Yoga Spandakarika: The Sacred Texts at the Origins of Tantra

These are very advanced teachings in all of their purity. I'm so grateful, and so healed.

This book was first published in 2004 and has been through numerous printings. In ten years it’s earned and maintained a five star review. The rating is deserved. Here’s a text that claims a position in history that precedes the beginning of the more familiar Tibetan traditions of Tantra. At least one reviewer claims it’s poetic. It’s that and more: It’s hypnotic. It’s magical and may fill your heart with bliss if you’ll let it.But wait, the original text stands at the beginning of the book just after an informative preface, but the naked original is brief and doesn’t create the greatest joy. It’s the commentary that vibrates and is charged with dynamic energy. It’s the author as conductor who mixes passages of prose with poetic ancient texts from the likes of Gampopa, Padmasambhava, Machig Labdron, and Saraha. The author Daniel Odier creates this splendid mixture. So what we are actually experiencing is a cornucopia of early Tantric teachings.Accustomed to Buddhist texts, this early writing now falls neatly into place. If history meant progression, why did this text sound so much like the most advanced? Perhaps Tibetan Tantra wasn’t so much original as repetitive and perhaps increasingly poetic? After pondering the thought, I conclude it doesn’t matter. The book does what all good books do; it creats an experience. Sounds a lot like what the Buddha wanted taught. And by the way, there’s a bonus at the end. Appendix 1 is a wonderful translation of the Vijanabhairava Tantra. It alone is worth the price of admission. So jump in. The water is warm. Enjoy the swim.

Odier is in a pretty unique position: he is an initiate in Kashmiri Shaivism, Tibetan Buddhism and Chinese Zen. The first is quite rare.This book is mainly a translation of sacred texts, with commentary by Odier. Interspersed with the main text are excerpts from Zen and Vajrayana texts, especially Hui Neng and Nagarjuna, helping to make the point about the fundamental unity of these approaches.Like Zen and Vajrayana, Kashmiri Shaivism is a "non-dual" approach; the ultimate truth is found in the unity of Siva and Shakti. Shaivism (the worship of Siva) is in the Hindu tradition, but shares early roots with the Buddist tradition, which was largely eliminated from India in the 12th Century Mongol invasions.The texts are very beautiful and profound, and Odier's commentaries are enlightening. There is mention of the Tandava, the yoga practice of Shaivism, which is the Dance of Shiva and Shakti; a spontaneous, free-form practice of allowing the spontaneous expression of Divine movement through the body, seated or standing. This constant unfolding of natural movement IS meditation and yoga for Shaivism. There are three wonderful you-tube clips of Odier teaching the Tandava; in French however, so try to get someone to translate or you; even just watching without the words is interesting.I highly recommend all Odier's books to anyone exploring the depths of meditation and yoga.

Daniel Odier's rendering of the Spandakarika is a valuable resource for all seekers, but especially for westerners.Most seekers are familiar with the great spiritual heritage of India and the spiritual wealth it has offered the world. Famous texts like 'Autobiography of a Yogi' or 'The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna' and the ancient texts are brimming with spiritual wisdom and humor, but I have always found such texts to be difficult at times for westerners like myself to comprehend completely. The times in which they lived, their traditions, culture, and language are indeed quite different from our own.Authors like Danier Odier are refreshing to westerners (america, europe, canada, australia) in that they are more easily grasped by us. This book is a translation and commentary of one of the oldest and most important writings on Kashmir Shaivism (a pillar of Hindu mysticism). Odier, who has successfully traversed the path of sadhana by the grace of his teacher, describes the meaning of these texts in western terms. His humor, his metaphors, and the stories of his own personal experience of the 'sacred tremor' were invaluable to me and I found them far more revealing than the translation of the actual text itself.

The mark of a true spiritual teacher is in their ability to communicate clearly and concisely. Daniel Odier translates Spandakarika beautifully. I experienced a great release in my heart when I read the following paragraph on Stanza 40. "Man endlessly crosses the deserts looking for his eyes outside of his head. He sees the mountains and the lakes, the rivers and the forests, the shimmering light, the celestial canopy the blue sky, the stars and the Milky Way; but, not finding his eyes, he grows weary. He is overcome with fatigue. He ends up losing his sight. Suddenly, he can no longer see anything and, in this very darkness, he realizes that the mountains and the rivers, the sky and space are in his own heart. When he opens his eyes again, he sees that all that previously seemed outside of him now shimmers and vibrates in his own heart. He is overcome with joy. He finally sees." Thank you Daniel, for writing this translation, and for your guidance.

This book presents translations of early Tantras (sacred Tantric texts). In this book Odier reports that "in the spring of 2004 in China, I met the Grand Ch'an master Jing Hui, dharma heir of Xu Yun, better known in the United States as `Empty Cloud' (1839-1959), who is recognized as the foremost Ch'an master of the twentieth century. My master Jing Hui gave me the Ch'an ordination in the Lin t'si and Caodong schools, as well as the permission to transmit the Zhao Zhou Ch'an spirit in the West." Ch'an is Chinese Zen.

I have read all of Odier's books on Tantra. They are all amazing but this one is sublime.

This is required reading for anyone who want to experience the organic process of true Tantra. Fascinating and enlightening

Great. Thank you

Daniel Odier's vibrant aliveness shines through this book.

this texts are like nutrition - Daniel Odier is a master of writing. Reading this book is like a beautiful meditation in every page. Read it page for page. Get nourished in spirit and life :) Daniel Odier and the texts are reminding you to the real essence. pure beauty.

Its an amazing book, a must read. I have yet to read it completely. There is a wealth of information given here, which many of us seek and don't know where to find. It has changed my perception of the universe too.

Loved it