The View

The View, as written by Abhinavagupta, expressed in Christopher Wallis’s book Tantra Illuminated, is something that came up in a conversation the other day. I realised that while my practices these days mostly conform to Kashmiri Shaivism, the View is something I don’t always keep in mind.

How to become universal Self

As Jiva, the mind-body self, we look to discern patterns to transcend our individual sense of self, becoming universal Self, Atman in Vedanta, Siva in Tantra. But taking the step from reading and knowledge accumulation, to practice can be daunting. We are taking the step from seeking pleasure and avoiding pain, to the great adventure of spiritual truth (knowing our Being as Pure Consciousness).

Tantra Misunderstandings

I’ve been reading Tantras: Their Philosophy and Occult Secrets, edited by Dhirendra Nath Bose, and three key misunderstandings jump out for me; (1) the relative newness of Tantra, (2) the anthropomorphic nature of the Divine, (3) and the masculine/feminine principle.

Orgasm as a Divine Experience

I’ve been reading a number of books recently to do with erotic art and literature of ancient India, all, it has to be said, very heteronormative. It astounds me, even today, when we talk of the masculine and feminine principles, we still refer mostly to man and woman. It really is time we moved away from this lazy use of language.

Trika, the Kashmir Saiva Essence

Trika, the Kashmir Saiva Essence, by Tej Raina, is an excellent book that clarifies this school of wisdom. Kashmir Shaivism, also known as Trika Tantra, is the triad of Siva, Sakti and Nara. Siva is pure consciousness. Sakti is infinite potency, the manifestation of everything, consciousness in action, energy. Nara is empirical existence, individuals (Jeeva).

How to live life through tantra yoga

In Kashmiri Shaivism, through the Trika Tantra lineage, we gain direct experience (Tantra Yoga) through the development of the 3 yoga’s, Kriya, Jnana and Bhakti, for the purpose of bringing us to stillness (Raja Yoga).