Swatantrya: the Yoga of Health and Freedom

Tantra: Consciousness as Creative

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 13:18:35 -0400

This is part of a teacher training talk which introduces the tantric philosophy of Kashmir Shaivism. With the advent of this philosophy, the creativity of consciousness — and thus of meditation — becomes a new inspiration for, and approach to, practice.

9 minutes

Spiritual Obstacles: Granthis and the Chakras

Sat, 31 May 2008 10:46:25 -0400

From a teacher training talk, explaining how and why the hatha yogis adjusted the focus and practice of yoga with regard to spiritual obstacles that arise. This perspective makes the teachings regarding the ‘chakras’ a lot easier to understand!

Length: 13 minutes

Yoga For Peace Radio Interview

Wed, 28 May 2008 10:45:02 -0400

Before giving a talk at Montgomery College near Houston Texas, I did an interview with Yoga For Peace radio which touched upon this topic as well as a number of others related to yoga and spirituality both east and west. Here is the edited version of this interview — with all of the extra stuff like announcements taken out.

Swadhyaya: the Study of the Self

Wed, 4 Apr 2007 13:53:28 -0400

In a short talk at the beginning of a workshop in Charleston South Carolina, Doug explains the origin of yoga, and how yoga is not the study of a system, ‘style’ or set of principles, but the quest to know ones own Self. This is both yoga and the meeting point between Tantric mysticism and the Christian mysticism of luminaries such as St. Francis and Meister Eckhart. The talk concludes with an explanation of the nature of the practices by which yoga is fulfilled. 16 minutes.

Understanding Kundalini

Wed, 4 Apr 2007 13:45:30 -0400

In June of 2006 Doug gave a one day workshop on “The Awakened Breath,” exploring the power of the Kundalini as it is experienced in the various forms and traditions of yogic practice.
In this selection from his talks, he draws upon his own personal experience of this awakening, as well as from a number of authoritative tantric texts and respected works, including Sir John Woodroffe’s seminal book, “The Serpent Power,” Harish Johari’s book “Chakras,” and the classic text, “Devatma Shakti.”
These lectures are an excellent introduction to the Kundalini tradition at the heart of yogic practice.