Lights of Kailash

A Tantric Path of Self Realization

Cycle of 5 Years of Teaching

Residential Retreats with Michalis Mourtzis

(Swami Chandrashekarnanda)

This series of teachings is an in depth approach to the wonders of the tantric traditions of India. The tantric traditions are among the most profound and transformative spiritual paths in the world. Rooted in ancient wisdom, Tantra is not merely about rituals or esoteric practices - it is a holistic system designed to awaken our full potential as human beings

Tantra teaches that everything in life is sacred and that spiritual realization is possible through embracing, rather than denying, the world around us. Its practices include meditation, mantra, breathwork, visualization, and energy work, all aimed at expanding consciousness and dissolving inner limitations

Today, these teachings are more relevant than ever. In a world of stress, disconnection, and constant distraction, Tantra offers a way back to wholeness.

By learning to integrate body, mind, and spirit, we can experience deeper intimacy, creativity, and presence in our daily lives. Tantra invites us to live fully - awake, empowered, and connected to the sacredness of existence

* These retreats are designed so that everyone can participate, regardless of their level in meditation and are addressed to those who want to connect more deeply with themselves and evolve consciously.

*The teaching will be in English language with simultaneous translation in Greek. In case there is not a sufficient number of non-Greek speakers, the teaching will be in Greek language with simultaneous translation in English

The series will include different models of growth mainly from the rich tantric traditions of Kashmir Shaivism

There will be teachings on the main texts, mainly:

Shiva Sutras
Spanda Karicas
Vijnana Bhairava
Pratyabhijnahridayam

In the light of the 4 upayas (Anupaya, Shambhavopaya, Shaktopaya and Anovopaya), we will discover the core practices of Kashmir Shaivism:

Vichara (Self-Inquiry) – Deep inner investigation into "who am I"? and "what is my true nature"? to dissolve the illusion of separation
Vikalpa-Kshaya (Dissolution of Mental Constructs) – Observing thoughts as they arise and letting them dissolve, returning to the pure awareness beneath them
Shambhavi Mudra – A subtle gaze at the space between the eyebrows (brow center) while staying relaxed and aware of inner silence
Pranayama (Breath Awareness & Expansion) – Techniques such as Spanda breathing to feel the pulsation of consciousness in every breath
Uccara – Sound & Mantra
Pratyabhijna (Recognition) – Recognizing that every perception, even ordinary life events, are manifestations of Shiva — cultivating divine perception
Spanda Practice (Sensing the Pulsation of Awareness) – Tuning into the subtle throb of consciousness in the body and mind, often in moments between two thoughts

Together, these practices shift the seeker from an ego-centered identity to recognition (pratyabhijna) of their true nature as pure, unlimited awareness. Kashmir Shaivism is a path of integration rather than renunciation—embracing life as a playground for awakening

The teaching will explore each time a system of Shakti and Shiva as a process of growth for energy and consciousness, starting with the rich tantra of Ganesha and expanding into:

The model of the 10 Mahavidyas

The 10 Mahavidyas form a complete map of spiritual evolution, guiding us through fear, challenge, beauty, discipline, and grace toward ultimate freedom and awakening

Kali – She is the fierce force of time and transformation, destroying illusion and liberating us from fear

Tara – She is the compassionate guide who carries us across life’s challenges to wisdom and freedom

Tripura Sundari – She reveals the beauty and harmony underlying all creation, inviting us into blissful awareness

Bhuvaneshwari – She embodies the vastness of space, teaching us to hold life with openness and acceptance

Chinnamasta – She is the shocking power of self-sacrifice and awakening, cutting through ego to reveal truth

Bhairavi – She represents fierce tapas (inner discipline), urging us to burn away impurities with courage

Dhumavati – She is the wise crone who teaches through loss, disappointment, and the stillness of the void

Bagalamukhi – She is the power of silence and stillness, stopping negativity and revealing inner strength

Matangi – She inspires us to embrace our authentic voice, creativity, and unconventional wisdom

Kamala – She is the radiant goddess of abundance and grace, blessing us with prosperity and harmony

The Avatars of Lord Shiva

These forms teach us that transformation often requires both destruction and creation, that true wisdom comes with detachment, and that balance of opposites is essential for wholeness. Meditating on Shiva’s avatars invites us to awaken courage, dissolve ego, and embrace the dance of life with awareness and grace. Together they present the many ways Shiva expresses his power and compassion in the world. Shiva’s avatars are often symbolic forms that embody specific cosmic functions

These include:

Virabhadra

The fierce warrior who destroys arrogance and injustice;

Bhikshatana

The naked mendicant who teaches humility and detachment;

Nataraja

The cosmic dancer who creates and dissolves the universe with each movement

Ardhanarishvara

The union of masculine and feminine energies, symbolizing ultimate balance

Some of the other avatars we will explore will be:

Chanda

Ajapaad

Shambhu

Virupaksha

Bhava

Pingal

Kapali

The model of the 9 Durgas

Represents nine distinct aspects of the Divine Mother, each guiding us through a different stage of inner transformation. From Shailputri, who awakens our connection to the earth and grounding, to Siddhidatri, who bestows spiritual fulfillment, the Navadurga embody a complete journey of growth. They teach us courage, self-discipline, devotion, fearlessness, and compassion, while helping us overcome negativity and ignorance. In the context of personal growth, the Nine Durgas remind us that challenges are opportunities for empowerment. By invoking and meditating on these goddesses, we learn to face difficulties with strength, purify our intentions, nurture our highest qualities, and move closer to our true potential. This model is a roadmap for transforming our fears and limitations into wisdom, resilience, and spiritual power

The 11 Rudras

Represent the fierce, transformative energies of Lord Shiva, guiding us toward spiritual realization by breaking down the layers of illusion. Each Rudra embodies a specific force that burns away ignorance, purifies the mind, and awakens inner strength. Symbolically, the Rudras reflect aspects of our own psyche—anger, restlessness, attachment—that, when understood and transcended, become sources of power rather than bondage. As a model for realization, the 11 Rudras remind us that liberation often comes through confronting the intensity of life rather than avoiding it. By invoking these energies through meditation, mantra, and self-inquiry, we learn to face fear, dissolve ego, and channel raw emotion into clarity and wisdom. The Rudras teach that spiritual awakening is not passive but a fiery process of transformation, ultimately revealing our own inner Shiva—pure, free, and luminous.

*There might be additional practices each year, depending on the dynamic of the group