Chitheads

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. The conversation touches on the ethical implications of Rasa and its potential to enhance our understanding of emotions and our connection to the divine.

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.

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 Kyle interviews Loriliai Biernacki, an 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).

Jacob Kyle interviews Samir Chopra about anxiety from a philosophical perspective — from traditions of Buddhism, existentialism, psychoanalysis and critical theory.

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

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.

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 the Amaraugha.