American Book of the Dead - Softcover

Gold, E. J.; Lilly, John

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0895560518 ISBN 13: 9780895560513

Verlag: Gateways Books & Tapes, 2005

Inhaltsangabe

With over 120,000 copies sold, this unique contemporary work brings the timeless Tibetan Bardo teaching into current American culture and language, with 49 days of readings for someone who has died or who is preparing for the dying experience. This book has been and still remains an important tool for providing a spiritual service to a dying person as opposed to grieving, processing loss, or mourning for that person's passage. Front matter includes "Notes on the Labyrinth" (or the Bardo...) and other commentary by the author that provides insights for an American reader who wishes to provide this guiding service to a family member, spouse, friend, or anyone who is terminal. The reading instructions very clearly outline when and what to read, without any limitation of belief system--the practice is presented as non-denominational, not requiring Buddhist or Christian or Jewish prayers, but also not in conflict with any of these. A schedule of readings shows graphically how to carry out the full series of 49 days of readings, at approximately 10 to 20 minutes per reading. The book has been in use since 1974 in various editions, taught in university courses on Death & Dying and related subjects (it is referenced in a recent handbook of acting exercises, for example...), and used by hospice workers and nurses internationally. The American Book of the Dead is often referenced in discussions of the 1970's West Coast spiritual renaissance, and many of the baby boomer generation will recall it in circulation when they were in college or beginning their careers. Translated editions have appeared in Spanish and Greek languages, with editions in preparation in German, French, Italian, and Polish. There is a course available by correspondence and on the internet that gives additional training for readers who wish to pursue the practice of performing "Labyrinth Readings" or "Bardo guiding" as a service to others--beyond one's own family and personal network.

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Über die Autorin bzw. den Autor

E.J. Gold has been called a teacher's teacher. His ability to modernize ancient wisdom and his pervasive sense of humor has remained unique in the spiritual landscape for over 30 years. Andrew Rawlinson, in his recent reference work, The Book of Enlightened Masters, says that E.J. Gold can perhaps claim to be Gurdjieff's true heir. He defies categorization. His contemporaries and colleagues include Dr. Claudio Naranjo, Lee Lozowick, Timothy Leary, Robert Anton Wilson, Reshad Feild, Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, Murat Yagan, John Lilly, MD, Tarthang Tulku Rinpoche, Swami Vishnu Devananda, Guru Raj Singh, Joan Halifax, Samuel Avital, Heather Valencia, Robert de Ropp, Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, Dru Kristel, and many more. In spite of all these associations and his remarkable list of accomplishments, Gold has cherished a high level of privacy from the media. He has never been highly marketed and will never be 'just another stop' on the guru superhighway. Thus far he has written over four dozen books, among them The American Book of the Dead, a modern American adaptation of Books of the Dead which are common to many cultures throughout history, and which has entered its tenth reprint. The subjects he covers in his many books range from the use and invocation of attention and presence; the waking state; death and dying; practical work on self; shamanism; higher bodies; artifact reading, imprinting and use; cosmic laws; and the suffering of the Absolute. Central to his work is preparation for the Bardo - the Tibetan word for the state following death of the body, as the consciousness unravels and one chooses one's next rebirth. Mr. Gold affirms that through knowledge and experience one can navigate this state and successfully maintain a thread of consciousness between lifetimes, and in this way can become an individual evolving Soul with a greater purpose than ordinary man. To aid others in achieving this end, Gold has entered cyberspace, building an elaborate gaming engine with which he can simulate spaces common to the Bardo, inventing labyrinthine games to be played individually or in multi-user groups. In this way, he hopes to convey the atmospheres and sights of many bardo spaces, to familiarize the player with what they are likely to encounter on the other side.

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American Book of the Dead

By E. J. Gold

Gateways Books and Tapes/IDHHB, Inc.

Copyright © 2005 E.J. Gold
All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-0-89556-051-3

Contents

Editor's Foreword., 
Preface by Dr. Claudio Naranjo, M.D, 
Author's Preface, 
Notes on the Labyrinth, 
How To Use This Book, 
Labyrinth Reading Schedule, 
Introduction to the Macrodimensions of the Labyrinth, 
The Six Dimensions, 
Obligatory Reader's Invocation, 
The Voyage in the Macrodimensions of the Labyrinth, 
First Stage, 
Moment of Death through Secondary Clear Light, 
Confronting the Clear Light, 
Second Stage, 
First Apparitions, 
Manifestation of the Friendly Guides, 
Manifestation of the Unresponsive Guides, 
Third Stage, 
Reformation of Consciousness, 
Choosing Rebirth, 
Guiding In: The Selection of a Womb, 
Afterword, 
Appendix A: Color Coding of the Six Dimensions, 
Appendix B: Labyrinth Games, 
Appendix C: Rebirth Stations, 
About this Book by John C. Lilly, M.D, 
Study Materials, 
List of Illustrations, 

CHAPTER 1

FIRST STAGE OF THE VOYAGE IN THE MACRODIMENSIONS OF THE LABYRINTH

MOMENT OF DEATH THROUGH SECONDARY CLEAR LIGHT

FIRST CHAMBER

This covers the specific period between the time that the voyager or the family and friends of the voyager request readings through the vigil following Terminus. This includes getting the reader to the location of the voyager's Terminus point, confirming or altering arrangements as necessary to make the voyager's transition from the human dimension into the macrodimensional domains as gentle as possible, arranging the reading chamber space, preparing the voyager with readings and, if possible, with exercises extending into and through the initial levels of Clear Light, arranging to attend the formal service following Terminus, and making sure that the biological machine is not removed to a mortuary before a full hour has passed following medical certification of the moment of brain-death.

Step One: Terminus is close; the launch window into the macrodimensions is opening, and the voyager has entered into the final symptoms; you have already made arrangements for the cleansing fumigation of the chamber if possible ... while incense can't be used in the presence of oxygen, essential oils can, and work as well. In some respiratory cases, of course, this will be impossible, and should be dispensed with. Flowers and candle could and should be used, if conditions permit. Generally the candle is burned and the flowers arranged, but there are no fixed rules and other options may present themselves.

Undoubtedly you have already determined the conditions under which you will work, and at the last minute, all that remains is to choose the exact location for the reader to perform the reading and to make sure that visitors remain, not too close, in an area which will not interfere with the voyager's attention nor, of course, prevent them from fully participating in the passage.

Be sure to make definite arrangements with the hospital staff and confirm that they understand the importance of not removing the biological machine during the period of Vigil, until the launch window is fully closed, and that when transition of the voyager into the macrodimensional domains is completed, you will indicate this and permit the removal of the organic remains. You should explain to hospital staff that this is generally a period of fifteen minutes and no more than half an hour from Terminus.

Most hospice staff are very cooperative and you should have no problems with this whatever. Some family members or hospital staff may wish or need to remain; carry on with your task and keep your energy and attention concentrated on the performance of the Clear Light reading.

Make certain beforehand that the hospice staff expects you and will allow you entry without having to wait at the desk for lastminute confirmation or approval from the family or doctor, unless you want to be left standing around the waiting room or lobby until a half hour after the wake.

It is your job to make certain that everyone attending and directly involved has a definite understanding of what you are going to do and what is expected of them in terms of silence and remaining reasonably still, which means not fidgeting noisily, moving suddenly or playing pinochle during the reading.

You should not allow yourself to be drawn into a defense of your actions at this time; just explain quietly that you're concentrating, you need your full attention, and that you'll be happy to explain it all after the event. The best way to handle this is to give this book to any interested inquirer ... of course, that can get expensive ... on second thought, better lend or sell this book to interested parties.

Step Two: If time permits, take a bath or shower and do not use perfume, cologne or after-shave, as it can be disruptive to the voyaging atmosphere. Ordinary perfumes are generally not helpful in macrodimensional inductions, and are never used by serious voyagers.

You should have set aside special clothes for voyager assistances, and these should have been cleaned and pressed, and held in reserve only for those times when you attend a voyager. You should waste no time at this, but should have had everything ready beforehand.

Step Three: Before you dash off madly to attend the voyager at bedside, it's wise to determine where the voyager is actually going to be. By the time you arrive at the voyager's home, someone may have decided to transfer the voyager to a hospital, location unknown, no note on the door, and neighbors are unaware of any of this. It is a law in many states that a terminal patient must be transferred to a hospital, regardless of his or her wishes, and kept alive with electronic and mechanical gadgetry in spite of his or her wishes to die naturally.

Step Four: Touch the right side of the frame of the outer doorway and say before entering, "Blessings upon this house in the hour of passing."

Step Five: Outside the Terminus chamber, find out exactly what the present situation is; it may have changed radically since you were called. Find out the attending physician's name, and write it down in your Labyrinth Services Record,the special notebook used to record all labyrinth services performed by you.

When finding out about the patient's condition, you should always determine and notate in your record book next to the exact time (times should be noted in the time column):

1. What is the voyager's present condition, both physically and mentally-emotionally?

2. What is the prognosis — h ow much time before Termin us?

3. Is the voyager able to communicate easily?

If there is time before the voyager is expected to enter the between-lives state, confirm all arrangements with the person responsible. Make a definite point about doing this. Many hospitals are becoming more service oriented and will try to do what you want done, but there are still some old fashioned Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi type hospitals that regard themselves as bastions of defense of the hospital routines developed by Florence Nightingale during the height of the Crimean Conflict.

No matter what happens, don't interrupt the vigil service once begun. If problems develop with the hospital personnel, let the family take care of the situation. Don't get involved with doctors, nurses, coroners, funeral directors, or whatever. Just continue the vigil service...

Details zur Ausgabe

• Verlag: Gateways Books & Tapes
• Erscheinungsdatum: 2005
• Sprache: Englisch
• ISBN 10: 0895560518
• ISBN 13: 9780895560513
• Einband: Taschenbuch
• Anzahl der Seiten: 200
• Kontakt zum Hersteller: Nicht verfügbar
• Verantwortliche Person: GPSR Kontakt; gpsr@libri.de; ; Europaallee 1; Bad Hersfeld; 36244; Deutschland