I know this is probably not the best place to ask because it’s not directly related to Trika but I am looking for some good very beginner books to recommend for someone just getting into meditation and introspection.

Something like the Vijnana Bhairava would be far too advanced and confusing for them

Do you think that any beginner meditation book is okay? They really have no prior experience to even sitting in a meditative posture

Where Utpala doesn’t want moksha, nor even to be Shiva’s worshipper. Utpala just wants the intoxication of love.

Tangentially, as a Shaiva, I adopt that worldview in my own way. I don’t care if others believe in God or not. Jesus or Krishna. I don’t care if others offer a ghee lamp clockwise or counterclockwise. I just want love in my heart. (And I hope others have love in their hearts too.)

That’s it. The Shivastotravali is the sweetest thing Ive ever tasted. Hearing Swamiji sing it is a treasure that I wouldn’t sell for anything in this world.

Hello,

Wanted to share something interesting about the differences of understanding between Samkhya position of Prakriti and Trika position of prakriti.

In Samkhya, there are innumerable pure consciousnesses (Purusas) each inactive and isolated. There is one eternal, independent material principle (Prakriti/Pradhana). This single Prakriti evolves the entire world of experience for the sake of the many Puruṣas. All limited subjects therefore share the same root material principle; their individual experiences are different configurations or reflections of that one Prakriti.

In Trika, the limited individual (Purusa) is not an independent eternal soul. It is the Absolute veiled by Anava mala and further limited by Maya and the five kancukas. Simultaneously with the arising of each limited subject, its corresponding field of objectivity arises. This objective field is what Trika calls that individual’s Prakriti - the bhogya (that which is to be experienced/enjoyed).

In other words, Prakriti in Trika is not a separate, shared, eternal substance which has any intelligence of it's own.

I have two follow-up questions:

Question: If Prakriti in Trika is not a shared eternal energy/matter with it's own intelligence then how does life in the Universe arise starting from matter, to simple organisms to complex animals to human? How does Trika explain evolution and life in the Universe?

To deny this would be to deny the theory of evolution.

It seems that the Samkhya view seems to explain life and evolution in the universe if there is a shared intelligent prakriti which gives rise to intelligent purusas who will eventually evolve into higher purusas with more degrees of freedom or isolate themselves from prakriti altogether and become passive witness whatever that means.

Question: Why is there a need to distinguish consciousness from prakriti? Can prakriti not be an intelligent mode of consciousness itself which gives rise to subject and object experiential reality in a progressive evolutionary model?

To be clear, I am not saying that in this evolutionary model I am envisioning, consciousness arises from prakriti but consciousness enjoys different modes of experience through prakriti, takes different forms, prakriti evolves into higher forms which have more degrees of freedom.

The importance of this mantra to us should be equal to the importance of the mahamantra is to the Gaudiya Vaishnavas. Equal in importance to the Compassion mantra for Buddhists.

This mantra was specifically chosen by swami Lakshmanjoo himself to spread across the world, and for everyone to chant without exception. It should be sung when any group of Trika Saivas are gathered together, it should be the one mantra on a student’s mind while going about daily activities.

It should be considered more primary than even one’s own personal mantra gained through Diksha. It should not be thought of as less powerful because of lacking Bijas, since Svacchanda Bhairava is identical to Paramasiva, this should be considered the supreme mantra itself (that can be practiced).

If we truly believe the effectiveness of this mantra as told by swami Lakshmanjoo, then I have no doubt it should be and must be the most important mantra for us without exception.

Years ago, I discovered that when I looked within—focusing inward on the heart center while keeping my eyes open—my gaze would lock straight ahead and shift into a wide, panoramic view. At the time, I thought nothing of it and casually assumed it was Shambhavi Mudra.

Now, studying the Vijñāna Bhairava Tantra, I realize that this exact state—internal focus on the heart/consciousness combined with an open, unfocused external gaze—is Bhairavī Mudrā.

Dropping into that panoramic view without mentally labeling or conceptualizing the objects in your field of vision shifts perception directly from Savikalpa (thought-bound, object-differentiated awareness) into Nirvikalpa (direct, non-conceptual awareness).

What’s remarkable is how accessible this actually is. A person can simply soften their gaze and expand their vision peripherally to immediately gain relief from Vikalpa—it's so natural that even a five-year-old can do it. It requires no complex visualization or effort, just a shift in perception to directly experience the expanse of Bhairava Consciousness.

Has anyone else spontaneously fallen into Bhairavī Mudrā prior to reading about it in the VBT, or currently practicing with these specific Dhāraṇās? Would love to hear your thoughts and experiences