After we did our class on how to worship Bhairava (which you can watch here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/secret-mantras-8-116490016?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link) we hopped into this inspired discussion about the deeper meaning of the word "Bhairava" in the context of the subtlest non-dual Tantrik teaching.

Then, after exploring a few nuances in the name itself, we then review a profound practice that Bhairava reveals secretly in the Vijñāna-Bhairava, a practice that we are all of us quite familiar with by now but that we can hopefully take up again with fresh perspective as a result of this evening's discussion!

भैरव उवाच।
Bhairava Uvāca

ऊर्ध्वे प्राणो ह्यधो जीवो विसर्गात्मा परोच्चरेत्।
उत्पत्तिद्वितयस्थाने भरणाद् भरिता स्थितिः॥ २४॥

ūrdhve prāṇo hy adho jīvo visargātmā paroccaret |
utpatti-dvitaya-sthāne bharaṇād bharitā sthitiḥ: || 24 ||

Bhairava said:

Goddess Parā (Vāk, the Transcendent-Immanent Goddess) expresses Herself in a visarga as (the transcendence) of exhaling upwards (into spacious dissolution) and (the immanence) of inhaling downwards (into embodiment). Should one fix (one’s attention) at the two places of their origin (i.e where the breath emerges), and fill them (with attention), one becomes established in fullness.

For more detailed instructions for how to perform Tantrik pūjā, watch this playlist:
https://www.patreon.com/collection/233799

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

To get in on the discussion and access various spiritual materials, join our Discord here: https://discord.gg/U8zKP8yMrM

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In the first verse of dhyānam (meditation mantra) in the Kālikāshtakam, a hymn to Kālī attributed to Adi Shankara we learn that Mā Kālī is ever desirous to have union with Her husband, Mahākāla (महाकालकामाकुला कालिकेयम्) and in the 8th verse of the dhyānam (meditation mantra) from Āgamavāgīś Krishnānanda's Tantrasara, we learn that Mā Kālī desires to unite with Her husband in the "reverse position" (महाकालेन च समं विपरीतरतातुराम्).

How are we sensual imagery that often comes with Mā Kālī? What exactly is the nature of this "sexual union" of Shiva and Shakti which features so prominently in the Kashmir Shaiva tradition under the names "yamala" and "sanghatta" and which also appears in the iconography of the Yab-Yum Buddha in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition?

In this talk, we first explore four mantras that express the idea of "yamala" (union), then I go on a long digression exploring why many are attracted to Kālī in today's day and age and finally, using the Gospel, of Sri Ramakrishna, we explore some ideas regarding sexuality in spirituality! Let's explore the transgressive and very often misunderstood and misrepresented themes of arousal and sexual union that come with Mā Kali’s imagery.

This is the third lecture in the series on Mā’s bhāva following the “Why is Kali drunk?” and “Why is Kali Crazy” lectures!

For more detailed instructions for how to perform Kālī pūjā, watch this playlist: https://www.patreon.com/collection/233799

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

To get in on the discussion and access various spiritual materials, join our Discord here: https://discord.gg/U8zKP8yMrM

Support the show

The image of Mā Kālī alone is unfathomably powerful in its symbolic richness! Having discussed Mā's iconography at some length in this lecture series.
we now go a little deeper by investigating her bhāva, her mood which emphasizes three things, usually: intoxication, madness and arousal.
Last week, we discussed Mā’s divine drunkenness (you can watch that lecture here) we now turn to the second of these three motifs: Her divine madness!

We make three points about Her madness: first with regards to her svatantra, Her inherent freedom that defies the tyranny of reason and sanity, second with regards to Her very eccentric saints like Ramprasad, Kamalakanta and Ramakrishna who were all seen as mad in their day and third with regards to how we ourselves can actually practice this "divine madness" in a sustainable and meaningful way.

What is it to be mad for God?
And how does this compare to the other forms of mental illness that can sometimes be damaging and harmful to oneself, one's spiritual life and also to others?
If you want to explore the topic of divine madness vs harmful mental instability some more, do watch this lecture.

For more detailed instructions for how to perform Kālī pūjā, watch this playlist: https://www.patreon.com/collection/233799

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

To get in on the discussion and access various spiritual materials, join our Discord here: https://discord.gg/U8zKP8yMrM

Support the show