Religious Pluralism and Truth-Essays on Cross Cultural Philosophy

Highly balanced , the author puts his heart out (also scholarship :D) , A must read as a philosphical doctrine(tantra), explained in clear consise terms.If you have no introduction to tantra that works too.I guess it was meant to be read that way.

If you have ever read some of the other scholarly 'uhh...whaaat???' translations of Abhinavagupta's Tantraloka and other texts, you may appreciate Muller-Ortega's heartfelt efforts to make actual and accessible sense out of what may the most perfect and superbly beautiful thoughts on understanding the journey into higher consciousness ever written. I have never met Muller-Ortega, but when I read this I felt it must come out of his own spiritual experiences - meaning I believe he understood Abhinavagupta, as in grok, and that immersing his consciousness into Abhinavagupta elevated Muller-Ortega into God consciousness.Many academics go to such tedious lengths to translate the Sanskrit so perfectly, resorting to every possible definition, root word, and textual reference - that by the time you wade through one verse, you no longer care! I for one am grateful to Muller-Ortega, and I believe that what he may have missed in terms of high-tech Sanskrit perfection, he more than made up for with his ability to transmit his passion for Abhinavagupta - probably the most brilliant mind India ever produced - and make the reader want more. Thank you!Please don't misunderstand me - I unreservedly appreciate every translation of the Sanskrit texts and those who have labored to bring them to the English speaking seekers of Truth. However, these great Kashmir sages like Abhinavagupta, Vasugupta, Utpaladeva, and Ksemaraja did not write for the scholars in academia. They wrote for the seekers of enlightenment, the men and women who were weary of Samsara - and more than anything else longed to be re-united in their Source.In the conclusion of Ksemaraja's commentaries on the Shiva Sutras, he says, "The glory of this Shiva Sutras commentary of mine is that it has the power to generate curiosity to realize Shaivism in the minds of those who have no curiosity." That doesn't sound much like a scholar to me. "It expands and generates a great change in their intellects." And this is exactly what Paul Muller-Ortega achieved with his inspiring intellect-changing Triadic Heart of Shiva.As for the 'real' translation, we will have to wait for Swami Lakshmanjoo's teachings on the Tantraloka to be published - because it seems that this enlightened Kashmiri Saint was in fact the only one left who was actually still able to know what Abhinavagupta's Sanskrit meant and could put into English not only the meaning, but the soul.

Very happy of my purchase

An excellent book: by focusing on the theme of the Heart, it really tells you what's most important in kashmir shaivism, and covers all relevant aspects. Well researched, well structured, and thorough, it was truly enlightening for me. (A word of caution however: it's an academic book, so it may be a little difficult for some people)

If you have ever read some of the other scholarly 'uhh...whaaat???' translations of Abhinavagupta's Tantraloka and other texts, you may appreciate Muller-Ortega's heartfelt efforts to make actual and accessible sense out of what may the most perfect and superbly beautiful thoughts on understanding the journey into higher consciousness ever written. I have never met Muller-Ortega, but when I read this I felt it must come out of his own spiritual experiences - meaning I believe he understood Abhinavagupta, as in grok, and that immersing his consciousness into Abhinavagupta elevated Muller-Ortega into God consciousness.Many academics go to such tedious lengths to translate the Sanskrit so perfectly, resorting to every possible definition, root word, and textual reference - that by the time you wade through one verse, you no longer care! I for one am grateful to Muller-Ortega, and I believe that what he may have missed in terms of high-tech Sanskrit perfection, he more than made up for with his ability to transmit his passion for Abhinavagupta - probably the most brilliant mind India ever produced - and make the reader want more. Thank you!Please don't misunderstand me - I unreservedly appreciate every translation of the Sanskrit texts and those who have labored to bring them to the English speaking seekers of Truth. However, these great Kashmir sages like Abhinavagupta, Vasugupta, Utpaladeva, and Ksemaraja did not write for the scholars in academia. They wrote for the seekers of enlightenment, the men and women who were weary of Samsara; and more than anything else longed to be re-united in their Source, God consciousness.In the conclusion of Ksemaraja's commentaries on the Shiva Sutras, he says, "The glory of this Shiva Sutras commentary of mine is that it has the power to generate curiosity to realize Shaivism in the minds of those who have no curiosity." That doesn't sound much like a scholar to me. "It expands and generates a great change in their intellects." And this is exactly what Paul Muller-Ortega achieved with his inspiring intellect-changing Triadic Heart of Shiva.As for the 'real' translation, we will have to wait for Swami Lakshmanjoo's teachings on the Tantraloka to be published - because it seems that this enlightened Kashmiri Saint was in fact the only one left who was actually still able to know what Abhinavagupta's Sanskrit meant and could put into English not only the meaning, but the soul.

In Kashmir Shaivism, there is the Hamsa mantra. Hamsa is really 2 mantras joined: Ham Sauh. The bk is all about the Sauh mantra. I won’t say any more. Read the book if you want to know more. K/S is Hinduism. It’s India’s best kept secret.