Tantra Illuminated: The Philosophy, History, and Practice of a Timeless Tradition

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Hareesh teaches classical Tantric philosophy and Tantric practices, meditation, Sanskrit, and mantra-science to an engaged online community of practitioners. He is the Founder of tantrailluminated.org, an online learning portal where all his courses and teachings are available. He also offers workshops, retreats and classes in person in Portugal and around the world. Intro to the Energy Body: Explores all aspects of the energy body through a variety o practices. Learn what the energy body is, and find out about the bindus, nadis and cakras. While offering a firm theoretical base, this course also includes many practices, and it is recommended doing them for a certain period of time to allow them to bear fruit.

Wallis provides a fairly broad view of Nondual Saiva Tantra, touching on history, philosophy and practice in this book. It's not a bad job for the most part, and given the limited translations available the presentation was satisfactory. Intro to Deity Yoga: Understand what a deity really is, learn more about specific deities and how to practice with a deity The two different experiences of the Divine represented by Śiva and Śakti are the enstatic, in which we turn within, surrender everything, and reach the quiescent and transcendent ground of our being; and the ecstatic, in which we express our divine nature in creative, dynamic, outward-going and embodied ways. Both modes are necessary to fully know the Divine, and a harmonious balance of both is the only true spiritual liberation."Transcendent void-shunya?: all pervasive is empty of all form of energy it is shiva without shakti. Reached trough meditation. “I am not of this world, my trough self transcends all things”. Awakened Relating: Explore the 11 principles of awakened relating, formulated on the basis of the teachings of Classical Tantra. Practicing these principles will allow you to experience deeply harmonious relationships and enable you to express yourself more authentically to bring about the depth of connection you desire. There is no problem, and there has never been any problem - other than the fact that you think there's a problem: the flawed human understanding from which all suffering springs."

Spiritual practice is most successful when you enjoy it for its own sake, experiencing it as a celebration of the Divine you nature rather than as a means to an end." This is one of the most comprehensive books on the tradition of Tantra that I have come across yet. Christopher is clearly a thorough academician who has opted for this study because of a passionate personal practice. Because of this he shows the invigorating color of his bhakti while maintaining the pragmatism of an academician. I feel it's a must read for anyone interested in exploring tantra & yoga academically and an absolute must read for anyone aspiring liberation through spirituality. One feels the deep ocean of knowledge that our ancients lived in and realizes that their knowledge is pragmatic and evergreen...fit for all generations. Literally the most important book in existence right now, period. Why? Because it is an introduction (and way way way beyond that) to the most profound, complete, and relevant way of Knowing, Doing and Being there is, period. That is, from my unique perspective, and so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so So so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so so many other unique perspectives. For many or most of these, including myself, this book has been literally THE most life-changing book. Grace has been falling through like a waterfall since I first read it last year. It is possibly even better/more helpful (long-term) than a psychedelic break-through experience. I can't express my infinite gratitude to Christopher Wallis (Hareesh) for doing this sacred work. And I can't even provide a summary of this book. That would be like trying to summarize the universe in all its aspects and levels. On this path there is no such thing as negative emotions, emotions I don’t like or I shouldn’t be having. Cast away the notion that this state of mind is better and you should be feeling this or that. We accept what is we work with what comes. All emotions are energy and all energy can empower you. Excellent, possibly best spiritual book I've ever read. I have many takeaways, most prominent are that all desire is ultimately a desire for the divine, which explains why attempting to satisfy it with material things is ultimately unsatisfactory.The dark side is nothing to be afraid of. If we repress it, it will come out in worse ways. We need to be able to integrate our insecurities, resentments, angers, desires, the Freudian ID, and the chaos within us that is bubbling beneath. Like the integration of wratheful deities in Buddhist deity yoga. I recommend that negative emotions not be repressed or suppressed but rather EXPRESSED and preferably through safe ways such as art, music, therapy, assertiveness, discernment, introspection and setting boundaries. Using tantric methods and nondual śaivism to escape trauma is merely spiritual bypassing. A topic which he ironically discusses in here, but does not fully expand upon. In and some way, oddly, encourages with his suggestion to visit ashrams and seek guidance from potentially dangerous gurus. Please research these places before going there. And use the internet. There's no shame in google. Quora. Or whatever you use. But be honest with yourself and with others that you are using it. Don't pretend to be a scholar if you are just a student of the google search engine. Another good one was that when making a positive version of a negative statement have to integrate the divine to make it more powerful.

Christopher (Hareesh) Wallis has written THE definitive, modern day work on classical non-dual Saiva Tantra (NST). This book is simply masterful. The author manages to write with a scholarly breadth, but in an easily accessible and engaging style. Many books on Tantra fall into two unfortunate categories. Either they are written in a dense, academic prose that does not lend itself well to the non-scholar, or else they are purporting the bastardized version of "Neo-Tantra" with its overt and almost exclusive emphasis on sexuality. The author manages to avoid both of these pitfalls and the result is an easily readable and enjoyable ride that delivers accurate, scholarly, and practical information on one of the most profound religious philosophies ever developed.strongest grade of śaktipāta is so powerful it brings about immediate liberation, a fierce and total awakening, with the unfortunate side effect that the intensity of the experience causes the body to drop (i.e., physical death). Needless to say, this is extremely rare. The second grade, also very rare, causes a spontaneous arising of intuitive insight, naturally leading to full awakening. When this intuitive knowledge arises, if it rapidly grows to completion of its own accord, the recipient is said to be a “Self-revealed guru,” a giver of both enjoyment and liberation, displaying the six signs of completion. On the other hand, if the intuitive insight is unsteady or incomplete, then s/he will need the scriptures and a teacher to confirm and strengthen it. Depending on the steadiness or shakiness of one’s intuition, Abhinava says, one must perform self-refinement through the sacred vow of disciplined yoga practice, either by himself or as directed by a guru. The third grade is much more common and is the weakest grade of śaktipāta that still permits one to attain liberation in the same lifetime. One who has received it experiences a strong desire to approach a true guru and has the intuition necessary to recognize such a teacher. In the recipient of the third grade, the burning questions, “What is the Truth? Who knows that Truth?” lead one, through intuition or the company of spiritual friends, to develop the longing to meet a master (Tantrāloka 13.222). If this desire is strong enough, says Abhinava, the longing will inevitably be fulfilled. Having met such a master, attainment of insight into things as they are follows rapidly, culminating in living liberation. Freedom means actually experiencing the divinity in each moment, which is the same as not wanting the present moment to be any different from the way it is." The Lord. Ishwara. Krishna, alla,jehova, etc. Most monotheistic religions presume to be the highest level of reality. Maya. In tantric is the The world source, the divines power to project itself into manifestation. Deludes is into seing duality where there is only unity. But does not have a negative characteristic in tantra. If you seek"the good" for yourself and for others, the only sustainable way of actualizing that goal is through a palpable, living connection to a level of being on which contributing to the well-being of others is the easiest and most natural thing you could possibly do. This is why, from a spiritual perspective, the most effective political, social, and environmental activism is awakening to your true nature and helping others awaken."

Special types of meditation that aim to transform the individual to an embodiement of the divine after a short span of time This whole existence is One Reality: Consciousness alone - unbroken by time, uncircumscribed by space, unclouded by attributes, unconfined by forms, unexpressed by words, and unaccounted for by the ordinary means of knowledge. For it is the cause, through its Will alone, by which all these sources of limitation - from time to the ordinary means of knowledge - attain their own natures. This Reality is free and independent, a mass of bliss, and That alone am I; thus the entire universe is held as a reflection within me." Discerning faculty. Budhi. The intellect. The most important mental faculty for all schools of yoga philosophy. The power by which we decide what is beneficial for us and what is not. It is impaired by samskara, an impression from past experiences, so the energy flows different trough you than someone else due to past experiences. Mind and heart(emotion and tought) are 2 different names for one and the same thing. They merely enphasize some aspects of that entity. Therefore sometimes subconscious emotions manifest as thoughts and subconscious thoughts manifest as emotions Pure mantra wisdom. Shuda vidya. Not intellectual knowledge but various phases of shiva shakti self awareness expressed in the form of the 70million mantras. Mantras are conscious beings, analogous to angels in western traditions.

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Budhi is not localized in the brain but extends trough the body so sanskaras of different kinds are distributed throughout the body and can be released by physical as well as mental practices of yoga. Without the practice of yoga, the gut instinct in we place so much trust my in fact be based in fear and lead us astray. Ultimately, when the ego expands infinitely, you experience all things in yourself and yourself in all things. There are no more boundaries to selfhood. You have acquired an all-encompassing 'I'. When you experience all beings as part of yourself, you naturally act with compassion and wisdom." Tantrik Yoga Now: The central hub for discussing everything related to Classical Tantra, this group on Facebook may be the only reason to join facebook, provided you’re good at restraining yourself from scrolling through the rest of the feed. There are lively discussions on all sorts of topics and questions arising in spiritual life and many experienced practitioners from various Tantrik and other non-dual traditions are more than willing to share their knowledge and wisdom. We don’t recommend joining Facebook if you’re not already a member, but if you are, be sure to join the our community there! As an alternative, you’re more than welcome to utilize our Forums. Intro to Awareness Cultivation: Learn how to cultivate awareness on all layers of your personhood. A good course to establish or deepen your daily meditation practice. Prana: vital energy or life force. We share it with all living beings. Connected to the breath. Interface between physical body and mind and is the key to mind-body connections but is more subtle and fundamental than either. It is the means by which the mind extends itself trough out the body in the for of what is called the subtle body.