How should ordinary people handle these dissolution stages? First, we must try to realize that we are in the process of dying. We should try to take the experiences of dissolution as peacefully as possible, without panicking. We should try to remember that all the transitional appearances and experiences are reflections of our own mind and emotions, like dreams. We should not be attached to them, get irritated by them, or be afraid of them. Rather, we should see and feel everything as the path of our spiritual journey Anchoring ourselves in calmness, we should peacefully let any situation come and go.

We should remember to employ any spiritual approach or experience with which we have been acquainted in our lifetime. The spiritual approaches with which we are familiar will be more effective and easier for us to rely on.

We should remember our source of blessings, such as buddhas, masters, positive mental objects, teachings, and meditation experiences, and use those experiences and memories as our spiritual supports. Try to remember your own spiritual practices and all your spiritual experiences and energies, and unite with them. To unite with them means to feel that the buddhas, teachers, and deities are present with you all the time and that they are protecting and guiding you. From them, let the light of peace, openness, strength, and joy come to you, fill you, and transform your body into a rainbow-like light-body emitting blessings of peace, joy, and strength. Then try to relax in that spiritual body, again and again, throughout the dying process.

We must repeatedly remind ourselves: "I must stay with my spiritual experience." Such a message makes a great impact and in fact helps us remember the experiences even on the difficult journey of dying. If we stay with our experience, our journey along the road of dying will be smoother and will lead us to a pure land or to a rebirth that is peaceful, joyful, and healthy.

If we experienced the true nature of the mind while we were alive, we must try to remember to remain in the awareness of that nature. Whatever occurs, try to see all happenings as merely the expression of that nature, instead of running after and grasping at thoughts and experiences with attachment or hatred.

Jigme Lingpa writes that in the process of dying, the best thing to do is relax naturally in the ultimate nature.18 The next best thing is to transfer your consciousness to a pure land. At a minimum, seek the refuge of the three Jewels: the Buddha, the embodiment of enlightenment; the Dharma, the truth he expounded; and the Sangha, the community of followers of the Dharma. Pray to your spiritual teacher, and unite your mind with his or her enlightened mind.

These instructions of great masters on dying and death are crucial points to remember and apply, not just during the passage of dying but also during all of life's four transitional passages, including this current life.