In this episode, Jacob Kyle sits down with his longtime friend and collaborator Nataraj Chaitanya, whose early creative influence helped shape the founding vision of Embodied Philosophy and even inspired the name CHITHEADS.

Ten years after those first late-night conversations about yoga, consciousness, and modern spirituality, Jacob and Nataraj reunite to explore what it means to live a tantric life—one that embraces devotion, awareness, creativity, and radical honesty as integral parts of the spiritual path.

From the story of Nataraj’s early encounter with mantra practice as a young gay teenager in Virginia to his life as a teacher, devotee, and lineage-holder in the meditation tradition of Bhagavan Nityananda, this conversation moves through the full terrain of sādhana as both an art and a science of awakening.

Together they discuss:

• The origins of Embodied Philosophy and the early spirit of CHITHEADS
• Sādhana as alchemy: how awareness and aliveness generate bliss (ānanda)
• Aesthetics and yoga: why āsana is more like theatre than therapy
• Lineage and transmission: the living power of a genuine spiritual tradition
• Devotion and nonduality: giving reality a personality and meeting the divine in all forms
• Queerness as contemplative opportunity: living between identities as a form of freedom
• Pilgrimage as a way of life: learning to meet every moment as the Goddess herself
  
  

Throughout the conversation, the two reflect on their parallel journeys—academic, creative, and spiritual—and on the importance of rebuilding Embodied Philosophy around its original vision: to make philosophy and practice inseparable, and to honor both the scholar and the practitioner within each of us.

The episode also marks a new chapter for Embodied Philosophy: Nataraj will be joining the faculty of Wisdom School and Sādhana School, contributing his decades of experience in yoga, mantra, and contemplative education to a new generation of seeker-teachers.This is a conversation about devotion, transformation, and friendship—about what it means to practice in a world that needs both scholarship and surrender, intellect and love.

Guest Bio: Nataraj Chaitanya

Nataraj Chaitanya has led retreats, workshops, kīrtans, and teacher training programs around the world for more than twenty years.

After beginning a daily meditation and yoga practice at the age of thirteen, Nataraj immersed himself in the teachings of yoga and tantra and, by sixteen, began sharing these nectarean teachings with others. Over two decades, he has inspired countless seekers to take up a committed spiritual practice and has dedicated his life to bringing the wisdom of yoga into everyday life.

His love of teaching is evident in the devotional and enthusiastic spirit with which he leads his sessions, creating environments where people from all walks of life can directly contact the fullness of their own Being.

In January 2019, Nataraj became a formal initiate and custodian of the meditation tradition of Bhagavan Nityananda of Ganeshpuri, under Mahamandaleshwar Swami Shankarananda, one of Swami Muktananda’s senior disciples.

He currently lives and teaches in Melbourne, Australia.

Episode Links

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In this episode, Jacob Kyle offers a curated selection of teachings from Sādhana School, Embodied Philosophy’s year-long curriculum of contemplative study and practice. The episode weaves together reflections on states of consciousness, metaphysics, emotional transformation, and the pitfalls of spiritual bypassing, drawing deeply from Indian philosophical and Tantric traditions.

Jacob begins by exploring the concept of Turiya, the “fourth state” of consciousness beyond waking, dreaming, and deep sleep, and its Tantric extension in Turiyatita—a state where meditative awareness permeates ordinary perception. He connects these insights to śānta-rasa, the rasa of peace or equanimity, positioning it as the rasa that can suffuse all other experiences when integrated through practice. 

The episode offers a critique of materialist metaphysics, highlighting how modern scientism struggles to account for consciousness. Jacob contrasts this with Indian philosophical frameworks—including dualism, monism, and non-dualism—that offer richer ontologies for understanding consciousness and its relation to the world.

Finally, the episode delves into spiritual bypassing: the tendency to use spiritual ideals to avoid emotional challenges. Jacob presents rasa theory as an antidote, showing how emotions—whether grief, fear, anger, or joy—are not obstacles but sacred expressions of consciousness. Through aesthetic contemplation (bhāvanā), these emotions can be transmuted into rasa, universalized flavors of awareness that guide the practitioner toward deeper Self-realization and the peace of śānta-rasa.

To learn about the comprehensive contemplative curriculum in next year's Sādhana School (2025-2026), and to use coupon code CHITHEADS250, go here:
https://enroll.embodiedphilosophy.com/ss-2025-2026-early-enrollment

Or to learn more and enroll in the Kuṇḍalinī & Radical Embodiment Summer Retreat, go here: https://enroll.embodiedphilosophy.com/kundalini-summer-retreat

To deepen your knowledge of yoga philosophy, grab our Yoga Philosophy Reading List, a curated PDF of all the books that will give you a comprehensive overview of the yoga philosophical traditions. GET YOUR LIST HERE: https://enroll.embodiedphilosophy.com/yp-list

30-DAY SĀDHANA: 30 Days of Practices to help refine the nervous system, alleviate negative patterns, and foster a contemplative and spiritually-informed life.

MANTRA Sādhana: https://enroll.embodiedphilosophy.com/30-day-sadhana CHAKRA Sādhana: https://enroll.embodiedphilosophy.com/chakra-sadhana

WISDOM SCHOOL: Over 100 courses (1000+ hours) in yoga, meditation, somatics, and dharma studies for spiritual seekers, yoga teachers, body workers, healers, and therapists.
Features: → A new course every month on a variety of topics → Learning pathways that help you digest the content → Wisdom study emails → Interactive member space

Start your 7-Day Free Trial: https://enroll.embodiedphilosophy.com/wisdom-school

In this conversation, Jacob Kyle and James D. Reich discuss the concept of Rasa in Indian aesthetics and literary theory. They explore the idea that poetry and art can evoke a specific emotional experience in the audience, known as Rasa. They delve into the theories of Anandavardhana and Abhinavagupta, who developed the concept of Rasa and its associated elements, such as Dhvani. They also discuss the relationship between aesthetics and theology in Abhinavagupta's work, highlighting how his understanding of Rasa is deeply rooted in his non-dualistic and monistic philosophy. The conversation touches on the ethical implications of Rasa and its potential to enhance our understanding of emotions and our connection to the divine.

James D. Reich is the author of Save to Savor the Meaning: The Theology of Literary Emotions in Medieval Kashmir, a compelling exploration of the intellectual history of the region, focusing on the intersection of aesthetics and the philosophical theology of Kashmir Shaivism. His work engages deeply with religion in South Asia, including Hinduism and Buddhism, as well as Sanskrit literature, the theory of religious studies, and the interplay between literature and religion. 

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To learn about the comprehensive contemplative curriculum in Sādhana School, and to use coupon code CHITHEADS250 go here: https://enroll.embodiedphilosophy.com/sadhana-school-list or learn more and enroll in the "Rasa Theory: Emotions and Imagination for Meditation & Self-Realization" Spring Sādhana only - https://enroll.embodiedphilosophy.com/spring-2025-sadhana-school. 

Interested in the greater 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training? Learn more here: https://enroll.embodiedphilosophy.com/ytt-2025.

To deepen your knowledge of yoga philosophy, grab our Yoga Philosophy Reading List, a curated PDF of all the books that will give you a comprehensive overview of the yoga philosophical traditions. GET YOUR LIST HERE: https://enroll.embodiedphilosophy.com/yp-list

30-DAY SĀDHANA: 30 Days of Practices to help refine the nervous system, alleviate negative patterns, and foster a contemplative and spiritually-informed life.

MANTRA Sādhana: https://enroll.embodiedphilosophy.com/30-day-sadhana

CHAKRA Sādhana: https://enroll.embodiedphilosophy.com/chakra-sadhana

WISDOM SCHOOL: Over 100 courses (1000+ hours) in yoga, meditation, somatics, and dharma studies for spiritual seekers, yoga teachers and, body workers, healers and therapists. 

Features:
→ A new course every month on a variety of topics
→ Learning pathways that help you digest the content
→ Wisdom study emails
→ Interactive member space

Start your 7-Day Free Trial: enroll.embodiedphilosophy.com/wisdom-school

In this episode, Jacob Kyle and Kavitha Chinnaiyan delve into the intricate world of the Sri Chakra and Sri Yantra, exploring their significance in Tantric practices. Kavitha shares insights from her latest book, discussing the complexities of the Sri Yantra, its historical context, and the importance of ritual in spiritual practice. They also touch on the necessity of initiation in Sri Vidya, the daily practices associated with worship, and the role of the Swatantra Institute in teaching these ancient traditions. They discuss the nuances of mantras and yantras, the significance of initiatory practices, and the cultural context of yoga and tantra, particularly in the West. The dialogue highlights the need for a deeper understanding of these practices beyond surface-level engagement, advocating for a holistic approach that respects the traditions from which they originate.

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Celebrate the Spring Navarātri with Dr. Kavitha Chinnaiyan - Inner Path to Shakti: A Journey through the Devī Māhātmyam.

To learn about the comprehensive contemplative curriculum in Sādhana School, and to use coupon code CHITHEADS250 go here: https://enroll.embodiedphilosophy.com/sadhana-school-list or learn more and enroll in the Tantric Breath Winter Sādhana only - https://enroll.embodiedphilosophy.com/winter-2025-sadhana-school-list.

Interested in the greater 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training? Learn more here: https://enroll.embodiedphilosophy.com/ytt-2025.

To deepen your knowledge of yoga philosophy, grab our Yoga Philosophy Reading List, a curated PDF of all the books that will give you a comprehensive overview of the yoga philosophical traditions. GET YOUR LIST HERE: https://enroll.embodiedphilosophy.com/yp-list

30-DAY SĀDHANA: 30 Days of Practices to help refine the nervous system, alleviate negative patterns, and foster a contemplative and spiritually-informed life.

MANTRA Sādhana: https://enroll.embodiedphilosophy.com/30-day-sadhana

CHAKRA Sādhana: https://enroll.embodiedphilosophy.com/chakra-sadhana  WISDOM SCHOOL: Over 100 courses (1000+ hours) in yoga, meditation, somatics, and dharma studies for spiritual seekers, yoga teachers and, body workers, healers and therapists. Features:
→ A new course every month on a variety of topics
→ Learning pathways that help you digest the content
→ Wisdom study emails
→ Interactive member space

Start your 7-Day Free Trial: enroll.embodiedphilosophy.com/wisdom-school

In this episode, Jacob Kyle shares an excerpt from the first session of the Winter Sādhana School course — exploring the fundamentals of Yoga Philosophy to help situate us in the conversation of prāṇa, and why the extension of prāṇa is both a physical and energetic practice that expresses part of the trajectory of tantric sādhana. Jacob invites you to join him in the Sādhana School as the Winter quarter (January 2025) commences this week. Recordings are available to watch on-demand at your own pace.

To learn more about the comprehensive contemplative curriculum in Sādhana School, and to use coupon code CHITHEADS250 go here: https://enroll.embodiedphilosophy.com/sadhana-school-list or learn more and enroll in the Tantric Breath Winter Sādhana only - https://enroll.embodiedphilosophy.com/winter-2025-sadhana-school-list.


Interested in the greater 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training? Learn more here: https://enroll.embodiedphilosophy.com/ytt-2025.

To deepen your knowledge of yoga philosophy, grab our Yoga Philosophy Reading List, a curated PDF of all the books that will give you a comprehensive overview of the yoga philosophical traditions. GET YOUR LIST HERE: https://enroll.embodiedphilosophy.com/yp-list

30-DAY SĀDHANA: 30 Days of Practices to help refine the nervous system, alleviate negative patterns, and foster a contemplative and spiritually-informed life. 

MANTRA Sādhana: https://enroll.embodiedphilosophy.com/30-day-sadhana

CHAKRA Sādhana: https://enroll.embodiedphilosophy.com/chakra-sadhana

WISDOM SCHOOL: Over 100 courses (1000+ hours) in yoga, meditation, somatics, and dharma studies for spiritual seekers, yoga teachers and, body workers, healers and therapists. 
Features:
→ A new course every month on a variety of topics
→ Learning pathways that help you digest the content
→ Wisdom study emails
→ Interactive member space 

Start your 7-Day Free Trial: enroll.embodiedphilosophy.com/wisdom-school

Loriliai Biernacki is Associate Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Her research interests include Hinduism, gender, New Materialism, and the interface between religion and science. Her first book, Renowned Goddess of Desire: Women, Sex and Speech in Tantra (2007) won the Kayden Award in 2008. She is co-editor of God’s Body: Panentheism across the World’s Religious Traditions (2013). Her most recent book is The Matter of Wonder: Abhinavagupta’s Panentheism and the New Materialism (2023).
 
In this episode, Loriliai and Jacob spoke about:

• Artificial intelligence and whether or not AI can become conscious.
• How Abhinavagupta’s work responds to the mind-body problem.
• What the modern understanding is of matter and how Abhinavagupta’s matter is one that includes subjectivity, “I-ness”.
• How looking at Abhinavagupta’s work as “religious” misunderstands the philosophical significance of his ideas.
• How the deities referenced throughout the Tantrik tradition are a way of understanding the different “voices” or “personalities” of consciousness manifest in our seemingly singular embodiment. 
• The continental and analytic philosophy tradition, and why the continental tradition is a better home for Abhinavagupta.

Links mentioned in the episode:

• CYBER MONDAY! https://enroll.embodiedphilosophy.com/cyber-monday-2024
• Jacob’s Substack, “Into the Void”: jacobkyle.com
• Sādhana School: enroll.embodiedphilosophy.com/sadhana-school-list

Wisdom School (Free Trial): enroll.embodiedphilosophy.com/wisdom-school

Jacob Kyle interviews Samir Chopra about anxiety from a philosophical perspective. In Samir's new book Anxiety: A Philosophical Guide, Samir explores the therapeutic value of anxiety from traditions of Buddhism, existentialism, psychoanalysis and critical theory.

To deepen your knowledge of yoga philosophy, grab our Yoga Philosophy Reading List, a curated PDF of all the books that will give you a comprehensive overview of the yoga philosophical traditions. GET YOUR LIST HERE: https://enroll.embodiedphilosophy.com...

To learn more about the comprehensive contemplative curriculum in Sādhana School, and to use coupon code CHITHEADS250 go here: https://enroll.embodiedphilosophy.com/sadhana-school-list

30-DAY SĀDHANA: 30 Days of Practices to help refine the nervous system, alleviate negative patterns, and foster a contemplative and spiritually-informed life.

MANTRA Sādhana: https://enroll.embodiedphilosophy.com...
CHAKRA Sādhana: https://enroll.embodiedphilosophy.com...

WISDOM SCHOOL: Over 100 courses (1000+ hours) in yoga, meditation, somatics, and dharma studies for spiritual seekers, yoga teachers and, body workers, healers and therapists.

Features:
→ A new course every month on a variety of topics
→ Learning pathways that help you digest the content
→ Weekly study emails
→ Interactive member space

Start your 7-Day Free Trial: enroll.embodiedphilosophy.com/wisdom-school

Jacob Kyle interviews Shree Nahata about the fundamental principles of Jain philosophy and how these principles are incredibly timely and insightful for modern times.

To deepen your knowledge of yoga philosophy, grab our Yoga Philosophy Reading List, a curated PDF of all the books that will give you a comprehensive overview of the yoga philosophical traditions. GET YOUR LIST HERE: https://enroll.embodiedphilosophy.com...

30-DAY SĀDHANA: 30 Days of Practices to help refine the nervous system, alleviate negative patterns, and foster a contemplative and spiritually-informed life.

MANTRA Sādhana: https://enroll.embodiedphilosophy.com...
CHAKRA Sādhana: https://enroll.embodiedphilosophy.com...

WISDOM SCHOOL: Over 100 courses (1000+ hours) in yoga, meditation, somatics, and dharma studies for spiritual seekers, yoga teachers and, body workers, healers and therapists.

Features:
→ A new course every month on a variety of topics
→ Learning pathways that help you digest the content
→ Weekly study emails
→ Interactive member space

Start your 7-Day Free Trial: enroll.embodiedphilosophy.com/wisdom-school

In this episode of the podcast, we share an excerpt from the 30-Day Sādhana on the topic of bhāva, a Sanskrit word which has a number of different meanings, including emotion, being, becoming, and denotes a state of things that we bring into being through practice. It grounds a theory of imagination that is both illuminating and empowering. It grounds our understanding of how and why visualization practices are effective. It is a central theoretical concept that we're exploring as we investigate the yoga text, the Matsyendrasaṃhitā, throughout the 30 days of the challenge. If you're interested in the 30-Day Sādhana, you can find more information here: https://enroll.embodiedphilosophy.com/chakra-sadhanaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jason Birch is a scholar of medieval haṭha yoga and a founding member of SOAS's Centre for Yoga Studies. His research includes locating and translating early yoga manuscripts, and preparing critical editions, such as of the Amaraugha. In this episode, Jason and Jacob discuss:

• what inspired Jason to pursue the study of Sanskrit texts
• the historical importance of the Amaraugha, a 12th century text attributed to Gorakṣanātha
• the account of 4 yogas discussed in the text
• what mantra, laya, haṭha and rāja yoga practices looked like for the yoga tradition associated with the Amaraugha
• the relationship between Buddhist and Śaiva yogas
• what this corpus of haṭha yoga texts might mean for modern practitioners
• how the forthcoming translations of haṭha yoga texts could enrich the landscape of yoga study

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.