The Shiva Sutras are one of the most important texts in Kashmir Shaivism, revealed to Vasugupta in the 8th Century. They are credited with re-establishing the Trika Tantra system (otherwise known as Kashmir Shaivism) of the 3 Yogas.

The Shiva Sutras, combined with the Vijnana Bhairava Tantra, are the key texts offering the essence and the practices, where the message is simple; we are consciousness (One, Shiva, God) but we identify as separate (especially identifying with the body) and therefore fail to experience ultimate reality (truth).

So, how do we come to experience this truth?

First, we must remove the veil (ie, come to recognise the Self as consciousness). We then can start to dis-attach from the body. And then we can experience awakening.

This sounds simple. But in practice, it is a journey.

First, we must raise our awareness sufficiently to become the witness, where we can observe the Self as Shiva (Oneness / Soul / Atman). This takes effort and consistent practice through the 3 Yogas (Trika means three).

Kriya Yoga (the yoga of action).

Bhakti Yoga (the yoga of devotion).

Jnana Yoga (the yoga of knowledge).

Working through the 3 Yogas we bring about an alignment of energy through the Chakra system.

These are the key texts and yogas used in our tantra yoga community Tantra Yoga 4 men-who-love-men. Why not join us to start or continue your journey through tantra yoga into bliss.

Here we tap into our Desire; desire for oneness. One vehicle for this is through the body. Neo-tantra uses our sexual energy especially to support our journey, through bringing heightened connection between energy and emotions. We come out of the mind and into the body, experiencing joy and bliss.

However, later on down the line, we must step beyond the body, to dis-attach. This is the stage many find most difficult as we have become strongly attached to the experiences of joy and bliss through the body (especially if we have taken the multi-orgasmic route).

To support this shift we engage in mantra, working with sound and vibration. And through the support of our Guru we begin to remove our identification with the body. This begins to happen as we experience inner bliss, rather than being dependent on our outward facing senses. Here the chakras become aligned, and the energy rises (or rather we awaken to this alignment).

Once we have moved from the mind and the body, we have less of a limited sense of Self, and a reduced sense of Ego.

At this point we might come to experience powers. But there is a warning here. We can easily become distracted and stuck; attached to these powers and so not progress to full awakening.

When we think we have gained powers, we have not left the self. We are still seeing ourself as a separate individual with powers. We must therefore shift beyond these powers to the True Self.

When we awaken, we don’t transcend to some other place. We awaken within the body. We still work through the mind (the body and mind are our vehicles). But now we are masters of our body / mind, not the other way around. Thereby bringing wisdom gained back to the here and now. We live in service to the Self.

We live as others do, experiencing pleasure and pain. But rather than identifying with this; being attracted to pleasure and avoiding pain, we see them both as unavoidable. We cannot have one with the other, but neither cause suffering.

We remain peaceful, yet with a great sense of vitality. Awareness grows; passing judgements reduces. We are Free (we reach Kevali; the state of liberation).

Bringing it all together

Although the message of The Shiva Sutras, that we are oneness but experience separateness, might be simple, the practice to come back to oneness; recognise the Self, needs effort, consistency and a great desire. What is often forgotten in tantra circle today is that these texts were aimed at yogis, yoginis and mystics who were already advanced in their practices. Working from beginner, to intermediate, to advanced takes time.

Classical Tantra, Kashmir Shaivism, Trika Tantra offers a journey, not a quick fix.

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Look out for my NEW book Tantra Yoga – The Dance of Shiva, to be published through Collective Ink, 31 March 2027.

See my personal development / personality profiling book DISCover the Power of You published through John Hunt Publishing Ltd, 2017. ISBN: 978-1-78535-591-2

Pink Tantra brings together more than 20 years of experience in leadership and spiritual coaching, Tantra and yoga teaching, creative practice, and personal development. A 200-hour Kundalini Tantra Yoga Teacher Trainer and a 300-hour Hatha/Kriya Yoga Teacher Trainer, Pink has trained in India and brings a rich, embodied approach to his work, alongside trauma-informed coaching and Tantra Teacher Trainer qualifications. He is also an author and artist, with his forthcoming book Tantra Yoga – The Dance of Shiva due for publication in 2026. Across his work, Pink creates spaces for exploration, awareness and transformation, weaving together movement, spirituality, embodiment and the deeper possibilities of tantric practice.