Dedication:
This book comes from over 40 years of Patricia Elizabeth collecting stories of how others have used the teachings of the American Book of the Dead and the Labyrinth Readers Society to help guide the transition of their loved ones in crisis or at the time of death. Generally these folks have had contact with the IDHHB community, a group of individuals who value the multifaceted work of EJ Gold. We are indebted to Mr. Gold for his tireless work in bringing the ancient teachings of Labyrinth Voyaging to the present, and it is to him that we dedicate this book.
Introduction;
Since 1974, the first time a reading from the American Book of the Dead was offered to help another being “in transit” or passing, we have been collecting stories about the often remarkable events and results surrounding the practice of reading for the benefit of another. Indeed, an entire discipline now called Labyrinth Reading has grown around this practice which was borrowed and continues to advance the ancient Tibetan Buddhist tradition of reading from the Bardo Thotrol or Book of the Dead, also, more correctly called “Liberation in the Intermediate State Through Hearing.” In this book we endeavor to share some of these stories and show how the practice of doing readings or showing simple compassion and presence has guided and enlivened the space around the passing of many individuals.
Over the years we have found that one remarkable thing about labyrinth reading is that it does not matter what sacred text is being read to the person who is dying. The instruction itself can be selected by the voyager (the one in crisis or who is dying) or can be aligned with his or her favored religion. For example, the Lord’s Prayer, Rosary, Last Rites or any passage from the Bible could be read 3 to 7 times for someone of the Christian faith who is passing. The reading should never be foreign or in any way uncomfortable for the listener (voyager). In cases where the voyager has no religious preference, the Clear Light reading from the American Book of the Dead serves well as a non denominational offering.
The purpose of the labyrinth reading is to center the voyager on being present in his or her own voyage. We remind him or her again and again that this is completely her own experience in the here and now and she does not have to get caught up in visions or distractions.
When my time has come
and impermanence and death have caught up with me,
When the breath ceases, and the body and mind go their separate ways,
May I not experience delusion, attachment, and clinging,
But remain in the natural state of ultimate reality.
tibetan nyingma master – longchenpa rabjampa – 14th century – worldprayers.org
Reading does not involve any philosophical or religious system of belief, but, as mentioned above, if a particular spiritual belief system is favored by the voyager it can be used with good effect. It is very important even in these instances, where the voyager has a strong religious belief, that the reader must be sure not to “religiousize” the reading space.
The reader’s purpose is basically one of non-participation, a simple, clear, untainted delivery of the instructions. It is fundamentally more technical than spiritual. The reader is encouraged to focus on getting the instructions through to the voyager, nothing more. An entire course has developed for readers to develop clear reading skills – The Labyrinth Reader’s Course. A big part of this course is learning how to read under various distracting conditions and one of the first tenets is that any effects or changes in the reading space should be discounted.
This is the same as in any real practice. The details matter, the attention matters, but not any “spiritual” effects. The Tai chi teacher emphatically says “Simply and with full attention concentrate on doing the form. Do not focus on the chi and its effects on you. Ignore the chi.”
When Mother had a severe stroke which left her unable to comprehend her present reality, there was a part of her, regardless of her current mental state, that was and always would be “my mother.” This person -my mother- who laid inside this dying body, had not suddenly disappeared just because her physical body had sustained damage and could no longer relate to this environment in the same way. The person who had been my guide, my teacher, my best friend, the creative force who helped mould me into the human being I am today, who had nurtured and instilled those qualities and habits which I now carry around and call my own — was still very much present to me.
It was to that person that I read again and again the instructions for dying from The American Book of the Dead as she lay in hospital in the final transition stages. Through my readings, I connected with her, holding her hand across the 3000 miles which separated us, and assured her that what she was experiencing was natural and nothing to fear. As I left my reading chamber and walked out into the sunshine, I heard her say to me, “What shall I do?
My heart answered my wish for her, which was: “I’d like to take you in my arms and, like a bird, let you fly to a meadow full of flowers where you can dance under the warm sun, laugh and be free.” I found out later, that it was at that moment that she died.
My readings continued and I was the guide for her spirit’s journey back to God. Repeating through the passages in The American Book of the Dead truths she had instilled in me all of my life and discovering new lessons that both of us shared was perhaps the most valuable gift and experience we ever had together. I wish this for everyone.
JM – Social Worker
In this book we do not wish to sensationalize the Labyrinth Reading process at all. We read or convey instructions to the voyager to help them to stay undistracted in the present moment. Whatever personal affinity or practice they’ve had in this life that can help with connecting to them we are willing to use.
In order to illustrate this we now present stories of how the Readings have been used in a variety of circumstances throughout the years. We are reprinting these stories as they have been presented to us with very little editing so that those who are new to labyrinth reading or have had similar experiences can find encouragement in their practice.
FAQ
- Q. What is a reader?
- A. We use the term reader to refer to both a person who delivers a reading from written material and someone who works within what is often called “the oral tradition.” The nature of the material delivered is not necessarily relevant to the process of learning to become an effective reader. One could be doing comedy, drama, or even delivering technical instruction. All of these arts require similar talents. The size of the audience is also a little importance. A reader could be addressing an audience of one or an audience of 1,000. The scale may differ but the precepts remain the same.
- Q. Are there conflicts between the Labyrinth Reading and other religions?
- A. No, these services can be done for people of any religious denomination. The material does not contradict other religious practices. Rather, the Labyrinth Reader’s Course can augment other religious practices.
- Q. What are your credentials for writing this book?
- A. I have no particular credentials other than my willingness to sponsor these practices and my practice of doing readings for the benefit of others for many years. I’m just like you, searching for some meaning from Death and Dying.
- Q. What do you do about grieving family and friends?
- A. Be courteous and gentle, but don’t get caught up in pity or sympathy. Find a balance between sympathy and aloofness. Be calm and maintain equanimity in a mild way, but don’t be overly friendly, or on the other hand, don’t be too serious and formal. Refer them to The American Book of the Dead or an appropriate text per their religion and say, “I am not trained in the theory of the Teaching. I have been trained to maintain contact with the Voyager in the Labyrinth and to deliver the Teaching to them during those states no matter what conditions arise.”
- Q. Do you believe in reincarnation, life after death, etc.?
- A. Beliefs are a personal thing. They are both unnecessary in the practice of a reader and outside the scope of this book.
- Q. What are some other texts and prayers that can be used instead of the Clear Light Prayer or the American Book of the Dead?
- A. The Lord’s Prayer, either King James or the original Aramaic, and please see Chapter 6 for other prayers and sources for doing readings
- Q. What do I do if I feel that I am inadequate or not skillful in delivering the reading?
- A. The Labyrinth Readers Society offers coursework and resources for improving reading skills but it is important to note that in spite of the fundamental importance of mastering the technical skills involved, the sum of these technical skills does not make a reader.
If one has the heart of a reader, the rest will follow. When one truly cares for another and that he or she hears the instruction then much of what needs to be done will come naturally. One will take the time and make the effort necessary to ensure that he or she is present, non distracted or distracting, able to enunciate clearly, and also to discern when something has been heard. In addition one might go that extra little step further of indicating to The Listener that as a reader he acknowledges that the instruction was received.
Labyrinth Readers’ Experiences
Letter from a Terminal Patient
Personal Experience with Death
Reading as like Children’s Stories
My Experience with the ABD at the Halifax Airport
My Experience with Reading from the American Book of the Dead
