Vijnana Bhairava : The Practice of Centring Awareness

by Swami Lakshman Joo

The Vijnana Bhairava is one of the most important Tantras of Kashmir Saivism, at least as far as the practical aspect of the yoga of this school is concerned. It teaches 112 dharanas, or ways of centring awareness and entering divine consciousness (which includes ordinary and extraordinary experience), as well as tantric methods of spiritual practice such as kundalini, mantra and mudra. The modern need to integrate all aspects of life makes this ancient text of great relevance to our times.

In this edition of the Vijnana Bhairava, the text is translated and commented upon by Swami Lakshman Joo, the last great master of the Kashmir Saiva tradition. In this respect, the book is unique. In his explanation of the dharanas he gives the deep significance and practical application of various methods of yoga,which give direct access to states of higher consciousness.

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. He was well-versed in Sanskrit and in the texts of the non-dualistic tradition of Kashmir Saivism. Swami Lakshman Joo is thought of as the last authority of Kashmir Saivism to teach scholars and guide seekers on the spiritual path- he is called the Abhinavagupta of the 20th century. 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. His commentary on the Saiva Sutras is coming out shortly.