Teachings

Many are unable to plunge into the vast "Light on the Tantras"; therefore, may all listen to this work, "The Essence of the Tantras", composed in straightforward language.

Abhinavagupta·Illumination of the Modes of Realization

That one's real nature is in truth Divine, which means that it is the nonconceptual, uncontracted Light of Consciousness made manifest.

Abhinavagupta·Illumination of the Modes of Realization

Its independent freedom is its Power of Bliss; its relishing of that freedom is its Power of Will; the fact that it is the Light of Creation is its Power of Awareness; the fact that its nature is to reflect itself is its Power of Knowing; and the fact that it can assume any form is its Power of Acting.

Abhinavagupta·Illumination of the Modes of Realization

The Self is an embodiment of the Light of Consciousness; it is the free and independent Divinity made manifest. It freely conceals its own form, and it manifests its fullness again immediately or gradually. From the highest perspective, all this is God's intense joy.

Abhinavagupta·Illumination of the Modes of Realization

This very Highest Divinity, the self-manifest Light of Consciousness, is what I am -- when that is the case, what could any method of practice achieve? Not the attainment of my true nature, because that is eternally present; not making it known, because it is already illuminating itself.

Abhinavagupta·Illumination of Spontaneous Realization

Therefore, everything is One: all this is a single reality consisting of Consciousness alone, free and blissful, unbroken by time, uncircumscribed by place, unclouded by attributes or adjuncts, unconfined by forms or appearances, unexpressible by words.

Abhinavagupta·Illumination of Spontaneous Realization

The whole network of methods could not reveal God. Can a pot illumine the thousand-rayed sun? Discerning the truth thusly, one with the highest insight can immerse into the state of the self-luminous Shiva in an instant.

Abhinavagupta·Illumination of Spontaneous Realization

This entire conditioned reality is simply a reflection in the space of Awareness.

Abhinavagupta·Illumination of the Divine Means

The entire world shines here within the Self, just as a complex creation appears in a single mirror. However, Awareness articulates and touches the universe of its experience in accordance with the flavor of its own self-awareness -- no mirror can do that.

Abhinavagupta·Illumination of the Divine Means

Because She projects and because She knows, and because She is the projected and the known, She is called Kali.

Abhinavagupta·Illumination of the Divine Means

The one and only ultimate reality is pure unlimited Awareness -- transcending all the Principles that are by nature limited. That is the ground upon which all things are established. That is the life-force of the universe. By That the universe lives and breathes, and That alone am I.

Abhinavagupta·Illumination of the Empowered Means

A bound soul who has any of these convictions -- 'I am dense, I am inert matter,' or 'I am completely bound by my karma,' or 'I am impure' -- may seek to attain the steady conviction of the opposite. If he succeeds, he immediately becomes the Lord whose body is the whole universe and whose soul is Awareness.

Abhinavagupta·Illumination of the Empowered Means

In the Heart-lotus of awareness that has blossomed due to an intense Descent of a ray of light from the sun of Supreme Shiva, the power of awakening pours forth the exquisite fragrance of the Self, revealing its secret nature: there the bee of self-awareness buzzes, humming 'I am Lord Shiva, overflowing with the reality of all beings!'

Abhinavagupta·Illumination of the Empowered Means

This Reality is free and independent, a mass of bliss, and That alone am I; everything is reflected within it -- within me.

Abhinavagupta·Illumination of Spontaneous Realization

In whatever manner such a conviction may be attained, a superior yogi should cultivate it at all times. He should not allow his perspective to become divorced from the real nature of things and thus be led into doubt by the mass of foolish teachings in the world.

Abhinavagupta·Illumination of the Empowered Means