Tantra Illuminated with Dr. Christopher Wallis
- Episodes
- 82
- Released
- monthly
- Latest episode
- Oct 30, 2026
About the podcast
Tantra Illuminated with Dr. Christopher Wallis is a journey through the depths of the human experience, as viewed through the lens of the tradition called nondual Shaiva Tantra. This multi-format podcast, hosted by professional Sanskritist and scholar-practitioner Dr. Christopher Wallis, delves into the fascinating world of Classical Tantra and its intersections with philosophy, neuroscience, psychology, healing arts, and the broader world of spirituality. Discover how the ancient wisdom of Classical Tantra offers profound insights for today's world, and prepare to challenge conventional narratives about self, reality, and consciousness. The aim is to inspire, educate, and ignite transformative conversations. The podcast includes four types of episodes: conversations with prominent spiritual teachers and philosophers, readings of translations from luminous Sanskrit scriptures, guided meditations, and contemplative reflections. Discover a treasure trove of guided meditations, teachings and courses at tantrailluminated.org. Podcast Art by Jesse Molina camatkaracreative.com.
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Episodes 82
Consciously Speaking with Michael Neeley
In this archival interview, Hareesh reclaims classical Tantra as a technology for inner empowerment, dispelling common Western misconceptions about the tradition. He shares about his own spiritual path and …
Show notes
In this archival interview, Hareesh reclaims classical Tantra as a technology for inner empowerment, dispelling common Western misconceptions about the tradition. He shares about his own spiritual path and explains how, in non-dual Tantra, deities are understood as energy patterns within us and throughout the universe. The conversation features a Ganesha mantra and the story of the churning of the cosmic ocean, illustrating how spiritual practice can bring both buried pain and profound joy to the surface. Hareesh also challenges the assumptions of scientific materialism, offering the Tantric understanding of consciousness as the fundamental field in which all experience arises. The episode closes with a simple heart-centering practice that can be woven into everyday life.
Discover a treasure trove of guided meditations, teachings, and courses at tantrailluminated.org.
Find out more about the upcoming retreats and pilgrimages at https://www.tantrailluminated.org/calendar.
Sign up to the VBT App at https://tantra112.app/
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Being with the Whole of Experience
This week’s episode is a guided meditation to be present with the whole experience.This practice invites a more open relationship with whatever is present—thoughts, sensations, emotions, and the changing flow …
Show notes
This week’s episode is a guided meditation to be present with the whole experience.
This practice invites a more open relationship with whatever is present—thoughts, sensations, emotions, and the changing flow of awareness. Rather than trying to control experience, we learn to recognize its arising and passing, allowing each moment to be met with presence and openness.
Discover a treasure trove of guided meditations, teachings, and courses at tantrailluminated.org.
Find out more about the upcoming retreats and pilgrimages at https://www.tantrailluminated.org/calendar.
Sign up to the VBT App at https://tantra112.app/
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Peering Behind the Curtain with Michael Taft
What happens when we look beyond the image of the spiritual teacher and into the realities of teaching, transmission, and practice?In this conversation, Hareesh and Michael Taft speak candidly about the …
Show notes
What happens when we look beyond the image of the spiritual teacher and into the realities of teaching, transmission, and practice?
In this conversation, Hareesh and Michael Taft speak candidly about the dynamics of teacher–student relationships, the projections that can arise around spiritual authority, and the mysterious nature of transmission. They reflect on the importance of keeping teachers human rather than placing them on a pedestal, and on how doing so can help students recognize their own capacity for awakening. The conversation also turns toward the recognition of true nature—not as a special or extraordinary experience, but as the underlying reality that is already present in every moment.
Discover a treasure trove of guided meditations, teachings, and courses at tantrailluminated.org.
Find out more about the upcoming retreats and pilgrimages at https://www.tantrailluminated.org/calendar.
Sign up to the VBT App at https://tantra112.app/
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Emotional Digestion
Today's episode is a guided practice for meeting emotions with awareness, allowing them to be fully felt and processed.Discover a treasure trove of guided meditations, teachings, and courses at …
Show notes
Today's episode is a guided practice for meeting emotions with awareness, allowing them to be fully felt and processed.
Discover a treasure trove of guided meditations, teachings, and courses at tantrailluminated.org.
Find out more about the upcoming retreats and pilgrimages at https://www.tantrailluminated.org/calendar.
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The Shiva Sutras, the Kaul Lineage, and the Stream of Transmission with Ben Williams
How do ancient teachings remain alive across centuries, and what can their transmission reveal about the living heart of Tantra?In this conversation, Hareesh is joined once again by fellow Sanskrit scholar Dr …
Show notes
How do ancient teachings remain alive across centuries, and what can their transmission reveal about the living heart of Tantra?
In this conversation, Hareesh is joined once again by fellow Sanskrit scholar Dr. Ben Williams to discuss ongoing research and upcoming textual publications in the field of Tantric studies. Together, they explore the origins of the Śiva Sūtras, the tradition of writing commentaries on mysterious scriptural aphorisms, and historical manuscript evidence revealing an unbroken seventeenth-century lineage in Kashmir. The conversation also touches on Ben's collaborative work on devotional hymn literature, his research into historical ritual manuals, and a new course on meditative practices. Offering a glimpse into both the living tradition and the scholarship that continues to illuminate it, this episode highlights how careful study helps preserve and deepen our understanding of these extraordinary teachings.
Discover a treasure trove of guided meditations, teachings, and courses at tantrailluminated.org.
Find out more about the upcoming retreats and pilgrimages at https://www.tantrailluminated.org/calendar.
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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 …
Show notes
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 universal within us, revealing emotion itself as a doorway to spiritual awakening. We also examine the classical theory of the nine rasas and its relevance to spiritual practice, inviting a radical shift in perspective: even grief, longing, and loss can be fully tasted as beautiful expressions of consciousness, woven into the grand dance of awareness itself.
Discover a treasure trove of guided meditations, teachings, and courses at tantrailluminated.org.
Find out more about the upcoming retreats and pilgrimages at https://www.tantrailluminated.org/calendar.
Sign up to the VBT App at https://tantra112.app/, and use the code ILLUMINATED to get the discount.
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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 …
Show notes
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 reading of Abhinavagupta. Along the way, they also refer to some genuinely practical techniques.
Bridging contemplative philosophy and therapeutic application, this dialogue reflects on how insight becomes embodied through practice, inquiry, and direct experience. A grounded and wide-ranging conversation on transformation, awareness, and practical spirituality.
Discover a treasure trove of guided meditations, teachings, and courses at tantrailluminated.org.
Find out more about the upcoming retreats and pilgrimages at https://www.tantrailluminated.org/calendar.
Find more about Mark Davis at https://markrdavis.com/.
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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 …
Show notes
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 destabilizing.
DISCLAIMER: since individual cases vary widely, any of these suggestions might be the wrong ones for any given person. Use your own discernment, and if any of your symptoms could have a medical cause, please see a medical professional. If any of your loved ones think you should see a mental health professional, please do so. NONE of these suggestions can substitute for mental health care when that is required.
Discover a treasure trove of guided meditations, teachings, and courses at tantrailluminated.org.
Find out more about the upcoming retreats and pilgrimages at https://www.tantrailluminated.org/calendar.
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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 …
Show notes
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 and self-recognition (Pratyabhijñā), emphasizing that true transformation lies not in the movement of energy alone, but in the recognition of awareness as its source. Touching on grace, embodiment, and the maturation of the process over time, this episode offers a steady and clarifying view of Kundalinī as an expression of consciousness coming to know itself.
Discover a treasure trove of guided meditations, teachings, and courses at tantrailluminated.org.
Find out more about the upcoming retreats and pilgrimages at https://www.tantrailluminated.org/calendar.
Find more about Igor Kufayev at https://igorkufayev.org/.
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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 …
Show notes
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 practicing for control, attainment, or escape—and practicing from clarity, devotion, or recognition? With practical insight and grounded examples, this episode points to a more honest and sustainable approach to practice, where method and motive align in service of awakening itself.
Discover a treasure trove of guided meditations, teachings, and courses at tantrailluminated.org.
Find out more about the upcoming retreats and pilgrimages at https://www.tantrailluminated.org/calendar.
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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 …
Show notes
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 even moments of emotional intensity. We reflect on the historical context of the text, how its approach differs from earlier yogic traditions such as Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtras, and why its teachings remain so alive for modern practitioners. The conversation also touches on the challenges of translating this subtle work and the intention behind the newly released Vijñāna-bhairava-tantra app, created to make these teachings accessible in a clear and practical way.
Discover a treasure trove of guided meditations, teachings, and courses at tantrailluminated.org.
Find out more about the upcoming retreats and pilgrimages at https://www.tantrailluminated.org/calendar.
Find out more about the new VBT app at https://tantra112.app/.
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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 …
Show notes
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, Sanderson recounts the moments that shaped his scholarly vocation and his decision to dedicate his life to the study of Sanskrit texts and Shaiva Tantra
The dialogue touches on his years studying in India, his apprenticeship with Swami Lakshmanjoo, and the painstaking work of reading manuscripts across multiple scripts and traditions. A thoughtful glimpse into the curiosity, discipline, and intellectual humility that sustain a true life of learning.
Discover a treasure trove of guided meditations, teachings, and courses at tantrailluminated.org.
Find out more about the upcoming retreats and pilgrimages at https://www.tantrailluminated.org/calendar.
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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 …
Show notes
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 chapter sets the tone for the entire scripture—an intimate dialogue on consciousness itself, and a model of devoted listening paired with fearless inquiry.
Discover a treasure trove of guided meditations, teachings, and courses at tantrailluminated.org.
Find out more about the upcoming retreats and pilgrimages at https://www.tantrailluminated.org/calendar.
Find out more about the app at https://tantra112.app/
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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 …
Show notes
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 perception is constructed, how awareness recognizes itself, and what developments in AI can—and cannot—tell us about consciousness. The dialogue also touches on the “alignment problem”: how increasingly powerful intelligences might be guided toward care and human flourishing, rather than harm. Rather than offering definitive answers, the conversation opens a space for careful inquiry, humility, and wonder, inviting listeners to consider how ancient wisdom and modern science might inform one another without reductionism or hype.
Discover a treasure trove of guided meditations, teachings, and courses at tantrailluminated.org.
Find out more about the upcoming retreats and pilgrimages at https://www.tantrailluminated.org/calendar.
Find more about Ruben at https://rubenlaukkonen.com/.
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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 …
Show notes
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 experience.
Additionally, Tina and Hareesh clarify 'purification' on the spiritual path as a process of clearing obstacles - not moral judgment or an antidote for supposed impurity. They focus on the four key categories of heart, mind, view, and identity, framing purification of these as liberation into presence. Heart practices soften resistance to suffering, while mind purification quiets compulsive thoughts, revealing deeper insight. Precision in this practice is key, like proper form in exercise.
The dialogue touches on fear, grief, resilience, and the quiet strength of resting as awareness itself. This episode invites a slower listening, revealing how freedom can be discovered wherever we are, even in troubled times.
Discover a treasure trove of guided meditations, teachings, and courses at tantrailluminated.org.
Find out more about the upcoming retreats and pilgrimages at https://www.tantrailluminated.org/calendar.
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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 …
Show notes
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 contemporary interpretations. Rather than a dormant serpent-energy waiting to be awakened, Kundalinī is presented here as a dynamic process—an expression of Śakti arising through specific yogic conditions. A grounded and illuminating reorientation for anyone seeking clarity beyond myth and sensationalism.
Discover a treasure trove of guided meditations, teachings, and courses at tantrailluminated.org.
Find out more about the upcoming retreats and pilgrimages at https://www.tantrailluminated.org/calendar.
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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 …
Show notes
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 in Tantra awaken a more fluid and responsive relationship to experience. The conversation also touches on ego structures, relational practice, and the pitfalls of spiritual dogma, offering a grounded look at what it means to mature both energetically and as a human.
Discover a treasure trove of guided meditations, teachings, and courses at tantrailluminated.org.
Find out more about the upcoming retreats and pilgrimages at https://www.tantrailluminated.org/calendar.
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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 …
Show notes
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.
Discover a treasure trove of guided meditations, teachings, and courses at tantrailluminated.org.
Find out more about the upcoming retreats and pilgrimages at https://www.tantrailluminated.org/calendar.
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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 …
Show notes
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 the play of emptiness and manifestation. Moving beyond comparison, the dialogue reveals a shared spirit of inquiry that transcends dogma—where luminous awareness recognizes itself through diverse expressions of wisdom.
Discover more of Ācārya Malcolm Smith's work at https://www.zangthal.com/.
Discover a treasure trove of guided meditations, teachings, and courses at tantrailluminated.org.
Find out more about the upcoming retreats and pilgrimages at https://www.tantrailluminated.org/calendar.
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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 …
Show notes
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 perennial questions about awakening, liberation, and the nature of experience itself. The dialogue unfolds through reflections on AI, the limits of scientific explanation, and the timeless dance of Śiva and Śakti as consciousness exploring its own patterns. Together they inquire into whether the universe is moving toward greater self-knowledge or already complete in its perfection.
Discover Shamil's new course at https://dandelion.events/e/m9nea .
Discover a treasure trove of guided meditations, teachings, and courses at tantrailluminated.org.
Find out more about the upcoming retreats and pilgrimages at https://www.tantrailluminated.org/calendar.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 …
Show notes
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 constructing a “spiritual ego.” Together, they explore how genuine awakening requires both love and discernment—the courage to look beyond comforting beliefs into the deeper reality that transcends them.
Discover a treasure trove of guided meditations, teachings, and courses at tantrailluminated.org.
Find out more about the upcoming retreats and pilgrimages at https://www.tantrailluminated.org/calendar.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 …
Show notes
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 profound practice of returning to the ground of being.
Discover a treasure trove of guided meditations, teachings, and courses at tantrailluminated.org.
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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 …
Show notes
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 reimagine relationships not as distractions from reality but as vital expressions of it, mirrors in which the Self recognizes itself. The conversation opens into how intimacy, conflict, and community can all become doorways into deeper awareness, and how the maṇḍala of relationality reveals the inseparability of self and other.
Find out more about The Emerald and The Mythic Body HERE.
Discover a treasure trove of guided meditations, teachings, and courses at tantrailluminated.org.
Find out more about the upcoming retreats and pilgrimages at https://www.tantrailluminated.org/calendar.
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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 …
Show notes
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, the relationship of Śiva and Śakti, and the ultimate context in which Tantric practice becomes effective. Rendered here in a fresh translation, the words of the Goddess and Bhairava point us beyond ritual and form into the essence of awareness itself. Listeners are invited into the contemplative power of scripture, allowing the poetry of these ancient teachings to speak directly to the heart.
Discover a treasure trove of guided meditations, teachings, and courses at tantrailluminated.org.
Find out more about the upcoming retreats and pilgrimages at https://www.tantrailluminated.org/calendar.
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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 …
Show notes
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 underlies every moment. Listeners are invited to reflect on the difference between social roles and essential being, and to consider how daily life can become a practice of remembering what is already whole and real within.
Take Kiran’s free course here.
Send an email to [email protected] with the subject ‘Ready for FYM!’ to receive 50% off the course Free Your Mind.
Free tools for Sanity ebook HERE. Use coupon code tapwxmc at checkout.
Kiran’s Website: https://kirantrace.com/
Discover a treasure trove of guided meditations, teachings, and courses at tantrailluminated.org.
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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 …
Show notes
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 accessible and profound way to return to the ground of being.
Discover a treasure trove of guided meditations, teachings, and courses at tantrailluminated.org.
Find out more about the upcoming retreats and pilgrimages at https://www.tantrailluminated.org/calendar .
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“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 …
Show notes
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 Tantric tradition—not as a means of enhancing pleasure, but as a rare and advanced form of spiritual realization. The conversation concludes with reflections from the Tantrāloka on how the most intimate experiences can, under the right conditions, dissolve separation and reveal the undivided nature of reality.
Discover a treasure trove of guided meditations, teachings, and courses at tantrailluminated.org.
Find out more about the upcoming retreats and pilgrimages at https://www.tantrailluminated.org/calendar .
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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 …
Show notes
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, contemplation and working with the beliefs or thought-constructs), and the Embodied Method (āṇava-upāya, yogic practices involving breath, energy, and imagination). Far from abstract theory, this teaching helps illuminate how different kinds of spiritual practice function and why they matter. Listeners are guided through examples drawn from classic texts and everyday life, with reflections on how these methods interrelate and support a truly holistic path of awakening.
Discover a treasure trove of guided meditations, teachings, and courses at tantrailluminated.org.
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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 …
Show notes
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 dialogue gently challenges assumptions about separation and unity. Judith speaks from lived experience, offering a grounded and precise way to attune to what she calls "fundamental consciousness"—a still, luminous field that both contains and liberates the contents of our being. The conversation also explores how awareness can inhabit the body fully, how spiritual bypassing can undermine growth, and how love may underlie even our most complex emotions.
Learn more about Judith and the Realization Process: https://realizationprocess.org
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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 …
Show notes
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-bhairava presents over a hundred contemplative techniques that lead the practitioner into direct awareness—through breath, sound, sensory experience, and even moments of emotional intensity. This scripture reveals a vision of spirituality grounded not in asceticism, but in intimate contact with the fullness of life. We also explore the challenges of translating this nuanced work, offering insights into why most English versions fall short, and how the upcoming Vijñāna-bhairava-tantra app that’s going to be published soon, aims to make the text’s teachings clearly accessible for the first time.
Discover a treasure trove of guided meditations, teachings, and courses at tantrailluminated.org.
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