The Doctrine of Vibration: An Analysis of the Doctrines and Practices of Kashmir Shaivism (Suny Series in the Shaiva Traditions of Kashmir) [Hardcover]

Mark S. G. Dyczkowski (Author)

Book Description

Series: Suny Series in the Shaiva Traditions of Kashmir | Publication Date: November 1987

Cutting across distinctions of schools and types, the author explains the central feature of Kashmir Shaivism: the creative pulse of the all pervasive Consciousness called SAiva. This is also the central theme of the Hindu Tantras, and Dyczkowski provides new insight into the most literate and extensive interpretations of the Tantras. "This is a serious, scholarly and personally committed approach to a highly significant topic. It makes accessible materials which are not widely known and not readily available." -- Wilhelm Halbfass, University of Pennsylvania "There is no other complete study of the Spanda, which is central to the SAaiva thought as it was developed in Kashmir. The treatment of the subject is sound, scholarly, exhaustive and penetrating." -- Andre Padoux, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Paris "This delves into a relatively unexplored area of Kashmir Shaivism, i.e., Spanda, and offers a comprehensive first-hand treatment. The author brings forth new information and fresh insights." -- Navjivan Rastogi Abhinavagupta Institute of Aesthetics and SAaiva Philosophy University of Lucknow, India This book is significant from four points of view. First, it breaks new ground in Indian philosophy. According to the Spanda Doctrine, the self is not simply witnessing consciousness as maintained by Sankya and Vedanta, but is an active force. Second, the ultimate reality is not simply a logical system of abstract categories, but is living, pulsating energy, the source of all manifestation. Third, the work elaborates the dynamic aspect of consciousness. It supplies an excellent introduction to the texts and scriptures of Kashmir Shaivism. Fourth, it suggests a Yoga for the realization of self. Mark S. G. Dyczkowski took his first degree at Banaras Hindu University and then took his doctorate at Oxford University. He is presently associated with Sampurnananda Sanskrit University in Varanasi.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 297 pages
• Publisher: State Univ of New York Pr (November 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0887064310
• ISBN-13: 978-0887064319
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,591,690 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Rich Revelation of Spiritual Insights, November 10, 2006

By 

Carl Hall (Nevada City, California United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Doctrine of Vibration: An Analysis of the Doctrines and Practices of Kashmir Shaivism (The Suny Series in the Shaiva Traditions of Kashmir) (Paperback)

If I could have only one book to read the rest of my life, this would be it. Not only is it a rich and revealing exposition of the doctrine of vibration of Kashmir Shaivism--the most comprehensive and internally coherent non-dualistic ontology I've ever encountered, it introduces the reader to the many paths by which this ontology can be realized in one's life. As another reviewer stated, this is a book for the advanced student. Those who have only a theoretical background in Asian and/or Western thought will read the words, but have no real sense of the Reality they refer to. But seasoned spiritual practitioners will find countless rewarding insights in this text. I originally bought the book about 10 years ago, having only a slight acquaintance with Kashmir Shaivism. Since that time I have read it at least half a dozen times. With each reading I continue to be astounded at the depth and breadth of Dyczkowski's grasp of this school of spiritual wisdom. I can only assume from what he's written that he really knows, at an embodied level, what it means to walk the "path of liberation."

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent for the advanced student, July 17, 2006

By 

Marc A. Stettler (Rio de Janeiro / Brazil) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Doctrine of Vibration: An Analysis of the Doctrines and Practices of Kashmir Shaivism (The Suny Series in the Shaiva Traditions of Kashmir) (Paperback)

When I bought this book I have never heared of Dyczkowski and I have been very positively suprised about the quality of his understanding. He succeds explaining in a very concise manner "matters" that almost escape explications. I You are so fortunate as to experience Silence (No-thought) from time to time and would like to have some indications about the deeper misteries of our lifesource, this is an exellent book for you.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kashmir Shaivism, January 8, 2010

By 

Steve Goodwin "steveg" (Saratoga Springs NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Doctrine of Vibration: An Analysis of the Doctrines and Practices of Kashmir Shaivism (The Suny Series in the Shaiva Traditions of Kashmir) (Paperback)

If you're interested in a reliable, deeply appreciative, non-sectarian study of one of the major teachings of Kashmiri Hindu tantra, you can't do better than this. Scholarly but readable. Not for someone who doesn't want to be intellectually stimulated. Anyone interested in mysticism should know about this branch of Indian religion.