Dakini's Warm Breath: The Feminine Principle in Tibetan Buddhism

by Judith Simmer-Brown

A fresh interpretation of the dakini—a Tibetan Buddhist symbol of the feminine—that will appeal to practitioners interested in goddess worship, female spirituality, and Tantric Buddhism

The primary 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 a contemporary critique of Tibetan Buddhism in which the dakini is seen as a psychological “shadow,” a feminine savior, or an objectified product of patriarchal fantasy. According to Judith Simmer-Brown—who writes from the point of view of an experienced practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism—such interpretations are inadequate.

In the spiritual journey of the meditator, Simmer-Brown demonstrates, the dakini symbolizes levels of personal the sacredness of the body, both female and male; the profound meeting point of body and mind in meditation; the visionary realm of ritual practice; and the empty, spacious qualities of mind itself. When the meditator encounters the dakini, living spiritual experience is activated in a nonconceptual manner by her direct gaze, her radiant body, and her compassionate revelation of reality. Grounded in the author's personal encounter with the dakini, this unique study will appeal to both male and female spiritual seekers interested in goddess worship, women's spirituality, and the tantric tradition.

Genres: Buddhism, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Religion, Philosophy, Mythology, Feminism

432 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Polly Trout · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know how every once awhile you read a book and it crashes into you like a torrid new love affair? This book did that to me -- it has taken me weeks to get through it because I keep having to put it down because a sentence has completely engulfed me and I have to let it soak in for awhile. I read this book at the perfect time; it has intersected with my level of spiritual development and the rest of my current practice and journey in a profoundly transformative and powerful way, and left me dazzled and dismantled. I'm not the same person I was when I started this book a few weeks ago. I don't know how to talk about it.

Since last January I've been journeying through the underworld, and finally after months of slogging I've suddenly burst out into a pure land of emptiness and freedom, and I'm overwhelmed with joy. If I turn around I can still see the mouth of the cave I emerged from, but have no more desire to return there. Everything is dancing and luminous here, delicious and beloved. Reading this book I kept thinking, "Oh, yes, that IS how it is -- how could I have forgotten?" Like coming home. In fact, last week I dreamed that I was Odysseus returning home, and also Penelope waiting for him. I also dreamed that I woke up in a squat with a hangover and suddenly remembered that I have had amnesia, and it is time to go home, and sailed home to a castle to rule as a long lost a Dakini Queen.

A dakini is a multivalent symbol in the tantric school of Tibetan Buddhism that has many meanings. A dakini can be a powerful spiritual being, or the essence of penetrating insight, or the feminine principle of the divine, or a dangerous nature deity. She is the sky-dancer who dances in the endless luminous emptiness that permeates the world of form. Worldly dakinis are dangerous and wicked; wisdom dakinis protect and inspire.

The dakini has four aspects: the tangible physical body, the subtle energy body, the deity nature of coemergent joy, and the self-aware primordial mind. From one perspective, all women are dakinis. From another, all people transcend gender at their essence, being a balance of feminine and masculine forces. In this system, the feminine represents wisdom and the masculine represents skillful means, the two wings that we need to fly to full awakening. The wisdom dakini "manifests these four aspects simultaneously. Secretly, she is pure space-emptiness, vast and inexpressible...she takes whatever form may be of the most benefit for those whom she may meet or instruct."

Here's a great quote:

"From the inner point of view, there is no real separation between perceiver and perceived or between subject and object. Instead, the perceptual and experiential world is understood as an energetic field that is ultimately empty of inherent existence, characterized by limitless space. Within that space, phenomena arise interdependently and fleetingly as the play of color and texture, which is experienced in a variety ways...For the dakini, the inner is expressed through visionary experience. From an inner point of view, there is no judgment, no conceptual overlay. Things are very simply what they are, but seen from a dynamic and appreciative perspective."

Simmer-Brown is an excellent writer; it is difficult to write about interior spiritual experience, and she does so with clarity and nuance. I myself could not possibly do as well, and it is always satisfying when someone described an experience you yourself have had, but been unable to articulate. It is not clear to me, however, if this book would make any sense to someone who had not had the experiences Simmer-Brown writes about. Also, it probably would not be a very interesting book unless you came to it already understanding a good deal about the history and philosophy of Buddhism in general and Shambhala in particular.

I've started meditating with the Seattle Shambhala Center; Simmer-Brown will be in Seattle in September so I'm going to a lecture she is giving then.

For me right now the problem is the skillful means. How do we embody emptiness and compassion? How can I use my time here in this human body most effectively for the benefit of others? Is it OK to spend time doing things -- like dancing -- just because they fill me with joy, since that joy is then infectious and benefits those around me? Or is that just self-indulgence and narcissism? How do I stay constantly awake instead of fading in and out of clarity, like a puppy who keeps keeling over into a nap? My heart is awake all the time, even when my body is asleep, but why does my mind keep drifting off into dream and delusion? Have I really made it home or is it a mirage, is it like when Odysseus can see the shores of Ithaca but is whisked backwards by magic and has to do a big chunk of the journey all over again? Isn't all this just dualism and discursive mind? But how do you effectively benefit those who are suffering without meeting the world on its own terms and getting back down in the mud of samsara again?

Vajrayogini, may I be liberated in this lifetime.

[Heidi Nummi · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've ever read. Left me speechless.

A must read for everyone interested in the feminine principle in Tibetan Buddhism!

[Isabel Echeverría · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a really good analysis of the feminine principle in Tibetan Buddhism. The author has clearly thoroughly researched the topic, not taking it lightly.

The essence of the book has nothing to do with women, though, as it’s more of a deep dive into the cultural aspect of Buddhism as well as into the heart of a realized consciousness central to the culture.

This differed from my expectations in regards to the book, so my prior ignorance as well as a mildly hard-to-follow writing style give this book 3⭐️

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as a person who is not formally Buddhist, but who has had exposure to Tibetan Buddhist practicioners and spaces, and who has participated in open Tibetan Buddhist practices. I am aware that Tibetan Buddhists have taken oathes and cannot disclose everything.

I've heard a few things here and there, and read this book wondering if it would fill some things out. It did, and more. I am grateful for this "open" book (not reserved for people with empowerments.)

Furthermore, I should clarify that I'm a practicionner of Western Esotericism. Reading this work so highlighted ways that the Western Esoteric Tradition has appropriated, "borrowed" or been "inspired" by Buddhism/Tantra. I would especially recommend this work to practicionners of Thelema and Wicca. I don't necessarily think we should eliminate these appropriated elements from our practice, but that we must better educate ourselves about the sources of what we do in our modern systems - and also recognise where they are abused.

I think this book is amazing and highly recommend it.

Simmer-Brown presents a lot of information, and sticks to using examples within the Tibetan Buddhist system. She presents a variety of perspectives before taking any firm viewpoints, which took me on a rollercoaster of reactions, appreciation, judgement...

I greatly appreciate that the author directly and repeatedly acknowledges Buddhism's appropriation of of other systems, and its inherent patriarchy and bias.

Simmer-Brown also thoroughly lays out the complexity that is Dakini, the many forms of Dakini. The scope of "Dakini" is quite mind boggling - let me just say this book takes it to mind blowing, instead.

Above all, Simmer-Brown highlights that when one experiences an encounter with a Dakini, there is no reason to assume their form will be contrasexual (female to male practicionners, and male to female practicionners). She uses Tibetan Buddhist examples, stories of Dakinis and yoginis, to highlight this. This key point is where she challenges certain feminist or Jungian interpretations. To me, it is less heteronormative view, but not less gendered.

I'd say that this book confirms what I (cis-het female loving an absurdly stereotypical life) would consider gender essentialism within the Tibetan Buddhist framework. It differentiates the physical body from the subtle body, and still emphasises the physical body and it's sex. Is this surprising about Tibetan Buddhism? No. There is plenty of reason reason to reject Buddhism - but I'm not reviewing the religion, I'm reviewing this book.

I also think it introduces us to the ways that Tibetan Buddhists can begin to change that, and argue so using Buddhist rhetoric respectfully. This is so valuable!

On a personal level, I appreciate this book as helpful in navigating gender essentialism in contemporary magic(k).

This is an awesome book - thorough, detailed, incredibly well researched and cited. It's particular opening and closing are also beautifully constructed, reminding me of the careful way that Buddhist teachers explain things. People might critisize the style for not being linear enough.

I would recommend that a person quickly read through the intro and conclusion first, if they're unsure about picking up the book.

Please pardon the lack of flow here, I'm still feeling from the book and had to get this all out!

[Carolyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is an information dump with superficial analysis, loosely organized around “types” of dakini without a clear purpose.

At best, it is a encyclopedic theological meditation presented as an academic analysis. It presents religious doctrine uncritically, with no serious consideration of historical or cultural contexts. The central argument relies substantially on a priori and circular reasoning—the dakini is beyond gender because we are told she is, and because she’s beyond gender. The book claims to “refute” Western and feminist interpretations of the dakini, but doesn’t really engage with the academic analysis—for example, in the section “Prajñā, Upāya, Women, and Men” it slips into gender essentialism—women are feminine and men are masculine—while claiming that feminine and masculine are concepts that are not related to sex and gender, and the dakini is beyond gender.

I wasn’t convinced by the claims, which were buried in extensive retellings of dakini lore.

[Sreena · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a world often dominated by masculine values, this book serves as a profound reminder of the importance of balance and integration.

"The dakini's warm breath is a reminder that the feminine principle is alive and thriving within all beings, both male and female, and it holds the transformative power of compassion, wisdom, and freedom."

A quote that encapsulates the essence of the book, highlighting the transformative potential that lies within every individual, regardless of gender, by embracing the feminine wisdom that exists within us all.

[Loretta]

Yes, I really have been reading this for two years. No, 1 cannot give it a rating. It was a read-along with a group of women I did a retreat with. And the retreat was lovely and led by the author of this book. Over two years my friends and I had many rambling and lovely zoom chats, inspired by and wandering very far from the dakinis in this book. For that alone it was worth the read. But I don't really recommend it for the casual reader.

[Karin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The content of the book is very good, a detailed, academic review of the Daikini principle from many various angles with solid annotation and resources.
Unfortunately, the writing is not very lucid, the thread is hard to follow and the overall feeling is quite confused.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first time reading, and I have learned much, but this will not be the last time I read this book, as I sense I will gain even more as I continue my studies. There is so much about the Dakini that I do not grasp yet, and so much I do but on subtle levels.

[Laila Regalado · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book on the Dakini I have read so far

[Karen]

The feminine principle in Tibetan Buddhism is something I got interested in my recent appreciation of thanka paintings and symbolic art. I keep a dictionary handy for this academic presentation of the material. It will take me a few weeks to finish it.

[Justin Souter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extraordinary and inspirational - a tremendous work of insight and erudition.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome. Definitely one of my Buddhist favorites.