New Books in Critical Theory Gavin Flood, "The Concept of Mind in Hindu Tantra" (Routledge, 2024)
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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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A History Of Mind Concepts
- Flood presents the book as a history showing change in concepts of mind across Indian traditions.
- He stresses tantric thought's different mentalistic versus physicalist vocabularies compared to Western models.
Luminous Mind Versus Momentary Mind
- Early Indian sources show a tension: mind as luminous essence versus mind as impermanent construction.
- Buddhist citta and manas shaped later yogic accounts like Patanjali's chitta-vritti model.
Tattvas, Bindu, And Soul Cycles
- Shaiva Siddhanta adapts Samkhya's 25 tattvas into a 36-tattva cosmology where mind emerges from cosmic unfolding.
- Souls incarnate into this complex and re-enter a quiescent receptacle between cosmic cycles.
