The Paratrisika (or Paratrimsika) is a short Tantra which has been held in the highest esteem by Kashmir Saivism or Trika. After Somananda, Abhinavagupta has written two commentaries on it, a short one (Laghuvrtti) and an extensive one the present Vivarana which is presented here for the first time in an English translation. The Paratrisika Vivarana is one of the most fascinating but also most difficult texts of the Kashmir Saiva School, and of the mystical philosophical literature of India as a whole. It deals with Ultimate Reality (anuttara or para) and with the methods of realization, centred above all in the theory and practice of the mantra. Abhinavagupta displays here his great exegetical genius and presents a penetrating metaphysics of language, of the Word (vak) and its various stages in relation to consciousness. His language reflects in a luminous fashion the mystical experience contained in this text. The present translation of Abhinavagupta's masterpiece will not only be a milestone in the study of Kashmir Saivism, but it also makes available one of the major mystical texts of the Indian tradition to readers interested in philosophy and spirituality. For more information, please head to www.mlbd.co.in

On the fundamentals of Trika philosophy of Kashmiri Sivaism.

"I have prepared a trident of Wisdom in order to cut asunder their bondage." -- Abhinavagupta This is a long commentary on a short Tantra. One of the most authoritative and venerated texts in Kashmir Shaivism, it deals with the nature of Ultimate Reality and with methods of realization focusing on the theory and practice of Mantra. Abhinavagupta presents his metaphysics of language, of the Word (Vak), and its relation to consciousness. He calls it, "trikasastra-rahasya-upadesa: The teaching of the secret of the Trika doctrine."

Siva Sutras are considered to be a revealed book of Yoga: the supreme identity of the individual self with the Divine. Here an English translation of the Siva Sutras has been provided, together with an abstract of each sutra, which throws a flood of light on the entire system of Saiva Yoga. A glossary of technical terms and index are appended for the convenience of the reader. Four commentaries on Siva Sutras are available at present, the Vimarsini commentary of Ksemaraja in prose, the Siva-sutra-vrtti by some anonymous author in prose, the Siva-sutra-varttikam by Varadaraja in verse. The Siva-Sutra-vrtti is so close to Vimarsini that it appears to be either a preliminary draft or a later abstract of the Vimarsini. There is a strong presumption that the author of the Vrtti was Ksemaraja himself. For more information, please head to www.mlbd.co.in

Pratyabhijñahrdayam, non-dual yoga and meditation teacher Joan Ruvinsky offers up a beautifully illustrated interpretive translation of one of the foundational texts of Kashmiri Shaivism -- twenty short verses that address fundamental and universal questions. Part poetry, part guidebook, part art, it conveys the richness and incandescence so characteristic of the lineage without losing sight of the last 400 years of philosophical inquiry, spiritual revelation, and scholarship. In the footsteps of the Tantric masters of the medieval period -- who were not only great yogis but also accomplished scholars, poets, musicians -- Ruvinsky embraces the body, mind, and senses as pathways to enlightenment. In her distinctly poetic and down-to-earth fashion Ruvinsky reminds us to live directly, moment to moment, in the mystery. You already have what you need. She intones, All contemplations are valid. There are no right answers, no dead ends, only pathways in the infinite.

The essence of this eloquent Tantric scripture, written in the eleventhcentury by Kshemaraja, is brought to life by Swami Khecaranatha'sin-depth commentary. His explanation of this powerful text reveals notonly its philosophical meaning but the relevance of its ancient words tothe modern reader's life and spiritual practice. Khecaranatha exploresthe wisdom and practices embedded in the sutras and how to applythem to one's own sadhana.Throughout the book, Khecaranatha reiterates his central message: Ourown heart is where we recognize the highest truth in life, which is thatwe are an individuated expression of the Divine. He illuminates the Tantricexposition of how manifest life arose from Supreme Consciousness, howthat Divinity gave birth to us, and the choice each of us has to discoverand permanently experience our own connection with our Source.With a mastery etched from four decades of disciplined inner practiceand selfless service, Swami Khecaranatha is an authentic adept andrecognized carrier of Tantric Shaivism in the Shaktipat Lineage of BhagavanNityananda and Swami Rudrananda. In 2002 he took vows of sannyas,formally committing his life to teaching and serving unconditionally.Khecaranatha's ability to transmit a living spiritual force and to elucidateancient Eastern teachings offers practitioners the extraordinary possibilityof making contact with the highest consciousness within themselves.Reflecting a profound depth of insight into spiritual freedom, Khecaranathais a living embodiment of the Tantric understanding that all of life is onevibrant expression and celebration of Divine Consciousness. He is theauthor of several books on Kundalini Yoga and Tantric Shaivism, includingDepth Over Time and Merging With the Divine, One Day at a Time. SwamiKhecaranatha currently resides in Berkeley, California, where he serves asthe spiritual leader of TrikaShala, his Kundalini meditation center."Swami Khecaranatha's teachings coincide withthe Trika school of Shaivism. He has attained adeep understanding of the teachings of AnuttaraTrika through the transmission of his teachers,a lifetime of practice, profound personal experience,and selfless service." --Mark Dyczkowski, one of theworld's foremost authorities on Kashmiri Shaivism

Unique in its combination of scriptural erudition and experiential wisdom, this book makes accessible the true philosophy of Tantra and Kashmir Shaivism for dedicated students of yoga and Eastern philosophy.