Kashmir Shaivism: The Secret Supreme [Paperback]

John Hughes (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 22, 2007

This book, Kashmir Shaivism: the Secret Supreme, by the twentieth century's great philosopher saint Swami Lakshmanjoo, presents a systematic unfolding of the Tantric teachings of the ancient tradition of Kashmir Shaivism. This profound tradition, long enshrouded in secrecy, is so rich and detailed in its descriptions of what it reveals as the ascent of individual consciousness to universal God Consciousness that it has been characterized as a mystical geography of awareness. Within the pages of this book is found the key of the oral tradition which unlocks its secrets and provides the reader with the tools necessary to venture into this wondrous landscape.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Swami Lakshmanjoo was born in Srinagar, Kashmir on May 9, 1907. He was the last and the greatest of the saints and masters of the tradition of Kashmir Shaivism. He had a deep understanding of the philosophy and practices Kashmir Shaivism. He was like a splendid and rare jewel. He spent his whole life, beginning when he was a small boy, studying and practicing the teachings of this tradition and in so doing has, because of his intellectual power and the strength of his awareness, realized both spiritually and intellectually the reality of its thought. Being born with a photographic memory learning was always easy. In addition to complete knowledge of Kashmir Shavisim he had a wide-ranging knowledge of the traditional religious and philosophical texts of India. When translating or teaching he would freely draw on other texts to clarify, expand and substantiate his teaching. He could recall a text by simply remembering the first few words of the verse.In time his reputation as a learned philospher and spiritual adept spread. Spiritual leaders and scholars journeyed from all over the world to receive his blessing and to ask him questions about various aspects of Kashmir Shaiva philosophy. He gained renown as a devotee of Lord Shiva and as a master of the nondual tradition of Kashmir Shaivism.Throughout his life Swami Lakshmanjoo taught his disciples and devotees the ways of devotion and awareness. He shunned fame and recognition and did not seek his own glory. He knew Kashmir Shaivism was a most precious jewel and that by God's grace, those who desired to learn would be attracted to it. His earnest wish was that it be preserved and made available to all who desired to know it.On September 22, 1991 Swami Lakshmanjoo attained the great liberation and left his physical body. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: AuthorHouse; Revised edition (October 22, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1434325172
• ISBN-13: 978-1434325174
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #130,706 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Real Spiritual Secrets., February 9, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Kashmir Shaivism: The Secret Supreme (Paperback)

The Nineteen chapters of this book cover the most important topics of the Philosophy of Kashmir Shaivism.

Though this book has been available since 1985, most people don't realize that the majority of its chapters are condensed translations of some of the most important chapters from Abhinavagupta's epic Tantraloka.

I once meet someone who made it up to Kashmir in the late 80's and actually met Swamij Lakshmanjoo. The Swami presented him with a copy of this very book and told him, "if you read it over and over, you will come to understand Kashmir Shaivism." This has been my experience also, and though some of the material was complex at first, I found that with each subsequent reading it became more and more clear.

Another interesting thing about `Kashmir Shaivism, the Secret Supreme' is that it reads like the spoken word. You often feel that the Swami is talking directly to you. It is obvious that Swami Lakshmanjoo bases his teaching on his own personal experience.

I have been interested in Yoga and Kundalini for many years, and have read an enormous amount of material on these subjects. For the first time I find Swami Lakshmanjoo's explanations of Kundalini very clear and insightful.

This book is a great help to the sincere spiritual aspirant interested in the subject of Kashmir Shaivism.

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beyond Brilliant!, October 19, 2003

By 

James McGraw (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kashmir Shaivism: The Secret Supreme (Paperback)

One of those rare spiritual texts that comes along and knocks you for a whallop! A bit heady at first. A short book, only 135 pages in length. But the denseness to many of the statements makes you pause and think for awhile. The philosophy is rich with depth. John Hughes' concise editing maitains the flavor and vibrational quality of Swami Ji's speeches. He seems to just shine through the text straight into the reader's heart! A book to be cherished. To be read again, and again, and again, and again, and again! It's it. The secrets are there, but well hidden somewhere in the the text ititself. So, you have to pay close attention and read between the lines. Ah, it's all there! Swami Ji's glorious thought's, ideas, and Shaivite philosophies. Things that make you say, hmm.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Definitive Explanation of Kashmir Shaivism, June 5, 2011

By 

S. Ferguson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Kashmir Shaivism: The Secret Supreme (Paperback)

The Definitive Explanation of Kashmir Shaivism
A review of KASHMIR SHAIVISM, The Secret Supreme, Revealed by Swami Lakshmanjoo, edited by John Hughes; Universal Shaiva Fellowship, 1985, 2003.

Kashmir Shaivism is a mental discipline. While it does encompass the practices of Bhakti and Karma yogas, it teaches the perennial metaphysics of the universe, its creation and our place of purpose therein.

Therefore there are many metaphysical ideas in Kashmir Shavism uniquely formulated in the Sanskrit terms that contain their essence. Immersing our consciousness in the unfamiliar waters of these Sanskrit terms is one of the initial challenges for the seeker. However it is also one of the enduring pleasures of this school of wisdom and you will find whatever effort you make to assimilate these terms well worth your time.

The days we live in are filled with confusion, permeated by a total lack of any authentic connection to our Source and the underlying reality of metaphysical truth. Kashmir Shaivism opens the door to the lost - to the western world - ancient timeless order, that eternal wisdom that lies within the Hearts of all waiting to be rediscovered.

Swami Lakshmanjoo's `Kashmir Shaivism, The Secret Supreme' is a bit like a user's manual or explanatory dictionary for Kashmir Shaivism. It is invaluable as a reference guide and has been compared to a condensed version of Abhinavagupta's TANTRA LOKA, which extensively lays out all the tenets of this system.

In 1971, John and Denise Hughes asked Swami Lakshmanjoo to teach them Kashmir Shaivism and this book is the result. We are very fortunate that John and Denise found their way to Swami Lakshmanjoo in remote Kashmir. It is because of these two courageous souls, along with other English-speaking disciples, that Swami Lakshmanjoo made the effort to put these secret teachings into English - a language he had not grown up with. Sanskrit came more easily to him.

Some of the topics covered are the Theory of the [Sanskrit] Alphabet, the Explanation of the Means (to enlightenment), the Theory of Speech, understanding Grace, what Liberation means, and the purpose of Kundalini.

One of the most intriguing theories is PRATIBIMBAVADAH, the Theory of Reflection: "The universe ... is reflected in the mirror of consciousness, not in the organs (the five senses) nor in the five gross elements (ether, air, fire, water, earth)."

Have you ever wondered why we all see and hear, etc. so differently? This is because we are seeing and hearing only the reflection (bimba) of any particular thing in our own, unique to us, consciousness. We do not see or hear the thing itself.

"Nothing can exist outside of God Consciousness." Whatever exists in the external world and the means (the five senses, mind, etc.) by which we experience anything is also God Consciousness.

The cause of this Reflection is the Free Will (svantantrya) of God. "... what He wills appears in the mirror of His Consciousness" through you and me. "In reality, only the reflection exists and not anything that is reflected" - because the `thing' would have no existence apart from God Consciousness. The Absolute Free Will of God is "the seed of everything."

Swami Lakshmanjoo was the acknowledged authority on these texts, the last of the great Kashmir Shaivites in the Abhinavagupta line. The secret ancient truths contained in this book will impel your Heart and mind into greater heights on your journey Home.