Introduction to Kashmiri Shaivism

Here is an introduction to Kashmir Shaivism, especially the Shiva Sutras as revealed in the book Shiva Sutras: The Supreme Awakening by Swami Lakshmanjoo (with commentary by Kshemaraja). Kashmir Shaivism (also called Trika Shaivism) is a non-dual (Advaita-type) Hindu tradition centred in Kashmir. It teaches that everything is consciousness (Śiva) — the individual self is not separate from the ultimate reality. It emphasizes direct realization of one’s true nature: to go beyond identification with the mind, ego, body, to experience that one is in essence Śiva (pure awareness).