In this episode of Path of Mantra, we explore two radically different paradigms of spiritual life: Maya and Leela.

Is this world an illusion to be transcended—or a divine play to consciously participate in?

Drawing from personal experience across Buddhist, Advaita Vedanta, and Tantric paths, I share the profound shift that occurs when you move from a life-denying spirituality rooted in renunciation and negation, to a life-affirming spirituality rooted in sacred embodiment, growth, and conscious manifestation.

You’ll learn:

• The core difference between Maya (illusion) and Leela (divine play) worldviews
• Why some spiritual traditions emphasize escape and extinction as the goal—and others celebrate aspirations, growth, and conscious living
• How these views shape your day-to-day practices, your emotional health, and your relationship to self, others, and the world
• Why Tantra offers a more integrative, embodied path for spiritual seekers in the modern age
• How to discern which teachings to absorb and which to set aside, especially in today’s hyperconnected spiritual landscape

This episode is a wake-up call for anyone who has been subtly shaming their desires, denying their personality, and avoiding the world in the name of spirituality, or feeling conflicted between transcendence and participation.

The Tantric invitation is clear: play the divine game with awareness, with mantra as your sacred tool.

In this episode of Path of Mantra, we dive into the transformative power of Sankalpa Shakti—your inner force of will, determination, and spiritual resolve.

More than wishful thinking, sankalpa is the sacred fuel of sadhana. It's what gives weight to your mantras. Without it, your spiritual practice lacks vitality, and your mind is easily overpowered by distractions or doubts.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• What Sankalpa Shakti is and why it's the hidden engine behind successful spiritual practices
• How to increase your willpower through intentional language, mental intensity, and emotional charge
• Why breaking a spiritual promise weakens your energy body—and how to make amends if it happens
• Real-life examples of how sankalpa affects your karma, emotional stability, and spiritual connection
• The connection between sankalpa, self-discipline, and the spiritual power known as Vāk Siddhi—the ability for your words to manifest reality

From Jain daily willpower practices to mantra-based commitments made before deity and fire, this episode emphasizes that your word is your bond—and your spiritual power begins where your promises hold.

If you want your mantra practice to become alive, magnetic, and effective, this is a foundational teaching to understand and embody.

In this second episode of the Path of Mantra podcast, we explore the three essential pillars of effective mantra practice: Focus, Faith, and Feeling.

Why is it that some people do their mantras and rituals for months—or years—yet experience little result? More often than not, it’s not the mantra that’s lacking power… rather, it's a lack in the practitioner’s manas shakti—the applied force of the mind. This force expresses itself through three key inner qualities:

• Focus – the ability to center your awareness, train your attention, and stay fully present with each repetition. You’ll learn specific techniques to increase your concentration, including trataka, thoughtless meditation, and sankalpa sadhana.
• Faith – in the deity, the mantra, the master, and in yourself. It's the unwavering inner knowing that the deity is real, the mantra is authentic, the guru is true, and you have the potential to awaken. You’ll learn how to deal with doubt and grow faith through daily practice and study.
• Feeling – the emotional depth and devotion that magnetizes the deity. You’ll hear how to develop a connection of pranas with the divine through the use of imagination, image-gazing, mantra-infused breathwork, and sacred storytelling.

Together, these three forces activate mantra on all levels—mind, soul, and subtle body. Without them, even a perfect mantra remains inert. With them, even an imperfect mantra becomes transformative.

If you’ve been doing mantra japa without breakthroughs—or if you’re just beginning—this episode will give you the internal tools to supercharge your sadhana and step into a true spiritual connection with your deity.