<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Conscious Pathways]]></title><description><![CDATA[Conscious Pathway's teacher Grant Shepherd offers personal sessions, workshops, and retreats about conscious sexuality and Kashmir Shaivism.]]></description><link>https://www.consciouspathways.net/latest</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Mon, 07 Sep 2026 18:36:42 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.consciouspathways.net/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Vijñāna Bhairava Dharanas:                                      Guided Kashmir Shaivite Centering Techniques on Insight Timer      ]]></title><link>https://www.consciouspathways.net/post/vijnanabhairava-dharanas</link><guid isPermaLink="false">66b20bef60c8744e6f96367b</guid><pubDate>Tue, 06 Aug 2024 11:53:25 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b2b108_b3809a3533eb4b398b1d0c071a2cfbb2~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Grant Shepherd</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Why The One Who Teaches You Meditation Must Be An Expert]]></title><description><![CDATA[Dear Fellow Pathfinder, You've probably noticed: in our modern world, the marketplace of "mindfulness" is crowded. You've likely seen them: weekend certifications and glossy apps promising instant enlightenment. It can feel like meditation is just another technique to perform—a box to tick on your self-improvement list. But as those of us who have walked this path know, meditation isn't just about the "prettiness" of life; it’s about learning to actively engage with all of life from the...]]></description><link>https://www.consciouspathways.net/post/why-the-one-who-teaches-you-meditation-must-be-an-expert-1</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a804ec3a7a7d1a936d42f46</guid><pubDate>Sat, 15 Aug 2026 11:37:09 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_c326037cc0a7477d80fa43b7a6c4837e~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Grant Shepherd</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Conscious Pathways Chronicle: Upcoming Summit Invitation]]></title><description><![CDATA[July 2026 Conscious Pathways Chronicle Posted by Grant Shepherd Dear Fellow Journeyer   Welcome to this edition of the Conscious Pathways Chronicle! This Chronicle is dedicated to a very special update:   I want to invite you to an event I’ll be practicing in and teaching at:   The Tantra for Turbulent Times Summit: Finding the Sacred in the Storm   The summit is a three-day online gathering happening July 25–27, 2026. The focus is straightforward: how to work with Tantric practice in the...]]></description><link>https://www.consciouspathways.net/post/conscious-pathways-chronicle-upcoming-summit-invitation</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a5f1f3bad31f9f079c9a91b</guid><pubDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 07:27:16 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b2b108_383d6afd52bf4145a8530fe65515b9f8~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Grant Shepherd</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Timeless Tradition of Tantra Belongs to Everyone]]></title><description><![CDATA[Lately I have been thinking deeply about tantra: what it is, how it has shaped my life, and the many benefits we can experience from learning this beautiful, timeless pathway. In my life, I have the great good fortune to teach many people from diverse backgrounds in New Zealand and around the world, and it is truly wonderful to see the transformation that happens for people when they follow the pathway of traditional tantra. One of the things I absolutely love about tantra is its inclusivity,...]]></description><link>https://www.consciouspathways.net/post/the-timeless-tradition-of-tantra-belongs-to-everyone-1</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a3b29dfe48ba4122ae8afdf</guid><pubDate>Wed, 24 Jun 2026 00:52:47 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_4db11bcfab1b4401958bdc62b70a3e1f~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Grant Shepherd</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Unlearning Yourself - An Introduction to Queer Tantra and a Life of Bliss]]></title><description><![CDATA[One in a series of podcast interviews with Nick Kientsch from Evolving Minds on Traditional Tantra, Neo Tantra, and Conscious Sexuality]]></description><link>https://www.consciouspathways.net/post/unlearning-yourself-an-introduction-to-queer-tantra-and-a-life-of-bliss</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a38e9561640018cc8c3fd2e</guid><category><![CDATA[Podcast Interviews]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 22 Jun 2026 21:02:17 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b2b108_67590d6061474fbeaaf9099f94594fec~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_640,h_640,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Grant Shepherd</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Tantra - Integrating the Slut and the Saint]]></title><description><![CDATA[One in a series of podcast interviews with Nick Kientsch from Evolving Minds on Traditional Tantra, Neo Tantra, and Conscious Sexuality]]></description><link>https://www.consciouspathways.net/post/tantra-integrating-the-slut-and-the-saint</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a38e8ddc1d03e67bb762ecd</guid><category><![CDATA[Podcast Interviews]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 22 Jun 2026 20:58:01 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b2b108_67590d6061474fbeaaf9099f94594fec~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_640,h_640,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Grant Shepherd</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[What If Every Day Were Pride? Tantra, Authenticity, and Shared Humanity]]></title><description><![CDATA[One in a series of podcast interviews with Nick Kientsch from Evolving Minds on Traditional Tantra, Neo Tantra, and Conscious Sexuality. Grant and Nick dive deep into these fascinating topics to help you navigate this often obscure terrain.]]></description><link>https://www.consciouspathways.net/post/what-if-every-day-were-pride-tantra-authenticity-and-shared-humanity</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a38e80d3898cb134f7c3c5d</guid><category><![CDATA[Podcast Interviews]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 22 Jun 2026 20:51:49 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b2b108_67590d6061474fbeaaf9099f94594fec~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_640,h_640,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Grant Shepherd</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Conscious Pathways Meditation]]></title><description><![CDATA[Dear Fellow Journeyer, Here is a gift for you! This small book has useful information on creating a daily meditation practice and also has a simple meditation on Hamsa, a breath-awareness meditation from the tantric meditation tradition of Kashmir Shaivism. Included below is a downloadable pdf for you. Also, here is the link to the flipbook format if you would like to read it that way: https://heyzine.com/flip-book/f01b7323bc.html I hope you find this gift useful and it helps you on your...]]></description><link>https://www.consciouspathways.net/post/conscious-pathways-meditation</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6a1dfe1f74254bcae08557de</guid><pubDate>Mon, 01 Jun 2026 22:04:56 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b2b108_89b11d0624164628ba6d4320c5b42199~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Grant Shepherd</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Conscious Pathways Meditation Questions and Answers]]></title><description><![CDATA[Q: What is Conscious Pathways Meditation? A: Conscious Pathways Meditation is a simple, natural, and easy pathway of meditation. Through the practical and accessible teachings of Conscious Pathways, you can experience the time-honored benefits of meditation, right here and now. Q: What is Walking a Conscious Pathway? A: Walking a Conscious Pathway is learning how to live consciously by walking through life consciously with awareness, bringing your state of natural meditation to wherever you...]]></description><link>https://www.consciouspathways.net/post/conscious-pathways-meditation-questions-and-answers</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69af9d45c674490e6e215cdd</guid><pubDate>Tue, 10 Mar 2026 04:33:25 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/00ae5bf90a404c66b2813394c059edc5.jpg/v1/fit/w_752,h_400,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Grant Shepherd</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[GURUS BEHAVING BADLY]]></title><description><![CDATA[[EDITED TRANSCRIPT OF THE VIDEO TALK “GURUS BEHAVING BADLY, JANUARY 3 2026] [VIDEO AVAILABLE ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGun6RUKWhY&#38;t=314s ] [CONSCIOUS PATHWAYS RESOURCE LIBRARY https://www.consciouspathways.net/latest ] Welcome. In this talk we are going to explore a subject that a lot of people like to talk about and discuss, particularly now in light of the Epstein files, and that is “Gurus Behaving Badly”. Gurus behaving badly. Gurus behaving badly. There's a bit of that...]]></description><link>https://www.consciouspathways.net/post/gurus-behaving-badly</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69a77335b7ed4896814a67b4</guid><pubDate>Tue, 03 Mar 2026 23:51:31 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/a2238e0ac9de412bbaf0d374ac5e70c1.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Grant Shepherd</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Discover the Transformative Power of a Conscious Pathways Retreat]]></title><description><![CDATA[A Sanctuary for the Overwhelmed Do you need some time out? Are you feeling stressed, tired, and overwhelmed most of the time? Perhaps you need a retreat. A Conscious Pathways retreat is not simply a holiday; it is an intentional, structured, and transformative experience. It offers a supportive space designed to help individuals step out of the "digital drama" and mental clutter of modern life. A Conscious Pathways retreat provides you with an “Intentional Pause” to reconnect with your...]]></description><link>https://www.consciouspathways.net/post/why-attend-a-conscious-pathways-retreat</link><guid isPermaLink="false">698a47035ce248ef4484157b</guid><pubDate>Mon, 09 Feb 2026 20:49:52 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b2b108_6f967c3de6374f8f87f3ac61a2d55acb~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_768,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Grant Shepherd</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[What is Tantra?]]></title><description><![CDATA[Dear Fellow Journeyer, Throughout my years of teaching, I have been asked this question often: “What is Tantra?” Nowadays in the West, Tantra is often thought to be about pleasure, sex, and intimacy with others; however, Tantra is much more. Beginning in India in the 5 th  Century, Classical Tantra is a system of knowledge and practice to help you understand life by deeply knowing yourself. Classical Tantra includes meditation and many other techniques of yoga to create something very...]]></description><link>https://www.consciouspathways.net/post/what-is-tantra-1</link><guid isPermaLink="false">697fc07c61a759763fafcf63</guid><pubDate>Sun, 01 Feb 2026 21:10:39 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b2b108_a143ca2af5794b18bb13be74ea0933cd~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Grant Shepherd</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Does Meditation Really Alleviate Suffering?]]></title><description><![CDATA[[EDITED TRANSCRIPT OF THE VIDEO TALK “DOES MEDITATION REALLY ALLEVIATE SUFFERING?” JANUARY 17, 2026] [VIDEO AVAILABLE ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rkAxKQL-Gg ] [VIDEO AVAILABLE ON THE CONSCIOUS PATHWAYS WEBSITE RESOURCE LIBRARY: https://www.consciouspathways.net/latest] Hello there. Welcome. Happy 2026. Happy New Year. So, the New Year is beginning. Maybe you've returned back from holidays. Maybe you've had a great vacation. Maybe you're ready to get back into work. You're...]]></description><link>https://www.consciouspathways.net/post/does-meditation-really-alleviate-suffering</link><guid isPermaLink="false">697d1b0b5d5080524e81a2c0</guid><pubDate>Fri, 30 Jan 2026 21:07:18 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b2b108_c7b7b7a29e564b4a9c5fe6aad42d5f0b~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Grant Shepherd</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[What is Shaktipat?]]></title><description><![CDATA[In my meditation teaching work, I often get asked, “What is shaktipat?” Shaktipat is the descent of Grace - the transmission of spiritual energy or shakti. There are many views on whether shaktipat is “received”, “given”, or “taken”. Some teachers “give” it, some realized Masters “transmit” it with no formal initiation process, and sometimes it is a spontaneous transmission direct from Universal Consciousness. Forms of Shaktipat: Spontaneous Grace:  This spiritual awakening occurs...]]></description><link>https://www.consciouspathways.net/post/what-is-shaktipat</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68f1ba9960ceb7e0d10153bd</guid><pubDate>Fri, 17 Oct 2025 03:49:09 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_e2a16020d59048eba12fb03810ff6fa7~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Grant Shepherd</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Discovering the Wellness Benefits of Conscious Pathways Retreats]]></title><description><![CDATA[Dear Friend, If you have an interest in conscious living, I'm sure you would have heard the term "Wellness" at some point. But what is...]]></description><link>https://www.consciouspathways.net/post/discovering-the-wellness-benefits-of-conscious-pathways-retreats</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68d05ea1f8183e2492954c8c</guid><pubDate>Mon, 22 Sep 2025 21:49:55 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b2b108_eba892b260784471a4b07ddf5de0d618~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_768,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Grant Shepherd</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Intersection of Meditation and Wellness: A Path to Inner Peace]]></title><description><![CDATA[Meditation, a time-honored practice in many spiritual traditions, has carved a significant niche in today's wellness boom. Its teachings and practices are increasingly included in modern wellness routines as people seek genuine rest from the chaos of everyday life. In this blog post, let's explore how the time-honored practice of meditation can enhance our overall wellness. The History of Meditation Meditation has a rich history that spans thousands of years. Understanding its past elevates...]]></description><link>https://www.consciouspathways.net/post/timeless-wisdom-in-modern-wellness-meditation-a-pathway-of-discovery</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67da93c5ffa822b8d8a59951</guid><pubDate>Tue, 20 May 2025 10:31:35 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b2b108_6afaa0ad70e84d6791b1cc291ed2e8fe~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_768,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Grant Shepherd</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Embracing Clothed Tantric Work: A Path to Healing and Liberation]]></title><description><![CDATA[Dear Friends, I often get asked this question: “As a tantra and meditation teacher, why do you teach clothed tantric work in your...]]></description><link>https://www.consciouspathways.net/post/the-relationship-between-tantra-meditation-and-clothes</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67b99c28efd67e3d7e314e3f</guid><pubDate>Mon, 24 Feb 2025 04:22:22 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_5e8d00358d2a4b75853438cb1a95ecd4~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Grant Shepherd</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Four Key Benefits of Attending a Conscious Pathways Retreat.]]></title><description><![CDATA[People often ask me, what is the difference between going to a Conscious Pathways Retreat and going on holiday? Here are four key...]]></description><link>https://www.consciouspathways.net/post/four-key-benefits-of-attending-a-conscious-pathways-retreat</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67b9a06abb65c92eab08d6b9</guid><pubDate>Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:05:39 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_3835d81431f54316a09bbd987b795203~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Grant Shepherd</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Deep Belly Breath: From Stressed to Calm in One Simple Breath.]]></title><description><![CDATA[Dear Friends, How is life? Things are good? Bit of stress here and there? News bulletins, traffic jams, job deadlines, finances, family...]]></description><link>https://www.consciouspathways.net/post/deep-belly-breath-from-stressed-to-calm-in-one-simple-breath</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67b99e55efd67e3d7e31559b</guid><pubDate>Sat, 22 Feb 2025 09:52:55 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/3d41f3c5c0194472bf3c193605ce2dbf.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Grant Shepherd</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[What is a Conscious Pathways Retreat?]]></title><description><![CDATA[Introducing Conscious Pathways Hello and welcome to Conscious Pathways! My name is Grant Shepherd, and for the past 30 years I have...]]></description><link>https://www.consciouspathways.net/post/what-is-a-conscious-pathways-retreat</link><guid isPermaLink="false">638298d6b7802d04f6090dd1</guid><pubDate>Thu, 30 Jan 2025 05:41:33 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/56c5d4d0e589471eb39ec3a9ac653b17.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Grant Shepherd</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>