​

​

​

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

​

​

 

 

 

 

First Stage - Dissolution of Earth

 

• The external manifestation of the first stage is when the dissolution of earth manifests as the deterioration of the hard or solid parts of one's body.

 

• This includes emaciation, weakness, fatigue and clouded vision. One way people begin to make the transition is by sleeping and fatigue assists this.

 

• The internal manifestation of the first stage is described as mirages of the mind. Dreams can foreshadow this. Some people begin to see deceased loved ones attempting to communicate with them.

 

• Such mirages will evolve into other inner visions as one passes through the other stages.

 

Second Stage - Dissolution of Water

 

• The external manifestation of the second stage, when the dissolution of water into fire takes place, is a decrease in the liquids of the body. 

 

• The mouth becomes dry and sometimes darkens and there is a marked decrease in liquids such as urine, blood, sweat, etc.

 

• The internal manifestation of the second stage is a vision of smoke.

 

Third Stage - Dissolution of Fire

 

• The dissolution of fire into wind is externally manifested as coldness in the body, especially around the navel, considered the heat center of the body. The heat pulls inwards as the wind  element diminishes.

 

• This stage is also marked by an inability to digest food and drink, forgetfulness of friends' and loved ones' names, unconcern about the affairs of others, the loss of smell, and short inhalations followed by long exhalations. The death rattle is accompanied by apnea-like versions of breathing cessation.

 

• The internal manifestation is a vision of sparks within the smoke seen in the second stage.

​

Fourth Stage - Dissolution of Wind

 

• The external manifestation of the fourth stage, the dissolution of the wind element, often happens quickly and appears as an inability to perform physical actions and a lack of awareness and concern regarding external worldly activities.

 

• The subject is unable to taste and no longer recognizes textures.

 

• The internal manifestation is the mirage-like appearance of a sputtering candle flame or lamp.

 

Fifth Through Eighth Stages - The Subtle Stages Dissolving into Space 'Clear Light'

 

• The fifth stage as the wind dissolves into space can happen quickly and is the first subtle stage.

 

• External manifestations of the entrance to the subtle stages are a complete cessation of movement, breath, heartbeat and memory.

 

• While to a westerner it might seem that death has occurred, the Tibetan tradition is that the subject still retains a consciousness.

 

• Internally the subject perceives a white appearance. As the subject advances through the subtle stages, the white appearance first turns red, then black. The appearance of black is considered a stage of near-attainment of enlightenment, which at the end, transforms into the clear light of death.

​

​

Dr. Nashalla Gwyn Nyinda, Menpa TMD MA Acu LMT began the study of Tibetan Medicine over twenty years ago and has attended Chagpori Institute Clinic in India, the [Ching hi] Qinghai Tibetan Medical College, Tibet, The Shang Shung Institute of Tibetan Medicine, Naropa University, and The Institute of Taoist Education and Acupuncture. She is now an Adjunct Professor at Naropa University and teaches healing techniques worldwide. Certified as a teacher of the TARA Approach in 2004, she taught this Japanese acupressure system and mentored practitioners, translated it into Tibetan, and taught this in Asia. Dr. Nyinda also teaches Buddhism at the Rocky Mountain Thrangu Center, and is the director of the Nyinda Clinic of Tibetan Medicine & Holistic Healing Clinic in Boulder, Colorado.

​

Prepared for TLC’s website by Don Million, 2022.

​

​