Tantra Yoga: Journey to Unbreakable Wholeness, A Memoir

Part inspirational memoir, part philosophical teaching, part practical application, this book is an accessible, actionable guide to the true Tantra -- not the sex-focused version that popular culture promotes. Todd Norian, founder of Ashaya Yoga and international spiritual teacher, brings to life Nondual Śaiva-Śākta Tantra, the revolutionary philosophy that has been misunderstood and largely hidden... until now. Often regulated to the realm of theological history and academia, Nondual Śaiva-Śākta Tantra is an ancient, powerful path of heart-centric learning, and Todd is the perfect guide to that path. Since his first encounter with it more than 25 years ago, he has sought to understand, teach, and apply its lessons, creating an entirely new Tantra-based yoga lineage along the way.By steadfastly following his heart, Todd has lived an uncommon life: living like a monk for 13 years at the then-ashram Kripalu in Massachusetts; going overboard on meditative practices and ending up in a psych ward; and overcoming the heartbreak of being spiritually betrayed by beloved teachers -- not once, but twice. Now, writing with gentle, compassionate authority, he shares the life-changing philosophy that taught him how to embrace all of it -- the pain, disillusionment, and suffering -- as the gift it was always meant to be. "Here's the quintessential Tantric attitude: everything in life is for your awakening. The alternative - that some things are for your awakening, but others are not - imply that some things should not have happened. You must have failed in some way or made a mistake; you must have zigged when you should have zagged on the spiritual path. But if you believe that everything is for your awakening, light and dark, then you are empowered to make meaning that uplifts your life. This is the yogic journey that has seen me through every one of my dark episodes. In Nondual Śaiva-Śākta Tantra, when the night sky is the darkest, that's when the stars shine the brightest."By setting down on paper his remarkable journey, woven together with Tantric teachings, Todd gives seekers the tools that have changed his life forever for the better - not by lecturing in a scholarly way, but by bringing Tantra to life with humor and day-to-day relevance.Who are those "seekers"? There are 36 million active yogis in America. That number grew by 50% in four years... and it's still growing. They practice yoga to get more flexible, to heal an aching back, to reduce stress. Yet in time, many of these practitioners want more. They want to go deeper. Yes, yoga makes me feel better, but what lies underneath? How can I be happy? How can I live a meaningful life? Relatable, funny, candid, Todd has written this book for those individuals, the ones who are looking for a heart-centered path to life fulfillment. It will inspire readers to access their own hearts, leading them from the unknown to the known, from darkness to light, and from fear to love as they walk their own paths of hope, happiness, and true transformation.