Ep311: Neuroscience of Yogic Death Practice  - Dr Tawni Tidwell, Dr Michael Sheehy, & Dr Julian Schott.

Interviews
Written By Guru Viking

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.

Available on Youtube, iTunes, SoundCloud & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.

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 in the Department of Religious Studies in 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. 

00:00 - Intro

01:37 - Recap of dream yoga and previously discussed themes

02:30 - Tawni’s research in tukdam and yogic dying 

05:17 - In-field research of spiritual masters as they die 

09:27 - Recruiting and training Tibetan monastics

10:33 - Sensitive cultural dynamic around studying tukdam 

12:32 - Early phases and baseline measures 

13:23 - Collaboration with the Russian Academy of Science 

14:39 - What could tukdam contribute to different disciplines of science?

15:52 - American mortician shocked by what she saw 

18:40 - Biological aspects of tukdam

20:53 - Struggles with funding and reliance on Russian equipment

22:14 - Forensics and new interest in what happens to the body after death

23:25 - The “Tukdam: Beyond Worlds” documentary by Donagh Coleman

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 other attained mystics from traditions

32:16 - Fundraising activities 

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

34:17 - Understanding the death process as a series of dissolutions

37:22 - Attempts to track heat, oxygenation, fluid movement, and visual imagery

44:27 - Julian reflects on Buddhist vs Cartesian notions of consciousness 

46:56 - Different tukdam methods across lineages 

49:18 - Evan Thompson on theories of consciousness 

51:24 - Distinct practices lead to distinct ways of dying

53:16 - We can die in different ways 

54:56 - Methodologically rich ways to attain wisdom

57:41 - The soteriological essence of Buddhism

01:01:35 - Systems of human transformation and experiences of the edge

01:04:02 - Becoming deeply familiar with exaltation  

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

01:09:04 - Tummo and 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 prospective tukdam candidates be studied before death comes?

01:24:04 - Effects of meditation on the brain and body 

01:25:40 - Aggregate or sudden?

01:27:25 - Understanding osel, nondual awareness, and near death experiences

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

Guru Viking
Next

Steve James Interviewed on the Gabi Koyenov Podcast