Sowa Rigpa Online

One of the Six Yogas of the Dzogrim/ Completion Stage, Phowa Yoga is the practice of consciously dying, or the swift transference of consciousness at the moment of death. It can be practiced for oneself or to assist others to transition out of this life and direct their consciousness into the pure dimensions, bypassing the experiences of the bardo. Such a transition is possible because a dying person’s consciousness usually remains in the body for some time after clinical death, uncertain about its departure, so it is ready for phowa intervention for positive trajectory by an experienced practitioner.

In this week of practice, Dr. Nida will guide students in the visualization and breathing practice from the Yuthok Nyingthig to train oneself in ejecting one’s consciousness from the central channel, to merge with the guru Yuthok, in preparation for the moment of death. Yuthok’s phowa instruction additionally includes a simple long life practice, based on Yuthok in the form of Buddha Amitayus for the purpose of maintaining health and extending life.