For the Soul’s Safekeeping
When, through intense propensities, we are wandering in the Sangsara,
Along the bright light-path of the simultaneously-born Wisdom,
May the heroic Knowledge-Holders lead us,
May the bands of the Mothers, the Dakinis, be our rear guard.
May we be saved from the fearful narrow passageway of the Bardo,
May we be placed in the state of the perfect Buddhahood.
May the ethereal elements not rise up as enemies;
May it come that we shall see the realm of the Blue Buddha.
May the earthy elements not rise up as enemies;
May it come that we shall see the realm of the Yellow Buddha.
May the fiery elements not rise up as enemies;
May it come that we shall see the Realm of the Red Buddha.
May the airy elements not rise up as enemies;
May it come that we shall see the Realm of the Green Buddha.
May the elements of the rainbow colors not rise up as enemies;
May it come that all the Realms of the Buddhas will be seen.
May it come that all Sounds will be known as one's own sounds;
May it come that all the Radiances will be known as one's own radiances;
May it come that the Trikaya will be realized in the Bardo.
The Grieving Room is a weekly gathering where we share our stories of mourning, loss and remembrance.
The one year anniversary of Mom's death has passed. I went through re-living the months leading to her passing, and I think I've made peace with myself.
She was a devout Bahai, and fervently believed her soul would be with God when she died. One day when she was in the hospital she was found walking down the street. She told me she felt it was such a beautiful day, she just wanted to go for a walk. Mom didn't like to go for walks.
She took care of old patients for many years, and told me that when they became confused sometimes, she thought they were "traveling" on the other side.
I identify myself as a Buddhist, though I barely practice more than Karma Yoga anymore. I believe that something of us survives death, though I can't define what it is, except to say that energy never dies. And as I understand it, rebirth or reincarnation doesn't necessarily mean we pop back into human form on planet Earth.
A wise person once said that death is 33 times more confusing than life. Kind of like a dream state. The Bardo Thodrol is certainly jam packed with strange encounters. Sort of like Purgatory. I hope we go where we believe we will.
In a cartoon strip, a few years ago, the main character dreamed he'd died & gone to heaven. His team was winning the World Series & he was feeling good. Then he ran into the wickedest person he ever knew, & said, "How did you get here?" The other guy said, "Everbody goes to Heaven!"
Well, I hope that's true.
Deepest condolences to all who are grieving.
Also in Blue