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For an ordinary person, death is considered terrifying. But for us practitioners, we should have some ability to handle death in a natural way. It is very important that we are aware of our own impermanence and prepare for death throughout our lifetime. Then, when the time of death comes for oneself or others, it is important to recall the stages of the process. Remembering and speaking the details of what is unfolding can allow the dying person to relax, opening the door to deeper awareness and to the possibility of liberating in the Bardo.
The three worlds are impermanent like the clouds of autumn.
The birth and death of beings are like a drama you are watching.
The life of beings passes like a flash of lightning in the sky.
It goes quickly, like water tumbling down a steep mountain.
Nobody gets out of saṃsāra alive. Not only are you going to die, but you don’t even know when. You could go out, catch a nasty bug from a mosquito, and—oops—encephalitis. There you go. Or a truck could back up without seeing your bicycle and run you over. There’s no guarantee death is going to wait until you get old. People die young, too.
So you just don’t know. All these little things take people out. There are a lot of things that will kill you. You can’t be careful enough not to die. So, considering that this is the case, you might as well learn how to do it.
The purpose of this series is to practice the skills of dying. That way, when you actually come to do it, you are not surprised by the process. You don’t panic, because you recognize, “Oh yeah, I know what’s going on now.” And then you can do it nicely, with at least a modicum of control over what happens next. It only seems sensible to learn how to do this.
Sutra Level Practice
You should ponder upon these reflections on impermanence, so that a deep feeling of renunciation from the world dawns naturally within your mental continuum. Outer manifestations will appear as illusory and unreal, and all attachments will naturally disappear, to the extent that the sole reflection that should arise in your mind is the concentration on the principle of the natural state of mind.
Tantra Level Practice
An experienced practitioner who has prepared and has some knowledge or skills will be able to recognize the Bardo states and, depending on individual capacity and experience, it is possible to reach enlightenment or the complete realization of mind, in the first, second or the third Bardo.
You don’t know what condition you will be in when you die. What sort of situation will spark what sort of feelings and emotions. So there is no guarantee for any of us, no matter how good we think we are in our practice. This is why we want multiple backup plans. You need to have the kyrim practice clear. Just in case, since you just don’t know. Don’t let your ego interfere with the process. When you think you are too good, that is ego. When you think you are not good enough, that is ego too. So just relax, and let the process go the way it goes.
Dzogchen Level Practice
At the time liberation and delusion are revealed, It is when the external elements disintegrate in their own state. When the internal elements dissolve into the Universal Ground, dualistic thoughts of subject and object dissolve in the expanse. At that time Rigpa abides nakedly. Self-arisen Primordial Wisdom is without coverings and obscurations. So relax, let go, and leave it be.
Bless me that the realization of impermanence will arise in my mind.
Visualize the months of our lives and how many months we live till this time.
If we look back to the months, they disappear into the sky like the moon at the end of the month.
Visualize the days we live, we use, we enjoy and now they are dissolving into the earth like the sun will set at the end of every day.
Now with no doubt, one's death will come.
It is certain one will die and there is no choice about it.
Many thoughts will come.
Meditate on this impermanence.
Bless me that the realization of impermanence will arise in my mind.
Visualize suddenly one is struck by an incurable disease and the body starts to diminish.
Pain is great, and you sit helplessly.
All the support of friends and family are casting divination, performing rituals and making medical diagnoses.
No mater whatever anyone does, whether from memory or experience, ones health continues to decline and death approaches.
Meditate on this impermanence.
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