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A Buddist Angel Concept
DAKINIS: Sky Dancing Angels
"The teaching of the whispered lineage is the Dakini's
breath"
Milarepa
The literal translation of Dakini is "Sky Dancer". The Western form for Dakinis are Angels. If
you believe in or have curiosity about Angels, well Dakinis immediately follow. The Western idea of an Angel being a beautiful
celestial being who flies in the sky and who sometimes comes to earth to provide inspiration and support to us mortals is
very similar to the Dakinis.
Generally when they are referred to in Buddhist literature it is assumed they are devoted
to the Truth (Dharma). But the broader meaning of the word is a female (males are called Dakas) spirit who has some freedom
but is still bound by their past actions. Thus there are good Angels and bad (or simply confused) Angels. Some people might
argue that you couldn't call them an Angel anymore if they're bad, but that's ridiculous since being predictable is not part
of anyones long-term nature.
Thus there are worldy Dakinis who are malicious and use their powers to confuse us, to
arouse passions that are destructive, and who use their charms for their own selfish purposes. Dakinis can manifest on earth
in human form or take birth as a human. These are then called "worldly Dakinis" and I'm sure you've met at least one or two
in your lifetime. Women (or men) who seem to be able to simply will things into being. People who are so charming that they
seduce whatever they want from the world and enjoy it fully, yet also remain somewhat disattached from the results.
Dharma
Dakinis are devoted to a higher purpose and so their actions are generally positive. But it is hard to generalize the actions
of Dharma Dakinis since they aim to break our rabid fixation on concrete thoughts. Dharma Dakinis are not afraid to use their
powers to dazzle us, arouse us out of our sleep of habits, and seduce us onto a path of truth. Dakinis are tricky, capricious,
and unpredictable. We're in trouble when the Dakini disrupts our mind with magic, breaks our habitual thought patterns with
the miraculous, or simply opens our hearts with mad adoration. Messengers between our earthly realm and the higher realms
of the teachers, they help to bring the powerful teachings to earth, protect the truth from destructive forces, and bring
blessings to sincere seekers. The natural result is to fall in love with a Dakini or Angel. How can you avoid falling in love
with someone who inspires wild love and higher meaning suffused with delight?
Fixate on that pleasure and the Dakini
does the most compassionate thing possible. They fly away. Dakinis do not manifest simply for our pleasure. (There are people
who will do that but it usually requires negotiation and some form of hard currency). Dakinis manifest the beauty of the Truth
which is then an invitation to follow the path of Truth. Sky Dancers help us through vision and inspiration. But although
we can be greatly inspired by a Dakini (another word is Muse), they will only come back if we put into action what they have
shown us.
In that regard a Dakini's love is unswerving and always compassionate. It doesn't matter if we wait a few
hours or a few lifetimes to put our inspiration into action. Miracles occur but sometimes it takes years to fully realize
the implications. When we do realize or remember, our hearts open, and again the magic and majesty of the universe is open
to us. The Dakinis celebrate the Truth and our resolve to work for it in a most extraordinary way. They dance in the sky.
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