The practices of Phowa in Tibetan Buddhism
Description
In this episode of our podcast, we explore the Tibetan Buddhist art of dying, focusing on two profound and contrasting practices. We begin with Phowa, one of the famous Six Yogas of Naropa, designed to transfer one's consciousness at the moment of death to a favorable rebirth, bypassing the chaotic intermediate state known as the bardo. This podcast delves into the specific techniques of Phowa, including the visualization of the subtle body's channels and the forceful ejection of consciousness through the crown of the head. We also discuss the tangible, physical signs said to prove a practitioner's success. Then, the episode turns to the far more esoteric and secret practice of Drong-jug—the art of transferring one's consciousness into a recently deceased body. We examine the history of this "horizontal" transference, the reasons for its profound secrecy, and the ethical questions it raises. Finally, this podcast looks at how these ancient practices are understood today and explores the surprising dialogue between Tibetan contemplative science and modern neuroscience's findings on the dying brain.
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