Shaiva Siddhanta is one of the Oldest Continuous Shaiva Traditions

Shaiva Siddhanta (शैव सिद्धांत) is a form of Shaivism from South India and Sri Lanka that propounds a dualistic philosophy where the ultimate and…

Spanda is the Sacred Vibration of Kashmir Shaivism

Spanda (स्पंद), a Tantric term meaning “cosmic pulsation” in Kashmir Shaivism. In Hindu philosophy, especially within the non-dual tradition of…

Yogini is a Supernatural Female Deity Associated With Shakti

A yogini (योगिनी) is a female master practitioner of tantra and yoga, as well as a formal term of respect for female Hindu…

Rudrayamala is Considered one of the Most Important Sanskrit Tantric Texts

The Rudrayamala (रुद्रयामल), also known as Rudra Yamala (रुद्र यमला), Rudra-Yamala, or Parātriṁśaka, is considered one of the most important Sanskrit Tantric texts. It is…

Kashmir Shaivism Teaches that Shiva is the One Ultimate Reality

Kashmir Shaivism (कश्मीर शैव धर्म) is a 20th-century umbrella term for a body of Sanskrit exegetical literature from several non-dualist Shaiva-Shakta tantric and monistic…

Tantraloka Literally Means the Light on the Tantras

Tantraloka (तन्त्रलोक) is a treatise of Abhinavagupta, a writer and philosopher of the Kashmir Shaivism school of Hindu philosophy. The Tantraloka…

Turiya Refers to the Fourth State of Consciousness

In Hindu philosophy, Turiya (तुरीय), also referred to as chaturiya or chaturtha, is the true self (atman) beyond the three common states of consciousness…

Vijnana Bhairava Tantra is a Shiva Tantra

The Vijnana Bhairava Tantra (विज्ञान भैरव तंत्र) is a Shiva Tantra of the Kaula Trika tradition of Kashmir Shaivism, possibly authored by Guru…

Yoga Nidra is Structured Meditative Practice for Deep Healing

Yoga nidra (योग निद्रा) or yogic sleep, in modern usage, is a state of consciousness that lies between waking and sleeping, typically induced by…

Panchendriyas are the Sense Organs of the Human Body

Panchendriyas (पञ्चइन्द्रिय) are the sense organs of the human body in Hinduism, consisting of mind and action, each consisting of five…