Kashmir Shaivism: The Secret Supreme (Paperback)

~ John Hughes (Author)
Key Phrases: kula system, individual subjective body, gross pasyanti, Lord Siva, The Secret Supreme, Kashmir Saivism (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

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.

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.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: AuthorHouse; 3 edition (October 27, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1587215055
• ISBN-13: 978-1587215056
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #381,756 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

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

By A Customer

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.

18 of 19 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

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.

11 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting, March 18, 2003

By	S. Basudde (Ashland, OR USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It is quite scholarly, but the heart of the author's message comes through nicely. I recommed it for those whose hearts belong to Shiva...