AboutAlex Wilding Expertise I have practiced and studied Tibetan Buddhism in the Kagyu and Nyingma traditions since the early 1970s, and have a good knowledge of theory, history and of the struggles of trying to practice the teachings, including meditation, while leading a normal, modern life.
I am also available to provide background information for journalists.
Experience I have been a practitioner since the early 1970s; have run a small Buddhist centre in the English Midlands and was vice-president of Kagyu Benchen Ling e.V. in Germany, for whom I managed three large Buddhist summer-camps. More importantly, I maintain a habit of personal practice.
I am the "owner" of the Kagyu list at Yahoo.
Education/Credentials My first degree was an M.A. from Oxford. I later obtained a Master of Philosophy degree for a research thesis in "Initiation in Tibetan Buddhism" from Leicester University. I also have engineering and educational qualifications.
Question hi, i have a question regaring tibetan buddhism. I have read
that the tranmisgration of the soul from a dead body to a
newborn can last up to 49 days. does this mean that on the
49th day the soul comes in the body?
I am also interested in DMT (a substance wich can be found
in ones brain) this substance is believed to be made for the
first time after 49 days, this substance is responisble for
dreams and I believe tibetan monks learn to controle the
pineal gland when meditating (and thus learn the controle
this substance)
what is your tought on this subject? or if you find it
difficult to answer can you maybe forward me to people who
mighthave this knowledge.
thank you
Answer Dear Leander,
The "49 days" is notional rather than literal. It is used to time the funeral rites, especially for important figures who have died, but it is taught that in the experience of the dead person the stages described in terms of 49 days can unfold in a flash, or the process may take much, much longer than 49 days.
There are indeed methods that have an effect on the phsycho-physical system of channels, energies and so on. The correspondence between those systems and the physical body that can be examined objectively is loose; yes, some of the centres described in the teachings I refer to do match up with important physical or nervous structures, but only in a very general sort of way. The details have little or nothing to do with each other, so to say that those techniques control the pineal gland may not be exactly wrong, but they are not really meaningful. The two approaches work on different levels, using different techniques for different purposes.
I hope that helps a bit.
