If you have a spiritual name, try to use it in your everyday life. Names are invocations. Each time a person says your name, it is a blessing for you and for them. Together, you invoke the wisdom virtues inherent in that name.

My name is somewhat hard for people to pronounce. But I have noticed that when a person says it correctly for the first time, there is a broad smile. It feels good! (more…)

If you have done even a little bit of exploration of an authentic Tantrik tradition, you know that the Guru-disciple relationship is the central practice.

Yes, we work with mantra and yantra. We practice kriya yoga and ayurvedic self-care. We do dream practice, mind training and nonconceptual meditation. But the heart of everything is Guru Yoga.

Guru Yoga means working with the teacher to awaken within yourself a memory of the natural state. Then you use your practices to develop your connection to that transmission and make it your own home.

Most of us need a teacher who has walked the path before us and can guide us. Otherwise, we may take long detours, or fall into a ditch of fixation masquerading as real understanding.

But how can we find a good teacher? This is a question I get more than any other. (more…)

A reader from Pennsylvania asks:

Do I need to be in a lineage in order to be a spiritual teacher?

True lineage is a river of vidya shakti, or wisdom energy, being transmitted from the Divine Mother to teachers and on to students through time. Like the sustaining waters of Ma Ganga coursing down Shiva’s locks of hair to those in need, lineage is a supreme blessing. Those who sense her life, compassion and immense intelligence are eager to jump in Her waters. (more…)

Can a mantra be incorrect because of stress or rhythm?

– a question from Germany

Mantras are are the subtle chemical catalysts of the cosmos. They have effects in the world. They are embodied, creative wisdom. When we do mantra practice, called japa in Sanskrit, we are trying to realize the the direct, embodied wisdom of the mantra. (more…)