Kashmir Shaivism: The Secret Supreme
Swami Lakshmanjoo was born in Srinagar, Kashmir on May 9, 1907. He was the last and the greatest of the saints and masters of the tradition of Kashmir Shaivism. He had a deep understanding of the philosophy and practices Kashmir Shaivism. He was like a splendid and rare jewel. He spent his whole life, beginning when he was a small boy, studying and practicing the teachings of this tradition and in so doing has, because of his intellectual power and the strength of his awareness, realized both spiritually and intellectually the reality of its thought. Being born with a photographic memory learning was always easy. In addition to complete knowledge of Kashmir Shavisim he had a wide-ranging knowledge of the traditional religious and philosophical texts of India. When translating or teaching he would freely draw on other texts to clarify, expand and substantiate his teaching. He could recall a text by simply remembering the first few words of the verse.In time his reputation as a learned philospher and spiritual adept spread. Spiritual leaders and scholars journeyed from all over the world to receive his blessing and to ask him questions about various aspects of Kashmir Shaiva philosophy. He gained renown as a devotee of Lord Shiva and as a master of the nondual tradition of Kashmir Shaivism.Throughout his life Swami Lakshmanjoo taught his disciples and devotees the ways of devotion and awareness. He shunned fame and recognition and did not seek his own glory. He knew Kashmir Shaivism was a most precious jewel and that by God's grace, those who desired to learn would be attracted to it. His earnest wish was that it be preserved and made available to all who desired to know it.On September 22, 1991 Swami Lakshmanjoo attained the great liberation and left his physical body.--This text refers to an alternatePaperbackedition.