Uploaded July 2024 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago

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A comprehensive chat on Tantra as it relates to the human condition, rules, society, liberation, language the role of the Guru and much more. A must-watch talk by Ācārya Dr. Sthaneshwar Timalsina.

In this conversation we can learn the meaning of Satya in one of the articulations for the divine in Sanatana Dharma, Satyam – Śivam – Sundaram (truth - consciousness - beauty) and its role in our lives and the actions we perform. We also learn what is the connection between our physical body and the absolute and how it affects consciousness (śivam) and beauty (sundaram).
Next, Acharya briefly talks about his life journey, his pursuit of knowledge, his experience with educational institutions and the lessons he learned from the many teachers he had over time.
Next, Acharya discusses the meaning of symbols, like yantras, mudras and all other symbolic art in Tantra from the perspective of language and the understanding of knowledge by different people and different cultures. How we encounter the divine from the primacy of speech, as perceived in the Western traditions, and the primacy of vision of the divine in symbols and divine forms (darshan) in the Hindu tradition. He then compares the two and discusses which one plays a more effective role in knowledge transmission and memory.
Next Acharya discusses the principles of modern psychology and its methods of restoring the ego in people, the decline of cognitive abilities in today's society and the role of Tantra in understanding and improving human cognitive abilities.
The next topic discusses how today's society understands Tantra. Why is it viewed as outrageous and feared! Why does humanity choose strong and directed discipline, seeks leadership from prominent individuals and reject the notion of freedom (svātantrya) on which Tantric philosophy is based. Can Tantra be an instrument of global awakening, and can it grow into a mass movement?
The next topic discusses how people can be liberated from the small, mediocre, self-sabotaging, bound notion of themselves. Where is that conditioning coming from? What is the result of such conditioning? Is even such remodelling of the human psyche possible in today’s world?
The next topic discusses the Tantric view on the source of creativity (pratibha). Where does greatness get its inspiration? Can it be called divine inspiration? How is it unfolding?
In the last topic Acharya continues talking about the creativity process from his own perspective, his own creative process in composing ślokas and stavas and the deeper insights in the notion of creativity in today's society.


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Courses offered by Acharya Dr. Sthaneshwar Timalsina
Introduction to Sarvāmnāya Tantra
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Yoga Vāsiṣṭha
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Foundational Śaivism
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Vimarsha Foundation is a modern school (gurukula) for teaching and reflecting on the ancient wisdom of r̥ṣis and siddhas. Through Vimarsha Foundation, a non-profit organization, Acharya Sthaneshwar teaches shastra and sādhanā to students of all backgrounds. The Vimarsha Foundation hosts free semester length courses on classic texts of the Tantric Tradition and offers many more free video and written teachings. Visit our website to learn more: vimarshafoundation.org

**** Acharya Dr. Sthaneshwar Timalsina ****
Acharya Dr. Sthaneshwar Timalsina is an esteemed traditionally consecrated teacher of Shaiva-Shakta Hindu Tantra. He is also the Endowed Chair of Indic Studies in New York, U.S.A. at Stony Brook University's College of Arts & Sciences in the Department of Asian & Asian-American Studies. Acharya Sthaneshwar founded Vimarsha Foundation as a modern school (gurukula) for teaching and reflecting on the ancient wisdom of r̥ṣis and siddhas. Through Vimarsha Foundation, a non-profit organization, Acharya Sthaneshwar teaches shastra and sādhanā to students of all backgrounds. The Vimarsha Foundation hosts free semester length courses on classic texts of the Tantric Tradition and offers many more free video and written teachings.