The word "Trika" means triple. One interpretation suggests that Non-dual Shaivism of Kashmir is called Trika or "Triple System" because it analyzes the nature of Śiva, Śakti, and nara: Śiva is God, Śakti is God's 'I-consciousness,' and nara is the individual (the human being). Trika teaches that Śiva, Śakti, and nara are not different from each other. In summary, man and God are one and the same. In fact, only the Supreme Being, known as Śiva in this philosophical system, is the Self of the entire universe. There is no difference between Śiva (God) and His Śakti ('I-consciousness' of God). God Is and knows that He Is. There is no difference at all. On the other hand, Śiva is a name for the static aspect of God, while Śakti is a name for the dynamic aspect of God. Thus, Śiva-Śakti is Freedom Itself. Consequently, the human being is inherently free as well.
However, the human being experiences bondage due to "mala" (limiting condition). Nonetheless, this "mala" is not something outside of the human being himself. God becomes "an individual" (so to speak) through "mala" (impurity, limiting condition). In other words, "mala" arises from God.
Śiva or God is not inactive. He has Śakti or I-consciousness. In sum, He has Will, which gives birth to Knowledge and Activity. When a human being realizes his inherent unity with Śiva and Śakti, "mala" (limiting condition) ceases to exist completely. This "realization" puts an end to all "apparent" bondage.
Since a human being is essentially God, he manifests the entire universe around him. Although Non-dualism between God and the human being is predominant in this philosophical system, all other dualistic viewpoints are also explained and included.
The universe is the playful display of God's power. In other words, the universe is born from Bliss; for this reason, a human being experiences unhappiness when he forgets his spiritual nature. When he remembers his spiritual nature and realizes his inherent unity with God, unhappiness turns into happiness. Therefore, mala or impurity is nothing but ignorance of one's essential.
Trika also teaches that the human mind is Śakti Itself after having undergone a process of successive contractions. Therefore, the mind experiences complete happiness only when it merges with God. God is not a void at all but rather a BEING full of self-awareness.
Human beings must understand that their own mind is the Divine Mind after having gone through a process of successive contractions. Consequently, the correct understanding of one's own mind is stimulated not simply through control. To control the mind, so to speak, one must first understand it.
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