Anyone who has taken a yoga class or been exposed to Hindu or Buddhist thought has probably heard of the concept of a mantra. In Sanskrit, it means “sacred utterance”—essentially a word, a phrase, a thought, even a sound—intended to provide clarity or spiritual guidance.

In general, Shaivite texts are completely unintelligible for the unawakened. An illumined guide is needed to explicate them. Siddha Meditation is, undoubtedly, the most lucid and helpful treatment from a yogic point of view, but it is far from comprehensive. I always look at the individuals who ask me, ‘Where do I go from here?’ and wonder, could