The word "Bardo" is a term most people are unfamiliar
with. So don’t be surprised if you are confused when you first encounter this term.
All of us were. There is no easy definition.
"What is a Bardo?"
The origins of the word lie in the Tibetan traditions where it
means a "gap" or "transition". There is the gap between the in and out
breath, from sleeping to waking, and also between life and death. These examples are a
starting point; a place to look for clues. The mystery of the Bardo is not an easy problem
to be solved by one simple definition.
"What is the Bardo?"
Like any good question it’s a vehicle that can transport you
to places perhaps undreamed of-certainly unexpected. It is a path to be walked. Step by
step, moment by moment.
The first step is to involve oneself in Bardo training. The cool
thing is that you don’t need to know what a Bardo is to begin training. You learn as
you go, picking up clues along the way. Useful hints will present themselves as the need
for them arise. Like any learning experience it’s a process of discovery.
One other thing to keep in mind, the awakened attention of a
successful Bardo voyager can only be developed during the lifetime. i.e. right now. Not
tomorrow, not next week, right now. So what are you waiting for?
