"Bardo means gap: it is not only the interval of suspension after we die but also the transitional moments in every part of life." – Chögyam Trungpa

Transitions define life. From waking to sleeping, moments of clarity to confusion, we navigate constant shifts. Yet, few frameworks capture these in-between states as profoundly as the teachings on the six bardos, explored by Chögyam Trungpa. Often misunderstood as purely post-death phenomena, bardos hold a mirror to the psyche, revealing insights that apply to our mental states, emotional patterns, and day-to-day experiences.

Let’s unravel how these teachings invite us to engage with the present moment, confront our mind’s chaos, and step into clarity.

What Are the Bardos? Beyond Death and Rebirth

Most associate bardos with the Tibetan Book of the Dead, imagining shadowy pathways between death and reincarnation. But Trungpa reframes this: bardos are not just afterlife waystations. They represent any transitional state—in life, death, or beyond. Whether shifting between thoughts, moods, or phases of life, bardos highlight the impermanence that permeates our existence.

In Trungpa's words, “The experience of the six bardos is not concerned with the future alone; it also concerns the present moment.” Each moment, as fleeting as it is, contains a "gap" ripe for exploration.

The Six Bardos: Doorways to Awareness

Trungpa mapped the bardos onto six realms of existence, each amplifying specific emotional and psychological traits. These bardos are:

1. The Bardo of Birth and Life (Kyenay Bardo): The ongoing experience of being alive—dynamic, vivid, and often chaotic.
2. The Bardo of Dream (Milam Bardo): The dream state, where emotions and imagery blur the lines of reality.
3. The Bardo of Meditation (Samten Bardo): A pause where mindfulness and clarity emerge, offering space to observe thoughts rather than becoming entangled in them.
4. The Bardo of Dying (Chikhai Bardo): The threshold of death, confronting the dissolution of physical and mental constructs.
5. The Bardo of Dharmata (Chönyid Bardo): A luminous experience after death, reflecting our true nature or deeper awareness.
6. The Bardo of Becoming (Sidpa Bardo): The state of forming a new existence, driven by residual habits and emotions.

Each bardo is both an opportunity and a challenge. It can entrap us in ego-driven patterns or lead us to liberation through awareness.

Ego, Madness, and Sanity: The Role of Awareness

Trungpa delves into the tug-of-war between ego and awareness in the bardos. The ego craves control, attaching itself to desires, aversions, and fears. This clinging generates suffering and perpetuates the cycles of samsara. Bardos intensify these tendencies—highlighting both the chaos of madness and the potential for sanity.

For instance, the bardo of meditation helps us glimpse the “gap” between thoughts. In this space, we see thoughts as fleeting projections rather than solid realities. This insight can transform how we navigate challenges, showing us that no emotional storm is permanent.

Trungpa also drew parallels between bardos and mental health. In "Transcending Madness," he explains how understanding bardos offers tools to work with extreme mental states, bridging Buddhist psychology with Western frameworks. This perspective empowers individuals to approach their mental states with compassion and curiosity rather than fear.

Practical Steps: Applying Bardo Teachings

Understanding the bardos isn’t just theoretical. Trungpa emphasized practical application, urging students to integrate these insights into daily life. Here’s how:

1. Meditation as a Gateway

Meditation allows us to touch the bardo of meditation directly. By observing the mind’s chatter and finding the gaps between thoughts, we train ourselves to stay present. Start with short sessions—5-10 minutes of focusing on the breath—and gradually extend.

2. Recognizing Transitions

Notice transitions throughout your day: waking up, commuting, starting a meeting, or winding down. Acknowledge these moments as mini-bardos. Pause, breathe, and embrace the shift.

3. Working with Emotional States

Each bardo corresponds to heightened emotional experiences. Reflect on how these arise in your life:

• Dream-like confusion in the bardo of dream.
• Intense urgency in the bardo of becoming. Recognize these as temporary states and observe them without judgment.

4. Exploring the Six Realms

Study the six realms of existence—hell, hungry ghost, animal, human, jealous god, and god realms. Relate them to your daily patterns. Are you stuck in the competitive intensity of the jealous god realm? Or numbing out like in the animal realm? Awareness is the first step toward breaking free.

Why This Matters: The Everyday Relevance of Bardos

Trungpa’s unique approach to bardos reshapes how we view transitions. These teachings aren’t confined to esoteric philosophy or the afterlife—they are tools for navigating the human condition. They remind us that each moment, no matter how fleeting, holds the potential for clarity or confusion.

In our fast-paced lives, it’s easy to overlook these spaces. But bardos invite us to slow down, notice the gaps, and work skillfully with our experiences. Whether dealing with emotional upheaval or a busy workday, these insights can help us respond rather than react.

A Closing Reflection

The bardos challenge us to face impermanence—not as a source of fear but as a doorway to understanding. Trungpa Rinpoche’s teachings illuminate these gaps, encouraging us to explore the mind’s intricacies and embrace the richness of transitions.

As we navigate our own bardos, we might ask: how can we use these moments of change to awaken, rather than resist? The answer lies not in the future or past but in the vivid immediacy of now.

Glossary of Key Terms:

• Bardo: A Tibetan term literally meaning "intermediate state" or "gap." It refers to transitional periods between different states of consciousness, encompassing both everyday experiences and the experiences of death and rebirth.
• Six Bardos: The six specific transitional states within the Buddhist framework, including: the bardo of clear light, the bardo of birth, the bardo of meditation, the bardo of illusory body, the bardo of dreams, and the bardo of existence.
• Six Realms of Being: The six possible realms of existence within samsara, driven by different emotional and psychological states: the realm of the gods, the realm of the jealous gods, the human realm, the animal realm, the hungry ghost realm, and the hell realm.
• Projections: Our personal interpretations and assumptions about reality, often based on past experiences, conditioning, and desires. Projections obscure our ability to perceive the world directly.
• Ego: The sense of self or "I" that clings to a separate and independent existence. Ego is the root of suffering and the driving force behind the cycle of samsara.
• Samsara: The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth driven by ignorance and clinging to ego.
• Nirvana: The state of liberation from samsara, characterized by freedom from suffering and the realization of ultimate truth.
• Mahāmudrā: A advanced tantric practice that emphasizes direct experience of reality and the dissolution of ego.