Course Overview

The Quintessence of Trika Philosophy course is a study of Virūpākṣapañcāśikā, the Fifty Verses of Virūpākṣa, by Āchārya Sthaneshwar Timalsina. Virūpākṣapañcāśikā is a treatise on the Trika Philosophy of Pratyabhijñā or Self-Recognition associated with the illustrious masters of Kashmiri Śaivism such as Somānanda, Utpaladeva, and Abhinavagupta. Rather than engaging in a rigorous philosophical exposition, the text instead guides the reader through a series of experiential contemplations that seek to elevate the awareness of the self to that of the all-encompassing Śiva by a process of deconstructing phenomenal self-identities.

The course consists of 8 Sessions including 5 Lecture Presentations, each 1 hour in length, closely following the 4 Chapters traditionally associated with the text and 3 Question and Answer Discussions.

The First Lecture on Viśvāhantā or I am the totality includes a general introduction and then covers Chapter 1, verses 1-8, which introduces the concept that the true referent of the "self" and of the "body" is the totality. This comes with the rejection of the self-identities that are conditioned in corporeality, external entities, and mental constructs.

The Second Lecture on Prakāśa or Luminosity correlates to Chapter 2, verses 9-21, which brings the concept of self-recognition to the fore by describing the emanation of the world as the flow of consciousness identical to Siva. Emanation of the world is compared here with phonemic expression.

The Third and Fourth Lectures on Vimarśa or Reflection divide Chapter 3, verses 22-40, which expands the concept of the unitary nature of the self through analysis of grammatical persons, resulting in the theory of cosmic pulsation. This chapter brings Śākta concepts to the front with the discourse on the sequence of Śaktis.

The Fifth Lecture on Experiencing Pūrṇatva or Fullness concludes with Chapter 4, verses 41-53, which identifies the levels of aspirants in their progressive stages as they experience this totality as self-emanation.

Interactive Question and Answer Discussions were held in the sessions falling between the Second and Third Lectures, the Fourth and Fifth Lectures, and at the conclusion of the course.

Original Course Schedule

4/2/23

Lecture 1 - Viśvāhantā or I am the totality

4/9/23

Lecture 2 - Prakāśa or Luminosity

4/16/23

Question & Answer Discussion

4/23/23

Lecture 3 - Vimarśa or Reflection, Part 1

4/30/23

Lecture 4 - Vimarśa or Reflection, Part 2

5/7/23

Question & Answer Discussion

5/14/23

Lecture 5 - Experiencing Pūrṇatva or Fullness

5/21/23

Question & Answer Discussion