For the Love of Yoga with Nish the Fish Nishanth Selvalingam

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 Ramakrishn...

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 inv...

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. I...

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 ...

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 ritu...

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...