Expanding the Center
Recognition Sutra #17Having already discussed the all-inclusive unity-consciousness that in this system is characterized as 'the Joy of Awareness' (cid-ānanda) or perhaps 'the joy of being [fully]...
View ArticleTantrik Shaiva Philosophy in Context
Tantrik Shaivism and its Philosophy in ContextPart Three: The Exegetical Phase of Shaivism(Part One is here, and Part Two is here)NOTE: Here I've got my scholar hat on. This article is written in a...
View ArticleNear Enemy #1: Everything Happens for a Reason
What are ‘near enemies to the truth’? Borrowing this phrase from Buddhism, I use it to refer to slightly distorted versions of spiritual teachings—statements that are close to a profound and subtle...
View ArticleNear Enemy #2: Everything Happens for the Best
What are ‘near enemies to the truth’? Borrowing this phrase from Buddhism, I use it to refer to slightly distorted versions of spiritual teachings—statements that are close to a profound and subtle...
View ArticleNear Enemy #3: Listen to your heart
What are ‘near enemies to the truth’? Borrowing this phrase from Buddhism, I use it to refer to slightly distorted versions of spiritual teachings—statements that are close to a profound and subtle...
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Near Enemy #4: Negative energy
What are ‘near enemies to the truth’? Borrowing this phrase from Buddhism, I use it to refer to slightly distorted versions of spiritual teachings—statements that are close to a profound and subtle...
View ArticleNear Enemy #5: Love yourself
What are ‘near enemies to the truth’? Borrowing this phrase from Buddhism, I use it to refer to slightly distorted versions of spiritual teachings—statements that are close to a profound and subtle...
View ArticleNear Enemy #6: You create your own reality
What are ‘near enemies to the truth’? Borrowing this phrase from Buddhism, I use it to refer to slightly distorted versions of spiritual teachings—statements that are close to a profound and subtle...
View ArticleNear Enemy #7: I want to be my best self
What are ‘near enemies to the truth’? Borrowing this phrase from Buddhism, I use it to refer to slightly distorted versions of spiritual teachings—statements that are close to a profound and subtle...
View ArticleNear Enemy #8: Speaking your truth
What are ‘near enemies to the truth’? Borrowing this phrase from Buddhism, I use it to refer to slightly distorted versions of spiritual teachings—statements that are close to a profound and subtle...
View ArticleThe Blossoming of Innate Awareness
It is only in the last generation that scholars have become aware that the spiritual tradition of Śaiva Tantra was not only a refined philosophical system (often but incorrectly called 'Kashmīr...
View ArticleWhat distinguishes Tantra?
Many people see David White's Kiss of the Yoginī as a definitive book on Tantra in its original South Asian context (as its subtitle claims), so here I'm presenting a section from the conclusion of my...
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How Tantrik Ritual Works (TA 1 cont’d)
In 2015, I published a series of blogs translating the first third of chapter one of Abhinavagupta’s Light on Tantra (Tantrāloka), the most important chapter of that magisterial work. I say ‘most...
View ArticleNear Enemy #9: Be in the present moment
What are ‘near enemies to the truth’? Borrowing this phrase from Buddhism, I use it to refer to slightly distorted versions of spiritual teachings—statements that are close to a profound and subtle...
View ArticleThe Stanzas on Pulsation (Spanda-karika)
PLEASE NOTE: this is a partial and provisional translation that will be revised and improved. yasyonmeṣa-nimeṣābhyāṃ jagataḥ pralayodayau |taṃ śakti-cakra-vibhava-prabhavaṃ śaṅkaraṃ stumaḥ || 1We...
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The Essence of Tantra: Introduction
This post presents the first section of Abhinavagupta's Tantrasāra ("The Essence of the Tantras"), namely, its introduction (upodghāta). I've been working on this text for sixteen years, and finally...
View ArticleWhatever god you worship, you’re really worshipping Awareness (TA 1 cont'd)
This post continues my translation of the Tantrāloka of Abhinavagupta, the encyclopedic overview of all things Tantrik, written at the very peak of the tradition's success (one thousand years ago). In...
View ArticleThe Modes of Realization (Tantrasaara chapter 1)
This post presents Chapter One of Abhinavagupta's Tantrasāra (“The Essence of the Tantras”), titled “Illumination of the Modes of Realization” (chapter titles may not be original to Abhinavagupta)....
View ArticleThe nature of awareness (Tantraloka 1 cont'd)
This post continues my translation of the Tantrāloka of Abhinavagupta, the encyclopedic overview of all things Tantrik, written at the very peak of the tradition's success (one thousand years ago). In...
View ArticleThe Pathless Path (Tantrasaara Chapter 2)
This post presents Chapter Two of Abhinavagupta's Tantrasāra (“The Essence of the Tantras”), titled “Illumination of Spontaneous Realization” (chapter titles may not be original to Abhinavagupta). I've...
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