The Tibetans are getting a lot of press these days, and why shouldn’t they?
They have the slight advantage of a cultural tradition that reaches back
thousands of years, incorporates shamanism and Buddhism, and is remarkably
sophisticated and scientific in its understanding of life and
death. But if we remember that "90% of science is magic, and the other 10%
is wrong," we get a feel for the sense of humor that characterizes the
Tibetan world view. So why is it that when we hear the Tibetans talking
about death and dying we get the feeling that they are not really talking
about death and dying? And why do they study it? Over the centuries they
have developed a wide ranging literature about death, including inspirational
poetry and prose, prayers, and practical works on care of the dying. Somehow
they find great value in studying death but they are not at all a melancholic
people. It makes you wonder…
A big hint is contained in their word "bardo." The bardo is a magical vibrant
place that spans the regions of death, life, sleep and dream. In fact we
are always in the bardo but we don’t always remember that we are. If we tweak
our awareness and try to be present we will become more sensitive, caring,
aware…but our awareness will see death, sleep and dream as well as life itself.
In this respect the study and awareness of death serves life. But there
is also an energy and immediacy that death can bring to our practice, both
individually and as a society. This is important. The Buddha said…"Of all
footprints, that of the elephant is supreme. Similarly, of all mindfulness
meditations, that on Death is supreme."(p23)
This book is a fabulous introduction and survey of the ways that the Tibetan
tradition has incorporated the meditation on death into every day life. Sampling
from the wide ranging body of literature which includes inspirational poetry
and prose, prayers, and practical works on the care of the dying, Glenn Mullin
presents nine short Tibetan texts.
His selections cover the Boddhisattva teachings, meditations to prepare for
death, inspirational accounts of the deaths of saints and yogis, rituals for
caring for the dead, longevity yogas, methods for training the mind in the
transference of consciousness at the time of death and a remarkably educational
and informative introduction.
Unfortunately I can’t go in to specifics about this excellent text here,
but I will say that if you have any interest in the Tibetan teachings or
Buddhism I HIGHLY recommend that you purchase and study this book. I
have been greatly influenced by it, and would like to say with Elizabeth Kubler
Ross, "I am grateful to the author for the immense labor that he has put
in to this masterpiece."
