Kashmir Shaivism : The Secret Supreme

by Swami Lakshman Joo

Swami Lakshman Jee is the last living Master of the oral tradition in Kashmir Shaivism. This exposition of the non-dual philosophy with practical applications is his first book in English. The tantric teachings are hidden in a language of allusion and symbols. Swamiji offers the skeleton key of the oral tradition that allows access to secrets. The intent is to preserve the tradition and to make it available. The emphasis is on practical realization of Truth through the experience of Kundalini Yoga.

The author contrasts this realization with the concepts of liberation taught by other schools of Indian philosophy especially Advaita Vedanta Kashmir Shaivism. Liberation is unbroken awareness of this universe as one's own transcendental Consciousness. It is blissful realization.

About the Author:

Swami Lakshman Joo (1907-1991) also called Swami Lakshmanji Raina or Ishvara Svarupa, was a great yogi from an early age. He embodied a rare unity of a mystic and a pandit and was well-versed in Sanskrit and in the texts of the non-dualistic tradition of Kashmir Saivism. He is called the Abhinavagupta of the 20th century and is acknowledged as being the last authority of Kashmir Saivism to teach scholars and guide seekers on the spiritual path. He edited several Sanskrit texts and published Hindi translations and commentaries such as Abhinavagupta's Gitarthasangraha Sambapancasika, Utpaladeva's Sivastotravali, Abhinavagupta's Paratrisika Vivarana and others. Some of his teachings and lectures have been published in English: "Kashmir Saivism: The Secret Supreme", "The Awakening of Supreme Consciousness", "Self Realization in Kashmir Saivism" and in Hindi, "Trikasastra-Rahasya Prakriya".