The Triadic Heart of Siva: Kaula Tantricism of Abhinavagupta in the Non-Dual Shaivism of Kashmir (Suny Series, Shaiva Traditions of Kashmir) (Suny the Shaiva Traditions of Kashmir)

If you have ever read some of the other scholarly 'uhh...whaaat???' translations of Abhinavagupta's Tantraloka and other texts, you may appreciate Muller-Ortega's heartfelt efforts to make actual and accessible sense out of what may the most perfect and superbly beautiful thoughts on understanding the journey into higher consciousness ever written. I have never met Muller-Ortega, but when I read this I felt it must come out of his own spiritual experiences - meaning I believe he understood Abhinavagupta, as in grok, and that immersing his consciousness into Abhinavagupta elevated Muller-Ortega into God consciousness.Many academics go to such tedious lengths to translate the Sanskrit so perfectly, resorting to every possible definition, root word, and textual reference - that by the time you wade through one verse, you no longer care! I for one am grateful to Muller-Ortega, and I believe that what he may have missed in terms of high-tech Sanskrit perfection, he more than made up for with his ability to transmit his passion for Abhinavagupta - probably the most brilliant mind India ever produced - and make the reader want more. Thank you!Please don't misunderstand me - I unreservedly appreciate every translation of the Sanskrit texts and those who have labored to bring them to the English speaking seekers of Truth. However, these great Kashmir sages like Abhinavagupta, Vasugupta, Utpaladeva, and Ksemaraja did not write for the scholars in academia. They wrote for the seekers of enlightenment, the men and women who were weary of Samsara; and more than anything else longed to be re-united in their Source, God consciousness.In the conclusion of Ksemaraja's commentaries on the Shiva Sutras, he says, "The glory of this Shiva Sutras commentary of mine is that it has the power to generate curiosity to realize Shaivism in the minds of those who have no curiosity." That doesn't sound much like a scholar to me. "It expands and generates a great change in their intellects." And this is exactly what Paul Muller-Ortega achieved with his inspiring intellect-changing Triadic Heart of Shiva.As for the 'real' translation, we will have to wait for Swami Lakshmanjoo's teachings on the Tantraloka to be published - because it seems that this enlightened Kashmiri Saint was in fact the only one left who was actually still able to know what Abhinavagupta's Sanskrit meant and could put into English not only the meaning, but the soul.

An excellent book: by focusing on the theme of the Heart, it really tells you what's most important in kashmir shaivism, and covers all relevant aspects. Well researched, well structured, and thorough, it was truly enlightening for me. (A word of caution however: it's an academic book, so it may be a little difficult for some people)

This is one of the best books in the SUNY series on Kashmiri Shaivism. It's definitely not for beginners (Alain Danielou's SHIVA AND DIONYSUS and WHILE THE GODS PLAY are good entry books). The odd part about this tome is that the first 157 pages are so dense as to be barely comprehensible. It's only with page 158 that the author takes off and delivers the good stuff. Even with all of the wasted pages this is still a major work on Sanatana, and approaches Mark Dyczkowski's THE DOCTRINE OF VIBRATION. Pack in Jaideva Singh's translations and commentaries and you have the road maps to transformative experiences.

Excellent, in-depth discussion of the complex intricacies of Kashmir Shaivism for the very advanced practitioner.

In Kashmir Shaivism, there is the Hamsa mantra. Hamsa is really 2 mantras joined: Ham Sauh. The bk is all about the Sauh mantra. I won’t say any more. Read the book if you want to know more. K/S is Hinduism. It’s India’s best kept secret.

I bought this book because it was referenced in a book about quantum physics. It is meant for an advanced graduate student or scholar in this area.

Had to put it down and pick it back up when I was ready to absorb it. Wasn’t able to get much out of it on the first go. Wasn’t the books fault I just wasn’t at the level to recieve the knowledge.

this is not a beginners book on the subject in any way. The beginning background information is highly technical and can seem a bit daunting at first. it has to be taken slowly even for someone with knowledge in this area. after that the rest of the text is simply mind blowing. Abhinavagupta is a pure genius and this book brings his genius to light very well.

Outstanding book about one of the deepest spiritual traditions that ever existed. Highly relevant in dissonant modern reality. Great companion to study Swami Lakshmanjoo works.

Very happy of my purchase

If you have ever read some of the other scholarly 'uhh...whaaat???' translations of Abhinavagupta's Tantraloka and other texts, you may appreciate Muller-Ortega's heartfelt efforts to make actual and accessible sense out of what may the most perfect and superbly beautiful thoughts on understanding the journey into higher consciousness ever written. I have never met Muller-Ortega, but when I read this I felt it must come out of his own spiritual experiences - meaning I believe he understood Abhinavagupta, as in grok, and that immersing his consciousness into Abhinavagupta elevated Muller-Ortega into God consciousness.Many academics go to such tedious lengths to translate the Sanskrit so perfectly, resorting to every possible definition, root word, and textual reference - that by the time you wade through one verse, you no longer care! I for one am grateful to Muller-Ortega, and I believe that what he may have missed in terms of high-tech Sanskrit perfection, he more than made up for with his ability to transmit his passion for Abhinavagupta - probably the most brilliant mind India ever produced - and make the reader want more. Thank you!Please don't misunderstand me - I unreservedly appreciate every translation of the Sanskrit texts and those who have labored to bring them to the English speaking seekers of Truth. However, these great Kashmir sages like Abhinavagupta, Vasugupta, Utpaladeva, and Ksemaraja did not write for the scholars in academia. They wrote for the seekers of enlightenment, the men and women who were weary of Samsara - and more than anything else longed to be re-united in their Source.In the conclusion of Ksemaraja's commentaries on the Shiva Sutras, he says, "The glory of this Shiva Sutras commentary of mine is that it has the power to generate curiosity to realize Shaivism in the minds of those who have no curiosity." That doesn't sound much like a scholar to me. "It expands and generates a great change in their intellects." And this is exactly what Paul Muller-Ortega achieved with his inspiring intellect-changing Triadic Heart of Shiva.As for the 'real' translation, we will have to wait for Swami Lakshmanjoo's teachings on the Tantraloka to be published - because it seems that this enlightened Kashmiri Saint was in fact the only one left who was actually still able to know what Abhinavagupta's Sanskrit meant and could put into English not only the meaning, but the soul.

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