Swami Lakshmanjoo

I'm often asked who the Master is. In actuality the Master is a blend of the teachings of three men. However, the part of the story that teaches of a tradition that goes back to the time of Enoch is based on Swami Lakshmanjoo.

Kashmir Shaivism
Self Realization in Kashmir Shaivism: The Oral Teachings of Swami Lakshmanjoo God and his creation are One. Yet God hides himself from his creation to give himself the joy of discovering God. God is both Creator and the Created. This is also known as the Wisdom of Balance. The Uncreated God and The Created God are One, yet the creation is attached to the grand illusion of separateness. Whenever God's creation discovers God, God discovers himself all over again. God delights in the dance of hiding and discovering his glory.

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The Cosmic Dance of Shiva

Your life is your part in this awesome Cosmic Dance. Your birth begins with your God Consciousness hid from you. If you have not discovered your unlimited potential in this life you will die, and your soul will go to the unseen state awaiting its chance for another birth. This is the gem of knowledge known as Reincarnation.

You are a child of God because you come from God and you can return to God. Shiva and his creation are one for Shiva is the source of all existence. Lord Shiva is infinite and eternal. He is beyond limitation and yet by his independent free will (svatantrya) he has the power to appear limited. He creates the universe for his own play, without beginning or end. Since its beginning the sacred lineage of Kashmir Shaiva Masters has remained unbroken, yet due to the rise and fall of Kashmir over the past 700 years, it has been practically hidden from view.

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In 1860, Swami Manakak was recognized as a great Master of Kashmir Shaivism. He initiated Swami Ram (1852-1914), who became well versed in the secrets of Trika Shaivism. Swami Ram's chief disciple was Swami Mahatabakak and his disciple was Swami Lakshmanjoo (1907-1991). Self Realization in Kashmir Shaivism: The Oral Teachings of Swami Lakshmanjoo.

In 1972 Swami Lakshmanjoo gave a series of lectures, which he considered to be 'the essence of Trika Philosophy'. Without the aid of texts, Swamiji revealed the most important aspects of Kashmir Shaiva Philosophy, at the same time revealing some of the unknown secrets of his oral tradition. His memory was so vast that he could effortlessly verify his statements with quotes and references from the various Shaiva tantras. These lectures were recorded by John Hughes and form the substance of Swami Lakshmanjoo's book, Kashmir Shaivism, the Secret Supreme.

About Swami Lakshmanjoo

As a young boy he had his first glimpse of God Consciousness at the age of nineteen. After that he dedicated his life to the realization of the highest state of God Consciousness.

During the next three decades Swami Lakshmanjoo soaked himself in the blissful depths of Kashmir Shaiva philosophy, at every step verifying his intellectual understanding with his own personal experience.

By 1965 news had spread that the oral tradition of Kashmir Shaivism was alive and thriving, its light burned bright in the person of Swami Lakshmanjoo. For the next thirty years a regular stream of visitors from India and abroad sought his audience. To all sincere seekers Swamiji freely distributed the treasure of his wisdom.

As the last in an unbroken chain of Masters of this unique 'oral tradition' Swamiji dedicated his life to the sacred teachings of Kashmir Shaivism. In 1991 he left this mortal world.

Lakshmanjoo represents the full tradition of the Yogic philosophy of Kashmir Shaivism, both in theory and practice. During his life Lakshmanjoo experienced all the transformative disciplines of the Shaivite tradition; he was a Jnani (realized sage). Not only was he the last living representative of the lineage of teachers of Kashmir Shaivism, he was the only remaining repository of its oral teachings. The knowledge of Kashmir Shaivism was traditionally passed only by oral communication or other unseen means, directly from master to disciple. Some material was written down starting around the eighth century, but the texts were often intentionally obscure in an effort to avoid misunderstanding and misuse. The texts dealt with Yogic experiences that are extremely individual and difficult to describe in words, and the practices involved are emotional. A living master, founded in the oral tradition, was needed for guidance. Shiva Sutras: The Supreme Awakening by Swami Lakshmanjoo

Recommended Links

Foundation of Excellence: Lakshmanjoo

The Teachings of His Holiness Swami Lakshmanjoo

Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

The Bhagavad-Gita

Paramahansa Yogananda and the Science of Kriya Yoga

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