The-Tibetan-Book-of-Living-and-Dying

UNTIMELY DEATH
THE PROCESS OF DYING 249
It is said, on the other hand, that if it is only an obstacle of
some kind that threatens us with untimely death, it can be
more easily averted—provided, of course, that we have foreknowledge.
In the bardo teachings and Tibetan medical texts,
we can find descriptions of signs warning of impending death,
some foretelling death within years or months, and others in
terms of weeks or days. They include physical signs, certain
specific kinds of dreams, and special investigations using
shadow images. 1 Unfortunately only someone with expert
knowledge will be able to interpret these signs. Their purpose
is to forewarn a person that his or her life is in danger, and to
alert the person to the need for using practices that lengthen
life, before these obstacles occur.
Any spiritual practice we do, since it accumulates "merit,"
will help prolong our lives and bring good health. A good
practitioner, through the inspiration and power of his or her
practice, comes to feel psychologically, emotionally, and spiritually
whole, and this is both the greatest source of healing
and the strongest protection against illness.
There are also special "long-life practices," which summon
the life-energy from the elements and the universe through the
power of meditation and visualization. When our energy is
weak and unbalanced, these longevity practices strengthen and
coordinate it, and this has the effect of extending our lifespan.
There are also many other practices for enhancing life. One is
to save the lives of animals that are due to be slaughtered, by
buying them and setting them free. This practice is popular in
Tibet and the Himalayan regions, where, for example, people
often go to the fish market to buy fish and then release them.
It is based on the natural karmic logic that taking the life of
others or harming them will shorten your life, and giving life
will lengthen it.
THE "PAINFUL" BARDO OF DYING
The bardo of dying falls between the moment we contract
a terminal illness or condition that will end in death, and the
ceasing of the "inner respiration." It is called "painful" because
if we are not prepared for what will happen to us at death, it
can be an experience of tremendous suffering.
Even for a practitioner the whole process of dying can still
be a painful one, as losing the body and this life may be a