The Radiance Sutras by Lorin Roche

Lorin Roche has taken a cutting-edge and unique method to equating the Vigyan Bhairav Tantra, an old tantric yoga text written in the the 2nd millennium B.C.E. These sutras are considered an essential text of Kashmir Shaivism, and is a collection of yogic meditation methods consisting of breath work, shouting, visualizations and other concentration and awareness exercises.

Roche"s translation is amazingly stunning, poetic, glamorized and sensualized, which is befitting as this account is a discourse between 2 enthusiasts, Shiva and Shakti. One can open it arbitrarily to a sutra to discover motivation for a yoga practice or meditation. Roche"s words make one feel deeply summoned to go inwards, and have a magical quality to awaken the jewels of our inner world.

The biggest area in the book is the "Yukti Practice Transmissions," where Roche concentrates on one Sanskrit word from each of the 112 practices explained in the Vigyan Bhairav Tantra. This acts as both the book"s commentary and practice guide. Each transmission is described in very basic terms to be available to householders, and this area alone would make a great resource for yoga instructors who include styles in their classes.

If you opt to study this tantra in depth, I would highly recommend a more standard translation to further understand the mystical practices that Roche has simplified in his book.