Sir John Woodroffe Book order (chronological)

Exploring the depth of Indian culture, this collection features essays and addresses by Sir John Woodroffe, who delves into the philosophical and spiritual dimensions of Indian traditions. Written during a time of cultural awakening, the work emphasizes the significance of understanding India's rich heritage, including its art, religion, and social practices. Woodroffe's insights aim to bridge Eastern and Western thought, celebrating the unique aspects of Indian identity and advocating for a deeper appreciation of its cultural contributions.

Originally the extended introduction to a translation of the Mahanirvana Tantra by "Arthur Avalon" (a collective pseudonym for Woodroffe and an unnamed collaborator), this is a sufficiently general treatment to repay reading apart from the work to which it was originally attached.

There is a Supreme Reality that is Eternal and Indefinable. It is an Absolute, inconceivable and ineffable- the Brahman. Unknowable in its utterness, this Reality presents itself to us in three supreme terms of its Truth: an absolute Existence, Sat; an absolute Consciousness, Cit; and an absolute Bliss, Ananda. This is the poise of Brahman turned towards self-revelation. It perceives itself as an infinite Existence; not a mere existence but a Being with full awareness of all that It is, an infinite Consciousness. This Consciousness inherent in the supreme Being is no static awareness it is instinct with a Power, a Force dynamic with all the content of the Consciousness. And the nature of this selfconscious Existence is an inalienable Delight. All is a manifestation out of this triune status of the Eternal, Sat-Cit-Ananda. All is contained in the infinite Being of Brahman; it is brought out and released into a plenitude of manifestation by the Consciousness-Power innate in Himself for the sheer Delight of His Becoming. It is His own Consciousness as Power, the Cit-Sakti, that pours out the potentialities held in the infinitude of Brahman, throws up Forms from out of the Formless depths of the Eternal. The Seers of the Veda speak of it as Maya, the power that measures (miyate anena iti maya) out of the Immeasurable, the Force by which all is shaped out. This is the theme of the present book by Sir John Woodroffe.

First published in 1918, "The Serpent Power" is an important and influential text for the modern practice of Kundalini yoga in the West. Written by Sir John George Woodroffe, under his pseudonym Arthur Avalon, it is a scholarly and insightful study of both ancient texts and the philosophies of Kundalini, Shakti, meditation, and yogic practice. Woodroffe was born in Calcutta, India and followed in his father's footsteps in a successful legal career that included many years serving as the Chief Justice on the High Court of India. In addition to his professional judicial duties he also extensively studied Hindu philosophy and translated many Sanskrit texts. He wrote many books on Tantrism and yoga under his pseudonym and was a noted speaker and expert on Indian philosophy. "The Serpent Power" is his most popular and enduring work and is notable for its accurate and nuanced translations of two important ancient Tantric texts: "The Description of the Six Chakras" and "Five-fold Footstool". This classic text remains an important guide for all of those who are interested in Kundalini yoga as well as ancient Hindu philosophy and meditative practices. This edition is printed on premium acid-free paper.