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.