New Books in Critical Theory Gavin Flood, "The Concept of Mind in Hindu Tantra" (Routledge, 2024)
Oct 30, 2025
Gavin Flood, a leading expert in Hindu Studies at the University of Oxford, delves into the intricate concept of mind in Hindu Tantra. He explores the influence of dualism versus non-dualism, highlighting how Shaiva traditions view the self in relation to Shiva. Flood also identifies a unique blend of mentalistic and physicalist vocabularies, examining the implications for social engagement and activism. Additionally, he shares insights on microcosm-macrocosm connections and anticipates future projects on ascent symbolism and comparative personhood.
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Cross-Tradition Mental Language
- Herbert Gunther's question about translating mentalistic language across traditions inspired the book's inquiry.
- Gavin Flood uses that prompt to explore how tantric and Buddhist mind vocabularies map onto each other.
Mind-Body As A Cohesive Complex
- Tantra frames mind and body as a cohesive complex with a deeper immutable self (Atman/jiva).
- The tradition distinguishes gross and subtle bodies, with mind elements residing in the subtle body.
Dual Versus Non-Dual Shaiva Views
- Shaiva Siddhanta posits a dualism between the enduring self and the mind-body complex.
- Non-dual Shaivism instead claims one universal consciousness identical with Shiva.
