This week on the Mindrolling Podcast, Lama Tsultrim Allione returns for a conversation around the practice of mandala and connecting with the aspect of the divine feminine known as the Dakini.
Read an excerpt from Lama Tsultrim’s book Wisdom Rising: Journey Into the Mandala of the Empowered Feminine
Show Notes
Feminine Rising (Opening) – In her new book, Wisdom Rising: Journey into the Mandala of the Empowered Feminine, Lama Tsultrim Allione explores a previously forbidden aspect of the divine feminine: the fierce and wise Dakini, whose unique strength is needed to meet the gravity of the situation our world is in. She and Raghu discuss the role of the Dakini and the way that this aspect of the divine feminine is manifesting in our society more and more lately.
“We have really brought ourselves to an extreme situation in nature as well as in terms of women. The arising that is happening now with the women’s marches, movements like #MeToo, Time’s Up and so on all have spiritual roots and have a potential spiritual component to their solution.” – Lama Tsultrim Allione
Learn more about the Dakini with Lama Tsultrim and Melanie Moser on Ep. 4 of the Shakti Hour Podcast.
Journey into the Mandala (12:00) – Lama Tsultrim looks at how anyone, regardless of their gender, beliefs or practices, can we relate to the Dakini and benefit from the practice of the Dakini Mandala. She examines how the practice can transform our afflictive emotions into wisdom.
A Higher Order (19:40) – In Wisdom Rising Lama Tsultrim often refers back to Carl Jung’s impactful work of dissecting the connection between the psyche and the mandala. She and Raghu delve into the mechanics of the mandala and explore the deeper connection between humanity and our symbolism.
“The mandala serves a conservative purpose, mainly to restore a previously existing order. What restores the old order simultaneously involves some element of new creation. In the new order, the old pattern returns at a higher level. The process is that of an ascending spiral which grows upward while simultaneously growing again and again to the same point.” – Carl Gustav Jung
Inviting the Dakini (32:10) – Lama Tsultrim shares a personal encounter with the Dakini which serves as an example of how we all can find the Dakini in our own lives. The two share a discussion about gender and the importance of bringing the divine masculine and feminine into balance.
Attachment and Emotion (53:35) – Raghu and Lama Tsultrim close on the topic of Karma and how its wisdom can help us identify and address our habituations and attachments in a practical way.
“What I have noticed is that the more I practice, the faster Karma ripens. Karma is action and it is inescapable.” – Lama Tsultrim Allione
Image via Balate Dorin