Ep 09 ~ The Path of Transformation with Kavithā Chinnaiyan

In this episode, Hareesh welcomes Dr. Kavithā Chinnaiyan, a practicing cardiologist, Professor of Medicine, and an international educator in cardiac imaging, preventive cardiology, and women's heart disease. She is the acclaimed author of several books, including The Heart of Wellness, Shakti Rising,  and Fractals of Reality: Living the Śrīcakra, a Tantric initiate and adept. As the founder of Svatantra Institute and The Renegade Method™, Kavithā integrates spirituality with science, offering guidance in self-development, wellness, and burnout by blending modern medicine with Yoga, Tantra, Ayurveda, and Vedanta. An accomplished retreat leader, artist, and musician, she invites others into the transformative journey toward holistic well-being.

Kavithā shares her journey from a question-filled childhood within a Shaivaite family to transformative encounters with Vedantic teachings and Advanced Yoga Practices, culminating in her profound engagement with non-dual Shaiva Tantra. The conversation explores her immersion into the teachings of Śrī Vidyā, guided by revered teachers, and how these experiences harmonize with her medical expertise and personal life. Kavithā’s story is a testament to the integration of spiritual practice with the rhythms of daily life, reflecting on the roles of mantra, ritual, and The Direct Path in the journey for self-realization. This episode brings light to the complementary nature of the progressive and Direct Paths in the revealing of one's true nature and the unique ways they can enrich a dedicated spiritual practice.

Some of the references mentioned:
Greg Goode ‘Standing as Awareness’ : https://greg-goode.com/books/standing...
Michael M. Bowden, Sri Chaitanyananda, The Goddess and The Guru :
Goodreads: goddess-and-the-guru
Corinne G. Dempsey, The Goddess Lives in Upstate New York : Goodreads: 378987

AYP International https://www.aypinternational.com/
ŚrīVidyā.org https://www.srividya.org/
Paul Muller-Ortega https://www.bluethroatyoga.com/
Chinmaya Mission https://www.chinmayamission.com/
Mahāvatāra Bābājī https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahavat...
Atmananda Krishna Menon https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atmanan...

More references can be found on the episode at Tantra Illuminated Online.

Glossary of Sanskrit terms mentioned:
anugraha – grace, revelation, remembering
artha – meaning, purpose
brahma-granthi – subtle knot located above the perineum
cakra – circle, subtle center
dīkṣā – a traditional initiation to a lineage, with elaborate ceremony
japa – mantra repetition
kriyā – action
mumukṣutva – desire for liberation
prāṇāyāma – breath control, breathing practices
pīṭha – sacred site
pīṭhādhipati – supervisor of the sacred site
pūjā – ritual worship
puraścaraṇa – process of attaining mastery of a mantra
rudra-granthi – subtle knot located at the head ( Energy Body )
sādhaka – spiritual practitioner
sādhanā – gradual awakening through spiritual practice
samādhi – deep meditation
saṃskāra – subtle trace, subliminal impression in the psyche
sat-tarka – discernment
śabda – sound, vibration
upāsaka – lay follower
vāsanā – A subtle impression in the psyche, imposing a quality to any experience. Near synonym to saṃskāra, depending on who you ask
vishnu-granthi – subtle knot located at the heart center ( Energy Body )

ābrahma-kīṭa-jananī – Mother of all beings, from Brahmā to a blade of grass

ardhachandra and nirodhinī – subtle levels of advanced uccāra practice

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