The Recognition Sutras: Illuminating a 1,000-Year-Old Spiritual Masterpiece Kindle Edition

There are several eloquent reviews on this page about how meaningful and accessible this book is. I agree with all of them, and I would like to offer something else...Imagine that there were a time and a place, a thousand years ago on the other side of the world, where people took great effort to look deeply into themselves and the world around them to find the essence of things - of everything. And they succeeded. Now imagine that one of them took painstaking effort to write down what he learned so that others could find it and join him there.Perhaps that particular text becomes a bridge to our place and time, and perhaps someone we could understand is able to cross that bridge and navigate both the world the text came from and our own. Now if such a thing could happen, and if this person were a torchbearer for tradition and authenticity, could you trust such a guide to take you across that bridge and show you the secrets of that distant place and time? A place where beautiful letters dance across a page in a subtle fusion of sound and meaning, taking on a life of their own, working their own magic on their audience under the guidance of a trusted hand. A place where the essence of all that is constantly reveals itself in a continually expanding kaleidoscope of perception.It is possible that such a journey across that bridge would be an interesting historical tour, a view into another world so different from our own. And yet, it is also possible that your guide is offering you a path to your own possible future, another way of experiencing your own present world, and it could change...everything. Maybe this is an engaging and colorful translation of a thousand year old text...and just maybe it is something else entirely. Who can say? Are you brave enough to pick up a text that reads you more deeply than you are reading it?A sage in yet another place and time once said, "All the world is a narrow bridge, and the important thing is to have no fear at all." How brave are you? And can you live without knowing?

This is not something you just read. It is a transformative experience. There are 20 sutras and lots of integration practices which were (for me) like tying up loose ends on prior understanding. This made sense of concepts that used to be difficult for me. I felt like I had a teacher with me (in book form) that carried me to a new state of being. I am still thrilled with reintroduction and added layer to the meaning of "maya" in chapter 6!I can not recommend this book enough. Long time students/practitioners of yoga or people who are brand new to these concepts will be deeply moved.

A Translucent Gem of Supreme Wisdom In the Midst of A Dark AgeThe Recognition Sutras elaborated and translated by Christopher D Wallis and originally written by the Tantric mystic saint Rajanaka Kṣemarāja (क्षेमराज) (late 10th to early 11th century) is a thorough and at times breathtaking endeavor at pointing out the essential nature of all reality, which is pure & full awareness.It sounds so simple and yet as both Christopher and Ksemaraja expound, we perpetually contract this open radiant essence in favor for the content of its own projection. At times a bit esoteric and cryptic, at others straightforward; The Recognition Sutras offers many different angles of perspective into the luminous essence which shines indefinitely, awaiting its re-cognition to melt our burdensome shackles into bliss. The resurfacing of this text in the modern era is truly a miraculous blessing -- bestowing the opportunity to surrender this life of mediocrity and agony to the eternal flame of our own joyful play.At times Christopher expounds his perspective to academic proportions, and at others gets a bit poetic allowing his own mystical revelation to make itself evident, garnering the experience for both the scholar and lay practitioner. Although I can't say I agree entirely with some of Christopher's conclusions, I realize the genius behind these Sutras is to be both profoundly simple, and invite rigorous philosophical inquiry. In fact, many of the Sutras completely stupefied me, causing hours of contemplation and cognitive grappling, which of course was most likely the original intention. It is evident Christopher was extra careful in his translation not to take for granted the readers knowledge of Sanskrit terms and/or yogic ideas. With that said, to really fully grasp many of the concepts completely, one should probably read the authors other work, 'Tantra Illuminated' to gain a thorough understanding & context.Overall, I give this work 5 stars. A truly stellar translation and commentary on a spiritual masterpiece. The only criticisms I can muster are the occasional academic digression into the nuances of the translation and perhaps the nature of the work itself, which is to reiterate it's main point in a cyclical fashion -- perhaps to give the seeker of truth the necessary affirmation that the succulent nectar of Goddess Awareness awaits and is imminent right now.

Why is this book expensive if it is a mere Sanskrit to English translation of Kshemaraja's work on Tantra. Why is this book highly rated if the commentary of the author is mediocre at best. "I can attest that some of the generous spirit and open-mindedness of the Kashmiris can be found in Muslim Kashmiris today", writes the author.Well, the Muslim Kashmiris today are so open-minded that they have rid the Valley of all non-Muslims. How is that for the so called open-mindedness? How is that for the author's balanced commentary? Mediocre at best. Can't be relied upon by a rational individual like me. How is that for the ravages totally finishing the very culture the Valley was known for (the author can attest to what happened in the last 1,000 years in Kashmir, just a reminder). How is that for the ravages destroying the Saiva Tantra? The same Tantra which the author has been able to make a sterling career out of. The author's commentary can't be relied upon. I want my money back.

Probably the best book on understanding your real nature you will find in any tradition. This book reveals many of the concepts and practices that you will find in Dzogchen but without the secrecy you find in Tibetan traditions. Keep in mind that Buddha Nature = Shiva/God Consciousness. Kashmir Shaivism even comes from the same area of the world where Dzogchen is said to have originated.

I only got this book a few hours ago and almost immediately it has proved a practical book for contemplation and recognition of ones nature. This is not your usual book, it's meant to be used, I can't recommend this book enough for Shaiva Practitioners, Yoga Students, Buddhists, those practising Dzogchen, Christian, Hermeticist, Wiccan or any other Contemplative Tradition, it's practical, down to earth and non-secterain. Buy it, study it, use it. Can't recommend enough. Sure to become a classic. Here's to reality !

This book is amazing! It's my favourite book. Christopher Wallis (Hareesh) is an excellent teacher and scholar - judging by the contents of this book. Reading it has helped greatly in clarifying the whole subject of Tantrik Shaivism, especially from a 'practice' perspective. I can appreciate the intensity of effort and dedication that has gone into writing this book: it's a work of art! As for the content, the text and its meaning has been brilliantly revealed. Thank you from my heart.

This book includes a series of practices in chapter 18 - view and method(s) are provided here very clearly in great detail, as for the fruit...….

great book

You know when a book falls into your lap at the right time in your life. This one fell on me just when I was ready for it, two years into my searching on spirituality and Kashmiri Shaivism. It was as if everything came together, little by little, without effort, like pieces of a puzzle masterminded somewhere else. I don't know if I would have treasured it so much had I read it as a virgin from any such knowledge. But all I know is this book opened my mind, touched my heart and is going to accompany my practice from now on. I have copied and summarised chapter 18 that contains the practical tools for reaching the centre of our being, I feel guided as if I had met a guru and intend to follow each step. My gratitude.