Welcome to the Awakening Archives
The Awakening Archive is a sacred gateway into the teachings of Mark Griffin (1954–2018), a realized master in the tradition of the Siddhas and founder of the Hard Light Center of Awakening. Mark was not only a brilliant spiritual teacher—he was a living embodiment of Nirvikalpa Samadhi, the ultimate state of yogic realization beyond thought, time, and form.
Through talks, guided meditations, and transmissions of consciousness, he illuminated topics like Kundalini, breath as a vehicle of realization, and the non-dual wisdom of Mahamudra—making even the most esoteric truths accessible to modern seekers.
Explore a vast library of audio, video, and written teachings—starting with our free 8-week introduction The Fundamentals of Spiritual Practice or diving deep through curated collections of teachings by topic, available with membership.
About Meditation Master Mark Griffin
Mark Griffin was an American spiritual teacher in the lineage of Swami Muktananda, as well as a practicing artist and musician. Born on August 28th, 1954 in the Pacific Northwest, Mark would go on to attend the San Francisco Conservatory of Music (1976-1979) and the Academy of Art University in San Francisco.
In 1976 Mark met his Guru, Swami Muktananda, the disciple of Bhagawan Nityananda of Ganeshpuri. After seven years of full-time immersion in the study of meditation, mostly at Muktananda’s Oakland Ashram in California, Mark encountered a milestone of extreme spiritual significance – entrance into the advanced state of consciousness known as nirvikalpa samadhi. Very shortly thereafter, Muktananda died, and Mark spent the following six years studying meditation with Kalu Rinpoche.
In 1989, after attracting several interested students, Mark began to teach meditation. He and his students relocated to Los Angeles and started the Hard Light Center of Awakening, a forum dedicated to the art and science of awareness of the Self.
Around 2015, Mark began to encounter accelerating health issues, and he dropped his body on October 24th, 2018. He leaves behind a profound body of work, and the power of these teachings will live on in this archive.
AWAKENING ARCHIVE & On-Demand Courses
Explore Mark Griffin’s vast library of written, audio, and video teachings on meditation, Kundalini, and the path of spiritual practice. This archive offers guided meditations and comprehensive spiritual discourse from the Tantric Tradition. Become a member and ignite your inner journey of awakening today.
Become a Member
Unlock the transformative Tantric teachings of Meditation Master Mark Griffin with a membership to the Awakening Archives. For just $15 a month, you gain access to an extensive and growing library of over 100 hours of audio teachings, and written transcripts that delve into Tantric spiritual practice, Kundalini, meditation, yoga, and Eastern mysticism. Plus, enjoy a 10% discount for a six-month membership or a 20% discount for one year. Ideal for students who wish to delve deeper into Tantric practice and the Siddha path of knowledge with insights from an Awakened Master.
$15/month Membership Includes:
🔑 Over 100 hours of profound audio teachings
đź“ś Written transcripts to accompany the audio
🌸 By Topic – Specialized learning paths on Tantra, Kundalini, Meditation, & more
🕰️ Self-paced learning – Explore at your own pace, anytime
Discounts:
10% off for 6-month membership
20% off for 1-year membership
LEARN THE FUNDAMENTALS OF SPIRITUAL PRACTICE
Begin Your Journey Into Tantric Spiritual Practice
In today’s fast-moving world, many of us long for depth, peace, and a direct experience of the sacred. The ancient Tantric and Siddha traditions offer a powerful, time-tested path of awakening—one that begins not with belief, but with practice. This free, self-paced introduction invites you to explore Mark Griffin’s foundational teachings on meditation, breath, the architecture of the human form, and how to gain inner awareness. Whether you're new to spiritual life, a long time practitioner of meditation, or simply seeking to reconnect with your practice, this 7-module course is a doorway into a deeper relationship with your own consciousness through dedicated practice.
THE HARD LIGHT CENTER OF AWAKENING
In 1989, Mark Griffin founded the Hard Light School of Awakening in Los Angeles, California. A teacher of extraordinary ability, Mark spoke with incredible power and precision regarding the inner and outer dimensions of Tantric spiritual training. The transmission of Shaktipat awakening, or Kundalini energy, was at the heart of Mark’s connection with his students.
Though he left his body in October of 2018, Mark’s teachings, tools, guidance, and grace still offer limitless opportunities to engage the Inner Teacher and to continue the dialog of discovery and recognition of the Self. In the Hard Light Center archives, there are hundreds of audio and video recordings of Mark’s Meditation Intensives, weekly meditation programs, retreats, philosophy classes, and pilgrimages to India. These materials form the core of study at the center.
The ongoing presence of Siddha Master Mark Griffin is always clear during these teachings and meditation sessions providing a direct transmission of these timeless Truths. Please join the Hard Light Center of Awakening for weekly programs, bi–monthly Meditation Intensives, and semi–annual retreats, both in–person and online.
THE ART OF MARK GRIFFIN
As an artist Mark Griffin (1954-2018) worked across various mediums, including painting, sculpture, photography, and experimental music. From his early days as an art student in San Francisco in the late '70s, painting and drawing were the mainstays of his varied practice. He amassed thousands of works on canvas and paper along the way, employing a boldly colorful and expressionistic style. Additionally, Mark created large scale photographic works, photo-montage sculpture, lost wax bronze sculpture, as well as a singular body of experimental, home recorded music.
Mark worked mostly in isolation at his Oxnard, CA studio. Because of this isolation, he was able to hone an expressive and unique style while dealing with his own Kundalini awakening. His artwork catalogs this spiritual journey in vivid and sometimes terrifying ways. Visit, The Art of Mark Griffin…