Pratyabhijna (Recognition)
The Forgotten Prince
The central philosophy of Kashmir Shaivism is Pratyabhijna (Recognition).
It tells the story of a Prince who was separated from his father (The King) at birth and raised as a peasant.
He lives in poverty, thinking he is a nobody.
One day, a messenger comes and reveals his lineage.
Does the Prince need to "become" a Prince?
No. He is the Prince. He just needs to Recognize it.
No Seeking Required
This is a radical departure from "Path-based" Yoga.
- Patanjali: You must practice for lifetimes to purify yourself.
Enlightenment is not a construction project; it is a remembering.
The Practice: Smriti (Memory)
The generated feeling of "Smallness" is self-hypnosis.
The practice is deeper self-talk.
When you feel weak, ask: "Who is aware of this weakness?"
The Awareness is not weak. It is the vast, silent Witness.
Shift your identity from the Object (The weak body) to the Subject (The Witnessing Shiva).
Snap your fingers. Wake up from the dream of being small.
"There is no difference between the individual soul and the Lord, other than the recognition of it."