About Getting Back Home
Satguru Sivaya Subramuniyaswami left a substantial written legacy that systematically presents Saiva Hinduism for earnest seekers. At the heart of his work stands a trilogy often treated as a master course: *Dancing with Śiva: Hinduism’s Contemporary Catechism*, *Living with Śiva: Hinduism’s Contemporary Culture* (also described as “Hindu Dharma in the Modern World”), and *Merging with Śiva: Hinduism’s Contemporary Metaphysics*. Together these texts move from foundational philosophy and belief, through the culture and disciplines of daily life, into more advanced metaphysical and meditative teachings. They are structured to guide a reader from basic understanding toward deeper contemplative insight, offering both doctrinal clarity and practical orientation.
Alongside this trilogy, he authored several other works that illuminate specific dimensions of Hindu practice and worldview. *Loving Gaṇeśa: Hinduism’s Endearing Elephant-Faced God* focuses on the worship, symbolism, and inner meaning of Lord Ganesha, while *How to Become a Hindu: A Guide for Seekers and Born Hindus* addresses the path of embracing Hinduism, including its philosophy and lived culture. His *Saivite Hindu Religion* series presents graded teachings for children and youth, introducing Saivite belief and practice in a step-by-step manner. Another notable text, *Weaver’s Wisdom: Ancient Precepts for a Perfect Life*, offers his translation and commentary on the Tamil classic *Tirukkuṛaḷ*, presenting ethical and spiritual guidance in a concise aphoristic form.
His writings also extend into more esoteric and traditional domains. *Lemurian Scrolls* presents a body of mystical teachings he described as clairvoyantly received, offering a visionary narrative of ancient spiritual wisdom. The *Saiva Dharma Shastras* articulate law, ethics, and discipline from a Saivite standpoint, giving form to the ideals of religious life and community order. Early in his ministry he produced primers and instructional booklets, such as the *Jaffna Hindu Primers*, to support the education of young Hindus, particularly in the Sri Lankan context. Taken together, these works reveal a concern not only for lofty metaphysics but also for the concrete shaping of character, family life, and community.
Beyond formal books, his voice is heard in a wide range of periodical and instructional writings. As founder and guiding force behind *Hinduism Today* magazine, he contributed numerous articles, editorials, and spiritual reflections that applied Saivite principles to contemporary circumstances. These pieces, along with various recorded talks and digital publications issued through his organization, extend the same core themes found in his books: devotion to Śiva, disciplined inner practice, temple worship, and the cultivation of a dharmic life in the modern world. For a sincere aspirant, his corpus functions as a kind of map, leading from outer understanding to inner realization, step by carefully articulated step.