We are in the bardo - ricknotesricknotes

Many religious teachings refer to a time after death when the soul or spirit passes from one realm to another. During this period the spirit is said to experience disorientation, intense dreams, visions and emotions of both great joy or wonder, and great torment or terror. The wisdom of choices made in the face of these, and the mastery of the practitioner determine the future.

I find it useful to recognize that in these times of chaos, we may not be dead, but we are certainly in the bardo. (Apologies to the Buddhists for the “loose” use of the term bardo). We are “in between” the old world that is collapsing and a new world that may emerge. Daily reports in the media present visions of the worst of human destruction of other humans, other creatures, and planet earth. And occasionally we view great humanitarianism and courage. The potential for disorientation and extreme emotional swings are ever present, and it is easy to become lost in depression, or retreat into false bliss. However we can use this to empower us in our spiritual work.

In simple terms we can picture our journey through the bardo as traveling on a long roadway. There are many scenes along the road. There are many places to wander down side paths and there are many alluring offerings at the roadside. And we add our own fire, brimstone, disease, suffering, etc. along the way. The goal is to stay on the road that leads to our attainment of consciousness and mastery.

Each of us is on a unique journey down our own road, however there are some things that many of us will face as we hone our skills, learn about choices, and develop mastery. Let’s call these trials and temptations, but avoid any specific religious connotations associated with the terms.

An important aspect of a good trial or temptation is that it contains essential value, has inherent meaning, and appeals to a universal archetypal aspect of ourselves. Hence, they are often distortions of great truths and true teachings – like most things in our classroom of duality.

It is important to acknowledge that we all make camp for a while around some of the brightly burning fires of these trials and temptations. The trick is to recognize when we have done so, and be willing to pack up and get back on the road.

Here are some common trials and temptations to consider.

Family members who want us to stay with them in their safe haven. The haven may be financial, physical, a belief system, or a religion.
Groups, or communities, who want us to join them in doing great works.
Beckoning guides, gurus, healers, and other beings from various realms that offer insight, teachings, wisdom or otherwise offer to “do it to us, or for us”.
The lure of power and control. This is often dressed up in a narcissistic appeal to create or co-create a “better” world, without a strong counterbalance of humility. Or dressed in the armor of the warrior archetype, ready to do battle for what is right.
Beliefs that entrap us such as: “all is love and light”; “focus on manifesting material abundance”; “go with the flow”. This last one is particularly interesting since it appeals to our desire for there to be an easy way, that we can simply enter the flow and be swept along. When in fact, the human journey to consciousness is one of recognition of the many flows and, like a salmon returning home, choosing wisely and being willing to swim upstream to achieve what is of true value. (Note: this is not a suggestion that everything is supposed to be a struggle)
Seeing the looming chaos in the world and responding in fear that we will be drawn into it, and lose what is of great value to us. As a result we cling to who we are, what we have, and join the scarcity world of the hungry ghosts.
Glimpsing our own divinity / goddessliness and responding in guilt, shame, anger or unworthiness – often arising from who we have been in the past. Or, conversely denial of who we have been in the past. Both leading to us being lost in regret, recrimination and denial of our divinity and true power.

For those willing to fully engage, and work with the intensity and mastery that we imagine we may muster in the bardo after death, these bardo times offer great opportunity for freedom and liberation.