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

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:
- guruviking.com/podcast/ep305-neuroscience-of-d…

For more interviews, videos, and more visit:
- guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James