The Mountain, the sea and a Sound Journey

Return to the Beloved

I had spent a few weeks in Cape Town working, meeting new friends, forging connections and learning. I was aware of an unusual amount of information streaming in – a downloading – and this was accompanied by intense experiences with others, sea and mountain. I returned with all of these, a jumble of threads and crystals and notes. I sat with a discord and tangle, not knowing where to begin to sort out this precious treasure.

I returned, experiencing a purging of body that mirrored the purging of emotions and spirit that had taken place on the mountain. The physical wrenching, the cleansing of my womb, echoed the struggle witnessed by wind and sea under the watchful eye of the dragon. I found some healing in the space of no-thing where I was shown that which is not and the magick of the formless. In that space there is no pain, no struggle, no gut-aching tearing. There is no need for loss or gain, having or losing, owning or sharing, or even joy and pain.

I live in the material world, where many of these things hold attachment for me, and my sojourn in the void did not solve my problem of the tangled threads and the jumbled crystals that both sparkled and sang. I was presented with a solution: a dear soul-friend, Chris Tokalon, was to lead a Sound Journey and kindly sent me details of the venue and times.

My first live Sound Journey! The garden setting was perfect; our hostess charming; the facilitators – Chris and Frances – skilful and gracious. My request to Great Spirit was for some structure, a melody perhaps, a forming and shaping of this mixed bag of experience, knowing and memory with which I had returned from Cape Town.

My first live Sound Journey was a merging of mind, body and spirit. The music connected me, reconnected me, with every facet of my being. I felt my body expand outward into my emotional body into each layer and outward again, reaching up and out and around. The music wove through me and about, each sound shaking and stirring, weaving and winding, threads reaching out and in and connecting until I existed in a sparkling web – I was the web, I was the jewel in the centre of the web, I was a jewel, I was the thread – and then I simply Was. I heard the name of the Beloved whispered in my ear: Shekina, Shekina, Shekina. I was able to rest there a moment, in that first time of Being the Beloved, I am that... Shekina, that which I am, am becoming, will be. “The answers lie in the spaces, look into the spaces”. I looked, for there they are: the shapes, the patterns in the spaces created by the star-light threads. My jumble of thread and crystal, now woven into the net of my being, hums gently in the night air. If I pluck a note I see the melody as the web scintillates in sound.

So it is, that I return with a star-studded web of light and sound to guide me on the next phase of this life journey. So it is that I return with the name of the Beloved on my lips.

Tantric Exploration for Women

© Anatoly Tiplyashin | Dreamstime.com

It is a popular misconception that tantra is a path confined to heterosexual couples. The way of Tantra seeks inner divine union of the masculine and feminine, which can be explored by individuals and in couples – same-sex, other-sex, heterosexual – or in groups of any combination or all of the aforementioned. While some techniques involving the yoni or lingam specifically can clearly only be performed with the physical presence of either one (or both), many exercises work with the energies of the masculine and feminine. We embody these energies regardless of our physical sex, sexual orientation or sexual preferences.

A tantric exploration for women begins with an invitation for her to discover her own inner sexual landscape, to rediscover how her energies move in her body and to reconnect. In sacred space, she is free to look at what is, rather than that which she has been told should be. It is safe to probe old wounding, gently nudging blocks and obstacles out of the way. This way is one of experiencing, of feeling into the body.

To you, the reader, this may sound strange . You may believe that you are in touch with what you feel and know what is going on in your body. This may be true, but I invite you to try this: close your eyes and breathe deeply; with each breath travel deeper into your body; see if you can “feel” into your belly, your womb, your feet, your heart; note any contractions, closed spaces, or body parts that you cannot bring your awareness to. Give this exercise at least 5 minutes. When you are done, answer these questions: Is there a body part that I cannot “feel”? Where do I feel contracted, tight? Do I feel pain somewhere? Can I feel my breath into and out of my body? Truthfully, now, did I feel anything – or did my mind tell me what is going on?

Many of us live with the story in our head, telling us how we feel. This story is often not our own story, and it keeps us from what is really going on in our being. We have ideas about how things are supposed to be, years of conditioning, expectation and repression and these modify our responses. What if you could be in a space where you could simply BE, just as you are? A space where there are no rights and no wrongs, no expectations and absolutely no judgements? A space where you can explore your energy and sexuality freely? What if, in this space, you could experience unconditional love and honouring of the goddess within?

This is what I offer: safe, sacred space; guiding you to those inner territories through massage, touch, sound, aromatherapy and more; catalyzing shifts; and working with your own energies. I am available to women, regardless of their sexual orientation or preferences, who prefer to explore tantric massage and EnergyWork with a female. You may be looking for healing, increasing your orgasmic ability, raising your consciousness, or exploring your sexuality and sexual energies – or all of these – whatever it is that brings you before me, know that all is in divine and perfect order. There are no coincidences.

Dakini Shekina conducts explorations (sessions) for individuals, couples and groups. Currently these are offered at Shakti Gardens in Franklin Roosevelt Park, Johannesburg and at her country retreat in the Cradle of Humankind near Krugersdorp and the Sterkfontein Caves. Shekina also does extended explorations (2-3 days) and retreats.

Connect, Discover, Awaken – A Tantric Experience

Experience a private session with Shekina to awaken your slumbering self. Discover your capacity for love, tap into your awareness, connect with your inner power for transformation. Whether you wish to work with intent, explore a path, or simply embrace the sensation of being, Shekina is available to facilitate and empower your process. The hands-on Energy Work comprises a combination of traditional massage strokes, aromatherapy, sound therapy and other techniques. Shekina uses this to connect your physical, emotional and etheric bodies leaving you feeling more balanced and at ease. Tantric exercises and teachings are offered at a level to suit the Seeker after discussion and agreement.

Advanced tantric practices cannot be discussed or “booked” telephonically. What is meant by this? In many instances those unfamiliar with the principles and practices of Tantra mistakenly think that it is about acquiring technical expertise around the act of sex. It is true that mastery of some techniques can greatly enhance the act of sex, but this is not the purpose of Tantra. Our way is to facilitate your experience of your sexual energies in the fullest way possible, starting with your ability to feel into your body and being. So we work with sexual energies and sexuality through and awakening of the senses.

Request contact number through the blog.

Dakini Shekina conducts explorations (sessions) for individuals, couples and groups. Currently these are offered at Shakti Gardens in Franklin Roosevelt Park, Johannesburg and at her country retreat in the Cradle of Humankind near Krugersdorp and the Sterkfontein Caves. Shekina also does extended explorations (2-3 days) and retreats.

A Tantric Exploration of the Divine Masculine and Feminine with Dakini Shekina

Tantra is a path which seeks to expand the mind-body using the union of the male and female and leading to the ultimate experience of freedom – or connection with the Divine. Dakshina Marga Tantra, or the right-hand path, refers to the circulation of sexual energy within an individual. Vama Marga Tantra is the circulation of conscious sexual energies between two people. Both paths view sacred union between the feminine principle (Shakti) and the masculine (Shiva) as the means by which one goes within in order to expand, or burst outwards (Mark A. Michaels and Patricia Johnson give a detailed explanation of the Sanskrit origins of the word “tantra”, offering a fascinating discussion in the title “The Essence of Tantric Sexuality”, 2006).

Winter has begun, the days are shorter and the mornings are colder. The energies at play encourage us to look within, to go underground and seek the shadow. I was drawn to illuminate the masculine and feminine in exploration with a Seeker, both within and as visible as the external “other”. As part of the “Universe Within” explorations, the “Coming Out, Going In” takes you on a tantric journey of discovery of masculine and feminine energies. Using breath, bodywork, movement and touch, the sessions can be conducted for individuals or couples (heterosexual or same-sex) at R1200 for 130 minutes. Book before 6 May 2011 and receive R100 off your session. Couples (you need not be lovers) pay only R1800 for a 140 minute session.

Dakini Shekina conducts explorations (sessions) for individuals, couples and groups. Currently these are offered at Shakti Gardens in Franklin Roosevelt Park, Johannesburg and at her country retreat in the Cradle of Humankind near Krugersdorp and the Sterkfontein Caves. Shekina also does extended explorations (2-3 days) and retreats.

Unconditional love and Tantra

I began this work, this way of walking the path of Tantra, with an overwhelming urge to express unconditional love to those who have forgotten what it is – to those who have not experienced it, those who do not allow it into their lives.

In thinking of this, my need to express this love and to offer it to others, I wondered if it ran contrary to some of the teachings of Tantra. In particular the teachings of the school with which I am associated, the Advait School of Tantra, views the Dakini as she who “throws stones”. Swami Rahasya teaches in stories and riddle which provocatively lead the listener into awareness by constantly, consistently, challenging the foundations of one’s beliefs. This is what the Dakini does in her work: she challenges the seeker to confront his shadow, to shake down into the depths of his being and drag up that which hides there, to awaken that which sleeps, to open that which is sealed, to collect, to connect, to gather the soul-bones and breathe life into them.

Before agreeing to show the Seeker the way to soul through sacred sexuality, some Dakinis may, at first, “throw stones”. When she does this she is asking: “How badly do you want this?” She may appear capricious, wilful, wayward and obstinate – she can be many things, and all things – she represents that from which the Seeker is running. She mirrors your shadow-self in the ways in which she offends, repels or chases away. The Seeker comes back for more, his thirst for soul leading him through those experiences which he perceives as dirty, dry and difficult. Then the Dakini can begin the work of showing, opening, connecting body, mind, emotions and spirit...

How does unconditional love fit into this, I wondered? Perhaps in this way: the unconditional love that I express has its tenderness and warmth, but, as everything in this existence, it has its polarities. It is a love offered completely and relentlessly, with an intensity that many a Seeker finds uncomfortable, sometimes impossible, to face. It is uncompromising, accepting nothing less than complete surrender to truth. In the absence of a game, the Seeker is forced to give up his game plan; a space is created where there are no rules or requirements; strategy and manoeuvring are obsolete. This love has an implacable availability which forces confrontation with perceived desire by offering no resistance. In the blazing light of this love, the landscape is bleak: the rocks of denial are thrown into sharp relief in a desert dotted with excuses; cacti of conscience, watered by piety and pity, drop their thorns to prick the soles of the feet; and everywhere lie the bones of regret, the skeletons of betrayal, the remnants of what might have been.

This, then, is part of what I do. In the offering of this unconditional love, I ask the Seeker to drop all pretence, to receive in his truth and naked soul-beauty, to release the story and dance with me in the wildish ways of the stars.

Universe Within

I have been walking a path with tantra for a while now, making myself available as dakini.

I begin to experience myself in a different way and wonder if I can lead others to this delicious feeling...

Today I feel as though I am experiencing Me - fully, deeply, lovingly, with wonder.

Here I am, a being incarnate as a white woman in Africa. Here I am, with my entire lifetime on this earth-walk contained in this fluid body. Here I am, some parts of my being already vibrating to tomorrow's songs. Here I am, with all of my yesterdays and the days not yet lived; between death and birth and living and resurrection; witness to pain and joy and dance and paralysis.

Here I am, expanding into this moment, and this moment... and then this moment... I feel sound in my body, hear scents and taste colour. You resonate still throughout my physical body and all the layers of me: a rich symphony of life and love.

Universe speaks to me, sings and laughs into the depths of my soul. Am I big enough, I wonder, to contain all of me? Am I brave enough, to see into the heart of me? Do I have the capacity to be the fullness of me, now?

As I move through these spaces I ask for the clarity, energy, words and teachings to open doors for others. As I discover the universe within, I expand outwards. Every exchange blends into a symphony that lingers in my being: a loving caress, a loud laugh, a breath in my hair, hearts opening...

I am grateful for the wondrous ability to be available in this way: with universal love pulsing from my being into the universe. I am in love, I am love, I love, I am...