Bardo of Dharmata (Chonyid Bardo) — Luminosity Between
After the dissolution of death, the Bardo Thodol describes a period of pure luminosity — the ground luminosity, the nature of mind without any content. Peaceful and wrathful deities appear as projections of the mind's own radiance. Hex 30 (The Clinging, Fire) is doubled fire: brightness that depends on something to burn. Li means 'clinging' — fire must attach to fuel. The bardo of dharmata presents the practitioner with light that has no object, radiance without a source. If one can recognize this light as mind's own nature rather than clinging to it or fleeing from it, liberation occurs. The I-Ching says of Hex 30: 'Care of the cow brings good fortune.' The cow is attention: gentle, steady, not grasping at the brilliance. Recognition, not seizure.