Sogyal Rinpoche has taught an Essential Phowa practice which is
not just for the moment of death. It also helps to purify our
regrets, harm and negativity, and it can be used to assist in
emotional or physical healing. The Essential Phowa is a practice
for our whole life as well as for the time of dying, and it is the
principal practice we rely on to offer spiritual support to others
at the moment of death, and afterward.
In the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, Phowa is considered the most
valuable and effective practice for death. The word phowa means the
transference or ejection of consciousness into the state of truth.
Its success relies on invoking the presence of a buddha (a fully
enlightened being), combined with our receptivity and devotion, and
the familiarity which comes from having done the practice
repeatedly throughout our life.
First sit quietly and settle yourself, bringing all the energies of
your mind and body back home. As far as possible, relax into the
deep presence and spacious awareness of your being. Before you
begin, arouse a strong compassionate aspiration such as that
described in The Tibetan Book of the Dead: "By means of this death,
I will adopt only the attitude of the enlightened state of mind,
loving kindness, and compassion, and attain perfect enlightenment
for the sake of all sentient beings who are as limitless as
space."
Invocation
With all your heart, invoke in the sky before you the presence of a
buddha or a Divine Being for whom you feel a devotion. See the form
of this Presence, not as flesh and blood, but as radiant light.
Recognize that this being's qualities of perfect wisdom, boundless
compassion, and limitless power to benefit beings are no different
from the qualities of your own wisdom nature.
Consider this Divine Presence you have invoked is actually
present--alive, breathing, and gazing toward you with kindness and
love. If you cannot clearly visualize a buddha or Divine Being,
then simply imagine that a brilliant and loving Presence, who is
the embodiment of truth, is in the sky in front of you, in the form
of light. Allow yourself to relax deeply and establish a personal
connection with this Presence you have invoked.
Calling out
Open yourself now, and acknowledge the aspects of your being that
need purification, forgiveness, and blessing. Acknowledge any
regrets, harm, negativity, or destructive emotions that you want to
release and purify. Become aware of any places in your body where
there is disease, weakness, or even a fear of illness. And
recognize any doubts, fears, or old wounds in your heart that need
healing and love. Then call out sincerely to the Divine Presence in
front of you and ask for help.
Receiving the blessing
Immediately this buddha or Divine Presence responds, sending love
and compassion from his or her heart in a stream of tremendous rays
of light directly into your being. Allow these powerful rays to
penetrate you and purify you--filling you with forgiveness, healing
energy, confidence and unconditional love. Consider that these
brilliant light rays of compassion and love dissolve all of your
fears and defenses, so that you are totally immersed in light. To
make yourself more receptive, you may want to recite a short prayer
or mantra during this part of the practice.
Visualize that this profound blessing streaming towards you
purifies and transforms every aspect of your body and mind--even
your painful memories, part harm and regrets. Then, after some
time, consider that the purification has been completely effected,
so much so that your whole being--body and mind--is entirely
transformed into light. Now your being in the form of light rises
up and dissolves into the heart of this Divine Presence--completely
mixing with it, like light mixing with light.
Remain in this peaceful state as long as you can. This non-dual,
natural simplicity and inspired openness is your being. If thoughts
rise, or a "sense of self" begins to form, simply allow them to
dissolve back into emptiness. Letting go, naturally remain.
At the conclusion, consider that your awareness is once again
centered within your body. Resolve to continue the presence of
pure, clear awareness as you enter into daily activities. And when
you notice that you have lost it, gently bring your mind home to
its true nature, again and again.
Dedicate your practice
Dedicate your practice as you conclude, sharing the merit of
blessings and wisdom with all beings, praying that, in whatever
ways you can, you may be able to relieve their suffering, bring
them happiness, and, ultimately, help them to realize the abiding
peace of their deathless, true nature of mind.