The mythology, rituals, meditations, and practices used in Tantric worship of the goddess Kali in the tradition of Kashmiri Shaivism

• Reveals the practices of Vamachara, known as the Left-hand Path but more accurately translated as the Path of Shakti

• Includes a Kali ritual from the Nirrutara Tantra, translated here for the first time

• Presents devotional chants, meditations, and mudras specific to Tantric worship of Kali

According to traditions going back to pre-Vedic times, Kali sprang from the third eye of the Goddess Durga as a destructive and terrifying manifestation of feminine power sent to lay waste to the forces of evil. Throughout India to this day, Kali is worshipped as the destroyer of bondage, capable of liberating her devotee from all rules and subjugation.

In Tantric Kali, Daniel Odier presents the mythology, practices, and rituals of Kali worship in the Tantric Kaula tradition within Kashmiri Shaivism. He reveals the practices of Vamachara, commonly known as the Left-hand Path but more accurately translated as the Path of Shakti. In this tradition the body itself is Kali’s temple, and it is therefore unnecessary to reject or deny the body to know union with the divine. Instead, nothing is regarded as pure or impure and there is complete freedom from rules. Focused on working directly with forbidden emotions and behaviors, this path allows the seeker to transcend obstacles to liberation through sexual union. According to the Kaula Upanishad, “In your behavior do the opposite to what the norms dictate but remain in consciousness.” This is the essence of Tantra. Kali is absolute reality: manifested as woman intoxicated by desire, she frees the tantric practitioner from all desire except union with the divine.

The author includes an evocative ritual from the Nirrutara Tantra--never before translated into any Western language--containing devotions to the 64 yoginis according to Matsyendranath, founder of the Kaula path. Offering devotional chants, meditations, and mudras specific to Tantric worship of Kali, this empowering book provides practices and teachings for those on the Tantric path to liberation.

Daniel Odier is a teacher of Tantra who received a mystical initiation from the tantric yogini, Lalita Devi. He was also a student of Kalu Rinpoche and received dharma transmission from a Chinese Chan Master. He founded the Tantra/Chan center in Paris and has taught courses on Eastern spiritual traditions at the University of California and on screen writing at the University of Tulsa. He is the author of Tantric Quest: An Encounter with Absolute Love and many other books, including Diva (under the nom de plume Delacorta), which was made into a popular movie of the same name. He lives in Spain.

Preface

Introduction

Kali and the Tantric Path

1 Kali's Origins and Symbolism

2 The Kaula Tradition

3 Preliminary Practices of the Kaula Tradition

4 The Nirrutara Tantra
Scripture That Is Superior to All Others

5 The Rituals of Kali and the Sacred Union

6 Advancing on the Kaula Path
Meditation on the Eight Chakras, the Yoginis’Ultimate Practice of the Heart, and the Devouring of Inner Demons

7 Hymns and Songs in Praise of Kali

Notes

Bibliography

Index

About the Author