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