For the Love of Yoga with Nish the Fish
191 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 5 hours ago - ★★★★★ - 42 ratingsThe world of Yoga is wide and varied. In this podcast, yogi Nish the Fish shares the deeper dimensions of Yoga, Vedanta and Tantra, asking the big questions: why do we practice? What is meditation? What is the purpose of a human life? What is Beauty? What is Death? Nishanth Selvalingam studied various South Asian philosophies with his Shaivite grandfather in an ashram in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and moved to Los Angeles to study philosophy, teach yoga and play guitar in a rock band. Join him and special guests as they explore Yoga, in all its splendours. For more episodes and instruction, and to support this humble offering of the heart, visit me on Patreon: patreon.com/yogawithnish
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Episodes
4 Tools for Self-Sufficiency
April 11, 2021 19:00 - 1 hour - 44.8 MBHow do we overcome lust and greed and discover self-sufficiency? Today, we investigate the awakening stories of masters like St Francis of Assisi, Ramana Maharshi, Ramakrishna Paramahansa, Eckhart Tolle etc. to explore some of the deepest topics in spiritual practice: 1. What is renunciation? 2. Why would a person want to give up the world and the sex craving? 3. Okay, you've decided you want to do it but how? There are so many deeply embedded patterns, strengthened from years of repetition...
Sexual Desire (Q&A)
April 06, 2021 18:00 - 1 hour - 68.2 MBA beautiful Q&A exploring the role of sexual desire in spiritual life, how to overcome sexual craving, the Left-Hand Path Tantrik practices involving sexuality (and their misconceptions), the ethics of Ahimsa (Non-Violence) and much more! For more videos and instruction, visit me at patreon.com/yogawithnish Support the Show.
Sexual Desire (Q&A)
April 06, 2021 18:00 - 1 hour - 68.2 MBA beautiful Q&A exploring the role of sexual desire in spiritual life, how to overcome sexual craving, the Left-Hand Path Tantrik practices involving sexuality (and their misconceptions), the ethics of Ahimsa (Non-Violence) and much more! For more videos and instruction, visit me at patreon.com/yogawithnish
Christ-Consciousness (Guided Meditation)
April 04, 2021 19:00 - 48 minutes - 33.1 MBHappy Easter! Here is mystical interpretation of some of the hidden meanings of the Christian gnostic tradition presented in a guided meditation to awaken within you the ever-renewing joy of your very own Christ Consciousness. May we all remember that Divinity is WITHIN us (the Kingdom of Heaven is within) and that our true wealth is not in the things we want. Rather, what we want are the feeling states that we think will come about as a result of having those things or circumstances. When w...
Brahmacharya: Sexual Desire and Continence
March 28, 2021 20:00 - 1 hour - 43.6 MBThe Yogic solution to the sexual craving is NOT repression...it is transmutation. Almost all mystical traditions in the world prescribe some form of celibacy as preparation for deeper states of meditation. Often, the yama of Brahmacharya in Patanjali's Ashtanga Yoga is frightening to the Western mind. What do you mean I have to give up sex? In this video, we talk about what the sex drive is and how to overcome lust + why you even want to overcome it! We explore renunciation, the work of s...
Brahmacharya: Sexual Desire and Continence
March 28, 2021 20:00 - 1 hour - 43.6 MBThe Yogic solution to the sexual craving is NOT repression...it is transmutation. Almost all mystical traditions in the world prescribe some form of celibacy as preparation for deeper states of meditation. Often, the yama of Brahmacharya in Patanjali's Ashtanga Yoga is frightening to the Western mind. What do you mean I have to give up sex? In this video, we talk about what the sex drive is and how to overcome lust + why you even want to overcome it! We explore renunciation, the work of s...
Gaura Purnima (Guided Meditation)
March 28, 2021 19:00 - 14 minutes - 10.3 MBFor more episodes and guided meditations, visit me at: patreon.com/yogawithnish A story about Chaitanya Mahaprabhu to describe why this Full Moon in the month Phalguna of the Vedic Calendar is celebrated in India and all around the world. And then a guided meditation to experience the ecstacy and spiritual effulgence of this great teacher in your own being! Blessed Gaura Purnima and Full Moon in Libra! OM peace peace peace.
Tantrik Meditation #1: Assuming God-Forms
March 20, 2021 07:00 - 21 minutes - 14.8 MBHappy Spring Equinox! In this 20 minute Tantrik-styled guided meditation, we combine Mantra (sacred sound), Mudra (sacred gesture) and Bhavana (imaginative visualization) to experience the Divine on all levels of our being. In this meditation, you conjure up the image of your Ishta Deva (Chosen Spiritual Ideal) and then merge into it, allowing your small self to be subsumed into the divinity that you truly are. Enjoy! For more guided meditations + HQ audio versions, visit me at patreon.co...
Assuming the God-Forms (Guided Meditation)
March 20, 2021 07:00 - 21 minutes - 14.8 MBHappy Spring Equinox! In this 20 minute Tantrik-styled guided meditation, we combine Mantra (sacred sound), Mudra (sacred gesture) and Bhavana (imaginative visualization) to experience the Divine on all levels of our being. In this meditation, you conjure up the image of your Ishta Deva (Chosen Spiritual Ideal) and then merge into it, allowing your small self to be subsumed into the divinity that you truly are. Enjoy! For more guided meditations + HQ audio versions, visit me at patreon.co...
Assuming the God-Forms (Guided Meditation)
March 20, 2021 07:00 - 21 minutes - 14.8 MBHappy Spring Equinox! In this 20 minute Tantrik-styled guided meditation, we combine Mantra (sacred sound), Mudra (sacred gesture) and Bhavana (imaginative visualization) to experience the Divine on all levels of our being. In this meditation, you conjure up the image of your Ishta Deva (Chosen Spiritual Ideal) and then merge into it, allowing your small self to be subsumed into the divinity that you truly are. Enjoy! For more guided meditations + HQ audio versions, visit me at patreon.co...
What Is Renunciation? (And How To Do It)
March 11, 2021 21:00 - 1 hour - 43.3 MBFor more videos and instruction, visit me at: patreon.com/yogawithnish Almost all spiritual traditions around the world insist on "renouncing the world" in order to mature spiritually. What is there to be renounced? Why would you even want to renounce it? And finally, how do you go about doing that in this day and age? I will explore the way different religions present renunciation as an ideal and then propose that the true meaning of renunciation is NOT an outward "show" of giving things u...
Do We Have Free Will?
March 08, 2021 21:00 - 3 hours - 131 MBFor more episodes and instruction, visit me at patreon.com/yogawithnish Do you have free will? We look at a few ideas from Yoga and Tantra and compare them to similar ideas in Christianity and Kantian philosophy to investigate this age old question of what free will really is. I will show you that you (as the Jeeva, Individual) are a completely determined being and that is an incredibly freeing concept with regards to the personal suffering you feel. And yet, You as Shiva or Brahman or Atm...
Do We Have Free Will?
March 08, 2021 21:00 - 3 hours - 131 MBFor more episodes and instruction, visit me at patreon.com/yogawithnish Do you have free will? We look at a few ideas from Yoga and Tantra and compare them to similar ideas in Christianity and Kantian philosophy to investigate this age old question of what free will really is. I will show you that you (as the Jeeva, Individual) are a completely determined being and that is an incredibly freeing concept with regards to the personal suffering you feel. And yet, You as Shiva or Brahman or Atm...
5 Big Ideas from 5000BCE India
March 02, 2021 22:00 - 15 minutes - 10.7 MBHere a few of my favourite ideas from ancient Indian philosophy to whet your appetite for a deeper dive into these profoundly transformative, eternally relevant and heartbreakingly beautiful South Asian schools of thought that can help anyone anywhere live a more meaningful life. Welcome to For the Love of Yoga, a podcast series where we explore various topics in Yoga, Vedanta, Tantra and other spiritual traditions around the world. For more episodes and instructions, come join me at patreo...
Three Errors: Separation, Time, Free Will
March 01, 2021 23:00 - 1 hour - 54.2 MBWe suffer because we cling on to three perceptual errors. I will present some arguments to loosen the hold of these misperceptions in an effort to free you from their sway! For more episodes, visit me at: patreon.com/yogawithnish
Three Errors: Separation, Time, Free Will
March 01, 2021 23:00 - 1 hour - 54.2 MBWe suffer because we cling on to three perceptual errors. I will present some arguments to loosen the hold of these misperceptions in an effort to free you from their sway! For more episodes, visit me at: patreon.com/yogawithnish Support the Show.
You Are Already Enlightened, Let Me Show You
February 24, 2021 20:00 - 3 hours - 131 MBWe discuss how "spiritual awakening" works in order to dispel the myth that there is a "progression" or "a set amount of work you have to do" to become enlightened. After all, you cannot BECOME enlightened because you already ARE that now. It is your fundamental nature. All it takes is one Insight. In an attempt to give you this insight today, that is, to prove to you in the immediacy of your own awareness that you are not your body nor are you your mind, we discuss the Duality of Patanjali ...
Maya: If You Are God, Why Don't You Know It?
February 11, 2021 19:00 - 2 hours - 107 MBGod is the blissful awareness of your own Being, God is only thing that exists and the Universe as we see it is just an emanation of diversity arising out of the one Unity that you Are. And yet! We still experience ourselves as a separate from the world around. We experience suffering and contraction. If we are indeed God, how could this be? Why don't we immediately intuit our nature as the Absolute? To answer this question we look at the idea of Maya, the Cosmic Measurer: the power of God t...
Maya: If You Are God, Why Don't You Know It?
February 11, 2021 19:00 - 2 hours - 107 MBGod is the blissful awareness of your own Being, God is only thing that exists and the Universe as we see it is just an emanation of diversity arising out of the one Unity that you Are. And yet! We still experience ourselves as a separate from the world around. We experience suffering and contraction. If we are indeed God, how could this be? Why don't we immediately intuit our nature as the Absolute? To answer this question we look at the idea of Maya, the Cosmic Measurer: the power of God t...
What Is Enlightenment?
January 19, 2021 17:00 - 41 minutes - 28.5 MBPerhaps one of our deepest discussions yet, today we explore the concept of Atma Bodha (Self-Realization)/Brahma Jnana (Knowing God)/Nirvana/Perfection/Enlightenment etc. to figure out what the ultimate goal of spiritual practice REALLY is. We explore a Tantrik creation story to explain why the world as you see it came to be and what "your" role in it is. Who are you really? And why are you here? All this in today's discussion on What Is Enlightenment? Support the Show.
The Great Saints of India: Swami Vivekananda
January 12, 2021 19:00 - 56 minutes - 38.6 MBThe Shamanic Roots of Yoga, the Core Teachings of the Upanishads, the story of how Yoga first came to the west and the brilliant life of India's Greatest Saint: Swami Vivekananda! Support our work here: www.patreon.com/yogawithnish Naturally, one hour is not enough to capture to beauty and brilliance of Swami Vivekananda, India's foremost saint and beloved disciple of Paramahansa Ramakrishna, World Teacher and Avatar. To honor this incredible spirit, I wanted to share with you the story of...
The Buddha, Yogic Phenomenology and The Ultimate Experience
January 10, 2021 03:00 - 1 hour - 42.2 MBToday we talk about the Problem of Suffering as articulated by the Shakyamuni Buddha in order to understand what it is exactly that we're trying to achieve in Yoga. Naturally, we discuss the subtle ideas of Yogic phenomenology (the study of how we perceive the world around us) to show that we are projecting our universe into existence through our mental representations (vikalpas). Then, we take a deep dive into some of the most profound philosophies from the 15th CE text Drg-Drsya-Viveka, "D...
Shakti: The Sacred Feminine
January 05, 2021 20:00 - 1 hour - 73.3 MBWe discuss Shakti, the Goddess: the fierce, fiery, powerful principle of the Divine Feminine as expressed by Shakta Tantra. We compare conceptions of the Female with mystery traditions like 15th CE Alchemy and Occultism, Taoism and Mesopotamian mythology. We make frequent visits to modern gender politics and Jungian psychology to see what relationship the psychic principles of Yin and Yang have to physical sex and psychological gender. Support the Show.
The Bodhisattva Vow (Guided Meditation)
January 02, 2021 05:00 - 33 minutes - 22.8 MBIn this powerful meditation from the Mahayana Buddhist tradition, we work with the power of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva. We call upon this energy through a lush visualization meant to bring the power and profundity of your own Inner Teacher into your heart-space so you can access the guidance and wisdom of your Higher Self whenever you need. Finally, you will receive a popular but potentized 5th CE mantra from the Karandavyuha Sutra to anchor you to the Fullness of Your Being, Your Ever-New B...
How To Enjoy Life
December 26, 2020 08:00 - 1 hour - 59.2 MBA humble yogic perspective on what it means to live a fulfilling life. We talk about all the different orientations to life and why many of them don't work and then when we figure out why! Support the Show.
The Deepest Ideas in Yoga
December 22, 2020 09:00 - 2 hours - 96.9 MBTo celebrate today's Winter Solstice and the Great Jupiter-Saturn Conjunct, I expound on 9000 years of yoga philosophy, teasing out the biggest themes and most revolutionary concepts to nudge you into a transformative shift that you may come home to your True Self which is ever free, blissful and at peace. What are the major takeaways from the Vedic and Upanishadic era? How did these ideas evolve in the 6th CE with the first World Teachers like Patanjali, Vardhamana Mahavira, Shakyamuni Budd...
The Deepest Ideas in Yoga
December 22, 2020 09:00 - 2 hours - 96.9 MBTo celebrate today's Winter Solstice and the Great Jupiter-Saturn Conjunct, I expound on 9000 years of yoga philosophy, teasing out the biggest themes and most revolutionary concepts to nudge you into a transformative shift that you may come home to your True Self which is ever free, blissful and at peace. What are the major takeaways from the Vedic and Upanishadic era? How did these ideas evolve in the 6th CE with the first World Teachers like Patanjali, Vardhamana Mahavira, Shakyamuni Budd...
Working With Deities
December 18, 2020 19:00 - 1 hour - 63.4 MBWe discuss the various Gods and Goddesses in the pantheons of the Indus valley compared to pantheons from other traditions. We explore the concept that Gods and Goddesses aren't "out there" but are rather metaphors for what's going on "in here". They are metaphors for subtle psychic forces that are sometimes too "behind the scenes" in our day to day life for us to experience directly. As such, we plead poetic license to personify these inner forces as deities, in order that we might approach...
Working With Deities
December 18, 2020 19:00 - 1 hour - 63.4 MBWe discuss the various Gods and Goddesses in the pantheons of the Indus valley compared to pantheons from other traditions. We explore the concept that Gods and Goddesses aren't "out there" but are rather metaphors for what's going on "in here". They are metaphors for subtle psychic forces that are sometimes too "behind the scenes" in our day to day life for us to experience directly. As such, we plead poetic license to personify these inner forces as deities, in order that we might approach...
The Divine Romance
December 14, 2020 01:00 - 1 hour - 45.2 MBWe discuss the origin of Suffering in the Buddhist and Yogic literature and then we look at Vidyaranya's famous argument from his 15th CE Pancadesi to prove how you are not the Mind nor are you the Body and as such, you are beyond all suffering! Then, we talk about the Divine Romance, which is the story of Shiva and Shakti's courtship: he descends down from the crown chakra; she rises up from the root, and they meet in the Hridayam, the Heart.
The Divine Romance
December 14, 2020 01:00 - 1 hour - 45.2 MBWe discuss the origin of Suffering in the Buddhist and Yogic literature and then we look at Vidyaranya's famous argument from his 15th CE Pancadesi to prove how you are not the Mind nor are you the Body and as such, you are beyond all suffering! Then, we talk about the Divine Romance, which is the story of Shiva and Shakti's courtship: he descends down from the crown chakra; she rises up from the root, and they meet in the Hridayam, the Heart. Support the Show.
The Purpose of Spiritual Practice
December 14, 2020 01:00 - 1 hour - 79.5 MBNow that we've discussed the methods to practice spirituality and the various pitfalls along the path, we turn our attention to a much deeper question: why practice at all? Support the Show.
Pitfalls on the Path
December 09, 2020 17:00 - 1 hour - 79.6 MBThe Way of Spirit can be steep and winding at times, and broad and obvious at other times. During the journey, you will encounter true and sincere teachers of Spirit but you will also encounter just as many charlatans who peddle peace and take all your money! In the beginning, old patterns that you seek to break through spiritual practice will find their way into your spiritual practice; you become susceptible to spiritual materialism and the fortification of the ego through creating a "spir...
How To Practice Spirituality (Part 2)
November 30, 2020 23:00 - 1 hour - 43.2 MBIn Part 2, we explore the vast array of spiritual practices with the hope that one of them resonates with you, We also delve deeper into the subtle aspects of asana and pranayama practice and then we explore the Bhakti Yoga and Jnana Yoga paths for cultivating svadhyaya (study) and isvara pranidhana (devotion) which are integral practices to develop spirituality. Support the Show.
How To Practice Spirituality (Part 2)
November 30, 2020 23:00 - 1 hour - 43.2 MBIn Part 2, we explore the vast array of spiritual practices with the hope that one of them resonates with you, We also delve deeper into the subtle aspects of asana and pranayama practice and then we explore the Bhakti Yoga and Jnana Yoga paths for cultivating svadhyaya (study) and isvara pranidhana (devotion) which are integral practices to develop spirituality. Support the show
How To Practice Spirituality (Part 1)
November 29, 2020 19:00 - 1 hour - 45.4 MBSpiritual practice: you've been reading about it, hearing about it and listening to your friends rave about it. Now you've decided to take it up yourself! But where to start? The world of spirituality is wide and varied with many roads to salvation and equally many pitfalls and dead ends. This is a journey peppered with unassuming enlightened masters and grandiose charlatans who would peddle "peace" and take all your money. It is a journey that must be navigated skillfully. In part 1, we ex...
Reincarnation (Part 2)
November 27, 2020 19:00 - 1 hour - 61.6 MBToday, we talk about past-life memories, exploring Om Sety (Dorothy Eady) and other stories of people who have vivid recollection of past lives. We explain why it is that you might not remember your past lives. Is there technique enabling you to do so? Your past lives are much closer and much more available to you than you might expect! We also discuss the First Incarnation, or the Purpose of Creation: The First Cause is Pure Awareness' desire to experience itself as Oneness in Many. And so...
Reincarnation (Part 1)
November 22, 2020 20:00 - 1 hour - 48.8 MBReincarnation is a fundamental feature in many Eastern schools of thought and is significant in Christian mysticism as well as in many cultures around the world. Each of us asks the question, "what carries forward after this body dies?" In Part 1, we discuss what makes a scientific theory good in order to present Reincarnation as a rational theory. Since every theory is just a metaphor for Reality (the map is never the territory), we explore what Reincarnation can do for us with regards to ...
Dharma: Finding Your Purpose
November 17, 2020 20:00 - 1 hour - 54.2 MBIn this episode, we talk about Mick Jagger, Wall Street brokers and the Bhagavad Gita to explain both cosmic and personal Dharma. What is the purpose of Creation? What is your role in all of that? What is your purpose? We discuss how our spiritual practice can cultivate the insight to know what your purpose is as well as the courage to pursue it. Finally, we talk about how living your purpose can help your spiritual practice. Join me in this special Navaratri episode devoted to the goddess S...
Dharma: Finding Your Purpose
November 17, 2020 20:00 - 1 hour - 54.2 MBIn this episode, we talk about Mick Jagger, Wall Street brokers and the Bhagavad Gita to explain both cosmic and personal Dharma. What is the purpose of Creation? What is your role in all of that? What is your purpose? We discuss how our spiritual practice can cultivate the insight to know what your purpose is as well as the courage to pursue it. Finally, we talk about how living your purpose can help your spiritual practice. Join me in this special Navaratri episode devoted to the goddess S...
Romantic Relationships as Spiritual Practice
November 13, 2020 16:00 - 56 minutes - 38.9 MBWhat is Love? What is Romantic Love? And what role do these intimate relationships have to play in our spiritual lives? Today we discuss how our culture primes us to "fall" in love without ever teaching us how to BE in Love. We explore the common failings and disappointments in this domain of life and cap it off with a discussion of Bhakti Yoga and how to spiritualize our intimate relationships. Support the Show.