Living in the Face of Death, the Tibetan Tradition by
Glenn Mullin published by Snow Lion Publications, Ithaca, NY 1998 238
pp, trade paperback
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=85
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=85but 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=85"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."
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