In this episode I am once again joined by Dr Ben Joffe, anthropologist and scholar practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism.

This episode is the third part of a series in which we explore Ben’s PhD dissertation about the ngakpa of the Himalayas, or as Ben calls them ‘wizards and socially engaged yogis’.

In this episode we explore the realms of gender and sexual orientation, in both textual and social contexts.

Ben discusses the complex situation of female spiritual practitioners in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, looking at terms such as ‘khandroma’, ‘dakini’, and more.

We learn about the role of the sangyum, or sexual consort, and find out why Ben’s teacher and co-author Dr Nida Chenagtsang dedicated their book on sexual yoga to abuse victims, particularly those who have been abused in religious contexts.

And finally we discuss the heteronormative / heterosexual perspective of traditional tantric texts, and hear Ben’s thoughts on how to practice sexual yoga in other orientations.

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Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep52-dr-ben-joffe-3-dakinis-consorts-beyond-heteronormativity/

Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Stitcher – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.

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Topics include:

0:00 - Intro

1:08 - Ngakma, dakinis, and female practitioners of Tibetan Buddhism

15:55 - The dakini in traditional and new-age contexts

25:52 - Thoughts on the tantric prohibition against disparaging women

34:31 - The role of the sangyum (tantric consort)

51:52 - Sex with the tantric guru vs Western ethical trends

1:20:30 - Thoughts on practice of sexual yoga in contexts other than the heteronormative

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Ngakpa series with Dr Ben Joffe:

- https://www.guruviking.com/ep44-dr-ben-joffe-ngakpa-the-occult-and-anthropology/

- https://www.guruviking.com/ep48-dr-ben-joffe-2-siddhi-samaya-and-duels-of-magick/

- https://www.guruviking.com/ep52-dr-ben-joffe-3-dakinis-consorts-beyond-heteronormativity/

Ben’s dissertation

- https://pqdtopen.proquest.com/doc/2335180529.html?FMT=ABS&fbclid=IwAR3bXYiUmC6YcOgR09-GuSiC_UwwXYuTcLJ-kce_tI3-8e-smZS99wy1HMY

To find out more about Ben, visit:

- https://perfumedskull.com/

- http://www.skypressbooks.com/

For more interviews, videos, and more visit:

- www.guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James