THE DAKINI LIBERATION CONTINUAL PRACTICE

First one must understand in this sense what the Dakini is. We often speak about the human conscience, but most frequently it is conditioned by religious and social conditioning. The Dakini presence might appear similar to this human conscience but the practice takes the person a step further away from both conditioned ideas and also the Identity.

The closest that a Christian might be to understanding the Dakini is to consider it like a "Holy Ghost" of the Trinity that is guided by what is natural and correct within the Life Force not within religious texts.

We can say then that when the cognitive mind is set aside the Life Force knows what is correct and natural and does not require texts or commandments to encounter it.

The procedure is at first to reach the level where one can identify all Identity-related defects and see that despite their recognition that one still falls prey to temptation and habits related to confusion, greed and aversion. In the Dakini practice one conjures up the presence of the Dakini either as a visualization or at a deeper meditative level.

Now this Dakini is not just another Identity for the meditator. It is the representation of the perfect feminine principle manifested in practical and correct expression. Every human creature then possesses this same Dakini. It is a universal representation of the correct and natural.

Here we discuss just two forms of the practice.

First, one can allow the Dakini to appear and then have an actual verbal conversation with the Dakini (similar to the Fritz Perls two-chair practice). In this practice eventually one reaches the realization that really you are the Dakini not the Samsaric-chained person that you considered yourself to be.

YOU ALLOW YOURSELF TO BECOME THE DAKINI, DEFEATING IN THIS WAY THE ERRORS OF BEHAVIOR, INTENTIONS AND ATTITUDES.

Second, one can allow any novel event which occurs to bring the presence of the Dakini without an actual visualized Dakini presence.

In other words, a sick stray dog or a very old woman may elicit a Dakini message. This reveals subconscious problems and also the Dakini (Natural Life Force) answers or gives indications of the correct path to follow.

Here there is no attempt made to teach these practices, which are perfect tools to defeat Mara, but to show how Sherab Chodron (Ninette) used these in her actual practice. The explanation I have added in brackets.

 Some of hundreds of personally developed daily practices to self-condition a mind that could then become unstained.

A.

Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Shri Ri in Catari Grove, Pinedas Altas Park.

(This brings to the searching mind the presence of the Buddha mind.)

Then, in the morning, the Dakini Sherab dressed and, taking bowl and robe, entered Shri Ri for alms.

When she had walked for alms in Shri Ri and had returned from her alms round, after her tea she went to the Blind Men's Grove seeking seclusion.

(She prepared herself with a walking meditation and then went to her meditation place for Dakini practice.)

Then the Dakini the Vacuous One, deciding that it was time for Dakini Sherab to start teaching sentient beings, desiring to help her to teach according to the Dharma, approached her and addressed her in verse:

Always remember our delusions.

We invent ourselves

Endlessly…

Repeatedly…

(From her Dakini mind came the following phrase.)

Then it occurred to the Dakini Sherab: "Now who is it that recited the verse -- a human being or a non-human being?"

Then it occurred to her: "This is the Dakini the Vacuous One, who has recited the verse. It is my very self, Dakini Sherab, desiring to teach me the truth about myself and to help me teach sentient beings according to the Dharma."

(Perceiving now the fact that her Samsaric Identity was false she allied herself with her Dakini mind).

Then the Dakini Sherab, having understood, "This is the Dakini, the Vacuous One, my very self," replied in verses:

Confirming our existence

Through other non-existences.

Then the Dakini, the Vacuous One, realizing, "The Dakini Sherab has finally recognized her true self", disappeared right there.

(Practicing this, after letting the cognitive mind go, the greater understanding made itself evident and her Samsaric Identity was weakened and dismissed).

These personally evolved exercises were developed by Sherab (Ninette) and written down for the benefit of others. Each was repeated thereafter hundreds of times in a twenty minute period with spontaneous differences to consolidate the learning.

This example is one of those related to Dharma training but another series is directly related to personal Dharma resistance experienced during 1994 in her Vajrayogini training period.

Here is another of the same group on a more common theme, "Daily Tasks"

B.

Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Shri Ri in Catari Grove, Pinedas Altas Park.

(This brings to the searching mind the presence of the Buddha mind.)

Then, in the morning, the Dakini Sherab dressed and, taking bowl and robe, entered Shri Ri for alms.

When she had walked for alms in Shri Ri and had returned from her alms round, after her tea she went to the Blind Men's Grove seeking seclusion.

(She prepared herself with a walking meditation and then went to her meditation place for Dakini practice.)

Then the Dakini the Vacuous One, desiring to arouse joy, happiness, and delight  in the bhikkhuni Sherab, desiring to help her continue with her seclusion, approached her and addressed her in verse:

Then it occurred to the bhikkhuni Sherab: "Now who is it that recited the verse -- a human being or a non-human being?"

 Then it occurred to her: "This is the Dakini the Vacuous One, who has recited the verse desiring to arouse joy, happiness, and delight in me, desiring to help me to continue with my seclusion."

Then the bhikkhuni Sherab, having understood, "This is the Dakini the Vacuous One," replied to her in verses:

Then the Dakini, the Vacuous One, realizing, "The bhikkhuni Sherab knows me," joyful, happy, and delighted,

disappeared right there.

 I have spoken of the opening of the Masculine and Feminine Union in Sherab. Here is an example of her Dakini meditation at that point.

   C.

Thus have I heard. On one occasion the Blessed One was dwelling at Shri Ri in Catari Grove, Pinedas Altas Park.

(This brings to the searching mind the presence of the Buddha mind.)

Then, in the morning, the Dakini Sherab dressed and, taking bowl and robe, entered Shri Ri for alms. 

When she had walked for alms in Shri Ri and had returned from her alms round, after her tea she went to the Blind Men's Grove seeking seclusion.

Then the Dakini the Vacuous One, desiring to arouse joy, happiness, and delight in the bhikkhuni Sherab, desiring to help her, for it was time for Sherab to start teaching sentient beings, desiring to help her to teach according to the Dharma, approached her and addressed her in verse: 

Dakini Sherab,

It is now time for you to start teaching the Dharma.

You will need the help of the whole mandala

Of deities, protectors, lamas, buddhas, bodhisattvas

Pawos and khandros to whom you have been paying homage

Making offerings, confessing your faults,

Asking to turn the wheel of the Dharma

So they will remain in this existence

To continue teaching the word of Buddha.

And in whom you have been taking refuge.

The Queen of the Prayers for Noble and Excellent Conduct

Shall be your daily guide.

You will also need to ask the gurus directly for their help

By practicing Guru yoga every day.

Then it occurred to the bhikkhuni Sherab: "Now who is it that recited the verse -- a human being or a non-human being?" 

Then it occurred to her: "This is the Dakini the Vacuous One, who has recited the verse. It is my very self, Dakini Sherab, desiring to teach Bhikkhuni Sherab the truth about herself and to help her teach sentient beings according to the Dharma".

Then the dakini Sherab, having understood, "This is the Dakini, the Vacuous One, my very self," replied in verses: 

Dakini, it is true that the time has come,

After seven years of practice,

To recognize my true self

And to begin in earnest

To help all sentient beings.

Then the Dakini, the Vacuous One, realizing, "The bhikkhuni Sherab has finally recognized her true self", disappeared right there.