Shaivism - The path to the Supreme

Consciousness
‘God and the individual are one; to realize this is the essence of Shaivism”.
Lakshmanjoo

Module 1 presentation
The philosophy of Shaivism is unique and original. It holds the wonderful vision of the
whole world as real and not an illusion. So, the world is nothing but the blissful energy of
the all-pervading consciousness of Shiva.

This course is for those who already love meditation and have a daily practice and want to
discover new dimensions of the inner world. And it is for those who love to study and learn
about the most interesting part of the tantric spirituality (and for a lot of aspirants, the highest
part) called monistic Kashmir Shaivism. It is also referred to as Trika, a trinity of consciousness
(Śiva), energy (Śakti) and humanity (nara, incarnated spirit) in which the aspirant is on a path of
recognition of his divine nature (Śivaic self). Kashmir Shaivism represents a non-dualistic tantric
view of reality and is one of the inspirations for the Hridaya meditation.
We will combine study (baudha jñāna) and practice (pauruṣa jñāna) to discover this ancient
knowledge that brings spirituality and the highest awareness to everyday life.
We will learn about:
- the 36 tattvas (principles of manifestation), the way in which the universe surrounding us
is brought into existence by their play and the way in which we can use them as a ladder
to reach the highest consciousness.
- the three impurities (mala) that transform the divine consciousness (cit) in the bound
individual consciousness (citta) and the modalities to free ourselves from them.
- the five energies of Śiva that also exist in each of us (consciousness, bliss, will,
knowledge and action) and the way in which our experiences are created by them
- the five actions performed by Śiva (creation, preservation, dissolution, revealing and
concealing) and the way that we perform them in our life.
- The four upaya, the four paths that we can take in meditation depending on our
aspiration and the divine grace.
- The bhāvanā or creative contemplation, a method to use meditation as a tool of
knowledge (of both the self and the world).
- The four states of consciousness, wakefulness, dream, deep sleep, samadhi (turya) and
samadhi with open eyes (turiyatita).
- The shaivite roots of hridaya meditation
- Practices and techniques that help us deepen the meditation and bring awareness in
everyday life.
 - The main schools in shaivism (each will be the subject of future modules): prathiabhijna
(“to spontaneously once again recognize and realize your Self.”), spanda (divine tremor),
krama (succession, step-by-step transformation, the 12 Kālis), kula (totality and also the
spiritual family, how you can live in the universal Consciousness).

“Let Shiva, who is my nature, bow down to his real nature – to Universal Shiva – by his
own Shakti, for the removal of obstacles, which are no other than Shiva.”

Somananda