I
was raised up in Afrikaans Protestant culture, and am grateful
for parents who raised me with significant freedom in my early
years. My first immersion into meditation practice came through
the Christian Mystical tradition, for which I have deep appreciation.
Tai Chi and yoga taught me the beauty of presence in the body,
and how to follow the wisdom of the body-mind. Dancing, and
particularly Biodanza, really opened me to the passion that
flows through our cells, and that enables such deep creativity.
Life also brought me significant work with Shamanism (Native
American, Celtic and African traditions), which opened my eyes
to the multi-dimensionality of our world, and the worlds beyond.
At the end of 2001 I had a series of experiences that made
is clear to me that my life I about only one thing: awareness,
awakening – and that catapulted me into my path as
a Tantrika. Through visions I was told that my real name
is Shakti, and that this name carried the direction of my
work in the world*. Then followed four years of deep immersion
in spiritual practice. Like the old Christian desert fathers,
I went to live in the desert for a while, and went through
a significant dissolving of self. Here my Tantra practice
started. In 2003, I met Leslie Temple Thurston**, an Advaita***
teacher whose processing and meditation techniques have radically
changed my life.
My attention kept being pulled back to Tantra work, and
I had the opportunity to work with several teachers – from
the Healing Tao tradition of Mantak Chia, and from the Neo
Tantra tradition of Osho. Finally I met Rahasya, who has
been my master in this field, and the one who initiated me
into the practicing life of a Tantrika. From the day I started
seeing clients and running workshops, a new blossoming occurred
in my life – a deep knowing that I am following my
dharma, and a gratitude for the totality of presence that
this work brings.
I have a Ph.D. in Social Anthropology, practice also as
a social sustainability specialist, and am a trained teacher
and process work psychology facilitator.
* More on Shakti later on this page
** See www,corelight.org
*** Advaita: The practice of non-duality. See www.sacredsex.co.za
A male student says about Shakti
I thought you were a marvelous facilitator – sensitive,
clear, centered and supportive.
Two things I particularly valued. One was experiencing how
you have entered into your power and fullness as a woman – your
radiance, self-assuredness, playfulness, seductiveness, gentleness,
joyfulness. How you embody what you speak of. It was a privilege
for me to see you, a powerful woman in the fullness of her
beauty and her power.
The other was the lightness and playfulness and gentleness
with which you held the whole affair. It is a big thing,
to hold such a group of powerful people; and you did it with
deceptive simplicity. You truly are a hollow bone; a clear
channel for the love you are bringing into the world.
… and from a female student:
To have had the privilege to be entrained by you and have
your transmission and initiation into this Sacred art is
a priceless Gift. I am endlessly grateful.
On Shakti
Shakti is an ancient Sanskrit word that has many layered
meanings.
Some interpretations of the word are:
feminine creative/sexual power
Feminine life force
The bestowal of blessing
Kundalini fire/ the rising of energy along the central energy
channel of the body
Divine mother or devi
The active, dynamic aspect of feminine power
For more on the use of the term Shakti, go to www.shaktisadhana.50megs.com
or www.sacred-texts.com/tantra/sas
In Hindu mythology, Shakti is a collective term used to
describe the feminine deities. Whereas Shiva, the male principle
of the cosmos, embodies transcendence and merging back into
oneness, Shakti is the cosmic force that creates the diversity
of life expression from the core. Shakti is described as
follows in the Hindu sacred texts:
"I am Manifest, Unmanifest, and Transcendent Divinity;
I am Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva,
As well as Saraswati, Lakshmi and Parvati.
I am the Earth, the Sun and the Stars,
And I am also the Moon.
I am all animals and birds,
And I am the outcaste as well, and the thief.
I am the low person of dreadful deeds,
And the great person of excellent deeds.
I am Female, I am Male, and I am Androgenous."
From the Devi Bhagavatam Purana
