"The veil that creates that separation between the human body and the immortal realm… can be penetrated from this side." – Mahesi Caplan
What if you didn’t need a near-death experience (NDE) to access profound states of unconditional love, unity, and peace? Mahesi Caplan, a former Buddhist monk, suggests you don’t. Through specific Buddhist practices, anyone can explore the deep states of consciousness often associated with NDEs—no flatlining required.
This isn’t about escaping reality. It’s about stepping fully into it, understanding life, and transforming suffering into freedom. Let’s break it down.
Buddhism: Misunderstood, Misinterpreted, and Surprisingly Practical
You’ve probably heard the phrase, “Life is suffering,” attributed to Buddhism. It sounds bleak, right? But Caplan explains this is a common misunderstanding. What the Buddha actually taught is that life, when misunderstood, feels like suffering.
Here’s the twist: true understanding doesn’t just reduce suffering—it dissolves it. Caplan reframes dukkha (commonly translated as suffering) as a state of being “unloved.” He points out that through mindfulness, wisdom, and intentional practice, this “unloved” state can shift into an experience of boundless love and connection.
The Four Foundations of Mindfulness: Your Gateway to Profound Awareness
Caplan lays out a practical path for achieving transformative states of consciousness using the Satipatthana Sutta, or the Four Foundations of Mindfulness:
- Body: The body isn’t just a source of aches and aging—it’s a portal. By paying attention to its rhythms and sensations, you can glimpse deeper truths. Caplan calls the body “a window to the unborn,” a gateway to a reality beyond fear and separation.
- Sensations: Beneath the surface, sensations carry subtle energies. Tuning into them allows you to move past the physical form and explore the vastness within.
- Mind: The mind isn’t just a tangle of thoughts; it’s a mirror of consciousness. With practice, you can uncover its potential for illumination and profound insight.
- Dhamma: This is where it all comes together—contemplating the nature of reality itself. By doing so, you begin to see the interconnectedness of life, death, and everything in between.
Each foundation offers a way to access states of awareness that dissolve fear and reveal what Caplan calls the “one taste of liberation.”
The Five Spiritual Powers: Tools for Transformation
These practices aren’t just about sitting still and breathing. They cultivate powerful inner resources, which Caplan refers to as the Five Spiritual Powers:
- Faith: Not blind belief, but a trust in the process. Faith gives you the courage to explore the unknown.
- Energy/Courage: This is the strength to face difficult emotions and the determination to keep going.
- Mindfulness: The ability to be present, no matter what arises. It’s the foundation of all growth.
- Wisdom: Seeing reality clearly and transforming suffering into freedom. Caplan describes wisdom as the recognition that “everything is a manifestation of love.”
- Serenity (Samadhi): A deep state of peace where the boundaries between self and other dissolve. It’s the ultimate experience of connection and okayness.
The Body as a Portal, Not a Problem
Caplan encourages a radical shift in how we see our bodies. Instead of viewing it as a source of fear—subject to pain, aging, and decay—he suggests seeing it as a tool for accessing deeper dimensions of reality.
“The body begins to reveal its nature,” he explains. “You begin to see the nature of the body… this very body right here, right now, is what we don’t understand.”
By bringing undivided attention to the body, you start to dismantle the illusion of separation. The universe, which once felt distant and threatening, becomes a part of you. “There’s one taste of essential okayness,” Caplan says.
Love, Liberation, and the Universe Within
Caplan recounts a personal experience of perceiving the universe as being inside him. This wasn’t a metaphor—it was a direct, visceral experience. Instead of fear, he felt overwhelming love. Instead of separation, connection.
“The things that apparently are outside of you and are essentially threatening, such as the universe, start to feel like love fundamentally.”
This isn’t just a nice idea—it’s a profound shift in perspective that can dissolve fear and replace it with a sense of unity.
Practical Steps to Access NDE-like States
- Start with Mindfulness
Begin with the Four Foundations: body, sensations, mind, and Dhamma. Notice your body’s sensations without judgment. Pay attention to your thoughts without clinging to them. - Cultivate the Five Powers
Develop faith in your practice, summon the energy to persevere, and bring mindfulness to each moment. Trust that wisdom and serenity will naturally follow. - Engage in Deep Contemplation
Reflect on the interconnectedness of all things. Use your body as a gateway to explore the vastness within. - Stay Consistent
These states aren’t achieved overnight. Consistency and patience are key. Small, daily efforts accumulate into profound shifts.
Conclusion: You Don’t Have to Die to Feel Fully Alive
Near-death experiences offer a glimpse of love, unity, and peace—but they aren’t exclusive to those who’ve faced death. As Mahesi Caplan shows, these states of consciousness are accessible through dedicated Buddhist practices.
“You have the option,” he reminds us. “You have the choice of cultivating a right, straightforward relationship to the way things are, and if you do, you will discover that all is love.”
So why wait for life to push you to the edge? The doorway to liberation is already here. Step through it. All it takes is undivided attention.