Yoga of Synthesis in Kashmir Shaivam

Author(s): S S Toshkhani
Publisher: S S Toshkhani

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does not need any external prop or support now for whatever he says or does to strengthen this awareness of unity within himself becomes japa (repetition of mantra), dhyana (meditation), homa (fire oblation) etc. for him. He pours his thought of identity with the gross psycho-physical body as oblations into the raging fire of his awakened consciousness. Nothing is of any consequence to him except keeping his attention fixed firmly on his own state of being as not different from Shiva. Ultimately all contradictions and polarities dissolve, leaving him immersed in the bliss that results from experiencing the universal pulsation of pure I-consciousness.
ANAVOPAYA
Of basic importance in the schemata of Shaiva praxis laid out by Abhinavagupta is the method known as anavopaya, or the "atomic" method of attaining liberation for it provides the ladder to ascend to higher stages of self-awareness. The very word "anu"or atom associated with it shows that it refers to the limited, fragmented consciousness of the individual soul whose freedom from differentiation is its goal. Anavopaya brings into. play kriya shakti or Shiva's power of action to achieve this end, all its activity operating at the bodily plane. Like shäktopaya or the Empowered Means, anavopaya or the Individual Means too is concerned with vikalpa samakära or purification of thought, but for that it employs practices ranging from gross to subtle including physical postures, breathing exercises, utterance of mantra and elementary meditation.
The practices of anava yoga are summed up in the following shloka of Malinīvijaytantra
as:
Uccara-karana-dhyana-varna-sthäna-prakalpanaih/
Yo bhavettu samaveshah samyagānava uchyate //
(MVT II, 21)
"A perfect absorption into the essential divine Self that is achieved through uccära (concentration on the source of breath), karana (the external or internal postures), dhyāna
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