For the Love of Yoga with Nish the Fish

This is a very important discussion regarding our backstory as Kali worshippers in the West. How is it that we are all of us in this room right now, hearing this lecture and resonating with its ideas? How did we come to worship Kali and practice Tantra, especially those of us who grew up in the West? Isn't this a profound mystery and blessing that we find ourselves here in this place at this time? How did this strange and miraculous phenomena come to be? Who brought Kālī to us? In answering this question, I'd like to trace the current upsurgence of Kali worship in the world all the way back to a moment on 31st May 1855. Since this lecture was given on Snān Yatra, the anniversary of this significant day, we say a few words about Rani Rasmani, Ramakrishna, Vivekananda and of course Mā Bhavatārini Kālī of Dakshineshwar. Lectures happen live on zoom every Monday at 7pm PST and Friday 10am PST and Friday at 6pm PST.  There's Q&A right after the lectures. It is free and open to the public. All are welcome!Use this link and I will see you there:https://www.zoom.us/j/7028380815Our hatha yoga class is Monday 5pm PST with Amrita and Wednesdays at 11am PST and again at Friday 5pm PST with me via this same link also.For more videos, guided meditations and instruction and for access to our lecture library, visit me at:https://www.patreon.com/yogawithnishTo get in on the discussion and access various spiritual materials, join our Discord here: https://discord.gg/U8zKP8yMrMSupport the showLectures happen live every Monday at 7pm PST and again at Friday 11am PST Use this link and I will see you there:https://www.zoom.us/j/7028380815For more videos, guided meditations and instruction and for access to our lecture library, visit me at:https://www.patreon.com/yogawithnishTo get in on the discussion and access various spiritual materials, join our Discord here: https://discord.gg/U8zKP8yMrM

About a month ago, we celebrated Dhūmāvatī Jayanti. Of the 10 esoteric forms of Kālī known as the Daśamahavidyās, Dhūmāvati, the widow is perhaps the most mysterious, misunderstood and feared of all the Tantrik Goddesses.She bears a striking resemblance to the Morrigan and the Cailleach in Gaelic/Celtic traditions and her dhyāna mantra (presented below) might remind you of the (albeit often somewhat cartoonish) caricature of the "witch" you find at department stores around Hallowe'en. No coincidence there!In this video, we talk all about this and more! Also: Before we gave our lecture on just who this mysterious Tantrik Goddess is and what she represents, we first went and performed her worship using her dhyāna mantra (presented below) in a guided meditation.You can practice that here. विवर्णकुन्तला रूक्षा विधवा विरलद्विजा ॥काकध्वजरथारूढा विलम्बितपयोधरा ।शूर्पहस्तातिरूक्षाक्षी धृतहस्ता वरान्विता ॥प्रवृद्धघोणा तु भृशं कुटिला कुटिलेक्षणा ।क्षुत्पिपासार्दिता नित्यं भयदा कलहप्रिया ॥Pale and restless, irritable and oldClad in soiled garmentsPale-haired, dry-skinnedA widow with few teethMounted atop a chariot whose flag is a crowWith drooping breasts and surpassingly cruel eyesWho holds a winnowing basketWho shows the boon bestowing gestureA crone with crooked nose and crooked eyesWho is always hungry and thirsty, quarrelsome and fearsome.Lectures happen live on zoom every Monday at 7pm PST and Friday 10am PST and Friday at 6pm PST.  There's Q&A right after the lectures. It is free and open to the public. All are welcome!Use this link and I will see you there:https://www.zoom.us/j/7028380815Our hatha yoga class is Monday 5pm PST with Amrita and Wednesdays at 11am PST and again at Friday 5pm PST with me via this same link also.For more videos, guided meditations and instruction and for access to our lecture library, visit me at:https://www.patreon.com/yogawithnishTo get in on the discussion and access various spiritual materials, join our Discord here: https://discord.gg/U8zKP8yMrMSupport the showLectures happen live every Monday at 7pm PST and again at Friday 11am PST Use this link and I will see you there:https://www.zoom.us/j/7028380815For more videos, guided meditations and instruction and for access to our lecture library, visit me at:https://www.patreon.com/yogawithnishTo get in on the discussion and access various spiritual materials, join our Discord here: https://discord.gg/U8zKP8yMrM

The Ultimate Reality is beyond time, all pervasive, formless and inexpressible. And YET in the day to day practice of Tantra, there are certain times, places, forms and words (mantras) that are considered to be especially sacred. How is that? Is it not a paradox to say that the One Eternal Reality which is everywhere and all the time immediately available is "more" available at this or that time, in this or that place? In this very deep discussion (if I may say so), we talk about the best times and places for practice (especially for the worship of Mā Kālī) while explaining carefully, in a direct-path pointing sort of way, the timeless and all pervasive nature of Consciousness.This class is part of a lecture series on puja, a step by step, mantra by mantra guide to daily tantrik worship of any deity, with a focus on Kali. You can watch the previous lectures in this series here:https://www.zoom.us/j/7028380815And of course, you can always come to the live puja classes which happen every Thursday at 6:30pm PST via this link:https://www.zoom.us/j/7028380815Lectures happen live on zoom every Monday at 7pm PST and Friday 10am PST and Friday at 6pm PST.  There's Q&A right after the lectures. It is free and open to the public. All are welcome!Use this link and I will see you there:https://www.zoom.us/j/7028380815Our hatha yoga class is Monday 5pm PST with Amrita and Wednesdays at 11am PST and again at Friday 5pm PST with me via this same link also.For more videos, guided meditations and instruction and for access to our lecture library, visit me at:https://www.patreon.com/yogawithnishTo get in on the discussion and access various spiritual materials, join our Discord here: https://discord.gg/U8zKP8yMrMSupport the showLectures happen live every Monday at 7pm PST and again at Friday 11am PST Use this link and I will see you there:https://www.zoom.us/j/7028380815For more videos, guided meditations and instruction and for access to our lecture library, visit me at:https://www.patreon.com/yogawithnishTo get in on the discussion and access various spiritual materials, join our Discord here: https://discord.gg/U8zKP8yMrM

With the changing of the seasons, there is a particular kind of Prānā available. Usually in the summer, with longer days and freer schedules, and generally uplifted moods, many are now ready to plunge into deeper, more meaningful Sādhanā (spiritual practice).This is also true of the winter when there is more time indoors and all of nature seems to conspire with you for inward-ness, contemplation and reflection.And what to say of the monsoon seasons where the raw power of Mā Kālī dancing as the storms forces you to consider what is eternal amidst all that is changing around you! नौमि देवीं शरीरस्थां नृत्यतो भैरवाकृतेः।प्रावृण्मेघघनव्योमविद्युल्लेखाविलासिनीम्॥३॥ Naumi devīṁ śarīrasthāṁ nṛtyato bhairavākṛteḥ|Prāvṛṇ-megha-ghana-vyoma-vidyul-lekhā-vilāsinīm ||3|| Salutations to that Goddess, the pure energy that abides in the body of the dancing Śiva who is playful and beautiful like a streak of lighting flashing across the cloudy sky in the monsoon season!With all of that said, in this lectures we will focus on “how to practice” and the foundations for a spiritual practice along the lines of the Four Yogas of Swami Vivekananda. I will share a few simple techniques and practices that my teachers have passed down to me with a reflection on Śaktipāta from Abhinava Gupta to give you everything you need to get your practice going or to revitalize a practice that might have fallen to the wayside or even just to refresh yourself on the foundations of Sādhanā so that you may energize and enliven an already thriving practice.My prayer is that this lecture will meet you where you are in your spiritual life and inspire you to intensify your practice whether you are a beginner or a long time practitioner!Happy Summer to our friends in the Northern Hemisphere and Happy Winter to those in the Southern Hemisphere and Happy Monsoon Season to those in the tropical parts of the world!May you become increasingly absorbed in spiritual practices and find more and more joy in them! May you be aflame with awakened Consciousness!Jai MāLectures happen live on zoom every Monday at 7pm PST and Friday 10am PST and Friday at 6pm PST.  There's Q&A right after the lectures. It is free and open to the public. All are welcome!Use this link and I will see you there:https://www.zoom.us/j/7028380815Our hatha yoga class is Monday 5pm PST with Amrita and Wednesdays at 11am PST and again at Friday 5pm PST with me via this same link also.For more videos, guided meditations and instruction and for access to our lecture library, visit me at:https://www.patreon.com/yogawithnishTo get in on the discussion and access various spiritual materials, join our Discord here: https://discord.gg/U8zKP8yMrMSupport the showLectures happen live every Monday at 7pm PST and again at Friday 11am PST Use this link and I will see you there:https://www.zoom.us/j/7028380815For more videos, guided meditations and instruction and for access to our lecture library, visit me at:https://www.patreon.com/yogawithnishTo get in on the discussion and access various spiritual materials, join our Discord here: https://discord.gg/U8zKP8yMrM

Today is a personally special day for me: the birthday of Mahāmaheśvarācharya Rājānaka Abhinavaguptapada, the foremost Shaiva philosopher-saint of our Kaula Trika tradition!Abhinava Gupta is, in my opinion, the brightest mind and the biggest heart India has ever produced and the most brilliant philosopher the world has ever seen, on par with Shankara and the Buddha. Importantly, there are striking parallels between  Abhinava Gupta's theistic, devotional non-dualism and that of Ramakrishna and Vivekananda. In this lecture, we do a brief biographical sketch of this great master and point out some of the things that make him so admirable and important and above all, relevant for the needs of modern day spiritual aspirants. May this be an offering placed lovingly at his feet, he who is Bhairava incarnate. विमलकलाश्रयाभिनवसृष्टिमहा जननी भरिततनुश्च पञ्चमुखगुप्तरुचिर्जनकः।तदुभययामलस्फुरितभावविसर्गमयं हृदयमनुत्तरामृतकुलं मम संस्फुरतात्॥१॥Vimala-kalāśrāyabhinava-srsti-mahājananīBharita-tanuś ca pañca-mukha-gupta-rucir janakahTad-ubhaya-yāmala-sphurita-bhāva-visarga-mayamhrdayam anuttarāmrta-kulam mama samsphuratāt  (1)May my heart, filled with the nectar of the embodied Absolute, which has emerged from the ecstatic union of the Mother who is the radiant and pure ground of ever new creation and the Father who is the five faced Shiva ever expressing and delighting Himself in that creation shine forth! Lectures happen live on zoom every Monday at 7pm PST and Friday 10am PST and Friday at 6pm PST.  There's Q&A right after the lectures. It is free and open to the public. All are welcome!Use this link and I will see you there:https://www.zoom.us/j/7028380815Our hatha yoga class is Monday 5pm PST with Amrita and Wednesdays at 11am PST and again at Friday 5pm PST with me via this same link also.For more videos, guided meditations and instruction and for access to our lecture library, visit me at:https://www.patreon.com/yogawithnishTo get in on the discussion and access various spiritual materials, join our Discord here: https://discord.gg/U8zKP8yMrMSupport the showLectures happen live every Monday at 7pm PST and again at Friday 11am PST Use this link and I will see you there:https://www.zoom.us/j/7028380815For more videos, guided meditations and instruction and for access to our lecture library, visit me at:https://www.patreon.com/yogawithnishTo get in on the discussion and access various spiritual materials, join our Discord here: https://discord.gg/U8zKP8yMrM

In this lecture, we discuss one of the main purposes of Aghora Sādhana by referring to the “8 fetters” from the Pashupata Sutra to explain the cremation ground practices of the early Shaivas. I’m going to explain the value and meaning behind these practices which often get seen with disgust some circles and with a morbid fascination in others! Whether we are averse to this aspect of Tantra or attracted to it, that we are fascinated by it is undeniable. And as such: after having thoroughly investigated the purpose of such sādhanas, I want to give you a few "Aghora" practices you can immediately apply. उपायजालं न शिवं प्रकाशयेद्घटेन किं भाति सहस्रदीधितिः।विवेचयन्नित्थमुदारदर्शनः स्वयम्प्रकाशं शिवमाविशेत्क्षणात्॥६॥Upāyajālaṁ na śivaṁ prakāśayedghaṭena kiṁ bhāti sahasradīdhitiḥ|Vivecayannitthamudāradarśanaḥ svayamprakāśaṁ śivamāviśetkṣaṇāt || 6“The various techniques and practices cannot reveal Shiva! Does a pot illumine the thousand rays of the sun? By thus discerning, in a single instant, the broad-minded aspirant becomes absorbed in Śiva who is one's own Self-luminosity!" Lectures happen live on zoom every Monday at 7pm PST and Friday 10am PST and Friday at 6pm PST.  There's Q&A right after the lectures. It is free and open to the public. All are welcome!Use this link and I will see you there:https://www.zoom.us/j/7028380815Our hatha yoga class is Wednesdays at 11am PST and again at Friday 5pm PST via this same link also.For more videos, guided meditations and instruction and for access to our lecture library, visit me at:https://www.patreon.com/yogawithnishTo get in on the discussion and access various spiritual materials, join our Discord here: https://discord.gg/U8zKP8yMrMSupport the showLectures happen live every Monday at 7pm PST and again at Friday 11am PST Use this link and I will see you there:https://www.zoom.us/j/7028380815For more videos, guided meditations and instruction and for access to our lecture library, visit me at:https://www.patreon.com/yogawithnishTo get in on the discussion and access various spiritual materials, join our Discord here: https://discord.gg/U8zKP8yMrM

Today's Amāvasyā (new moon) is exceedingly important because it is the Phalaharini Kali Puja! Since its such a special occasion, I'll spend a few moments reflecting on what this day means for devotees of Kālī and then as an offering to Her in the form of You, I'd like to share the guided meditation for Mānasa Pūja, the Mental Worship of Mā Kālī.Lectures happen live on zoom every Monday at 7pm PST and Friday 10am PST and Friday at 6pm PST.  There's Q&A right after the lectures. It is free and open to the public. All are welcome!Use this link and I will see you there:https://www.zoom.us/j/7028380815Our hatha yoga class is Wednesdays at 11am PST and again at Friday 5pm PST via this same link also.For more videos, guided meditations and instruction and for access to our lecture library, visit me at:https://www.patreon.com/yogawithnishTo get in on the discussion and access various spiritual materials, join our Discord here: https://discord.gg/U8zKP8yMrMSupport the showLectures happen live every Monday at 7pm PST and again at Friday 11am PST Use this link and I will see you there:https://www.zoom.us/j/7028380815For more videos, guided meditations and instruction and for access to our lecture library, visit me at:https://www.patreon.com/yogawithnishTo get in on the discussion and access various spiritual materials, join our Discord here: https://discord.gg/U8zKP8yMrM

Today is the monthly śivarātri (the day before the new moon) and the Wednesday Amāvasyā (new moon) features a very special celebration, the Phalaharini Kali Puja, one of the Big Three for Kali in the calendar year!  Naturally, I wanted to do something special in this lecture to mark the occasion: I felt like we should discuss the very highest, the very essence, the very heart of the Tantrik tradition.  And the best way to do this, I humbly propose, is to introduce you to one of the most important Tantrik texts ever composed: The Tantrasāra of Abhinavagupta. In this lecture, we discuss the four things that Abhinavagupta points out as the defining features of this tradition that make it so awesome. I want to share with you the central insight from this text which has the power and potential to totally liberate us in a single instant! Also we can talk a little about “Kashmir Shaivism” as the scholars are calling it these days, and discuss what it means to be part of this lineageविमलकलाश्रयाभिनवसृष्टिमहा जननी भरिततनुश्च पञ्चमुखगुप्तरुचिर्जनकः। तदुभययामलस्फुरितभावविसर्गमयं हृदयमनुत्तरामृतकुलं मम संस्फुरतात्॥१॥ विततस्तन्त्रालोको विगाहितुं नैव शक्यते सर्वैः। ऋजुवचनविरचितमिदं तु तन्त्रसारं ततः शृणुत॥२॥ श्रीशम्भुनाथभास्करचरणनिपातप्रभापगतसङ्कोचम्। अभिनवगुप्तहृदम्बुजमेतद्विचिनुत महेशपूजनहेतोः॥३॥ Vimalakalāśrayābhinavasṛṣṭimahā jananī bharitatanuśca pañcamukhaguptarucirjanakaḥ| Tadubhayayāmalasphuritabhāvavisargamayaṁ hṛdayamanuttarāmṛtakulaṁ mama saṁsphuratāt || 1 May my heart, filled with the nectar of the Embodied Absolute and pervaded by the emissions of the ecstatic union of my Mother who is the stainless ground of ever new creation, and my Father who is the five faced Shiva who in fullness is always delighting himself in that creation, shine forth!  Vitatastantrāloko vigāhituṁ naiva śakyate sarvaiḥ| Ṛjuvacanaviracitamidaṁ tu tantrasāraṁ tataḥ śṛṇuta || 2 Not everyone is capable of diving into the the oceanic Tantrāloka Therefore, listen, all of you, to this Tantrasāra which is written in simple language! Śrīśambhunāthabhāskaracaraṇanipātaprabhāpagatasaṅkocam | Abhinavaguptahṛdambujametadvicinuta maheśapūjanahetoḥ || 3 If you want to worship Śiva, please pick one by one these lotus petals of the the heart of Abhinavagupta in which contraction has been for ever ended, which has bloomed open through the touch of the rays from the feet of his guru, the revered Sun, Shambhunatha.Lectures happen live on zoom every Monday at 7pm PST and Friday 10am PST and Friday at 6pm PST.  There's Q&A right after the lectures. It is free and open to the public. All are welcome!Use this link and I will see you there:https://www.zoom.us/j/7028380815Our hatha yoga class is Wednesdays at 11am PST and again at Friday 5pm PST via this same link also.For more videos, guided meditations and instruction and for access to our lecture library, visit me at:https://www.patreon.com/yogawithnishTo get in on the discussion and access various spiritual materials, join our Discord here: https://discord.gg/U8zKP8yMrMSupport the showLectures happen live every Monday at 7pm PST and again at Friday 11am PST Use this link and I will see you there:https://www.zoom.us/j/7028380815For more videos, guided meditations and instruction and for access to our lecture library, visit me at:https://www.patreon.com/yogawithnishTo get in on the discussion and access various spiritual materials, join our Discord here: https://discord.gg/U8zKP8yMrM

Last week, to mark the auspicious occasion of Cinnamastā Jayanti and also the Thrice Blessed Day, Buddha Pūrnimā, we gave a few talks on Tantrik Buddhism with an especial focus on Goddess worship within the context of Vajrayāna deity-yoga. We picked up the Cinnamunda Vajravārāhi Sādhanā, attributed to the mysterious Srī Matī (Laksmīnkarā Devī) who, like Cinnamunda herself, is said to have decapitated herself in act of yogic perfection (siddhi).  This text (really, a paddathi or ritual manual) is featured in the Tengyur, a text in the Tibetan Buddhist commentarial tradition. There we saw enough similarities between so called “Buddhist” Tantrik ritualism and the “Hindu/Śākta” form that we were able to make a few general and universal claims about the principles of Tantra in practice! You can watch that talk here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/104859531?utm_campaign=postshare_creatorToday I want to zoom out even more  and discuss the philosophy as it evolves from the time of the Buddha to modern day Vajrayāna practices to make a comparison between Kali as she is described in the more radical śākta texts like Maharthamanjari, Mahanayaprakasha & Mahanirvanatantra and the concept of the Void in Buddhism!Lectures happen live on zoom every Monday at 7pm PST and Friday 10am PST and Friday at 6pm PST.  There's Q&A right after the lectures. It is free and open to the public. All are welcome!Use this link and I will see you there:https://www.zoom.us/j/7028380815Our hatha yoga class is Wednesdays at 11am PST and again at Friday 5pm PST via this same link also.For more videos, guided meditations and instruction and for access to our lecture library, visit me at:https://www.patreon.com/yogawithnishTo get in on the discussion and access various spiritual materials, join our Discord here: https://discord.gg/U8zKP8yMrMSupport the showLectures happen live every Monday at 7pm PST and again at Friday 11am PST Use this link and I will see you there:https://www.zoom.us/j/7028380815For more videos, guided meditations and instruction and for access to our lecture library, visit me at:https://www.patreon.com/yogawithnishTo get in on the discussion and access various spiritual materials, join our Discord here: https://discord.gg/U8zKP8yMrM

One of my favorite things about the Tantrik tradition is how vast it is. On one hand, you have the most refined non-dual philosophy wedded to aesthetically heightened and exceedingly subtle systems of practice for the attainment of the highest liberation in life. And on the other hand, you have midnight ghastly rituals in cremation grounds to hex your enemies, take control of spirits, amass wealth and get people to fall in love with you…Such range! And my favorite thing about Tantra?: as Swami Vivekananda so boldly declared before a western audience in 1893, we regard the “highest absolutism as well as the lowest fetishism as both equally valid attempts at grasping the Ineffable.” My favorite thing is how very inclusive and accepting our tradition is to every form of spiritual practice from the so called “lowest” to the “highest”. Everyone is approaching the divine each in their own way according to their own understanding and predispositions. And so every approach is valid as just another way to reach and express the Ineffable Reality which is non other than non-dual Consciousness reposing in Her innate bliss endowed with the ecstatic powers of willing, knowing and doing, joyously projecting Herself outward into manifestation in each and every moment. As the Tantrik master Prabodha once said: “There is nothing so high that I can conceive that you have not transcended nor is there anything so low that you have not permeated completely!” So in the name of embracing both highest and lowest, in this lecture, we will be discussing “the dark side of Tantra”. Yep. Cremation ground rituals, spirit possession, fierce blood drinking goddesses etc. Enjoy! Lectures happen live on zoom every Monday at 7pm PST and Friday 10am PST and Friday at 6pm PST.  There's Q&A right after the lectures. It is free and open to the public. All are welcome!Use this link and I will see you there:https://www.zoom.us/j/7028380815Our hatha yoga class is Wednesdays at 11am PST and again at Friday 5pm PST via this same link also.For more videos, guided meditations and instruction and for access to our lecture library, visit me at:https://www.patreon.com/yogawithnishTo get in on the discussion and access various spiritual materials, join our Discord here: https://discord.gg/U8zKP8yMrMSupport the showLectures happen live every Monday at 7pm PST and again at Friday 11am PST Use this link and I will see you there:https://www.zoom.us/j/7028380815For more videos, guided meditations and instruction and for access to our lecture library, visit me at:https://www.patreon.com/yogawithnishTo get in on the discussion and access various spiritual materials, join our Discord here: https://discord.gg/U8zKP8yMrM