if luminosity is not recognized at the conclusion of physical death and we black out, then western medical professionals will declare us dead. this differs from our view. tibetans understand that this is an unconscious state that lasts on average from about fifteen minutes to three and a half days, occasionally much longer. we do not consider a person dead until this state has come to completion. there are various physical signs to indicate the end of physical life within the body. then, on completion of the dying process- as on completion of falling asleep- we wake up again, and continue our journey through a dreamlike reality called the bardo of dharmata. this is another state that most of us will pass through quickly, and most likely without recognition.

IN LOVE WITH THE WORLD


                                                                                        ***

when i was about nine years old and my father was about to leave the family to start anew, i had a long series of dreams of being carried in a wooden box, inspired by the poe tale and my life circumstance. i also had waking dreams of floating up to the ceiling corner of my bedroom, facing up, with my body laying beneath me asleep. 

death was present around me at the time. my first awareness of child death, of a schoolgirl i knew, came from my mom reading me the story in the local newspaper, which i delivered but never read myself. 

the neighbor kid, i almost remembered his name, was killing animals, i don't know how many, including as i remember a pair of swans, though that was hearsay, i didn't see it. but i saw his eyes, dead eyes. and i saw my turtle hung by the neck in a tree out front. 

i pulled a snake by the tail from a hole in the creek bank whereupon it naturally bit me and before i could stop him my pudgy companion beat into a shadow in the mud.

i think i've felt the emptiness of death in my chest ever since.