We were very fortunate to host Dr. Bettina Bäumer, a direct disciple of the last Acarya of Kashmir Saivism, Swami Lakshman Joo (1907-1991). She has translated the Vijnana Bhairavainto German and English and taught it a number of times in Europe and India. She has authored and edited books on Indian philosophy, art, aesthetics and spirituality, with special focus on texts of Kashmir Saivism (Abhinavagupta). Living and working in Varanasi, she is currently Visiting Professor in Religious Studies at the University of Salzburg (Austria).

At Deer Park, Dr. Bäumer led an intensive one-week contemplative study and practice retreat on the Vijnana Bhairava Tantra. The retreat drew over 30 participants from half a dozen different religious traditions and from all corners of India and the world. Some were already familiar with the text and others were completely new, though the direction was contemplative and not merely academic.

The Vijnana Bhairava is one chapter from the ancient Rudrayamala Tantra. As a Bhairava Agama it is a purely monistic teaching where Bhairavi (Parvati) asks Bhairava (Lord Shiva) to reveal the essence of the way one has to tread on the path to the realization of the highest reality ˆ the state of Bhairava. In his answer Bhairava describes 112 ways to enter into the universal and transcendental state of consciousness. Traditionally regarded as a manual for masters, the Vijnana Bhairava is a comprehensive aid to students of meditation from any tradition since it deals with the most profound underlying principles of spiritual practice. Because it contains a vast library of techniques, from the most elementary to the most advanced, the Vijnana Bhairava is relevant to aspirants at every stage of spiritual development.