Kashmir Shaivism, The Secret Supreme, Swami Lakshman JEE - State University of New York Press under the imprint of the Universal Shaiva Trust. Available at Amazon. For more details click HERE
It has been stated that Kashmir Shaivism and its traditional views, had remained concealed for at least eight hundred years, prior to the public exposition of its teachings. It was also believed to be an exclusively “oral tradition”, and that Swami Lakshman JEE, of our time, was the last living authentic teacher in the line of this wisdom tradition at the time of his transition, September 27, 1991.
This book, as he wished, is a repository in a very general, yet succinct way, of the core teachings of this tradition. The work arose from a series of lectures “Swami Ji” gave, which were recorded, corrected, and amplified, in line with his oversight. The work itself is worth deep study and meditation. It will reward the truer seeker with a deepening knowledge which will accord well with those familiar with the theosophic world view. Anyone deeply invested in the Theosophical Teachings will sense a kindred spirit in the words and ideas shared, concerning this spiritual teaching and its tradition of experiential discipline. As usual, with all exoteric works, discretion is necessary so that spiritual insight might lead the way in understanding.
The work begins with a presentation of the thirty-six Elements or Tattvas, in the Kashmir Shaivism system and the sixfold path of universal manifestation. It explains how the tattvas come about, their relationship with Śiva-Shakti, and then, will, knowledge and action, the vowels, consonants, alphabet, and elements, constantly manifesting through to the subsequent appearance of the senses, organs, and objects. It presents ideas concerning the theory of “Reflection” in its relation to manifestation. It presents clearly the ideas of the reality orienting and limiting factors, that afflict Purusha-Prakriti and the subsequent involvement in our mayavic reality via those malas or impurities. It also provides the reader with an understanding of the role of “vak” as speech or sound, the various paths to liberation, the states of the subjective perceiver and its forces, and much more. There is even a chapter which expresses the Kashmiri shaivistic view of the “seven states of Turya”.
As we read this work, we get an idea of the great masters and teachers who have contributed to this tradition, as well as glimpses of their views, as expressed in this work. Finally, we are exposed to how this teaching is viewed in comparison to Indian philosophy in general, and the Vedānta system in particular. At its end, we are given a small introduction to the role of kundalinī, as well as a glimpse of the various systems, (i.e. Pratyabhijñā, Kula, Krama and Spanda), which are embraced in the fullness of the “Trika Philosophy”.
No matter what one’s primary system of spiritual preference, this is a wonderful work, worth reading, studying, and meditating on, in conjunction with the works and words of H. P. B. and her Teachers.
With thankful wishes for an illuminating read.
This edition of Notable Books was compiled by Eugene Jennings.