Tantra Illuminated with Dr. Christopher Wallis

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 soften into internal stories and meet experience directly. The conversation explores identity, embodiment, nonduality, and the subtle ways suffering perpetuates, often in the name of healing.  With clarity, compassion, and presence, Artur points toward the radical freedom available when we stop trying to fix ourselves and simply rest as what we already are  - allowing the change to arise naturally. The episode offers a glimpse into how this unfolds in what could resemble a client session from Artur’s coaching practice. More of his reflections can be found on his blog. Discover a treasure trove of guided meditations, teachings, and courses at tantrailluminated.org. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Shaiva tradition. These short but potent articles explore the evolution of Shaiva metaphysics, ritual practice, the dynamics of tantric initiation, goddess worship, and the philosophical doctrines of recognition and liberation.The reading also highlights the role of Abhinavagupta as a pivotal figure who synthesized and transmitted these teachings in Kashmir and beyond. Discover a treasure trove of guided meditations, teachings, and courses at tantrailluminated.org. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 integration of awakening, the balance between intellectual understanding and embodied realization, and the importance of cultural context in spiritual transmission. We also reflect on how removing conceptual overlay and integrating transcendence reveals the inherent wonder and awe in life.Discover a treasure trove of guided meditations, teachings, and courses at tantrailluminated.org. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 esoteric bīja mantras for each element, distinct from those commonly used in mainstream tradition. To fully receive the benefits of this meditation, set aside undisturbed time and space. Discover a treasure trove of guided meditations, teachings, and courses at tantrailluminated.org. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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, and how it led to the publication of his groundbreaking book, Trika Maṇḍala Prakāśa: Illuminating the Mandalas of Abhinavagupta's Tantrāloka—the first detailed and comprehensive study of all the mandalas presented and taught in Abhinavagupta’s Tantrāloka. The conversation explores the process of reconstructing these mandalas, including the challenges of decoding encoded texts, the significance of mandalas in Tantric initiation, and the precise methodologies required to ensure their correct construction. Christian describes the artistic and spiritual insights that emerged through this work and reflects on the broader role of sacred art in preserving and transmitting the wisdom of the tradition.Discover a treasure trove of guided meditations, teachings, and courses at tantrailluminated.org. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. His analysis touches on cycles of deities, the interplay of purity and impurity, and the process by which practitioners dissolve into the ‘egoless ground’ of consciousness.Discover a treasure trove of guided meditations, teachings, and courses at tantrailluminated.org. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

J. Brown, a dedicated yoga practitioner and teacher with over 25 years of experience, shares profound insights into the evolving landscape of yoga. He discusses the significance of balancing devotion and discernment in the teacher-student relationship. The conversation tackles the challenges posed by modern spirituality and the complexities of spiritual authority. Brown emphasizes the importance of personal intuition and alignment in one's practice, debunking myths about enlightenment and advocating for a more accessible approach to awakening.

Dive into the esoteric depths of the Trika tradition from medieval Kashmir. Explore the transformative power of tantric initiation rituals and the role of mandalas in self-realization. Discover how these practices dissolve individual identity, fostering a universal connection with Shiva consciousness. Delve into 'samāvesha' and learn about its evolution in spiritual awakening, along with the nuanced understanding of possession versus immersion in non-dual Shaiva Tantra. Each topic offers profound insights into the nature of existence and consciousness.

Tina Rasmussen, a meditation teacher and author known for her journey through the Burmese jhāna path, shares her transformative experiences from a young age. She talks about the challenges of integrating profound spiritual insights into everyday life, including non-attachment and deepening relationships. The conversation also dives into non-duality, distinguished between fleeting moments and a more intrinsic connection. Tina emphasizes the significance of social interactions, trauma healing, and the importance of spiritual mentorship in the quest for deeper understanding.

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 with this article, written after 14 years of meticulous research, and it remains one of the most impressive first publications by a scholar in the field. The reading explores the interplay of purity and power within Indian religious traditions, examining the dynamic relationships between the orthodoxy of Brahmanic purity, the transformative practices of Tantric traditions, and the visionary radicalism of heterodox movements in medieval Kashmir (8th–12th centuries). While the reading is substantial, the second half contains some truly remarkable passages that are well worth the journey.Discover a treasure trove of guided meditations, teachings, and courses at tantrailluminated.org. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.