Dakini's warm breath: the feminine principle in Tibetan Buddhism

Theprimary emblem of the feminine in Tibetan Buddhism is the dakini, or"sky-dancer," a semi-wrathful spirit-woman who manifests in visions, dreams,and meditation experiences. Western scholars and interpreters of the dakini,influenced by Jungian psychology and feminist goddess theology, have shaped acontemporary critique of Tibetan Buddhism in which the dakini is seen as apsychological "shadow," a feminine savior, or an objectified product ofpatriarchal fantasy. According to Judith Simmer-Brown—who writes from thepoint of view of an experienced practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism—suchinterpretations are inadequate.

Inthe spiritual journey of the meditator, Simmer-Brown demonstrates, the dakinisymbolizes levels of personal realization: the sacredness of the body, bothfemale and male; the profound meeting point of body and mind in meditation; thevisionary realm of ritual practice; and the empty, spacious qualities of minditself. When the meditator...