Focusing on Practice While We Still Can

Tulku Thondup in his book “Peaceful Death / Joyful Rebirth” writes about the importance on making progress while we still can….namely, in this lifetime (and presumably while we have the mental capacity to practice).

Tulku Thondup, in his writings, says that once we have died, there is a period of time (one of the Bardos) when our mind is acutely aware and open. However, because we lack a physical body to ‘ground’ our thinking, we have a very difficult time with staying focused.

While we inhabit a human body, we have a much better ability to focus even though we are not as aware and open. The same body that provides more stability is also a handicap to our ability to modify and alter our thinking.

So once we die, we have a greater ability to alter our thinking and direct our future path but we must rely on our practices done while we were alive to establish focus. The more training and development during our life, the greater background and tools we have to call on once we die.

Tulku Thondup emphasizes that the time of death and the interim periods prior to taking rebirth are extremely important junctures on our path. Preparation through practice and mental stabilization have untold benefit after we have died.

We all have the opportunity to use our time and energies now for the benefit of all sentient beings including us.

Many Dharma Blessings,

Geoff