An Anysis of Origins,lineages,schools and Philosophy of Kashmir Shaivism

Kashmir Shaivism is intensely monistic. It does not deny the existence or worship of a personal god. The emphasis is on following the instructions of a master, personal meditation and establishing the self in the eternal Shiva consciousness. Shiva is not just a deity of worship instead as per Kashmir Shaivism he is the immanent and transcendent reality. Shiva’s consciousness is complete and encompasses everything. Nothing is outside him. The world is his, “Abhasa.” It is shining forth of himself in his dynamic force called Shakti. Shakti is the first impulse or Spanda. Shiva, through his Shakti performs the five actions of creation, preservation, destruction, revealing and concealing. Kashmir Shaivism is not much concerned about the worship of a personal god. It focuses on attaining the transcendental nature of Shiva consciousness. Unlike other sects, Kashmir Shaivism integrates the monistic thought with Tantra and Yoga traditions. These unique features are analyzed in this article along with its philosophical foundations, lineages and various schools of Kashmir Shaivite Thought.