Kashmir Shaivism

Kashmir Shaivism is a yogic philosophy and practice of inner transformation. From the valley of Kashmir in northern India, the principles of Shaivism were first written down in the ninth century.
Swamiji is one of the world’s leading exponents of Kashmir Shaivism. His book, ‘Consciousness is Everything’ has been praised as ‘the best introduction to [this] tradition thus far’ by Georg Feuerstein (a noted Western yogic scholar). Swamiji embraced the teachings under the guidance of Swami Muktananda, who made Shaivism practical and accessible to large audiences in India and in the West. Under Swamiji’s guidance the Shiva School of Meditation has become a great centre of Shaivite learning

“Kashmir Shaivism is more than an intellectual system,” Swamiji says. “It springs from the direct visionary experience of the sages. It begins in that experience and its goal is that experience. Kashmir Shaivism is a saving knowledge. It will have its effect on your inner being”.

Located in the northwest of India, the wide and fertile valley of Kashmir was a center of learning from ancient times. About 1500 years ago, this advanced spiritual and intellectual culture fostered a philosophy of the underlying nature of the universe and Supreme Consciousness, or Shiva, that became known as Kashmir Shaivism.

Kashmir Shaivism flourished between the 9^th and 12^th centuries and then disappeared or went underground due to changing political and religious circumstances. In the last century it returned to prominence under the inspiration of two great teachers.

Scholarly and Revelatory Schools of Shaivism

The first stream of modern Kashmir Shaivism, the scholarly, was established by Swami Lakshmanjoo (1907-1991) of Shrinigar, Kashmir. He began his Shaivite studies at a young age, mastered Sanskrit and learned the texts under the guidance of local scholars who were in touch with the oral tradition. Lakshamanjoo built a reputation as a scholar and as a yogi.

The second stream of modern Kashmir Shaivism was inspired by Swami Muktananda Paramahamsa (1908-1982) who toured the world teaching the principles of Shaivism. Since his approach focused heavily on sadhana and spiritual experience it can be called the revelatory. Lakshmanjoo approached Shaiviam via knowledge first, then experience; Muktananda’s Shaivism began with experience and then found understanding in the Shaivite scriptures. Muktananda had a significant impact among thousands of spiritual seekers because he transmitted the experience of Shaivism through the spiritual awakening of shaktipat. There is no doubt that he achieved the widest dissemination of Shaivite learning in history, both in his own work and in the still growing impact of his students.

Shaivism at the Shiva Ashram

A small number of Muktananda’s disciples became particularly adept in the field of Kashmir Shaivism and today they carry the revelatory tradition forward. Among them is Swami Shankarananda who was early encouraged by Baba to study, write and teach in this great tradition.

The Shiva School of Meditation is a school of Kashmir Shaivite study and practise. Among the programmes offered include ongoing study groups, courses and the Shiva Process, a method of Self-inquiry based on the principles of Shaivism.

According to Swami Shankarananda, “Truly speaking, Shaivism cannot be understood inwardly or spiritually without shaktipat. Although it makes a fascinating historical and philosophical subject, that should not be mistaken for spiritual authenticity. Baba had initiating power. In his presence one could have a direct experience of the Self, which is the essence of Shaivism”.

History of Kashmir Shaivism

Kashmir Valley

The first Shaivite works were written in the early ninth century and are attributed to Vasugupta, who wrote the Shiva Sutras. Somananda, who lived at the end of the ninth century, wrote the Vision of Shiva (Shivadrshti), and his disciple Utpaladeva, wrote the Ishwara-pratyabhijnakarika. Abhinavagupta, the most famous sage-philosopher of Kashmir Shaivism, lived from the middle of the 10th century into the 11th. Credited with giving Kashmir Shaivism its modern shape, he wrote more than 60 works, including Malinivijayavarttika and Tantraloka, as well as a number of profound commentaries. Ksemaraja, Abhinavagupta’s closest disciple, wrote, among other treatises, the Pratyabhijnahrdayam. Maheshwarananda, writing in the 12th century, composed the Maharthamanjari.

Basic Principles of Kashmir Shaivism

The early writings and commentaries of Kashmir Shaivism can be challenging for even ardent scholars. Through meditation and Self-inquiry practices, however, many awakened individuals find they can readily understand the teachings intuitively. To meet the need for a lucid exposition of revelatory Shaivism Swami Shankarananda has completed the book, Consciousness is Everything.

The Shiva School of Kashmir Shaivism uses the texts of the Shiva Sutras, the Spanda Karikas, the Pratyabhijnahrdayam, the Vijnanabhairava, and others, to tap into the sublime teachings of the tradition.

Some of the basic principles of Shaivism are:

• Everything is Consciousness. Nothing exists that is not the manifestation of Supreme Consciousness.
• Consciousness is comprised of essence, Shiva, and energy, Shakti.
• Consciousness is characterized by awareness.
• Consciousness forms the universe by contracting into material existence and individual souls.
• An individual can experience the state of expanded Consciousness through the spiritual awakening of a Self-realized master.
• Through practice in a number of pathways or means, an individual can become steady in the state of expanded Consciousness while living in the world.

For more information about Kashmir Shaivism, please look at the pages Essentials of Kashmir Shaivism, and Intensives, programmes specifically designed for the spiritual awakening.