Transitionary State Of Being
WHAT WILL YOU DO IN THE BARDO?
Trekking through different villages and staying overnight, meeting homestay families, and trekkers, really reminded me of the nature of our existence. I will most likely never see the same people again, and stay in the lodges with the same hosts again. Nevertheless, we bonded at the moment and shared stories like we have all known each other for a long time. Reflecting on this, we see that this is the true nature of existence. We are always in a state of transition in every form. On the highest level, we are born in the world to die someday, showing the transitionary state of being. Even mentally, we are never at one place, there is always a goal, or destination we are driven towards.
Bardo in Tibetan Buddhism refers to the in-between state after death till we are reborn. However, we are always in the bardo. Metaphorically, it also refers to a place when we are stuck, not knowing the next move. So what will you do in the bardo?
This is not to say to have no purpose or that we will find a way to never be stuck, But to deeply understand that fundamentally we are always in-between ( physically, mentally, and spiritually) and to accept the transitionary state of being. Going against this very nature brings a lot of distress. Holding on to one place, person, mental state, food, lifestyle, and career path will always bring certain expectations. Expectations that are circular in shape waiting to fit perfectly inside a triangle. So let us all enjoy the place at the moment, the person at the moment, the transition at the moment because tomorrow it may not be and that is okay. Appreciate the interval between breaths however small it may be!