Entanglement and Death
Preparing for death
we prepare to meet our real nature
perfect
existing as it is
beyond time
beyond timeless eternity
from beginningless beginnings
as it always has been
in death after death
after life after life
we prepare
for that
timeless
luminosity
beyond changing
not coming
or going
beyond
beyond
that primordial wisdom
that condition
that is so very familiar to us
that amazing brilliant luminosity beyond reason
that condition where we have always been, but
we keep forgetting that it is always so;
HO HO HO!!!
This existence can only make one laugh!
This state beyond reason
is always
here
just
as
it
is.
A poem from, Timeless Luminosity, pp. 126-127, © 2020.
It may come as a surprise to some that the above poem called Preparing for Death contains laughter and optimism, rather than dismal drudgery, things that we might associate with death. If you’ve been listening to my podcasts, you already know that my approach is somewhat light-hearted. There’s a reason for this, and it has to do with how you should treat yourself, by being easy on yourself, ready to laugh when things get too serious. We should prepare through meditation and how we live our lives; however, there’s no reason to make it difficult on yourself.
Preparing for death is about getting real. We’re not trying to change anything. We’re simply allowing ourselves to accept the inevitable by getting out of this entanglement of karma and confusion. In this, we need to have some idea about what to expect.
When we examine our mind, we’re simply decluttering our view. Simplifying how we examine phenomena, we learn to see things as they are now, not as we want or as we believe them to be. If we enter the death bardo with a cart full of expectations and beliefs, then we will be sorely disappointed. That’s not what should happen there. When you are in the death bardo, it is not a good time to try to make everything jive with your preconceptions and beliefs, or you will have big problems.
These entanglements that we have between belief, karma, expectations and ego will bind us at that point when we really need to be set free. Death will be a miserable experience, rather than bright, open and amazing. This is why I’m not just telling people about my experiences, I’m also teaching people how to prepare in the best way possible.
My experience ignited something in me, in the way that I live, in the way that I give advice, in the way that I see the world. This explosion, this shock to the system, doesn’t come from dogma learned as a Buddhist. It comes directly from Timeless Luminosity, from an eternity where there was nothing to change, an eternity where there was no self. When I give advice, it comes from the heart that way. It comes from direct experience.
It just so happens that Buddhism, Buddhist vocabulary, Buddhist Spiritual Practices, provide excellent methods for preparing for death. I really don’t know of anything better. In a broad sense, this has already been perfected for us. If I add something different, it’s really just a slight twist to something that is already there for us.
A good example of this is how I teach Guru Yoga. Since the people coming to me are typically already familiar with my explanations about the death bardo, I teach Guru Yoga in a way that corresponds to that. We can either immediately experience Dharmakaya or we can visualize the Gurus of Dharmakaya, Sambhogakaya and Nirmanakaya, depending upon your capacity. It’s up to you to do the best that you can, understanding that it is fine to begin from more of a relative point of view, utilizing certain visualizations.
When we practice Guru Yoga, we already know that the Guru becomes one with us. That is the whole point of this practice. When the Guru becomes one with us, self actually disappears into that radiant light. The entanglements that we feel in life disappear. We go beyond what binds us by becoming aware of who we really are.
I am sometimes confused when people might confront me or proselytize about different religions or philosophical points of view. Sparring over relative points of view doesn’t actually change anything, it’s an act of futility. I don’t see the point of becoming entangled with their karma or a point of view that can easily fall apart if examined carefully.
Reality doesn’t change if we believe this or that. If we wish to discover reality, it’s plainly evident, as it is, if we can simply allow ourselves to recognize that. The point of Spiritual Practice is to awaken to what is, as it is. It’s not about confirming beliefs or gaining reassurance.
Maybe you think you already know everything. If you are at that point, then it is a perfect opportunity to examine what you think you know. Maybe it is time to see if reassurance is possible. You won’t know unless you question everything. If you have faith that you know everything, then it should not make you nervous to examine each and every aspect of your beliefs.
When you have untangled yourself from belief, then awakening is possible.
Blessings in Light,
Robert Aho