Chapter 15: "The Process of Dying" Summary

Sogyal begins by separating two types of death, those of the exhaustion of the natural lifespan, and premature death. Due to karma, the lifespan is limited, and difficult to extend. However, Sogyal notes, through yoga, one can extend this limit slightly. In the case of premature death, a lifetime of good karma or forewarning can avert death.

Sogyal explains the bardo of dying as the point between the contraction of an illness or condition that results in death and the ceasing of the inner respiration. It is called painful since the bardo can be one of suffering if one is not prepared. Sogyal stresses the need to know the process of dying to avoid this suffering. He explains the process as consisting of two stages, those of the outer dissolution, where the senses...