LEARN ABOUT
TRIKA SHAIVISM
ACCESSIBLE GUIDES TO UNDERSTANDING TRIKA SHAIVISM
Shambhavi read and practiced for ten years before she felt she had a good, working understanding of Trika Shaivism. This involved many deep dives into academic books and obscure scriptures. Considering this effort, she decided to attempt to translate the tradition into writings and teachings that would be more accessible.
TRIKA ORIGINS
Trika Shaivism is one of several ancient Tantrik traditions of India. You will also see it referred to as Kashmir Shaivism and Shaivite Tantra.
Trika Shaivism as we know it today formed from the confluence of a number of streams of Tantrik teachings that flourished in Kashmir and the Swat Valley from the early Christian Era until the 12th century. Some of these are the Pratyabhijña, Kaula, Trika, and Krama schools.
THE PURPOSE OF SPIRITUAL PRACTICE ACCORDING TO TRIKA SHAIVSM
Direct realization (pratyaksha darsana) is a phrase used to describe the tradition by the great siddha Abhinavagupta. It means to see and know the essence of things directly for yourself with your own senses, including your mind.
Trika Shaivism has the understanding that the purpose of spiritual practice is to directly discover the unconditioned, self-aware nature of existence, to recognize it as your own self and the self of all, and to be continually immersed in that. This involves destroying the karmic conditioning that limits our perceptions and access to wisdom.
The result of this is uncontrived naturalness, clarity, and generosity of the heart. Abhinavagupta describes the realized state as being all for others.
Trika Shaivism places more emphasis on the heart and devotion than other direct realization traditions such as Dzogchen and Chan Buddhism. While it is deeply devotional, Trika is not a belief- or faith-based tradition. Practitioners are given tools and guidance so that they may discover their real nature with certainty for themselves.
PODCASTS AND BLOG POSTS ABOUT TRIKA SHAIVISM BY SHAMBHAVI
Shambhavi Sarasvati is Jaya Kula’s spiritual director.
Kashmir Shaivism: What is Self-realization? – blog post
What is Direct Realization? – blog post
BOOKS ABOUT TRIKA SHAIVISM BY SHAMBHAVI
The Reality Sutras: Seeking the Heart of Trika Shaivism: A comprehensive handbook of 37 teachings about the nature of the self and reality from the perspective of Trika Shaivism.
Nine Poisons, Nine Medicines, Nine Fruits: A teaching text about the obstacles, remedies, and rewards we can expect to encounter as we seek relaxation and wisdom through practices such as yoga, mantra, and meditation.
Pilgrims to Openness: Direct Realization Tantra in Everyday Life: A practical introduction to the tradition of Trika Shaivism presented through the lens of everyday experiences of eating, sleeping, relating, moving , working, playing, emoting and doing spiritual practice.
The Play of Awakening: Adventures in Direct Realization Tantra: Practical advice for spiritual practitioners. How can you stay motivated in your spiritual practice from day-to-day? What is the most fruitful way to work with your teachers? What detours and obstacles might slow you down? How do spiritual communities function as a core practice? What roles do grace and devotion, longing and loneliness play as you walk your path? How can you both live and die well?
Shambhavi has also published several other books about spiritual life, including two books of poetry.
TRIKA SHAIVISM BY OTHER AUTHORS
Swami Lakshmanjoo: Self Realization in Kashmir Shaivism: Teachings given by an accomplished modern siddha.
Shaiva Devotional Songs of Kashmir: A translation of Utpaladeva’s gorgeous Shivastotravali by Constantina Rhodes Bailly
The Shiva Sutras: Received text (Shruti) from Vasgupta. A central text of the Trika tradition.
I, Lalla, The Poems of Lal Ded: Down-to-earth revelations in poetry by a 14th century Kashmiri wandering yogini.