The Three Paths(Upayas) to Universal Consciousness in Kashmir Shaivism

In this article, we will explore the three Upayas, or three distinct means or paths revealed in the non-dualist tradition of Kashmir Shaivism. These Upayas hold profound significance as they serve as guiding principles, leading individuals on a transformative journey from limited consciousness to Universal Oneness or God Consciousness.

1. Shambhavopaya: The Shiva’s Path

This Upaya is known to be the best or the highest path, as in this method, the Yogi has to maintain unbroken thoughtlessness (Shambhava state), which serves as a doorway to Universal Consciousness. Having accomplished this, there is nothing much for him/her to do. The Yogi, having reached the Shambhava state, awaits at the door of Universal Consciousness. From this point, entry into universal God Consciousness becomes automatic, facilitated by the divine grace of master.

This Upaya is also known as Icchopaya, as the seeker achieves entry into Supreme Consciousness solely by the grace and power of pure divine will (Iccha Shakti). According to Kashmir Shaivism, the yogi is a limited being (Jiva), and Lord Shiva is unlimited. The yogi’s limited existence is a result of Lord Shiva’s magical trick (Mahamaya), and being dependent on Shiva’s independent will (Svatantra Shakti), they can’t force the unlimited divine reality to reveal itself. Kashmir Shaivism says that the revelation happens through God’s grace, received in the form of the master’s grace. When the disciple reaches the Shambhava state with thoughtlessness, they’re ready to receive this grace, leading to absorption in universal God Consciousness

Referred to as Niralamba Yoga or supportless yoga, this path is said to transcend all traditional meditation aids and practices, such as mantra, dhyana (thought), breath, or any other aids to meditation. It leads the Yogi to a perpetual state of freedom from thoughts, involving a thoughtless state where the mind plays no active role, ultimately revealing Supreme Consciousness. However this path is not the easiest, as it requires supreme strength of awareness and determination, to maintain a perpetual thoughtless state.

In order to succeed in shambhavopaya the Shaiva yogi must possess supreme strength of awareness so that he/she does not need support to maintain his/her consciousness of self. Shaiva masters tell us that in shambhavopaya the aspirant has only to maintain the thoughtless (nirvikalpa) state continuously. For this reason, shambhavopaya is said to be the most refined upaya. Here the aspirant must reside in the subtlest state of knowledge, just at the starting point of perception. This starting point is found just at the beginning of any perception or thought, before it has become determinate. In this upaya the aspirant, by maintaining the thoughtless state, resides in this first starting point of perception or thought simply by willing it.

- Swami Lakshmanjoo, documented by John Hughes

2. Shaktopaya: The Shakti’s Path

Also known as path of energy, in Shaktopaya, the yogi attains absorption in Universal Consciousness by concentrating on the Supreme Being found in the junction between any two actions or thoughts. No mantras or breath concentration are needed; the yogi must mentally grasp the junction present in all activities and thoughts in their life. Shavism call this as “centering”. Unlike Shambhovapya, developing strong firmness of awareness is crucial for this upaya, as it enables the yogi to enter Universal Consciousness existing in the center between any two thoughts or actions.

Kashmir Shaivism explains that it is the cyclical nature of the world that is also intrinsic to countless perceptions and thoughts, each having a beginning and an end. For instance, when we look at one object, the perception of that object comes into existence, lasts for a while, and then fades. The same happens when we turn to look at another object and so on. The key insight here is — that between the end of one thought or perception and the beginning of another, there’s a brief gap which is a doorway through which shines the universal Reality of Supreme Consciousness that permeates through all of existence shines through.

Through developing this intensity of awareness the yogi will be able to maintain a continuity of unbroken awareness. The Shaiva explains that this is important, for it is only by maintaining a chain of unbroken awareness that the yogi will be able to discover the reality of the gap. In shaktopaya all actions, all thoughts are fit for such practice. These gaps exist everywhere. While raising your arm and putting it down, between two steps, between the waking state and the
dreaming state, between the dreaming state and the state of deep sleep, between the outgoing breath and the incoming breath, at all of these moments junctions exist. Furthermore, all practices which are essentially anavopaya practices are, for the aspirant residing in shaktopaya, shaktopaya practices if they are done with full unbroken awareness.

- Swami Lakshmanjoo, documented by John Hughes

3. Anavopaya: The Path of Doing

Considered as the most inferior path in Kashmir Shaivism, Anavopaya focuses on the individual soul (Anu). On this path, the yogi requires extensive support and utilizes various processes, tools and techniques to maintain and enhance their awareness. There are countless methods which are found in Anavopaya that can be taken collectively or individually. These methods involve concentration on breathing (uccara), focusing on experiences through a specific sense organ (karana), meditative contemplation (dbyana), recitation (varna) or concentration on a particular place (sthana-prakalpana). These practices, detailed below, can be undertaken collectively or individually to aid the development of awareness.

• Uccara is connected with Prana and involves concentrating on the breath, specifically focusing on the points between outgoing and incoming breaths.
• Karana utilizes the body or its subtle sense organs such as vision, hearing, smelling etc. For example gazing at candle flame to maintain an unbroken chain of awareness. Kashmir Shaivism says that when that perception vanishes, then the yogi enters into the vastness of the center.
• Dhyana is the practice of meditative contemplation that involves focused attention and concentration of mind on a particular object, or concept, to transcend ordinary thought and to enter in a deeper, meditative state. For example to meditating or visualizing a specific deity, symbol, or image.
• Sthana-prakalpana refer to the practice of concentration or meditation on a specific place or point in the body. The word can be broken down into two parts: “Sthana,” meaning place, and “Prakalpana,” meaning contemplation or imagination. For example — A yogi can deepen their meditative experience by visualizing or directing their attention to their third eye or a particular chakra.
• Varna refers to phonemes or sounds, which are the building blocks of speech (Varnmala). Also known as Dhvani Yoga, this practice is associated with the primal, vibrational nature of sounds and using mantras. Chanting mantra such as Ham-Sa or A-U-M etc. are some examples where a yogi breathes out with the sound( “Sa”)and breathes in with the sound (“Ham”).

Different Paths but One Goal

Though Anavopaya may require more time, Shaktopaya provides a quicker route, and Shambhavopaya is the fastest. Ultimately all paths converges into the oneness of the ultimate spiritual realization.

Kashmir Shaivism encourages the yogi to always aim for the highest and best path — Shambhavopaya. For Shaivas absorbed in one-pointed awareness, free from objective experiences or thoughts, this is the easiest path, as the yogi doesn’t have to do anything or go anywhere. Instead, they simply need to be in their own true nature, which is in the mystical absorption of union with God Consciousness or Shiva.

I sincerely wish that may your journey be filled with grace, wisdom and transformative experiences!

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