Abhinavagupta Quotes
Abhinavagupta was a Kashmiri philosopher, mystic, and aesthetician and the principal systematizer of the non-dual Trika tradition of Kashmir Shaivism. His encyclopedic Tantraloka draws together the ritual and philosophical texts of the Trika in a single synthesis, while his commentaries on the Pratyabhijna doctrine develop the recognition of the absolute consciousness as the path to liberation. The quotes below are attributed to Abhinavagupta, organized by topic.
Abhinavagupta on Freedom
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Attributed to Abhinavagupta:
“What is bound is bound only by ignorance of itself.”
Abhinavagupta on Happiness
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Attributed to Abhinavagupta:
“Bliss is the inmost nature of consciousness.”
Abhinavagupta on Mind
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Attributed to Abhinavagupta:
“Recognition of the Self is liberation.”
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Attributed to Abhinavagupta:
“Aesthetic experience reveals the structure of consciousness itself.”
Abhinavagupta on Truth
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Attributed to Abhinavagupta:
“Consciousness alone is real; the world is its play.”