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 Classical Tantra, highlighting how the latter emphasizes radical freedom, embodiment, the primacy of direct experience over conceptual understanding, and the essential role of trustworthy teachers on the path. We reflect on the growth of the Tantra Illuminated community and the inspiration behind his latest book, Near Enemies of the Truth, emphasizing the importance of clarity, discernment, and lived understanding in spiritual life.Discover a treasure trove of guided meditations, teachings, and courses at tantrailluminated.org. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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55:24
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 relaxation. It offers an exploration of the subtle body, guiding awareness through physical sensations, energetic qualities, and emotional tones to evoke a felt experience of joy and well-being.Discover a treasure trove of guided meditations, teachings, and courses at tantrailluminated.org. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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38:31
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 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.
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1:40:05
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 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.
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50:27
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 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.
Acerca de 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 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.