How To Practice Tantra Safely

Perhaps one of the most important and foundational lectures we've ever done, this talk features a broad overview of Tantrik non-duality in the beginning and then moves on to make a case for a Vedic lifestyle and basic devotion as important foundations for more dramatic, esoteric, non-dual and transgressive practices of Goddess-oriented tantra.

We also study the Vedic (and pre-Vedic) roots of Tantra and look at a few of the early schools of our tradition such as the Mīmāmsa, Pāśupata, Lakulīśa, Nyāya & Vaiśeshika to derive from them some grounding ideas for practicing Tantra safely! 

This lecture was given just after Shiva Ratri and Sri Ramakrishna's birthday and so we attempt to map the historical progression of ideas in Shaivism unto the life of Sri Ramakrishna where we see all these ideas expressed! 

Books Referenced: 

1. Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna by Swami Nikhilananda, a translation of the Kathamrita by M. 
2. Sri Ramakrishna and his Divine Play by Swami Chetanananda, a translation of Lilaprasangha by Swami Saradananada
3. Sri Ramakrishna and His Disciples by Sister Deva Mata
4. Ramakrishna and His Disciples by Christopher Isherwood 
5. Sri Ramakrishna: A Prophet For The New Age by Richard Schiffman

(if you're new to the literature, I would start with 3., 4. and 5. before moving on to 1. and 2. from the list above) ^

You'll find a complete playlist of introductory lectures on Tantra in both theory and practice here. 

00:00:00 Meditation on Lord Shiva 
00:02:00 Tantrik Non-Duality in a Nutshell 
00:08:40 Other Flavors of Tantra and the Progression of the Tradition
00:10:36 (a digression on exegesis vs eisegesis) and "doxographical hierarchy"
00:13:15 finding the foundations for Tantrik practice & the avatāra (incarnation of God)
 00:19:10 our project: mapping the history of Shaivism/Tantra unto the life of Sri Ramakrishna to make a case for finding the foundations for Tantrik practice!
00:20:39 The importance of Texts and accountability in teachers
00:51:51 Staying Grounded as a Foundation for Esoteric Tantrik Practices 
00:55:58 Why this PSA is especially relevant after Shiva Ratri 
00:51:12 The importance of Veda and Vedic living, the true foundation of Tantra 
01:13:00 Rta, living according to the Rhythm of Nature & Fulfilling the 5 Debts to Rsis, Gods (Forces of Nature), Ancestors, Community and Animals/Plants. 
01:14:15 An Aside on Why Swami Vivekananda is Not On My Altar... 
01:15:45 Sri Ramakrishna's Adherence to the Veda and Brahminical Codes of Conduct 
01:20:02 Shaiva Tantras in the Vedas and "before" the Vedas: the History of our Tradition 
01:26:00 Nyāya and Vaiśeshika are early Shaiva Schools! 
01:28:50 Why Logic and Thinking Clearly are So Important! (lessons from Nyāya) 
01:30:19 The Transgressive Practices of Early Shaivas (Lakulīśa Shaivism) and the Cult of Bhairava as a way of moving beyond the Veda in the name of Devotion! 
01:35:45 the Shaiva Siddhānta as the foundation for all Tantra & Puja as the foundational Tantrik Practice 

Lectures happen live every Monday at 7pm PST and Friday 10am PST and again Friday at 6pm PST.
Use this link and I will see you there:
https://www.zoom.us/j/7028380815

For more videos, guided meditations and instruction and for access to our lecture library, visit me at:
https://www.patreon.com/yogawithnish

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