a skull bowl, symbol of renunciation and blissfulness. From a stone sculpture of the tenth century, central India. Shiva the Transcendental 101 are but facets
power of initiation. As an initiatress into the sexual mysteries of Kali, woman is the ultimate Guru of man. When hypocrisy, self-doubt, selfishness, and envy are eliminated from a woman’s psyche, the deep intuitive wisdom of Kali emerges. Charged with sexual energy, Kali’s wisdom acts as a potent initiation into the nature of reality. "Kali is fearless and passionate; she does not hold back her favors. For a woman to truly embody Kali, she must get in touch with her own sexuality and dive deep into her unconscious mind. Kali’s qualities are of this world and all other worlds. For a woman to become Kali, she must be able to take her man beyond mundane limitations, beyond convention, beyond the expected. During the dark fortnight of the moon and the time of her menstruation, woman naturally takes on some of Kali’s qualities. In her Kali role, woman acts as the destroyer of illusion and the fulfiller of desire." The goddess asks: "What are the best Mantras for evoking Kali in the body of woman, O Shiva? What is Kali’s special Yantra and her simplest form? Tell me the best ways of pleasing Kali and the special items for her worship. Tell me also why it is that Kali stands or squats on the reclining form of Shiva." Shiva replies: "O Insatiable Goddess! Many different Mantras have been used to evoke Kali! Most of them begin with the letter K. The short seed-syllables ‘KLING’ and ‘KRING’ are both highly effective, as is the longer Kali Mantra: ‘OM-KANG-KALIKA-NAMAH.’ Kali’s name is a potent Mantra in itself, as is the seed-syllable ‘HUNG,’ which expresses the transcendental power of the pregnant voidness that underlies all phenomena. ‘HUNG’ also awakens the Kundalini and helps one become united with Kali. "Kali’s special Yantra, or mystic form, is a series of five equilateral triangle, set one within the other and placed on an eight-petaled lotus. The five triangles of Kali’s Yantra symbolize transcendence of the five main bodily senses and elements. The eight-petaled lotus indicates that Kali can be understood by focusing the higher emotions in the Heart Chakra. At the center of this Yantra one should visualize a small point, symbolizing stability of consciousness. "The Yantra of Mother Kali is a potent symbol of meditation and can also be used as a protective talisman. Kali’s simplest form is the Yoni of a woman in intense sexual excitement. The triangular shape formed by the pubic hair is Kali’s basic Yantra, the open Yoni is Kali’s ever-open invitation; the erect clitoris is like Kali’s extended tongue, the sexual odors are her power of enchantment, and the profuse moist secretions tell of Kali’s all-bestowing nature. The Yoni of woman is unquestionably the original symbol of Mother Kali. "Kali is pleased by devotion to her ideal qualities, by repetition of her Mantras, by visualization of her Yantra and her various mystic forms. Kali is pleased when the passionate urge of earnest desire for union with her causes the vitality to enter and rise up the Great Axis, the central channel of the Subtle Body. Kali is pleased by the ecstatic experiences of man and woman in Tantric union. Kali is pleased whenever she is remembered. Kali is pleased with Shiva! "Kali can be worshipped by anything offered without hypocrisy. Best of all, she likes sensual smells, such as sandalwood, musk, patchouli, and camphor. She also likes garlands of red flowers, rhythmic music, sensual dance, pure wine, and other intoxicants such as marijuana. Kali likes spontaneous laughter, devotional songs, passionate love, and an ‘all or nothing’ mental attitude. Kali can be worshipped directly through the body of woman. Tantric love-rites are the ideal way of worshipping Kali. During these rites the Yoni should be honored and selfless offerings made. When Kali awakens in the female partner, love takes on a renewed and exalted potency. Kali-power extends from eroticism to the beginning and end of time. "Kali stands or squats on the reclining Shiva to show that she performs all his physical needs. Standing on Shiva, Kali is well prepared to take on any adversary and come to the aid of those in need. Squatting on Shiva, she sexually serves both her Lord and herself. In
