Topic: Introducing the Tibetan Book of the Dead

[mayflow]

Stuff from the Tibetan Book of the Dead - oh dread!

-No not really just teasing, it's really rather pleasing-

Please read on... (hehehe, cough cough) :twisted:

This book just slaughters me! :lol:

"Life in the bardo brings no eternal rewards or punishments, but merely a descent into a new life which shall bear the individual nearer to his final goal".

-Carl Jung

I have great respect for Carl Jung...  

The Tibetan book of the Dead describes the period that transpires between when we die and are reborn. This intermediate state is called the Bardo. The Bardo is made up of three stages 1. Chikhai Bardo 2. Chonyid Bardo 3. Sidpa Bardo.  The buddhist view of death is fascinating. There is no paternalistic god to damn us to an eternal hell or heaven. The neutral law of karma decides the conditions of our next rebirth and it is our own free will, our own actions and thoughts that determine our path through life.

[mayflow]

The Bardo of the Moments of Death Instructions on the symptons of death, or the first stage of the Chikhai Bardo: The primary clear light seen at the moment of death.

The first, the setting-face-to-face with the Clear Light, during the Intermediate State of the Moments of Death. Thy breathing is about to cease. Thy guru hath set thee face to face before the clear light; and now thou art about to experience it in its reality in the Bardo state, wherein all things are like the void and cloudless sky, and the naked, spotless intellect is like unto a transparent vacuum without circumference or centre. At this moment, know thou thyself; and abide in that state

[Michael]

yes mayflow, that's a good book - a lot to ponder.

[mayflow]

I agree. To me, it describes a breaking out point. Doesn't have to be at the moment of physical death, but a moment of rememberance. A rememberance that we are creative spirit, we are that which creates, and we enjoy our creations, but are neither bound nor limited by them. Much like the symbolism in the Tibetan sand mandala rituals. The creations themselves are even boundless and unlimited and endless, and in that respect much like the creators.

[niamh04]

I've always been fascinated by the Tibetan's work on lucid dreaming, and the Bardo. Considering all the work they prepare for so they don't become fooled during the various tests they endure, no wonder they're such excellent dreamers!

[mayflow]

The Bardo at the point of death would seem to be where all of the practices throughout waking and dreaming life would coincide. All would seem to be practice for such a moment. Maybe just a little of what is meant by darting past the Eagle? I think CC's works were very very influenced by Tibetan dream yoga and such. He just was brilliant enough to give the ideas and practices new faces. Now that is stalking! 

[Michael]

The Bardo at the point of death would seem to be where all of the practices throughout waking and dreaming life would coincide. All would seem to be practice for such a moment.

yes, you got it.