The Tibetan Book of the Dead was frequently read before entering the altered state, by many of the pioneering men and women in the 60's hippie era. A result of these studies was the book:
The Psychedelic Experience (A Manual Based on The Tibetan Book of The Dead. Richard Alpert (Ram Dass), Ralph Metzner, and Tim Leary, 3 pioneering men in the field of psychedelic research, wrote this guide to support others in having a consciousness expanding experience while in a journey. Highly recommended if you want to combine your modern, intentional explorations with the ancient, sacred wisdom.
The book describes the experiences to be expected at the moment of death, during an intermediate phase lasting forty-nine (seven times seven) days, and during rebirth into another bodily frame. The book’s esoteric meaning is often concealed beneath many layers of symbolism.
It was not intended for general reading. It was designed to be understood only by one who was to be initiated personally by a guru into the Buddhist mystical doctrines.
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Excerpt from the intro of "The Psychedelic Experience" (edited for brevity):
"The nature of the (psychedelic) experience depends almost entirely on set and setting. Set denotes the preparation of the individual, including his personality structure and his mood at the time. Setting is physical, social, and cultural. It is for this reason that manuals or guide-books are necessary. Their purpose is to enable a person to understand the new realities of the expanded consciousness, to serve as road maps for new interior territories which modem science has made accessible.
The Tibetan model, on which this manual is based, is designed to teach the person to direct and control awareness in such a way as to reach that level of understanding variously called liberation, illumination, or enlightenment. If the manual is read several times before a session is attempted, and if a trusted person is there to remind and refresh the memory of the voyager during the experience, the consciousness will be freed from the games which comprise 'personality' and from positive-negative hallucinations which often accompany states of expanded awareness."
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I created this trip companion video to support any psychonauts that want a mind expanding video to absorb before journeying. It took a full day to put together and nearly 2 full days just to render and upload to YouTube. Hope you enjoy it. Please share and subscribe if it resonates to encourage more content of this nature. You can also check out my other videos for more spiritually nourishing content.
Much love,
JT
Ps. If you can help translate the book for subtitles in other languages it would be greatly appreciated. Contact me through Instagram or Facebook if so (links in profile)
