This week’s meditation session is led by Lama Arai Drolma and the theme is Ritual. The guided meditation begins at 13:35.

The Bardo Thödrol is often referred to in the West as the Tibetan Book of the Dead. It is a treasure that was hidden by Padmasambhava, who brought the wisdom of Buddhism to Tibet in the eighth century. It was revealed by a treasure revealer named Karma Lingpa in the 14th century. This remarkable manuscript version of the text was made in Mongolia in the 19th century. Although many sacred Tibetan Buddhist books are printed using traditional woodblock printing techniques, handwritten books became popular in 19th century Mongolia.

Many associate the bardo as the state in-between life and death, however, the bardo also refers to any liminal state, including the midpoint of dreaming and waking. Bardos are junctures at which the possibility for awakening, or liberation, is amplified. As we behold this beautifully illustrated manuscript, let’s reflect on how we can navigate bardo periods of transition in our own lives and come to terms with change.