Swami Lakshmanjoo - Kashmir Shaivism Audio Study Set: The Secret Supreme

KASHMIR SHAIVISM

The Secret Supreme

KASHMIR SHAIVISM

The Secret Supreme

Revealed by

SWAMI LAKSHMANJOO

edited by John Hughes

Lakshmanjoo Academy

Published by:

Lakshmanjoo Academy

Copyright 2015 John Hughes

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission. No part of this book may be stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means including electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission in writing of the publisher.

First printing 1985
Second printing 1988 (revised)
Third printing 2000 (revised)

Printed in the United States of America

For information,

Lakshmanjoo Academy

http://www.lakshmanjooacademy.org

ISBN 13: 978-0-9966365-2-0 (ebook)

The Book

This book, Kashmir Shaivism: the Secret Supreme, by the centurys 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.

GUIDE TO PRONUNCIATION

T he following English words exemplify the pronunciation of selected Sanskit vowels and consonants. The Romanized Sanskit vowel or consonant is first listed and then a English word is given to aid you in its proper pronunciation.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preface to the Fourth Edition

K ashmir Shaivism: The Secret Supreme was first published in 1985. In 1988, a second edition was brought out which corrected numerous spelling errors and printing inconsistencies present in the first edition. In 2000, the third edition was brought out. In this edition a number of corrections and alterations were made for the sake of greater clarity. In addition the grammar was revised and an extensive index was added to facilitate easy reference. The present volume is the fourth edition and the fourth printing of this book. In this edition a final careful scrutiny was undertaken which resulted in a few corrections and alterations and clarifications. It is felt by one and all that this is the last time this text will need to be edited and or corrected.

John Hughes

Preface to the First Edition

T his book consists of lectures that I delivered in 19711972. It began in 1969 when Mahari Mahesh Yog came to our Valley. He had heard of me and wanted us to meet so he called on me. When he visited me, he asked if I would speak to his disciples and I agreed. He sent his transport and I was taken to where he was staying with his Western disciples. When I arrived, there was a huge gathering of Western devotees waiting for me. I spoke to them, giving a discourse on important points in Kashmir aivism.

John and Denise Hughes were also present at that gathering, but at that time I had not yet met them. They must have been impressed with what they heard for, in 1971, they returned to Kashmir and came to see me at my shram. I asked them who they were. They said they were Maharis disciples. They explained to me that they had heard my discourse when they first came to Kashmir with Mahari in 1969. John then told me that he had one problem: he wanted to learn Kashmir aivism and would I have time to teach him? I replied, Yes, I have enough time. I instructed him that he should come to the shram on the next Tuesday and I would begin teaching him. So on Tuesday he arrived, along with his tape recorder, and I began giving him lectures in the shram hall. Denise, his wife, also attended these lectures.

In the beginning, I taught John only the introductory topics of Kashmir aivism. As time passed, however, I came to know that John had good power of understanding and I became fond of him. I wanted to tell him more and more about Kashmir aivism, to teach him aivisms secrets, so I continued giving lectures and John recorded them. This was the main starting point of his studies. It is these secrets, these major points which I taught him at that time, which comprise this book.

As I appreciated that John was assimilating the lectures very well, after they were completed I started teaching him the theory which is found in the aiva scriptures. In this manner, Kashmir aivism was taught to him.

I think, when these lectures are printed, it will be a great boon for mankind and will elevate the whole world. Also, I will consider myself blessed by Lord iva. I hope that John will continue writing on what I have delivered to him in theory and practice the Secrets Supreme. If he continues to expose it to the world, it will be a great help for everyone.

Swami Lakshmanjoo
1984

Introduction to the Third Edition

O n the 27th of September 1991, the fully realized saint, beloved teacher and spiritual guide Swami Lakshmanjoo departed from this mortal world. As I mentioned in my earlier introduction to the present volume, it was Swamijis fervent desire that the teachings and knowledge of Kashmir aivism be preserved long after his passing from this world. It was my great fortune to be able to audio tape record the profound teachings of this unique oral tradition as these teachings were given by Swamiji to his students in the form of lectures and oral translations. It is the essence of these teachings that is contained in the present volume, Kashmir aivism: The Secret Supreme.

By the time Kashmir aivism: The Secret Supreme was published in 1985, Swamiji had already translated and illuminated, and I had recorded, what he felt were the most important texts of Kashmir aivism. This tremendous work spanning almost fifteen years resulted in more than 450 hours of recordings. This included the translations and commentaries of the following texts:

Bhagavad Gtrthasamgraha

Bodhapacadaik

Dehastadevatacakra Stotra

Janma Maraa Vicra

Kualin Vijna Rahasyam

Paramarthasra

Parprveik

Partrik Laghuvitti

Partrik Vivaraa

iva Stra Vimarin

iva Stotrval

Spanda Krik

Spanda Samdoha

Stavacintmai

Tantrloka (18 chapters)

Vtlantha Stras

Vijna Bhairava

Under Swamijis direct inspiration, the Universal aiva Fellowship, a fully accredited nonprofit organization, was established to realize his vision of making Kashmir aivism available to the whole world. This is being accomplished by preserving his teachings and making them available without the restriction of caste, creed or color in as many forms as possible. As more and more of the teachings of Kashmir aivism become available to the world, I feel proud and inspired that we are seeing the fulfillment of Swamijis wishes.