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The passage from The Tibetan Book of the Dead (Bardo Thodol) offers guidance for the consciousness during the intermediate state between death and rebirth. It suggests that if liberation from the cycle of birth and death is not achieved in the earlier stages, one must consciously navigate the process of reincarnation.
Here is a paraphrase of that instruction:
The Conscious Rebirth
If you find that returning to the physical world is inevitable, do not enter a womb impulsively. Instead, carefully evaluate your potential futures and select a birth that provides a foundation for spiritual growth. Prioritize a life that guarantees a connection with a Guru—a "virtuous friend" who can guide you. By choosing an environment conducive to practice and mentorship, you ensure that this next life serves as a definitive bridge toward ultimate liberation.
Key Concepts in this Instruction
Intentionality: Rebirth is often viewed as a passive "pulling" by karma, but the text encourages the practitioner to maintain awareness and choose their direction.
The "Virtuous Friend": In Buddhism, the Kalyana-mittata (noble friendship) is considered the whole of the spiritual life. The "Guru" here is the compass that keeps the soul on track.
Spiritual Continuity: The goal is not a "pleasant" life or a "wealthy" life, but a "useful" life—one that minimizes distractions and maximizes the chance of waking up.
Connecting to Your Previous Notes
This mirrors the Advaita Vedanta concept of Sadhana you mentioned earlier. Just as the Bardo Thodol emphasizes finding a Guru, the Vedanta tradition emphasizes Parampara (lineage). Whether you are "rising up" in this life (Vyutthana) or choosing the next one, the objective remains the same: moving from the "carrot" of worldly pleasure toward the "gold" of spiritual Truth.
Would you like to compare how the Tibetan "Intermediate State" (Bardo) differs from the Vedantic view of what happens to the soul after death?
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