The Practical Shaman - The Tibetan Book of the Dead


Book Description

This book is an introduction to the Tibetan Book of the Dead. It is not a book of the dead or for the dead in the way of its Egyptian equivalent. It is a book of, and about living. It is an ancient book. It was written in 8th century Tibet. Before that, it was an oral tradition passed down by shaman which its heritage stems. but its heritage and information go much further back and are based on shamanic knowledge. It became part of the Bon religion which is still practiced today. When Buddhism entered Tibet Bon, and the Tibetan Book of the Dead it became part of that discipline helping to make Tibetan Buddhism unique.Soon after the Buddha's passing it was recognised that we experience different states of existence each day of our lives, and after, when we die. These s an intermediate, transitional, or liminal states are called Bardos. Our waking life is a Bardo state, our dreaming at night is a Bardo state, if/when we meditate, that is a Bardo state.In the Tibetan world view, there is no destructive death at the end as is in the west. Instead, there is reincarnation, rebirth, a transition into a new life. What we do in this life, the good and bad deeds, or Karma influence the rebirth of our soul and how it will continue to seek enlightenment.According to Tibetan tradition, after death and before one's next birth, when one's consciousness is not connected to a physical body it passes through a number of states or Bardos, that it goes through. Some are similar to those reported by people who have had a Near-Death Experience. The Tibetan Book of the Dead This book is part of The Practical Shaman series, which includes broad introductions into shamans and shamanism. This book concentrates on reincarnation and the beliefs and rituals that surround the soul. This book is connected to an episode of The Shaman Podcast.The Reiki, Shamanism and the essential loving mysticism is complementary to our: -YouTube video series, "Reiki with Candice, Mark and Opame", -"The Shaman Podcast" on iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Stitcher, Tunine, Deezer and more. Together, these expand on Reiki and Reiki Energy Healing as well as what means to be a shaman. Visit and subscribe to all of these as well as our blog, www.thepracticalshaman.ca.Enjoy.Mark Ashford, MSc, Usui Tibetan Reiki Master and Teacherthepracticalshaman.ca




The Practical Shaman - Soul and Spirit


Book Description

This book is an introduction to the Soul, and to the Spirit. Our soul and spirit combine in our physical bodies to make us who we are. This is a book about living but when we talk about the soul and our spirit there also needs to be a conversation around what they mean at the time of our death. Some of this book refers to an ancient Tibetan book written in 8th century, The Tibetan Book of the Dead. Before the 8th century information in it was an oral tradition passed down by shaman and from which its heritage stems. But its tradition and information go much further back and is based on prehistoric shamanic intelligence. The ancient knowledge became part of the Bon religion which is still practiced today. When Buddhism entered Tibet, Bon, and the Tibetan Book of the Dead became part of Buddhist discipline helping to make Tibetan Buddhism unique.In the Tibetan world view, there is no destructive death at the end of life as is in the west. Instead, there is reincarnation, rebirth, and transition into a new life. What we do in this life, the good and bad deeds, or Karma influence the rebirth of our soul and how it will continue to seek enlightenment.According to Tibetan tradition, after death and before one's next birth, when one's consciousness or soul is not connected to a physical body it passes through a number of different states. Some are similar to those reported by people who have had a Near-Death Experience. Soon after the Buddha's passing it was recognised that we experience different states of existence each day of our lives as well as after we die. These intermediate, transitional, or liminal states are called Bardos. Our waking life is a Bardo state, our dreaming at night is a Bardo state, if / when we meditate, that is another Bardo state.This book is part of The Practical Shaman series, which includes broad introductions to shamans and shamanism and concentrates on the Soul, and the Spirit, together with the beliefs and rituals that surround both and why they differ.The Reiki, Shamanism and the essential loving mysticism is complementary to our: -YouTube video series, "Reiki with Candice, Mark and Opame", -"The Shaman Podcast" on iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Stitcher, Tunine, Deezer and more. Together, these expand on Reiki and Reiki Energy Healing as well as what means to be a shaman. Visit and subscribe to all of these as well as our blog, www.thepracticalshaman.ca.Enjoy.Mark Ashford, MSc, Usui Tibetan Reiki Master and Teacherthepracticalshaman.ca




The Tibetan Book of the Dead


Book Description

The most accessible and informative version of the Buddhist classic available in English, with instruction in meditation, illuminating commentary, and guidance in the practical use of the prayers The so-called “Tibetan Book of the Dead” has been renowned for centuries as a cornerstone of Buddhist wisdom and religious thought. More recently, it has become highly influential in the Western world for its psychological insights into the processes of death and dying—and what they can teach us about the ways we live our lives. It has also been found to be helpful in the grieving process by people who have recently lost their loved ones. Composed in the eighth century C.E., it is intended to prepare the soul for the trials and transformations of the afterworld. Its profound message is that the art of dying is as important as the art of living. Drawing on Tibetan spiritual traditions, it shows us the workings of the mind in its various manifestations—terrifying and comforting, wrathful and beautiful—which appear more clearly after death in the consciousness of the deceased. By recognizing these manifestations, we can attain a state of enlightenment, both in this existence and in the existence to come. This authoritative translation preserves the form and spirit of the original and was prepared especially for Western readers by Robert A. F. Thurman, one of the most prominent Tibetan scholars in America and a close associate of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s.




The Tibetan Book of the Dead


Book Description

The Tibetan Book of the Dead: Awakening Upon Dying, with introductory commentary by Dzogchen Buddhist master Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, is a new translation of the ancient text also known as The Great Liberation through Hearing in the Intermediate State. Both a practical guide and intriguing historical, cultural, and spiritual document, this new version incorporates recent discoveries that have allowed for a better translation of previously ambiguous passages. Revealing a set of instructions designed to facilitate the inner liberation of the dead or dying person, the book provides a guide to navigating the bardo--the interval between death and rebirth. Originally composed by Padmasambhava, an important Indian master of the eighth century, the Tibetan Book of the Dead was concealed in Tibet until it was discovered in the fourteenth century by Karma Lingpa, a famous Tibetan tertön (discoverer of ancient texts). Describing in detail the characteristics and fantastic visions of each stage beyond death, the book includes invocations to be read aloud to the dying person, to help his or her successful journey toward the stage of liberation. Chögyal Namkhai Norbu's introduction clarifies the texts from the Dzogchen point of view and provides a scholarly summary of the ancient material based on his oral teachings and written works. In addition, material from several of Namkhai Norbu's more recent written works and oral teachers have been added, including an essay on the four intermediate states after death entitled Birth, Life, and Death. A full-color 16-page insert of traditional Tibetan art highlights Tibet's unique aesthetic wisdom.




The Tibetan Book of the Dead


Book Description

The most accessible and informative version of the Buddhist classic available in English, with instruction in meditation, illuminating commentary, and guidance in the practical use of the prayers The so-called “Tibetan Book of the Dead” has been renowned for centuries as a cornerstone of Buddhist wisdom and religious thought. More recently, it has become highly influential in the Western world for its psychological insights into the processes of death and dying—and what they can teach us about the ways we live our lives. It has also been found to be helpful in the grieving process by people who have recently lost their loved ones. Composed in the eighth century C.E., it is intended to prepare the soul for the trials and transformations of the afterworld. Its profound message is that the art of dying is as important as the art of living. Drawing on Tibetan spiritual traditions, it shows us the workings of the mind in its various manifestations—terrifying and comforting, wrathful and beautiful—which appear more clearly after death in the consciousness of the deceased. By recognizing these manifestations, we can attain a state of enlightenment, both in this existence and in the existence to come. This authoritative translation preserves the form and spirit of the original and was prepared especially for Western readers by Robert A. F. Thurman, one of the most prominent Tibetan scholars in America and a close associate of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s.




Living, Dreaming, Dying


Book Description




The Tibetan Book of the Dead


Book Description

The most accessible and informative version of the Buddhist classic available in English, with instruction in meditation, illuminating commentary, and guidance in the practical use of the prayers The so-called “Tibetan Book of the Dead” has been renowned for centuries as a cornerstone of Buddhist wisdom and religious thought. More recently, it has become highly influential in the Western world for its psychological insights into the processes of death and dying—and what they can teach us about the ways we live our lives. It has also been found to be helpful in the grieving process by people who have recently lost their loved ones. Composed in the eighth century C.E., it is intended to prepare the soul for the trials and transformations of the afterworld. Its profound message is that the art of dying is as important as the art of living. Drawing on Tibetan spiritual traditions, it shows us the workings of the mind in its various manifestations—terrifying and comforting, wrathful and beautiful—which appear more clearly after death in the consciousness of the deceased. By recognizing these manifestations, we can attain a state of enlightenment, both in this existence and in the existence to come. This authoritative translation preserves the form and spirit of the original and was prepared especially for Western readers by Robert A. F. Thurman, one of the most prominent Tibetan scholars in America and a close associate of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s.




The Tibetan Book of the Dead


Book Description

In this classic scripture of Tibetan Buddhism—traditionally read aloud to the dying to help them attain liberation—death and rebirth are seen as a process that provides an opportunity to recognize the true nature of mind. This translation of The Tibetan Book of the Dead emphasizes the practical advice that the book offers to the living. The insightful commentary by Chögyam Trungpa, written in clear, concise language, explains what the text teaches us about human psychology. This book will be of interest to people concerned with death and dying, as well as those who seek greater spiritual understanding in everyday life.




The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying


Book Description

“A magnificent achievement. In its power to touch the heart, to awaken consciousness, [The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying] is an inestimable gift.” —San Francisco Chronicle A newly revised and updated edition of the internationally bestselling spiritual classic, The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, written by Sogyal Rinpoche, is the ultimate introduction to Tibetan Buddhist wisdom. An enlightening, inspiring, and comforting manual for life and death that the New York Times calls, “The Tibetan equivalent of [Dante’s] The Divine Comedy,” this is the essential work that moved Huston Smith, author of The World’s Religions, to proclaim, “I have encountered no book on the interplay of life and death that is more comprehensive, practical, and wise.”