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Dhyani-Buddhas represent the highest ideal of Buddhahood in its completed, final, static condition of ultimate
attainment or perfection, seen retrospectively as it were, as a state of complete rest and harmony. The Herukas,
on the other hand, which are described as "blood-drinking," angry or "terrifying" deities - are merely the
dynamic aspect of enlightenment, the process of becoming a Buddha, of attaining illumination, as symbolized
by the Buddha's struggle with the Hosts of Mara. . . . The ecstatic figures, heroic and terrifying, express the act
of breaking through towards the unthinkable, the intellectually "Unattainable." They represent the leap over the
chasm, which yawns between an intellectual surface consciousness and the intuitive supra- personal
depth-consciousness." (Govinda, op. cit., pp. 198, 202.)]
The Tibetans regard the nightmare visions as primarily intellectual products. They assign them to the Brain
chakra, whereas the peaceful deities are assigned to the Heart chakra and the Knowledge-Holding deities to the
intermediate Throat chakra. They are the reactions of the mind to the process of consciousness-expansion. They
represent the attempts of the intellect to maintain its threatened boundaries. They symbolize the struggle of
breaking through to ego-loss understanding and awareness.
Because of the terror and awe they produce, recognition is difficult. Yet in a way it is also easier in that, since
these negative hallucinations command all attention, the mind is alert and therefore through trying to escape
from fear and terror, people get involved in psychotic states and suffer. But with the aid of this manual and the
presence of a guide, the voyager will recognize these hell visions as soon as he sees them, and welcome them
like old friends.
Again, when psychologists, philosophers, and psychiatrists, who do not know these teachings, experience
ego-loss - however assiduously they may have devoted themselves to academic study and however clever they
may have been in expounding intellectual theories - none of the higher phenomena will appear. This is because
they are unable to recognize the visions occurring in these psychedelic experiences. Suddenly seeing something
they had never seen before and possessing no intellectual concepts, they view it as inimical; and, antagonistic
feelings arising, they pass into miserable states. Thus, if one has not had practical experience with these
teachings, the radiances and lights will not appear.
Those who believe in these doctrines even though they may seem to be unrefined, irregular in performance of
duties, inelegant in habits, and perhaps even unable to practice the doctrine successfully - let no one doubt them
or be disrespectful towards them, but pay reverence to their mystic faith. That alone will enable them to attain
liberation. Elegance and efficiency of devotional practice are not necessary - just acquaintance with and trust in
these teachings.
Well-prepared persons need not experience Second Bardo hell visions at all. Right from the beginning they can
pass into paradisiacal states led by heroes, heroines, angels and super-spirits. "They will merge into rainbow
radiance; there will be sun-showers, sweet scent of incense in the air, music in the skies, radiances."
This manual is indispensable to those students who are unprepared. Those proficient in meditation will
recognize the Clear Light at the moment of ego-loss and will enter the Blissful Void (Dharma-Kaya). They will
also recognize the positive and negative visions of the Second Bardo and obtain illumination
(Sambhogha-Kaya); and being reborn on a higher level will become inspired saints or teachers
(Nirmana-Kaya). The study and pursuit of enlightenment can always be taken up again at the point where it was
broken by the last ego-loss, thus ensuring continuity of karma.
By the use of this manual, enlightenment can be obtained without meditation, through hearing alone. It can
liberate even very heavy ego-game players. The distinction between those who know it and those who do not
becomes very clear. Enlightenment follows instantly. Those who have been reached by it cannot have prolonged
negative experiences.
The teaching concerning the hell-visions is the same as before; recognize them to be your own thought-forms,
relax, float downstream. The INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE WRATHFUL VISIONS may be read. If, after this,
recognition is still impossible and liberation is not obtained, then the voyager will descend into the Third Bardo,
the Period of Re-Entry.
Conclusion of Second Bardo
However much experience one may have had, there is always the possibility of delusions occurring in these
psychedelic states. Those with practice in meditation recognize the truth as soon as the experience begins.
Reading this manual beforehand is important. Having some degree of self-knowledge is helpful at the moment
of ego-death.
Meditation on the various positive and negative archetypal forms is very important for Second Bardo phases.
Therefore, read this manual, keep it, remember it, bear it in mind, read it regularly; let the words and meanings
be very clear; they should not be forgotten, even under extreme duress. It is called "The Great Liberation by
Hearing" because even those with selfish deeds on their conscience can be liberated if they hear it. If heard only
once, it can be efficacious because even though not understood, it will be remembered during the psychedelic
state, since the mind is more lucid then. It should be proclaimed to all living persons; it should be read over the
pillows of ill persons; it should be read to dying persons; it should be broadcast.
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