra, Chapter Three (abridged)
This week, we continue our journey through Abhinavagupta's "Tantrasāra," focusing on Chapter Three, entitled "Illumination of The Divine Method," or śāmbhava-upāya. This chapter wonderfully explains how spiritual realization—whether referred to as enlightenment, awakening, or liberation—can unfold through intuitive, non-conceptual insights, without reliance on conceptual understanding. Presented h
Tantrik Shaivism and Buddhism: Interview by Andrew Holecek
This week’s episode features a conversation with Andrew Holecek for his podcast ‘Edge of Mind’, recorded a few years ago. Andrew is an acclaimed author, spiritual teacher, and long-time practitioner of Buddhism. He's also an expert on lucid dreaming, and the author of Dream Yoga: Illuminating Your Life Through Lucid Dreaming and the Tibetan Yogas of Sleep and Reverse Meditation: How to Use Your Pa
What You Need to Know to Actualize The Goal of the Spiritual Path, in a Nutshell
This week's episode is a solo episode about the understanding and practices necessary to actualize the goal of spiritual path, specifically focusing on the path that we call Nondual Shaiva Tantra. Recorded live during a satsang, this candid, off-the-cuff talk draws upon Abhinavagupta's teachings. My aim is to present the most coherent understanding of how spiritual practices function and their lim
The Path of Transformation with Kavithā Chinnaiyan
In this episode, Hareesh welcomes Dr. Kavithā Chinnaiyan, a practicing cardiologist, Professor of Medicine, and an international educator in cardiac imaging, preventive cardiology, and women's heart disease. She is the acclaimed author of several books, including The Heart of Wellness, Shakti Rising, and Fractals of Reality: Living the Śrīcakra, a Tantric initiate and adept. As the founder of
The Essence of Tantra, Chapter Two
In this episode, we delve into Chapter Two of 'Tantrasāra' by Abhinavagupta, titled 'Illumination of Spontaneous Realization.' The chapter explores the concept of spontaneous modes of realization without methods or practices, a rare but profound occurrence. Such immediate insight into the nature of reality can lead to permanent immersion in divinity, independent of formal spiritual practices.Disco
Near Enemies of The Truth: Interview by Adam Keen
In this week’s episode, recorded in late 2023, I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Ashtanga yoga teacher Adam Keen from the Keen on Yoga podcast. Adam and I delve into my latest book, 'Near Enemies of the Truth,' examining spiritual clichés such as 'You create your own reality,' 'Be your best self,' and 'Follow your bliss,' and unpack their deceptive nature. The conversation offers insights
Reposing in the Silent Ground
This episode features one of the foundational meditations of Tantrik yoga. 'Reposing in the Silent Ground' invites you to relax into a posture of wakeful serenity, encouraging deeper, slower breaths that ease you into comfort. In this practice we allow the perceived center of consciousness to descend from the head to the heart's base, fostering a sense of self anchored in the heart space. This tec
Stumbling Upon Awakening with Eshwar Segobind
This episode is a conversation with Eshwar Segobind. Eshwar shares his unexpected and rapid spiritual awakening journey, which unfolded over less than a year without him being steeped in any religious or spiritual background. He relates pivotal moments during his stay at a recovery house that led to a shift in perspective and deep personal insights. Eshwar's story is one of the spontaneous emergen
The Essence of Tantra, Chapter One
This episode features a scriptural reading from Abhinavagupta's "Tantrasāra" ("The Essence of the Tantras" or “The Essence of Tantra”), titled "Illumination of the Modes of Realization." It is considered one of the most impactful works of tantrik philosophy and practice. Abhinavagupta distills his insights into the nature of consciousness, the inherent divinity within all beings, and the journey t
Near Enemies of The Truth, Tantra, and Embodied Awakening: Interview with Michael Taft
This episode is an interview recorded in late 2023 for the Deconstructing Yourself podcast, founded and hosted by Michael Taft. Michael, a seasoned meditator, meditation teacher, and author of the bestseller "The Mindful Geek," as well as co-founder of The Alembic in Berkeley, engages in an in-depth conversation about my latest book, "Near Enemies of the Truth," which addresses the complexities an
What is Tantra, Really? Setting the Record Straight
In this short solo episode, we take a look at some of the common misconceptions related to the modern use of the word of ‘tantra' and explore how the teachings of Classical Tantra differ from the popularized neo-tantra or Western sexual tantra. I then offer a precise definition of nondual Shaiva Tantra, going on to discuss how classical Tantra contrasts with other forms of yoga, and how much it ov
A Conversation with Rupert Spira
Today’s episode is a conversation, and I’m speaking with the renowned teacher Rupert Spira. Rupert has been a spiritual practitioner since the age of 15. He began with Advaita Vedānta, as well as Sufi teachings, but the pivotal turning point in his spiritual life was meeting Francis Lucille, who introduced him to the Direct Path teachings of Ātmānanda Krishna Menon and the teachings of Tantric Sha
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