Jeffrey S. Lidke

Jeffrey S. Lidke is a Professor of Religious Studies and Chair of the Department of Religion and Philosophy at Berry College. He holds a B.A. from the University of Colorado (1990), M.A. (1996), and Ph.D. (2000) in South Asia Religion and Philosophy from the University of California, Santa Barbara. A Fulbright Dissertation Fellow to Nepal (1996-97), his research focuses on Nepalese Tantra, South Asian religious traditions, and the intersection of contemplative practices with neuroscience. His major works include The Goddess Within and Beyond the Three Cities (2017) and Viśvarūpa Maṇḍir: A Study of Chaṅgu Nārāyaṇa (2017). Key research areas include Śākta Tantra's political theology, Abhinavagupta's monistic philosophy, and the neuroscientific implications of Tantric meditative practices. His work bridges textual analysis with ethnographic fieldwork in Nepal and India.

Education:

• B.A., Religious Studies, University of Colorado (1990)
• M.A., South Asia Religion and Philosophy, University of California, Santa Barbara (1996)
• Ph.D., South Asia Religion and Philosophy, University of California, Santa Barbara (2000)

Research Interests:

• Indian and Nepalese Tantra
• Kashmir Śaivism
• Cognitive Neuroscience of Contemplative Practices
• Embodied Mysticism in Art and Dance
• Maṇḍala Theory and Political Theology

Key Contributions:

• Pioneered studies on the Sarvāmnāya Tantra system
• Explored neuroscientific applications of Tantric meditation
• Edited volumes on South Asian religious practices and ecology

Awards:

• Fulbright Dissertation Fellowship (1996-97)

Professional Activities:

• Co-editor of Southeast Review of Asian Studies
• Interviews on Tantric philosophy and Yoga-Neuroscience connections