438. Kavitha Chinnaiyan, M.D.

Kavitha ChinnaiyanKavitha Chinnaiyan, MD, is a cardiologist, meditation teacher and tantrika. She became drawn to the Direct Path through the teachings of Greg Goode and Sri Atmananda Krishna Menon, and has studied yoga, Sri Vidya Sadhana, Vedanta and Tantra through the teachings of Chinmaya Mission, Sri Premananda, Sally Kempton, Paul Muller-Ortega and Sri Chaitanyananda Natha Saraswati. She blends her expertise in cardiology with her knowledge of Ayurveda, yoga, Vedanta, Tantra, and the Direct Path in her approach to healing, enabling patients to discover bliss amid chronic illness. She is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine in Rochester, MI.

She is the author of

Website: kavithamd.com

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Transcript of this interview

Interview recorded January 20, 2018

Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast.

YouTube Video Chapters:

  • 00:00:00 – Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump
  • 00:04:34 – The Direct Path vs Progressive Path
  • 00:08:27 – The Direct Path and Neo-Vedanta
  • 00:12:05 – Witnessing in Tantra
  • 00:16:25 – Discovering the Unobservable through Spiritual Path
  • 00:21:18 – Redefining Gender Roles and the Divine Feminine
  • 00:26:15 – The Mahavidyas: Goddesses of Darkness and Light
  • 00:30:14 – Reconciling Ahimsa with the Reality of the Universe
  • 00:33:55 – The Intelligent Universe and the Mahavidyas
  • 00:38:26 – Shiva and Shakti: The Creative Power
  • 00:42:53 – The Misunderstanding of Kali
  • 00:47:42 – The Black Goddess Kali and the I-Self
  • 00:51:36 – Refinement of the Sense of Self in Tantra
  • 00:55:19 – Tantric Philosophy and Rewiring the Body-Mind
  • 00:58:52 – The Role of Nadis in Kundalini Awakening
  • 01:02:50 – Differences between Vedanta and Tantra
  • 01:07:14 – Sri Yantra and Sri Vidya
  • 01:11:33 – The Power of Bija Mantras in Consciousness
  • 01:15:00 – The Use of Aum Mantra
  • 01:18:36 – Tara’s Shadow and Light Aspects
  • 01:22:54 – Chinnamasta: The Concealing and Revealing Power of the Divine
  • 01:27:05 – Stories of Delusion and Awakening in Hinduism
  • 01:31:38 – The Ashrama System and the Four Stages of Life
  • 01:36:08 – Elements of the Path of the Mahavidyas
  • 01:39:20 – The Ethics of Tantra
  • 01:43:54 – The Path of Tantra and Work in Progress
  • 01:48:26 – Cultivating Discernment and Discrimination
  • 01:52:39 – The Divine Feminine and the Shadow Side
  • 01:57:37 – Surrendering in Softness and Sweetness
  • 02:01:11 – Exploring Wellness through Ayurveda and Yoga
  • 02:04:10 – Music Introduction