In his Doctrine of Vibration, the author presents a synthesis of Kashmir Shaivism--an overview with Spanda as the central theme. Spanda is the vibratory dynamism of the absolute consciousness. In this book the author focuses on the school of Kashmir Shaivism that presents this doctrine as its cardinal principle and whose literature consists essentially of the works translated here.

In his Introduction and in his exposition of the four commentaries, the author shows both how the Spanda tradition contributes to the other schools of Kashmir Shaivism and how it is different from them. He...

The Shiva Sutra was revealed to Vasugupta by Shiva in order to counter the effects of dualism. This revelation initiated the hermeneutics of syntheses and exegesis climaxed by the great Abhinavagupta. The Shiva Sutra is the most important scripture in the Trika system of Kashmir Shaivism. As a book on yoga, it explains the nature and cause of bondage and the means to liberation from bondage.

Bhaskara is in the direct lineage of Vasugupta. To Bhaskara's commentary, Mark Dyczkowski has added his translation of an anonymous commentary as an aid to understanding Bhaskara's interpretation....

This book is significant from four points of view. First, it breaks new ground in Indian philosophy. According to the Spanda Doctrine, the self is not simply witnessing consciousness as maintained by Sankya and Vedanta, but is an active force. Second, the ultimate reality is not simply a logical system of abstract categories, but is living, pulsating energy, the source of all manifestation. Third, the work elaborates the dynamic aspect of consciousness. It supplies an excellent introduction to the texts and scriptures of Kashmir Shaivism. Fourth, it suggests a Yoga for the realization of...