Living Unbound Resource: Kashmir Shaivism

Kashmir Shaivism is a non-dual yogic science originally developed in Kashmir, in far northern India, in the 8^th through the 12^th century, as an expansion upon original Shaivism, the origin of which extends back beyond recorded history, making it one of the oldest unbroken wisdom traditions in the world; possibly the original one.

Kashmir Shaivism is also coming to be known as Advaita Shaiva, which translates as Non-Dual Shaivism, or the Wholeness of Awareness.

The wisdom of Kashmir Shaivism has continued as a steady stream since that time, and it has enjoyed a powerful and profound global expansion in the late 20^th and early 21^st centuries.

It might be helpful to briefly discuss the symbolism of Shiva. Shiva is often called the “destroyer”, part of the three-person Godhead of Hinduism: Brahma (The Creator), Vishnu (The Preserver) and Shiva (The Destroyer), which leads to the perception of a destructive, violent and angry deity, for those who may not be familiar with the nuances of Shaivism and Hinduism. However, even the very name of Shiva clues us into Shiva’s true nature. Shiva means “the one who blesses”, “the beneficent one”, in Sanskrit. Brahma is only the Creator moving in the direction of objectivity, manifestation into form. In terms of Living Unbound, it is Shiva who is the Creator; the ever-restful ground of unagitated awareness which is our true self, our true nature.

The Living Unbound system draws from all wisdom traditions, and from all areas of knowledge, though it was originally inspired and influenced by the clarity, power and efficacy of Kashmir Shaivism, and its three levels of teachings and techniques.

This page will list some of the key resources connected with Kashmir Shaivism.

Below, please find links to some key overviews of Kashmir Shaivism presented via online overviews, including audio and video files of the teachings of the most globally-influential guru of Kashmir Shaivism, Swami Lakshmanjoo.

“God and the individual are one. To realize this is the essence of Shaivism.”