Nishanth Selvalingam - Kashmir Shaivism and Non-Dual Tantra
A lifelong student of philosophy and comparative religion, a practitioner of Shaiva Tantra in the Shaiva Siddhanta lineage, and recent entrant into the Ramakrishna lineage by his guru, Swami Sarvadevananda Puri, Nishanth Selvalingam shares an authentic, firsthand approach to the Sanskrit texts of the Tantrik scriptural tradition to expose audiences to the profoundly positive and transformative philosophies and practices that this tradition offers. Nishanth Selvalingam graduated from UCLA with a B.A. in Philosophy in 2024 and now lives in Westwood, Los Angeles where he hosts satsanghs with his wife, coaches middle school debate and lectures incessantly on all things Tantra and Non-Duality.
Website: nishyoga.com
Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group
Summary and transcript of this interview
Interview recorded August 18, 2024
YouTube Video Chapters:
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:05:16 - Eclectic Background in Philosophy
00:09:52 - Diverse Interests and Spirituality
00:13:58 - The Metaphor of the Mountain Peak
00:17:29 - The Quest for Realization
00:22:28 - The Sun and Different Perspectives
00:26:56 - The Devotee vs the Nihilistic Void State
00:30:27 - Taking Spiritual Advancement in Measured Doses
00:34:32 - The Nature of Omniscience
00:40:02 - Mystical Experiences and Embodiment
00:43:52 - Manifestation of God and the Direct Path vs Progressive Path
00:47:34 - Real as God: A Conversation on Philosophy and Spirituality
00:50:59 - Chitsuki and Swami Saripandaji's Explanation
00:54:44 - The Self-Referral Nature of Consciousness
01:00:40 - The Role of Experiences in Spirituality
01:05:06 - Selecting a Guru
01:08:31 - Hypocrisy in Yoga Communities
01:12:48 - The Complexity of Hinduism and Tantra
01:17:56 - The Many Forms of Deities in Tantra
01:22:23 - The Waves of Deities and Perceptions
01:26:00 - Chakshu Diksha and Sparsha Diksha
01:28:33 - Comparing Shiva Siddhanta and Kashmir Shaivism
01:34:24 - Realization of the Self through Nirvikalpa Samadhi
01:38:15 - The Fragrance of Samadhi with Eyes Open
01:42:35 - The Goddesses Within Us
01:47:28 - Abhichara and Crazy Sex Stuff
01:51:13 - The Bhakti Approach
01:54:59 - The Need for a Holistic Approach in Spirituality
01:59:15 - The Importance of Vairagya and Willpower in Spiritual Practice
02:03:32 - Personality Transformation in Tantra
02:06:58 - Spiritual Development and Understanding at a Young Age
