Advice on Dying

And Living a Better Life

By: His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Narrated by: Jeffrey Hopkins PhD

"Everyone dies, but no one is dead," goes the Tibetan saying. It is with these words that Advice on Dying takes flight. Using a 17th-century poem written by a prominent scholar-practitioner, His Holiness the Dalai Lama draws from a wide range of traditions and beliefs to explore the stages we all go through when we die, which are the very same stages we experience in life when we go to sleep, faint, or reach orgasm (Shakespeare's "little death").

The stages are described so vividly that we can imagine the process of traveling deeper into the mind, on the ultimate journey of transformation. In this way, His Holiness shows us how to prepare for that time and, in doing so, how to enrich our time on earth, die without fear or upset, and influence the stage between this life and the next so that we may gain the best possible incarnation. As always, the ultimate goal is to advance along the path to enlightenment. Advice on Dying is an essential tool for attaining that eternal bliss.

©2002 His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Jeffrey Hopkins (P)2002 Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Fear disappears when practitioners learn to embrace awareness of death, the Dalai Lama says, and through such insight, they are able to more fully take advantage of the given life." (Publishers Weekly)

Helps me feel more calm

Not a lot to learn from, but the simple theories and teaching does help. My paradigm shifted overnight after reading the book, helps me see the world in a whole new light. Good sound quality and easy to grasp in audio format.

Thoughts on Dying

The book contains helpful advice on dying. For most readers, particularly those who do not practice meditation, the detailed description of the stages of dying will be too technical and perhaps not helpful, though the fact that we go through the same stages when going to sleep and even having sex is of great interest. Most importantly, the key teaching of the importance of the state of mind in generating a positive rebirth or even liberation is clearly delineated. The long introduction that relates to the political problems of the Tibetans is a bit of a distraction from the subject matter, though for most it will provide new light on the ways in which China has suppressed the Tibetan religion.

If you are trying to deepen your understanding...

this is one of the clearest overviews of Karma and Emptiness I've found. Definitely a worthwhile listen.

Doesn't this title indicate something?

This book is a guide to something that is totally vacant in this culture . As an American, I can say that it is an extremely fortunate occurance that His Holiness has opened these teachings. As there is no guide whatsoever in the West for after death states , this is probably the most important material one could ever hear.I also suggest getting the book and reading it too. Also the following book [ which is on Audible] by His Holiness "How to practice" gives one the steps to actuate this in their lives now.

Listen again and again

This is not a one time listen. Listen until you understand for yourself. It's worth it. I am still getting insights after many listenings.

Simply Amazing

This has helped me to realize in a more complete way the process of death.

Good information but lacks practicality

The book gives the story and the steps in the process but lacks practical application. It would be great to have an actual guided imagery on the stages.

Strains credulity that this is from the Dalai Lama

First of all I am neither a theologian nor do I pretend to be… But I had serious reservations of the typing kind of information that was supplied as coming from the Dalai Lama. About 25% of the book addressed views and philosophies about “dying.” Most of the rest talked about what happens to us after we die, depending on the type and kind of life that we lived leading up to our death. Of course this is kind a hard to discern upfront Isn’t it? The rest was directed towards the political situation in Tibet and China. Albeit regrettable, it kind of misses the point. Finally, we must not forget the super creepy music/ chants They were just layered in there with no contact whatsoever Again, I am no theologian, but if his Holiness the Dalai Lama himself reaches out to me and convinces me that these are his teachings, and that they are correctly presented, then I will happily change my tune… Else I have to admit I’m a bit disappointed.