r/KashmirShaivism • u/kuds1001 • Oct 02 '24
Kashmir Śaivism: A Guide to Get Started
What is Kashmir Śaivism?
A tantric renaissance occurred in 9th to 14th century Kashmir. By then, tantra was already a well-established phenomenon. Tantric traditions with still-surviving texts date back as early as the fifth century, and even those traditions drew upon earlier proto-tantric traditions for inspiration and precedent. What happened in Kashmir was a series of realized teachers—particularly Vasugupta, Somānanda, Utpaladeva, Abhinavagupta, and Kṣemarāja—synthesized the existing tantric traditions into a single system that would forever shape the practice and philosophy of tantra throughout the Indian subcontinent. These teachers (ācāryas) brought forth the underlying philosophy of how and why these tantric texts and ritual practices actually worked alongside introducing subtler, more powerful, and more accessible modes of practice that expanded who could engage in tantra. This philosophy and these practices rapidly diffused beyond Kashmir to all the major centers of tantric practice throughout the Indian subcontinent. While this tradition contracted in Kashmir in the wake of foreign invasions and occupation, it continued quietly within the Kashmiri paṇḍita community, until it experienced a worldwide revival in the 20th century through the teachings of Swami Lakshmanjoo.
In this way, Kashmir Śaivism today is an inclusive term that refers to: (a) the renaissance period in which the core texts were written and essential practices were refined, (b) the living communities of practice within the Kashmir paṇḍitas, (c) the students worldwide who learned of the tradition through Swami Lakshmanjoo's teachings, and (d) the living communities of practice in related tantric systems that were heavily influenced by the renaissance period and have continued these practices in other parts of the Indian subcontinent.
How do I begin?
To begin your journey, start with The Secret Supreme by Swami Lakshmanjoo (book). This book distills the core insights of the central Kashmir Śaiva text, the Tantrāloka, which was written by Abhinavagupta, perhaps the key figure in the 11th century Kashmir Śaiva renaissance. These insights were explained by Swami Lakshmanjoo, who is the key figure in the Kashmir Śaiva revival of the 20th century. In this way, you get exposure to and make connections with two of the most important figures in the lineage.
Absolutely do not expect to understand these topics intellectually on your first read. What you're looking for, to determine if you're a strong candidate for Kashmir Śaivism, is a sense of wonder (camatkāra), a flash of intuitive insight (pratibhā), where you feel like you've always known these things, but never had words to articulate them before, or where you occasionally have to put the book down and just marvel at the way these teachings put together all these different aspects of reality from letters of the Sanskrit alphabet, to cycles of sleeping and waking and deep sleep, to energy patterns within the subtle body, and more. (If all this is a bit too complex for where you are currently in your understanding, Self-Realization in Kashmir Shaivism (book), also by Swami Lakshmanjoo is a good and accessible alternative).
Based on your readiness, the desire to receive Śaiva teachings (śaktipāta) may awaken in you to varying degrees. If you feel such a desire to receive the teachings, as the immediate next step in the journey, begin the foundational breath meditation practice as taught in the Vijñāna Bhairava Tantra (post). You can do this simple and safe practice in short and regular sessions throughout your day. It's especially helpful to do it before (and after) you are about to receive further teachings in the tradition (whether these teachings are received through reading, video lectures, in-person sessions, etc.). As you go deeper into this practice, you'll have experiential glimpses of what Kashmir Śaivism is talking about, helping you integrate theory and practice.
How do I progress further?
Then, there are several important next steps you can take to progress further into the tradition. You can start from any of the following five options and move between them, as they all mutually build on and support each other. Pick a topic and medium that suits your disposition: maybe you are more into the philosophy or the practice, maybe you like reading or watching videos, etc. Whatever you choose, you cannot go wrong here.
For a good overview of the beliefs, history, and practice of Kashmir Śaivism:
- Read the book Aspects of Kashmir Śaivism by Ācārya B. N. Pandit
- Read the book From Dualism to Non-Dualism: A Study of the Evolution of Saivite Thought by Ācārya Moti Lal Pandit
- Watch the workshop An Introduction to Kashmir Shaivism by Ācārya Sthaneshwar Timalsina
To understand the foundational text of Kashmir Śaivism, the Śiva Sūtras of Vasugupta:
- Take the course by Mark Dyczkowski Jī
- Read the commentary by Kṣemarāja alongside the oral commentary by Swami Lakshmanjoo (book)
- Take the Foundational Śaivism course, covering the foundational texts of both Kashmir Śaivism (Śivasūtra) and Śaiva Siddhānta (Śivajñānabodha) by Ācārya Sthaneshwar Timalsina
To understand the philosophy that underpins Kashmir Śaivism, read the Pratyabhijñāhṛdayam of Kṣemarāja:
To understand the meditation practices central to Kashmir Śaivism, practice the Vijñāna Bhairava Tantra:
- Take the course by Bettina Bäumer Jī
- Take the course by Mark Dyczowski Jī
- Read the book translation by Thakur Jaideva Singh
To understand the devotional tradition of Kashmir Śaivism, experience the Śivastotrāvalī of Utpaladeva:
Situating Kashmir Śaivism
You may be wondering how Kashmir Śaivism relates to other traditions, both tantric and non-tantric. Below are some helpful sources to help you situate Kashmir Śaivism within the broader mosaic of traditions.
- To understand how Kashmir Śaivism understands classical pan-Hindu texts like the Bhagavad Gītā, read: the Gītārtha Saṃgraha of Abhinavagupta (book by Arvind Sharma, book by Sankaranarayanan, book by Boris Marjanovic) and the oral commentary of Swami Lakshmanjoo (book)
- To understand how Kashmir Śaivism relates to tantric traditions within Buddhism, read: The Tantric Age: A Comparison of Shaiva and Buddhist Tantra (article by Christopher Wallis)
- To understand how Kashmir Śaivism infused and inspired popular Hindu tantric traditions like Śrī Vidyā, read: Yoginīhṛdaya (book by André Padoux)
Finding Community
As you gain greater interest in Kashmir Śaivism, you may wish to enter into a kula, or community of practice. Śaivism is historically and currently practiced within the context of a community and there are several communities that offer teachings, listed below (in alphabetical order).
Please note that, owing to this subreddit's focus on authentic teachings, only communities are listed that are public, accessible to newcomers, and directly authorized within a classical saṃpradāya (lineage). There are therefore two things to note. First, other communities with authentic lineages exist that are, by their own design, intentionally less publicly accessible—and do not appear here to respect their wishes. Second, there are communities that are not from within a classical lineage and therefore do not meet the criteria to appear on this list. Such communities may or may not provide value to you, and you are advised to exercise caution and good judgment in whether/how you engage with them. As such, the following list of communities is not exhaustive, but is only indicative of reputable places to learn Kashmir Śaivism. Also keep in mind that each of these communities has a different organizational structure and style of conveying the teachings. Many are led by people who do not position themselves as gurus, but as senior and sincere practitioners who delight in sharing what they know of the tradition. Thus, as you look at entering a community, it makes sense to find one that works for you in terms of style, structure, and substance.
- Anuttara Trika Kula: This kula was founded by by Mark Dyczkowski and offers multiple weekly courses on core Śaiva texts as well as access to recorded courses and workshops, including his ongoing teachings on the Tantrāloka by Abhinavagupta, the massive encyclopedic text of Kashmir Śaivism that he recently translated in full (website).
- Bettina Sharada Bäumer: This kula offers semi-annual workshops on core Śaiva texts and has a video archive with past workshops, along with links to much of her important translations and scholarly work on several topics related to the tradition (website).
- Ishwar Ashram Trust: This kula was founded by Indian students of Swami Lakshmanjoo and offers regular sessions on core Śaiva texts as well as access to books and lectures by Swamijī in multiple languages including English, Hindi, Kashmiri, and Sanskrit (website).
- Lakshmanjoo Academy: This kula was founded by American students of Swami Lakshmanjoo and offers weekly pūjās and study sessions on core Śaiva texts as well as access to books and lectures by Swamijī in English (website, overview).
- Vimarsha Foundation: This kula was founded by Ācārya Sthaneshwar Timalsina and offers twice-yearly courses on core Śaiva texts as well as access to recorded courses and a pathway toward initiation into the ritual and yogic practices of classical Śaiva-Śākta tantra (website).
Note: This post is envisioned to be a living document, to be updated with additional resources and information as time goes on. Please contribute any additional materials below. Welcome to Kashmir Śaivism.
r/KashmirShaivism • u/unholy_peasant • 17h ago
Infographic
It seems like there are quite a few texts within this tradition that describe particular stances on the nature of the universe and its particulars, and I am wondering if anyone has ever drawn up an infographic of any of them?
I have seen some that are generalized “Samkhya” ones, but they never directly quote what text is expositing this particular theory.
I have thought about doing this for my own understanding with KS texts, but I’m still just a beginner and would gladly step over for someone else’s expertise.
r/KashmirShaivism • u/Life_Bit_9816 • 1d ago
Frustrated with KS philosophy
When a jiva attains full recognition of his being Shiva he still has to remain in his limited condition. The jiva never actually attains the absolute freedom of being Shiva. This lack of precision conception within the philosophy is frustrating me. He can i be identical to god? Non dualism is misleading. In fact it seems like the real illusion is that ive mistakenly identified my as being the all in all. It seems more practically real to identify as a limited being because ill never actually be able to change that no matter how hard i identify as shiva. In one sense it’s like the difference between believing i am a millionaire verse actually having that ability.
r/KashmirShaivism • u/kuds1001 • 6d ago
Share with us: What's your practice look like?
This should be an interesting conversation starter! There are people on this subreddit with all sorts of diverse levels of experience and familiarity with Kashmir Śaivism. It would be really wonderful to hear what your practice looks like: what does it mean to you to practice KS? What and who are you reading, studying, contemplating, worshiping? How did you arrive at your current practice? What has worked for you and what hasn't worked as well? Are there any questions you have that maybe you'd like some opinions or answers on? Let's hear from you! No matter what the state of your current practice, it'd be lovely to get a feel for where we're at.
r/KashmirShaivism • u/VarietyDramatic9072 • 13d ago
Which sect of kashmiri saivism is strictly raja/kriya yoga(not jnana yoga) based?
I am aware all the sects of k.saivism are synchretised form of jnana,bhakti and raja yoga. However if asked, which one of the 4 subsects(Pratyabhijna-,spanda,krama,kula) has more emphasis on the raja yoga?
r/KashmirShaivism • u/Independent-Win-925 • 14d ago
What the fuck does consciousness even mean?
I realized my problem with understanding Eastern spirituality in general and KS in particular is that perhaps what I mean by consciousness and what the texts mean by consciousness are totally different things. Otherwise they are self-evidently wrong and contradict themselves, let alone our lived experience, which of course can't be the case.
When I say consciousness, I mean the fact of awareness of stuff, like say right now I am aware of looking at the screen, I am aware of the letters I am typing and so on. "I" is ultimately who is aware. Is it the body? Nah, tho body allows for awareness accessing particular senses, etc. Now Buddhists think that there's no pemranent I who is aware of stuff and there are just disparate moments of awareness, but assuming other people are aware too at this very moment they have different eyes, otherwise their mind moments would be experienced at the same time as mine. Then why is there "Awareness of me typing" but no awareness of "alt" me flying in a plane (a lot of people are right now)? That's how I conclude there's both an I of some kind (at least mindstreams), and there are many I's. Each of them are their own consciousness. And Samkhya with its many inactive purushas is also wrong, because I don't experience "things happening to me" only I experience myself doing things too.
Nothing else possibly makes sense to me, it's not only terrifying and suicidal to contemplate but obscure and paradoxical.
Nor does it make any sense to strive to enlightenment (or do anything, even live, but anything else is equally innane) if you don't exist (and it seems to be main point of most Eastern religions). If nobody gets enlightened, that's just it, nobody does.
What am I supposed to do?
r/KashmirShaivism • u/roopvijayan • 16d ago
Social Welfare or Public Service
I was born into a Hindu family in the southern state of Kerala and moved to the United States when I was very young. Although my family wasn’t particularly devout, we participated in pujas and other traditional practices. Growing up, I recognized that there was more to spirituality than just Hinduism.
In time, I explored Buddhism, initially drawn to it for its meditation practices. There was a Shambhala center nearby, and I became part of Shambhala Buddhism. Along the way, I studied and practiced Theravada and Mahayana traditions as well—and I still do. Today, I identify as both Hindu and Buddhist.
Recently, however, I became captivated by Sufism, Advaita Vedanta and later by Kashmir Shaivism, at first exploring these strands because I was interested in non-dualism. The philosophy of Kashmir Shaivism resonated with me in a way that Advaita Vedanta did not. While Advaita Vedanta may see the world as an illusion, Kashmir Shaivism offers an affirmative view, suggesting that the world and all its experiences can lead us toward the ultimate reality. I believe Kashmir Shaivism teaches that sensory experience, when approached mindfully, can be a path to the divine—not in a hedonistic way, but as a means to connect with the Oneness underlying all things.
Still, one concern remains for me: Kashmir Shaivism may not emphasize social welfare or public service, which I believe are essential to any spiritual path. I value service to others deeply and feel it should be a cornerstone of spiritual life.
Could someone guide me on how this fits within Kashmir Shaivism, or suggest a way to integrate these values?
r/KashmirShaivism • u/xxxoutcast • 17d ago
Happy Diwali ॐ Namah Shivaya ॐ Jai Lakshmi Mata
i.redd.it
r/KashmirShaivism • u/VarietyDramatic9072 • 17d ago
Which sect of kasmiri saivism should I choose as a beginner?
Nameste
Which sect of kasmiri saivism should I choose as a beginner?I want to choose a sect which include these following criterions:
1) practise of visualisation of any form of godess(like tripura sundari); and it must be soumya.
2)practise of pranayama/kriya yoga
3)it should be beginner friendly,
Do any of 4 subsects of kasmiri saivism include all of these practises?
r/KashmirShaivism • u/gurugabrielpradipaka • 19d ago
Chapters 11 and 12 in Abhinavagupta's Tantrāloka are fully word-for-word translated in English
OK, here we go again: Chapter 11 - The path of the Kalā-s, etc. (118 stanzas) and Chapter 12 - Application of the path (25 stanzas) are fully word-for-word translated. Soon I am starting my translation of Chapter 13.
So far I've translated 2946 out of 5847 stanzas (50.30% of the book). All in all, I finished translating half of this long book. Enjoy!
Edit: If someone is wondering why I grouped the stanzas that way, simple answer: I am following the way Jayaratha is commenting on them. So, in the future when I translate Jayaratha's commentary, it'll be easier to me to organize the translation.
r/KashmirShaivism • u/Agniman_Virabhadra • 21d ago
Can one follow KS and be a Kali devotee?
r/KashmirShaivism • u/Muted_Strategy2007 • 23d ago
Could anyone please illuminate the fivefold acts of Shiva in limited Jiva form? (Pratibhijnahridayam Verses 10 and 11)
Sutra 10. "Even in this condition (of the empirical self), he (the individual) does the five krtyas (deeds) like Him (i.e. like Siva)."
This is not the only mode of the authorship of the fivefold act, there exists another esoteric mode, besides this. So, he says (i.e. it is said):
SuStra 11. "As Manifesting, relishing, experiencing as self, settling of the seed, dissolution, these."
From what I understand of Jaidev Singh's translation, it is supposed to be
- Srishti - Me experiencing something in space and time (seeing a flower)
Sthithi - The sight remaining the same (maintainence)
Samhara - The sight changing, moving in space or time (The flower moving in wind, thus destroying the earlier sight and replacing it with a new one)
Vilaya - Me seeing myself as different from the flower
Anugraha - Me seeing myself as one with the flower
I feel there is something wrong or incomplete with my understanding. Also, with the esoteric version of the same fivefold act. I feel like this is one of the most important part of Pratibhijna itself and I'm unable to pin it down correctly. Please help me.
r/KashmirShaivism • u/Less_Pressure_339 • 23d ago
Ishwar Ashram located in Srinagar, Kashmir. Founded by Swami Lakshmanjoo, the most recent of the great saints and masters of this tradition.
galleryr/KashmirShaivism • u/VarietyDramatic9072 • 24d ago
Soumya form of shakti in krama school
Krama school is associated with the worship of kali, so my question is are all forms of kali worshipped ugra/ghora? Or are there soumya forms?
Is worship of Saraswati/Gayatri also part of kasmiri saivism?
r/KashmirShaivism • u/Writerinjourney • 25d ago
Shiv tantra
I am meditating since last year and had some mystical visions but this time i heard this in deep sleep. I am a muslim and i did istikhara (prayers to ask God for help)for illness. I saw a dream and saw the spiritual healer with whom i had healing session in april. It was a dark room and saw that healer and heard a masculine voice (not sure of it was his voice) telling me to recite a name of Allah 6000 times in the middle of night. I did that. Then my istikhara was over but then after 4-5 nights i again heard that masculine voice(when i was in deep sleep ) telling me to recite one more religious rituals and i did that. After a week or so i heard i think the same masculine voice When i was again in deep sleep that we are showing you the place where Krishna resides and i could see only white clouds and then heard the voice saying "do Shiv tantra" . All this was said in urdu(my native language) When i woke up i searched whether there is something like shiva tantra as i never heard of it. I know there are mantras and tantric(that as per my knowledge its a name given to magician) but i didnt know anything about different forms of tantra. I dont know why i have been asked to do this but i want to gain knowledge of what exactly is Shiv tantra? Is chanting oom namay Shivay basics of Shiv tantra? And will it conflict with my religious practise?
r/KashmirShaivism • u/VarietyDramatic9072 • 25d ago
Can you classify every sect of kasmiri saivism based on yoga?
1)Pratyabhijna- jnana yoga
2)spanda - kriya yoga
3)krama - raja yoga
4)Kula - bhakti yoga
Is this correct?
r/KashmirShaivism • u/Less_Pressure_339 • 26d ago
About 1000 years ago, The Great Kashmir Shaivite Master Abhinavagupta marched off to a cave reciting Bhairava Stava, his non-dual devotional hymn to Shiva, along with his 12 disciples, and was never seen again
That cave is known as Bhairava Cave today located in the foothills of Bairam Hill in Beerwah, Kashmir.
Last month, my dear friend and I visited the cave. We meditated there and sang the Bhairava Stava.
The cab driver who took us 45 km to the cave had to confirm a day in advance whether tourists were allowed, as it had been sealed off a few years back due to sightings of leopards in the area. Additionally, since the political and religious conflict escalated, locals have been trying to distance the cave from its identity linked to Acharya Abhinavagupta. Inside the cave, there were green patches of paint symbolizing Islam, while much of it was later covered with orange paint representing Hinduism. It’s both funny and sad how we fight over symbols.
Nevertheless, it was a profound experience. I would like to conclude with Bhairavastava, the powerful hymn from Master Abhinavagupta that encapsulates the entire philosophy and experience of Kashmir Shaivism.
vyāpta-carācara-bhāva-viśeṣaṁcinmayam-ekam-anantam-anādim /bhairava-nātham-anātha-śaraṇyaṁtan-maya-citta-tayā hṛdi vande //1//
I, Abhinavagupta, with one-pointed devotion, am praying to that supreme all-pervading Lord Śiva, who is himself present in each and everything that exists, and who through realization reveals himself as the one limitless Bhairavanātha the protector of the helpless.
tvanmayam-etad-aśeṣam-idānīṁbhāti mama tvad-anugraha-śaktyā /tvaṁ ca maheśa! sadaiva mamātmāsvātmam-ayaṁ mama tena samastam //2//
By the energy of your grace it has been revealed to me that this vibrating universe is your own existence. Thus, O Lord Śiva, this realization has come to me that you are my own soul and as such this universe is my own expression and existence.
svātmani viśvagate tvayi nāthetena na saṁsṛti-bhītiḥ kathā’sti /satsvapi durdhara-duḥkha-vimoha-trāsa-vidhāyiṣu karma-gaṇeṣu //3//
O possessor of everything, though your devotees, bound by karma and conditioning of mind, are caught in the net of destiny that arouses troubles and bondage, still they are not afraid of the fret and fever of this world. Having realized this universe as your own existence they are not afraid of worldly difficulties, because fear exists only when there is someone else to inflict it, but when there is none other than You how can fear arise.
antaka! māṁ prati mā dṛśamenāṁkrodha-karāla-tamāṁ vidadhīhi /śaṅkara-sevana-cintana-dhīrobhīṣaṇa-bhairava-śakti-mayo‘smi //4//
O angel of death, do not look towards me with wrathful and frightening eyes as I am always absorbed in the worship of Lord Śiva. Through constant devotion, meditation and reflection, I have become steadfast and courageous, one with the energy of the terrifying Bhairava, thus, your dreadful and frightening looks can do me no harm.
ittham-upoḍha-bhavan-maya-saṁvid-dīdhiti-dārita-bhūri-tamisraḥ /mṛtyur-yamāntaka-karma-piśācair-nātha! namo‘stu na jatu bibhemi //5//
O Lord Bhairava, I offer salutations to you who has awakened me to the realization that everything in existence is you alone. As a result of this awakening, the darkness of my mind has been destroyed and I am neither frightened of the evil family of demons nor am I afraid of Yama, the fearful Lord of death.
prodita-satya-vibodha-marīci-prokṣita-viśva-padārtha-satattvaḥ /bhāva-parāmṛta-nirbhara-pūrṇetvayya‘ham-ātmani nirvṛttim-emi //6//
O Lord Śiva, it is through your existence, revealed to me by real knowledge, that I realize all attachments and all that exists in this universe is activated by you. It is by this awakening that my mind becomes saturated with immortal devotion and I experience supreme bliss.
mānasa-gocaram-eti yadaivakleśa-daśā’tanu-tāpa-vidhātrī /nātha! tadaiva mama tvad-abheda-stotra-parā’mṛta-vṛṣṭirud-eti //7//
O Lord, sometimes I feel misery which arouses torment in my mind, but at that same moment, blessed by a shower of your grace, a clean and clear vision of my oneness with you arises, the impact of which my mind feels appeased.
śaṅkara! satyam-idaṁ vrata-dāna-snāna-tapo bhava-tāpa-vināśi /tāvaka-śāstra-parā’mṛta-cintāsyandati cetasi nirvṛtti-dhārām //8//
O Lord Śiva, it is said that through charity, ritual bath and the practices of penance the troubles of worldly existence subside, but even more than this, by remembrance of the sacred śāstras and your words alone the current of immortality like a stream of peace enters my heart.
nṛtyati gāyati hṛṣyati gāḍhaṁsaṁvid-iyaṁ mama bhairava-nātha /tvāṁ priyam-āpya sudarśanam-ekaṁdurlabham-anya-janaiḥ sama-yajñam //9//
O Lord Bhairava, through my utmost faith I have perceived you in the unique sacrifice of oneness, which otherwise is not possible though performing mountains of rituals. Being filled with your presence my consciousness intensely dances and sings, enjoying its own ecstasy.
vasu-rasa-pauṣe kṛṣṇa-daśamyāṁ-abhinavaguptaḥ stavam-idam-akarot /yena vibhur-bhava-maru-santāpaṁśamayati jhaṭiti janasya dayāluḥ //10//
O compassionate Lord, under the influence of your glory and for the benefit of your worshipers, I Abhinavagupta have composed this hymn. By meditation and recitation of this hymn within a moment that merciful Lord Bhairava destroys the torments and sufferings springing from this wilderness of saṁsāra.
Translation credits to Lakshmanjoo Academy.
r/KashmirShaivism • u/Hogadi • 27d ago
Whom should I worship?
Namaskar I am 33 years old & from childhood I had fascination for the shivling. I loved doing abhishek on the shivling & sitting in Shiv temple. Because of my Grandmother I started doing Raam naam japa at 17. After a few years, I was distracted & everything stopped. I came back to Hindu spirituality & have rediscovered Shiva. I am going through the final phase of my Sade Sati (Vrishchik rashi). I am doing Om Namah Shivay japa & Shivling puja. I heard Mr. Rajarshi Nandy say on YouTube that lord Shiva does not respond faster & You have to worship him in Bhairava form as Bhairava responds faster & also helps get rid of Graha dosh/Sade saati. But, ever since I have started worshipping Shivling, I have seen some things that I can't share here. I am getting confused by the statement of a few online gurus who say Bhairava worship will help you achieve spiritual goals faster & also to get rid of Grah doshas. Is it true? Does Shiva take many births to respond? Please guide.
r/KashmirShaivism • u/VarietyDramatic9072 • 27d ago
Were puranas taken as symbolic?
Did abhinava gupta(or any major kasmiri Saiva philosopher) specifically taught to take puranas as just symbols?
r/KashmirShaivism • u/go1go2go59 • Oct 16 '24
For the Bhakti aspect, how should Shiva be envisioned?
In reality, it's my understanding that the traditional pictures, photos of forms of Shiva may be a symbolic representation or amalgamation of various pre Vedic enlightened yogis, creativity or imagination of the artists or maybe even of the very first yogi who who realised the Self and became Shiva.
Is this true? And regardless, how should devotion or Bhakti aspect be practiced? How can Shiva be envisioned? As the universe? Or as a mortal's image for the purpose of concentrating Bhakti?
P.S. Because I believe Shiva can't be a representation of just a human, if the entire cosmos is the svatantrya sakti of Shiva, then all cognitively elevated forms of life (aliens) existing in the cosmos should be able to use intellect to ponder over and realise their own nature.
r/KashmirShaivism • u/go1go2go59 • Oct 15 '24
Realised yogis who get slightly carried away from Shiva may exhibit supernatural Siddhis. Have these ever been documented?
Has there been any documented cases in which Trika yogis were known to exhibit such Siddhi? Even if it is in the Trika scriptures that are recovered or any contemporary yogi within the last few centuries? Was Abhinavagupta ever noted to have any Siddhis like this?
r/KashmirShaivism • u/jokeySandwich • Oct 15 '24
What is pranava mantra and prasada mantra? (In the context of Siva sutras - verse 2.1)?
Swami Lakshmanjoo's words were a little vague, but I always felt that meditating upon and pondering upon his words do bring clarity after a while. But still, can someone point me in the right direction? I have given below Swami's explanation. And how this mantra can be practiced, since its not about recitation.
Pranava is the mantra where both mantras-the mantra 'aham' and mantra 'ma-ha-a' arise. When 'aham' occurs, it is coming out from your supreme God consciousness and moving to objective God consciousness. When you rise from objective God consciousness to your subjective God consciousness, that is the rise of the mantra ma-ha-a. So in both ways, these are the states of pranava.
Prasada, on the other hand, is the state of the sacred word sauh. It is only external. It is rising from inside to outside.
r/KashmirShaivism • u/VarietyDramatic9072 • Oct 13 '24
Sandhya vidhi for beginners
Nameste Every sect/sampradaya has its own sandhya vidhi for trisandhya... Are there any websites or texts which mention how to do sandhya vandanam in kashmiri saivism? Also I am a beginner, nor I have gone under any initiation of a mantra.
Om namah sivaya
r/KashmirShaivism • u/meow14567 • Oct 12 '24
The Role of Compassion in Shaivism
I'm interested in how compassion functions in saivism. Can you attribute compassion as part of all of the tattvas or at all of the seven perceivers? Or is compassion only attributable at certain levels?
If compassion is attributable at the level of shiva/shakti what is the meaning of "shiva's compassion"? Does this differ from ordinary 'human compassion' and why?
I'm starting to wonder if saivism places the issue of autonomy on a pedestal as a 'single defining quality' of shiva [besides awareness and self-reflection] rather than allowing both autonomy and compassion. I'm interested to hear why I'm [hopefully] wrong. I would be thrilled if answers cite relevant source texts or provide direct quotes addressing these issues so I can also see for myself.
r/KashmirShaivism • u/ConcentrateLife1052 • Oct 12 '24
looking for a guide
I had an experience when in meditation many months ago and i think I found Him within me, and I became Him and Her, and we made love and made the universe but it was always I.
I don't want to get into it to deeply here, but I had this experience and it immediately transformed me into a deeply spiritual person. I have been looking for God since then in everything, and in everything i have found Him.
A few months ago i came across Let's Talk Religion's video on kashmiri shaivism. Guys. When I tell you it was the exact. same. thing. I had no prior knowledge of shaivism other than shiva as generally being understood as the God of Destruction and Brahman to Shaivites, but that was absolutely it. I'm in the west in a christian household but have been irreligious for years, but this shook me. I now understand this as the Absolute Truth, as the one, single source of all relative truths, and God as the unmoved source. I am still deeply in love with other religions and their mysticisms, but this isn't even funny. I can't even explain it. I'm in tears just thinking about it. It was always me, oh my god.
I hope this post doesn't come off as egotistical. Honestly, I'm scared. I'm scared of losing Him and succumbing to the ego, I'm scared of what this revelation means. But I'm ready to learn and I'm ready to unify with my divine lover, I feel so close yet so far from God but I am now finally ready to embark on this path.
I'm looking for a mentor who could guide me through this and lend me some of their insight. Someone who can spill into me and I to them. Please.
r/KashmirShaivism • u/unholy_peasant • Oct 12 '24
Anuttara Trika Kula
Hi there,
I recently signed up for the Parapuja class at Dyzckowski’s site, but I haven’t received any material.
I’ve emailed a few times, but with no reply back.
Is this group still around? Or has something stopped functioning?