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Dakinis ~ Ancient & Modern Day SkyDancers
"The etymology of the word ‘Dakini’ in the Tibetan language is ‘Khandroma’ and means ‘she who flies through the sky’ or ‘she who dances through limitless space.’ This is why Dakinis were also refered to as ‘Skydancers.’ Dakinis abide nowhere, and yet they arise in the practitioner's experience as a symbol of emptiness, of timeless space. The movement of the Dakini today is inspired by her ancient role as helper or guide or leader on the path. She represents the inner experience of space, which is the inspirational impulse at the heart of enlightenment.
"The masculine consorts of the Dakini, often called ‘Dakas,’ are male Skydancers who are spiritual mentors, heroes, and fearless warriors..."
(excerpted from “Dakini's Warm Breath: The Feminine Principle in Tibetan Buddhism" by Judith Simmer-Brown)
In the SkyDancing Tantra path that I developed over the last 30 years, most of the practices and methods came to me (Margot) by revelation, yet the path of the SkyDancer goes back to ancient Tibet, when Yeshe Tsogyal, the enlightened consort of Buddha Padmasambhava, was called the "Great Skydancer,” or “Great Bliss Queen.” Together they developed the Tantric school of Buddhism (known as “Vajrayana Buddhism” or the “Diamond Path”) and introduced these teachings into Tibet, Nepal, and Bhutan.
"Skydancers" in the Buddhist tradition were people of great passion, profoundly devoted to spiritual awakening. Originally, Skydancers were wild, free ecstatic Dakinis ~ they were also called feminine buddhas or female awakeners. As such, Skydancers were, and continue to be today, women of great strength and compassion who are profoundly devoted to spiritual awakening.
Today, the path of the SkyDancer is one of spiritual partnership between men and women as equal spiritual partners… comitted to integrating ecstatic states and ecstatic practices into their daily lives.
SkyDancing Tantra, and the re-emergence of the Dakini in today’s modern world, reintroduces and reinforces the understanding that to heal the world, we need to rediscover and respect the fact that women can be and are awakeners and initiators and enlightened teachers.
May it be so…
Much Love & Many Blessings,
Margot
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