Kashmir Saivism: The Secret Supreme

By: Swami Lakshman Joo Raina

Original Published Date:   April, 1985
Original Publisher:             Universal Shaiva Trust, Srinagar, Kashmir (India)
Current Publisher:             State University of New York Press, Albany
                                             607-277-2211 (Customer Service) or www.sunypress.com

Preface by Swami Lakshman Joo Maharaj

These lectures were delivered in 1971-1972.  I do not actually remember when Maharsi Mahesh Yogi came to our Valley. I think in 1968-1969 he came here and then he called on me, he wanted to see me because he had heard my name, he wanted to see me because he had heard my name.  He then sent his transport and I went there, the place where he was staying with his Western disciples. There was a huge gathering of devotees, Western devotees.  I think in that gathering of devotees John and Denise Hughes were also present there, but I did not know them at all at that time. I talked and gave some discourses on Kashmir Saivism, and I think that it impressed Maharsi Mahesh Yogi. After that whenever Maharsi would visit Kashmir he would call me or come here and I would give some talks on Kashmir Saivism. After that in a year or two Maharsi left Kashmir. In 1971 fortunately John and Denise came to my Ashram, I asked them who they were? They said they are Maharsi's disciples.  John said he has one problem, he wants to learn Kashmir Saivism will you have time for him? I replied yes, I have enough time, you should come on such and such day and I will give you the talks.  So he got his Tape recorder with him and in this Hall I would give lectures to him, first on just the important topics of Kashmir Saivism. And those are these major points which comprise this book. I understand that John had good assimilation of understanding, so afterwards I was fond of him.  I wanted to tell him more and more about Kashmir Saivism, so I continued giving lectures and John was recording them for a long time and these are those secrets. I appreciated that John had  good understanding of the subject and he assimilated the lectures very well.  After that I started teaching him the book theory from the Saiva scriptures and thus Kashmir Saivism was taught to him. This was the main starting point of his studies. Denise also used to attend these lectures. I realized that John has assimilated Kashmir Saivism very nicely. I think if these lectures are printed as you say, it will be a great boon to mankind and would elevate the whole world, and also I will consider myself blessed by Lord Siva. I hope that John will continue writing on what I have delivered to him in theory and practice - the secrets of Supreme.  if he continues to expose it to the world it would be a great help to mankind.

Ishwar Ashram, Vaisakhi, April 13, 1985

Swami Lakshman Jee

Introduction

Editors of Universal Shaiva Trust

Due to events of the past the tradition and teachings of Kashmir Saivism has remained concealed for the past eight hundred years.  Swami Lakshman Jee is the last and the greatest of the Saints and Masters of this tradition. He is like a splendid and rare jewel.  He has spent his whole life, beginning when he was a small boy, studying and practicing the teachings of this tradition and in so doing has, due to his intellectual power and strength of his awareness, realized both spiritually and intellectually the Reality of its thought.

  In his teachings he constantly emphasizes the secular nature of this great tradition.  He wants it to be clearly understood by everyone that Kashmir Saivism does not discriminate against anyone on the basis of caste, creed, color, or sex. No one is restricted from involving his or herself in the practice and teachings of this tradition.  This teaching is a Universal teaching open to one and all.

  The secret keys necessary for unlocking the treasury of knowledge which Kashmir Saivism embodies has, since ancient times, been passed verbally from Master to disciple. It is this oral tradition which is the very life of this teaching and it is Swami Ji who is the last living depository of this secret wealth. He is very concerned, therefore, that the reality of this tradition and teaching is not lost when he is gone from this world.  It is with this in mind that in the years 1971 and 1972 he gave the lectures which comprise this book.  At Swami Ji's direction and under his close supervision these lectures were corrected by the Universal Shaiva Trust and are reproduced herein for the upliftment of all mankind.

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