Yoga Philosophy

In the Amshu Tantra (1000s) and further through Tattwa Chintamani (in 1577) positions are given that are reminiscent of a straight stick, a stick broken into several parts in shape, or arcuate shapes. These are called dandas (sticks) and are also the names used for the positions in the sun salutation. One of the positions…

A legend from the 12th-14th century described in the text Matsyendra Samhita describes how the fisherman Mena is swallowed by a whale. The story tells how Mena is devoured by a choice and thereby hears secret teaching from Shiva when, at Shakti’s request, he teaches her the ultimate being of everything, at the bottom of…

25 / 3-3 / 4 is Vasanta (spring) Navaratri. The 9 nights when you celebrate the Goddess, also called Shakti and Kundalini.  The goddess is the energy aspect of consciousness. In its entirety, she is the energy behind everything that exists. She is then called Mahadevi or Maha Durga. In this form she is also…

The Navaratri of spring is approaching. The 9 nights of Navaratri are sometimes divided into three parts. Three nights for the invocation of Durga, three for the invocation of Lakshmi and three for the invocation of Saraswati.  Durga is the aspect of the Goddess in its entirety; Mahadevi, who is summoned to fight Mahishasura in…

The new moon 23/2 falls in the area of the sky called Shatabhisha nakshatra. Shatabisha means 100 healers. It is a time that benefits healing from illness or trauma. Mercury has a strong influence this time as well, making old pain prone to coming to the surface.  The tantric exercises aimed to release energy that…

Shivaratri falls this year on Friday 21/2. This is an important tantric feast.  Shivaratri means Shiva’s night. It occurs when the moon is only visible as a thin glow in the sky. It is the darkest of the moon’s 16 phases.  The moon symbolizes the mind and the mind is said to move inwards along…