"If the purpose of human knowledge is the elimination of human suffering,
then that knowledge which removes human suffering completely is the greatest knowledge."
- Swami Hariharananda Aranya
then that knowledge which removes human suffering completely is the greatest knowledge."
- Swami Hariharananda Aranya
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I am dedicated to supporting you to become a source of peace and inspiration to those whose lives you touch. Through fulfilling your potential, may you be a light in the world. |
Tantra is actually simple. |
Tantra, properly applied, is a doorway into your authentic self - an opening into the magnificent core of your being.
Once your true infinite nature has been recognized, you become able to surrender naturally and spontaneously to a state of mindfulness or "Flow". This way, you finally allow divine grace to influence all areas of your life. - Peter Littlejohn Cook Some of my teachers, to whom I am grateful and who I honour for providing the foundations for sharing Tantra in a way that is simple, direct and effective.
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Today Westerners are finding it easier and easier to learn from books, videos, audios, and online courses. In response, I too am finding ways to balance the needs of the ancient ways with our modern needs and to make the most of the resources that we have available while preserving the integrity of the ancient system because it can only be effectively passed on in very specific conditions. Of course in ancient times the way transmission took place was with personal initiation - an empowerment that was given directly from 'Guru' to 'disciple' or teacher to pupil. Although several great teachers and spiritual masters have been exceptions to the rule, in general it is said that the presence of a living teacher is essential to receive initiation and support on the spiritual path. It is sometimes argued that these days of "Gurus" are over and that "hierarchy" is no longer appropriate for our times. Ironically it was this very desire to bridge the gap between the "common people" and the most powerful teachings that drove many Tantric teachers to challenge the degraded systems of spiritual transmission - the priesthoods and their complex rituals of the temples, carried out in languages that were not of the local people. We have found this same pattern in the story of Jesus challenging the priesthoods of his time as did saints such as Saint Francis of Assisi to bring "the love and the Grace of God" to all people - even to all beings, regardless of status, sex, religion or race. Similarly, the Tantric teachers often risked attack by bringing the "secret teachings" into the hands and hearts of all true spiritual seekers. Some of my own teachers have broken with tradition and taught outside of the parameters originally designated as "legitimate". Others have been part of conventional lines of transmission passed on for generations. I am deeply grateful not only to my personal teachers for their dedication but to the many generations of teachers from several traditions that have blazed a trail of light across the millennia and blessed my path, initiating me in the stream of timeless living wisdom. Before sharing about myself, I want to honour all my teachers, those who I have met in person and also those whose inspiration and blessing has reached me beyond the boundaries of time and space. I will say however that my own path has been inspired both by my personal teachers and also by the stories of the ancient saints and masters.
One of the ways that spiritual growth, humility and deep spiritual aspiration was cultivated traditionally in India was by hearing the stories and the teachings of saints. To do justice to these teachers and traditions that have touched me - to speak of their dedication, their love and their power to transform people's lives would require a whole book, which I do intend to write to pass on the inspiration that these stories can provide. For now, the following is just a selection of some of the teachers from whom I have received teachings, guidance, or initiation, and whose blessings have illuminated or even shaped my path. Together with these I want to acknowledge, honour and give thanks to my parents, my wife, my son, and my wider family of blood and of spirit. Everything has contributed and in some sense led to this moment. For this I am grateful, as I am grateful for sharing this moment, and the possibility of a deeper exploration, with you. I want to make it clear also that I do not wish to be seen as a traditional "Guru", because the Guru-disciple relationship is generally misunderstood and misused in the West.
If I ask you to "surrender", and speak to you of dedication or of devotion, it is to remind you of your capacity to surrender the ego-centric tendencies and the unconscious habits of the "persona". Mis-identification with what we are not instead of with our true essence is what leads us to live a frustrated life of endless seeking, ultimately to return to ourselves. To truly "surrender" is to offer all of this mis-identification - all our stories - into the fire of divine love, where only that which is real survives. My pledge to you is to constantly surrender my being, my personal story and beliefs, so that what I transmit is poured into me by the Divine. I dedicate myself to your service in the name of Love, in the name of Peace and in the name of Liberation.
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Want to find out why the Moksha Dharma School of Tantra, Yoga and Advaita has been created at this time and what this can mean for your journey to fulfilment? Want to know more about the inspiration and foundations of this work? Want to know the methodologies involved in the Tantric retreats and courses? |
