Dakini Power
“The dakini is a messenger of spaciousness and a force of truth, presiding over the funeral of self-deception. Wherever we cling, she cuts; whatever we think we can hide, even from ourselves, she reveals. The dakini traditionally appears during transitions: moments between worlds, between life and death, in visions between sleep and waking, in cemeteries and charnel grounds.”
~ Wisdom Rising, Lama Tsultrim
Dakini, meaning “sky dancer,” is the most sacred aspect of the feminine in Tibetan Tantric Buddhism. Depicted as human being or deity in feminine form, a dakini embodies both humanity and divinity. By this, women are also seen as manifestations of dakinis.
Dakinis are dynamic in their very nature. Sometimes they are fierce, wrathful, intense, outrageous and even repulsive in order to cut through rigid thinking and foolish perception. Sometimes they are playful, peaceful and nurturing when the environment and consciousness is in harmony.
The dakini represents the ever-changing flow of energy in the universe. A spiritual practitioner must work with and understand this principle in order to become realised. A dakini may present herself to them when the practitioner is making a transition from an intellectual to experiential approach in his spiritual practice.
Dakinis guard and protect spiritual lore, so that only those with the purest intention are able to access it. Without the dakini’s blessing, fruition of Tantric Buddhism — enlightenment — is unattainable. On the most absolute level, the dakini gifts the wisdom and freedom of empty yet luminous awareness.
Why do I love the concept of Dakini? Why is it so important for my business offering, not just for myself but for all who come across this offering? The Dakini, as depicted in traditional Buddhist writings, is the first spiritual concept I'd discovered as a woman in a largely Christian God-worshipping caucasian society, wherein a spiritual manifestation of the feminine is so much more than the weary, overexploited, self-sacrificial Madonna archetype. Rather she is powerful, divine, dynamic, held in high reverence and allowed free reign to be whatever she pleases as she inspires and empowers spiritual practitioners toward enlightenment.
So many women, including myself, have been encouraged from childhood to be or aspire towards the Madonna archetype in order to be palatable to any potential husband. Whilst feminism has been changing the tables on this topic, this paradigm still runs deep and strong. However, to put it plainly, too much kindness does not curb violent, psychopathic and abusive behaviour which threatens more women than men, statistically, all around the world in intimate and marital relationships. Violence needs firm and sometimes sharp boundaries and discipline in order to be quelled. Did you know that 1 in 4 Australian women have experienced emotional abuse by a current of former partner? Australian women are nearly three times more likely than men to experience violence from an intimate partner and almost 10 women a day are hospitalised for assault injuries perpetrated by a spouse or domestic partner. That’s horrifying.
The Dakini is a concept that can inspire women to become whomever they desire to be and step into their full and radiant feminine power. It’s a concept that can educate man on the different manifestations of feminine aspects so that he can understand what to expect from woman and get over any desire to control or dominate her and instead, honour her for being in her power and rise into his own divine power alongside her.
