This trialogue continues a series of discussion exploring the latest interdisciplinary research into tantric completion stage practices such as yogas of dream, sleep, and death.

Dr Tawni Tidwell is a biocultural anthropologist and doctor of traditional Tibetan medicine.

Dr Michael Sheehy is the Director of Research at the Contemplative Sciences Center at the University of Virginia.

Dr Julian Schott is an Indologist, Tibetologist, and assistant professor at the University of Vienna.

Dr Tidwell leads a deep-dive into the mysterious death practices of tantric yoga, the post-mortem state of suspended animation called tukdam, and the history of scientific investigation into these phenomena.

Dr Sheehy explores the implications of tantric death practices on current scientific models of the body, Dr Schott reflects on Buddhist vs Cartesian notions of consciousness, and Dr Tidwell explains the cultural sensitivities of working with Himalayan gurus.

The panel also discuss the importance of osel - clear light awareness - in completion stage practices, the relationship between nonduality and transformation, and consider new research directions on the cutting edge of contemplative neuroscience.

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01:37 - Recap previously discussed themes

02:30 - Research in tukdam and yogic dying

05:17 - Researching dying spiritual masters

09:27 - Recruiting Tibetan monastics

10:33 - Cultural dynamics around studying tukdam

12:32 - Early phases & baseline measures

13:23 - Collaboration with the Russian Academy of Science

14:39 - What could tukdam contribute to science?

15:52 - American mortician shocked

18:40 - Biological aspects of tukdam

20:53 - Funding and reliance on Russian equipment

22:14 - What happens to the body after death

23:25 - Tukdam documentary

25:39 - Future direction for the project

27:15 - Skepticism about the project and growing body of evidence

30:45 - Siloed scientific disciples

31:22 - Catholic saints and attained mystics from other traditions

32:16 - Fundraising

33:05 - New learnings about the body and reflections on the Self

34:17 - The death process as a series of dissolutions

37:22 - Tracking heat, oxygenation, fluid movement, and visual imagery

44:27 - Buddhist vs Cartesian notions of consciousness

46:56 - Different tukdam methods across lineages

49:18 - Evan Thompson's theories of consciousness

51:24 - We can die in different ways

54:56 - Methodologically rich ways to attain wisdom

57:41 - The soteriological essence of Buddhism

01:01:35 - Human transformation and experiences of the edge

01:04:02 - Exaltation

01:05:03 - How do tantric techniques lead to tukdam?

01:09:04 - Tummo & vajra recitation to control subtle energies

01:10:41 - Dream, orgasm, and death

01:13:26 - Tukdam is counter-rational and challenges scientific reductionism

01:17:28 - The personal impact of witnessing tukdam

01:19:38 - Tantra is radical

01:20:38 - Julian quotes the Hevajra Tantra

01:22:40 - Can tukdam candidates be studied before death?

01:25:40 - Aggregate or sudden?

01:27:25 - Understanding osel, nondual awareness, and NDE

01:30:08 - Clear light sleep

01:33:04 - Challenging reductionistic paradigms

01:35:11 - The importance of nondual awareness

01:37:53 - Sentience and yeshe

01:41:44 - Exalted form in co-creation with consciousness

01:43:31 - Steve comments on scientific reductionist materialism

01:44:19 - What measurements has the project recorded?

01:47:04 - Julian’s closing remarks

01:47:31 - Tawni’s closing remarks

01:48:57 - Michael’s closing remarks

Previous panel discussion:

- https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep305-neuroscience-of-dream-yoga-dr-michael-sheehy-dr-tawni-tidwell-dr-julian-schott

For more interviews, videos, and more visit:

- https://www.guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James