Recommended Books for Kashmiri Shaivism?

[srivijaya]

I have recently read The Secret Supreme and am planning on buying the Shiva Sutras (both by Swami Lakshmanjoo).

In addition I'm currently reading a more scholarly (but brilliant) book called The Triadic Heart of Siva by Paul E.Muller- Ortega:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Triadic-Heart-Siva-Tantricism-Abhinavagupta/dp/0887067875/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1204623262&sr=8-1

I have another scholarly book (The Doctrine of Vibration by Mark S.G. Dyczkowski) which I have yet to read:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Doctrine-Vibration-Doctrines-Associated-Traditions/dp/0887064329/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1204623430&sr=1-1

As I also wish to acquire deeper instruction on the meditative and experiential side of things, I would like to ask if anyone here could recommend any books by masters who have 'done it' rather than by scholars who have 'reported on it'.

The Lakshmanjoo books, though brilliant, seem a bit sparse, as they are transcribed from talks and I have always found it helpful to get varying perspectives - hence my question.

Namaste

[srivijaya]

Well, this is my list of potential purchases, as it currently stands.

Any comments welcome.

Yoga Spandakarika: The Sacred Texts at the Origins of Tantra (Paperback)
by Daniel Odier
http://www.amazon.com/Yoga-Spandakarika-Sacred-Origins-Tantra/dp/1594770514/ref=s9_js_pop_title?ie=UTF8&pf%5Frd%5Ft=101&pf%5Frd%5Fm=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf%5Frd%5Fp=278240301&pf%5Frd%5Fs=center-2&pf%5Frd%5Fr=1B5HF84ZRK1Q01662ETF&pf%5Frd%5Fi=507846

Siva Sutras: The Yoga of Supreme Identity (Paperback)
by Jaideva Singh
Siva sutras
http://www.amazon.com/Siva-Sutras-Yoga-Supreme-Identity/dp/8120804074/ref=pd_sim_b_title_2

Vijnanabhairava or Divine Conciousness: A Treasury of 112 Types of Yoga (Hardcover)
by Jaideva Singh
"all of yoga condensed into 108 dharanas or centering techniques"
http://www.amazon.com/Vijnanabhairava-Divine-Conciousness-Treasury-Types/dp/8120808177/ref=pd_sim_b_title_3

Spanda-Karikas: The Divine Creative Pulsation (Hardcover)
The Spanda-Karikas are Sri Vasugupta's commentary verses on the Siva Sutras he had received from Lord Shiva.
by Jaideva Singh
http://www.amazon.com/Spanda-Karikas-Creative-Pulsation-Jaideva-Singh/dp/8120808169/ref=pd_sim_b_img_4

Self Realization in Kashmir Shaivism : The Oral Teachings of Swami Lakshmanjoo (Paperback)
by Lakshman
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0791421805/ref=s9_asin_title_2_sims_c5?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-4&pf_rd_r=05Z78MWQHG4BP60AZQ6K&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=320448901&pf_rd_i=507846

Shiva Sutras: The Supreme Awakening (Paperback)
by Swami Lakshmanjoo
http://www.amazon.com/Shiva-Sutras-Awakening-Swami-Lakshmanjoo/dp/1434314057/ref=pd_sim_b_title_4


namaste

[Agnideva]

Specific Principles of Kashmir Saivism
by B.N. Pandit
http://www.amazon.com/Specific-Principles-Kashmir-Saivism-Balajinnatha/dp/8121507294

An excellent and very well written book.

[yajvan]

Hari Om
~~~~~


Any comments welcome. Yoga Spandakarika: The Sacred Texts at the Origins of Tantra (Paperback) by Daniel Odier
http://www.amazon.com/Yoga-Spandakarika-Sacred-Origins-Tantra/dp/1594770514/ref=s9_js_pop_title?ie=UTF8&pf%5Frd%5Ft=101&pf%5Frd%5Fm=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf%5Frd%5Fp=278240301&pf%5Frd%5Fs=center-2&pf%5Frd%5Fr=1B5HF84ZRK1Q01662ETF&pf%5Frd%5Fi=507846 (http://www.amazon.com/Yoga-Spandakarika-Sacred-Origins-Tantra/dp/1594770514/ref=s9_js_pop_title?ie=UTF8&pf%5Frd%5Ft=101&pf%5Frd%5Fm=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf%5Frd%5Fp=278240301&pf%5Frd%5Fs=center-2&pf%5Frd%5Fr=1B5HF84ZRK1Q01662ETF&pf%5Frd%5Fi=507846)

Siva Sutras: The Yoga of Supreme Identity (Paperback)
by Jaideva Singh
Siva sutras
http://www.amazon.com/Siva-Sutras-Yoga-Supreme-Identity/dp/8120804074/ref=pd_sim_b_title_2

Vijnanabhairava or Divine Conciousness: A Treasury of 112 Types of Yoga (Hardcover)
by Jaideva Singh
"all of yoga condensed into 108 dharanas or centering techniques"
http://www.amazon.com/Vijnanabhairava-Divine-Conciousness-Treasury-Types/dp/8120808177/ref=pd_sim_b_title_3

Spanda-Karikas: The Divine Creative Pulsation (Hardcover)
The Spanda-Karikas are Sri Vasugupta's commentary verses on the Siva Sutras he had received from Lord Shiva.
by Jaideva Singh
http://www.amazon.com/Spanda-Karikas-Creative-Pulsation-Jaideva-Singh/dp/8120808169/ref=pd_sim_b_img_4

Self Realization in Kashmir Shaivism : The Oral Teachings of Swami Lakshmanjoo (Paperback)
by Lakshman
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0791421805/ref=s9_asin_title_2_sims_c5?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-4&pf_rd_r=05Z78MWQHG4BP60AZQ6K&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=320448901&pf_rd_i=507846

Shiva Sutras: The Supreme Awakening (Paperback)
by Swami Lakshmanjoo
http://www.amazon.com/Shiva-Sutras-Awakening-Swami-Lakshmanjoo/dp/1434314057/ref=pd_sim_b_title_4

namaste

The books by Swami Laksmanjoo are a good choice. Why so? both knowledge and writing style are in a format for easy comprehension. Agnideva has also given a nice selection; I will need to spend more time with B.N. Pandit's writings.
I thought I would let you know I have been very pleased with many of the selections you mention above, with these additions:

Swami Laksmanjoo's book on Kasmir Shaivism- the Secret Supreme.
Vijnana Bhairava, Commentary by Swami Laksmanjoo. This is equal to Vijnanabhairava or Divine Consciousness: A Treasury of 112 Types of Yoga, yet two different books.
One other is Pratybhijahrdayam - the secret of Self Recognition by Jaideva Singh ( Swami Laksamjoo's sisya)May I say the order of which books you read will also assist you in your comprehension. If I were starting these books again I will read:
1. Swami Laksmanjoo's book on Kasmir Shaivism- the Secret Supreme
2.Vijnana Bhairava, Commentary by Swami Laksmanjoo
3. Spanda-Karikas: The Divine Creative Pulsation by Jaideva Singh
4. Shiva Sutras: The Supreme Awakening (Paperback) by Swami Lakshmanjoo

These 4 IMHO sets the stage, then any other after this will have a strong foundation to be place on.


FYI: these HDF posts have the books mentioned above as their foundation:
http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2323
http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2342
http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2361&highlight=siva+sutras
http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/showthread.php?t=2078&highlight=siva+sutras

[Agnideva]

Namaste Yajvan (et al.),

The books from Swami Lakshman Joo and Dr Jaideva Singh are all good, so I highly recommend them as well.

B.N. Pandit (http://mkmartand.blogspot.com/2007/02/professor-balajinath-pandit.html)’s writing style I find to be quite different and captivating. His works are also more recent. There are some other books by him that will be on my reading list:

http://tinyurl.com/5l7ta8
http://tinyurl.com/6yyw26

(http://tinyurl.com/6yyw26)

[Arjuna]

Specific Principles of Kashmir Saivism
by B.N. Pandit
http://www.amazon.com/Specific-Principles-Kashmir-Saivism-Balajinnatha/dp/8121507294
An excellent and very well written book.

Yeah, Pandit's book is very nice. I also like Mark Dyczkowski's books – and i would recommend using his translations of Siva-sutras and Spanda-karikas over Lakshmanji's or Jaidev Singh's.

All books by Alexis Sanderson, R. Gnoli and Andre Padoux are worth reading. Then, there are Paratrishika-vivarana translated by Jaidev Singh, Paramarthasara by B. N. Pandit, Ritual of Kula by J. Dupuche (translation of 27th Ahnika of Tantraloka) etc.

One of the most important works on KSh is Tantraloka, which is published in Italian (by R. Gnoli) and Hindi (by P. Mishra and R. S. Chaturvedi; Mishra's is said to be better). English translation is yet in process as i know.

[srivijaya]

Many thanks for the links and recommendations.

I've finished the fantastic 'Triadic Heart of Siva' by Paul E.Muller- Ortega:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Triadic-Hear...4623262&sr=8-1
This book is peppered with wonderful quotes from Abhinavagupta and Ksemaraja.

and am now working my way through The Doctrine of Vibration by Mark S.G. Dyczkowski:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Doctrine-Vib...4623430&sr=1-1

This looks like an impressive book and I'm glad I didn't read it first, as some background was necessary to get my mind ready for its contents.

I'll follow the others up in due course.

I must say that this site is a wonderful resource for Shaivism.

Namaste