This book length discussion of dakinis the "sky-dancer" semi wrathful spirit woman shows how the dakini, within the context of tantric practice, is both the practitioner's ultimate guide and innermost spiritual subjectivity. This text should supersede all previous explorations of the dakini principle. Demonstrates how the dakini symbolizes levels of personal realization: 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.

This unique study will appeal to spiritual seekers interested in goddess worship, women's spirituality, and the tantric tradition.

Illustrated, extensive notes, selected bibliography, Tibetan transliterations and Sanskrit equivalents, index.

Dakini's Warm Breath: The Feminine Principle in Tibetan Buddhism, Judith Simmer-Brown, Shambhala Publications, 404 pages, Paperback, $39.95

Judith Simmer-Brown, Ph.D., is professor and chair of the religious studies department at Naropa University (formerly the Naropa Institute), where she has taught since 1978. She has authored numerous articles on Tibetan Buddhism, Buddhist-Christian dialogue, and Buddhism in America. She is an Acharya (senior teacher) in the lineage of Chogyam Trungpa. A practicing Buddhist since 1971, she lives in Boulder, Colorado.

Illustrations ix
Preface xi
Acknowledgments xxiii

Introduction
Encountering the Dakini 1
Missed Opportunities, Skewed Interpretations 4
The Dakini as Symbol in Tibetan Buddhism 8

CHAPTER ONE
Gender, Subjectivity, and the Feminine Principle 11
Jungian Interpretations of the Dakini: "Fantasy of Opposites" 11
Feminist Interpretations of the Dakini: Problems and Promise 17
The Complexity of Religious Symbols: Spiritual Subjectivity 25
Gender in Traditional Tibet 33
Symbolism and Subjectivity: The Feminine Principle 39

CHAPTER TWO
The Dakini in Tibetan Buddhism 43
Dakini Development in India 45
The Meaning of the Dakini in Tibetan Buddhism 51
General Classifications of Dakinis 53
The Three Bodies of Enlightened Dakinis 65
Four Aspects of Dakini: Outer-Outer, Outer, Inner, and Secret 69
Conclusion 79

CHAPTER THREE
The Secret Dakini: The Great Mother 81
The Great Mother Praj�aparamita 84
Vajrayana Transformation: Great Queen Prajnaparamita 89
Evoking the Secret Dakini: Practicing the Guru's Instructions 94
Vajrayana Meditation Practice: Creation and Completion 96
The Mother as Birth-Giver: Symbols Arising from Space 98
Aniconic Representations of the Mother 106
Iconographic Depictions of the Great Mother 110
How Is the Mother Feminine? 112

CHAPTER FOUR
The Inner Dakini: The Visionary Queen 116
Mandala Principle 117
The Charnel Ground 121
The Dakini in the Charnel Ground 127
Coemergence, Heat, and the Charnel Ground 132
Vajrayogini, the Coemergent Mother 137
Alternate Forms of Vajrayogini 144
Is Vajrayogini a Goddess? 147
The Mandala of the Heruka and Dakini: Cakrasamvara and Vajrayogini 153
Yab-Yum and Subjectivity 158

CHAPTER FIVE
The Outer Dakini: The Subtle Body of Bliss 161
Tantra and Embodiment 162
The Subtle Body in Tibetan Buddhism 168
Dakinis and the Sacred Landscape of the Subtle Body 172
Feminine, Masculine, and the Subtle Body 176
The Dakini as the Symbol of Subtle-Body Yoga 179
Conclusion 180

CHAPTER SIX
The Outer-Outer Dakini: The Dakini in Human Form 182
Symbol and Actuality: Human Dakinis 186
Types of Human Dakinis 187
Physical Signs of the Dakini 189
Female Tantric Gurus 194
The Dakini as Mother, Sister, or Maid 199
Embodied Dakini as the Practice and the Realization 202
Every Woman Is Part of the Dakini 204
Prajna, Upaya, Women, and Men 208
Desire and Sexuality in Buddhist Tantra 211
Sexual Yoga and the Dakini 216
Types of Consorts 223
Milarepa and Karmamudra 231

CHAPTER SEVEN
Living Encounters with the Dakini 234
Dakini as Messenger and Intermediary 235
Determining the Dakini's Identity 240
Timing and Quality of Encounters 242
Transmission as the Blessing of the Dakini's Body 246
Dakini Activities: Devouring and Feeding 253
Gender Differences: Yogini Encounters with the Dakini 259

CHAPTER EIGHT
Protectors of the Tantric Teachings 265
Auspicious Coincidence and Uddiyana 267
Symbols Hidden and Revealed 270
The Wisdom Dakini Protector Ekajati 276
On Behalf of the Tradition: Founders of New Lineages of Teaching 279

CONCLUSION
Dakini's Warm Breath: Quintessence of a Tantric Symbol 286

Notes 293
Select Bibliography 363
Tibetan Transliterations and Sanskrit Equivalents 385
Credits 393
Index 395