Life is a series of transitions. Some are big—changing careers, moving to a new city, the birth of a child, the loss of a loved one. Others are small—shifting from one task to another, the moment between breaths, the pause before responding in a conversation. Yet, whether big or small, each transition holds a space between what was and what will be. This space, in Tibetan Buddhism, is called a bardo—an intermediate state, a time of possibility, and a chance for transformation.
In the latest episode of the Secular Buddhism Podcast, I explore how bardos offer a framework for understanding life’s impermanence and how we can use them to navigate change with mindfulness and intention. The traditional Tibetan teachings describe six bardos—states between life, death, and rebirth. But beyond the Buddhist context, bardos can be seen as the spaces of transition we experience every day.
What Are the Bardos?
The word bardo literally means “intermediate state” or “transitional period”. In traditional Tibetan Buddhism, bardos are thought to be states between life, death, and rebirth, including the dream state and deep meditation. However, from a secular perspective, we can reinterpret these bardos as the moments of transition that shape our daily lives.
Think of a bardo as a bridge between what was and what will be. Life itself is a bardo. We are always in transition.
The Bardos in Everyday Life
We can use the concept of the bardos to recognize the shifts happening around us all the time. Here’s a look at how the six traditional bardos can be reimagined in daily life:
- The Bardo of This Life – Traditionally, this is the state from birth to death. But we can see this as our ongoing experience of being alive, growing, and evolving. Each stage of life—from childhood to adulthood, from one identity to another—is a transition.
- The Bardo of Dreaming – This is the space of imagination, creativity, and self-reflection. Our dreams, goals, and visions for the future exist in this space before they become reality. This bardo reminds us that what we imagine has the power to shape what comes next.
- The Bardo of Meditation – Beyond formal meditation, this bardo represents any moment when we pause, reflect, and gain clarity. It’s the space where we interrupt habitual patterns and see things as they are, whether in moments of stillness, deep thought, or mindful breathing.
- The Bardo of Dying – Traditionally referring to physical death, this bardo can also symbolize the end of moments, relationships, jobs, or phases of life. Every ending is a kind of death, and how we embrace it determines how we move forward.
- The Bardo of the Moment of Death – This is the heightened awareness that comes in critical moments of transition. Whether it’s making a big decision, letting go of the past, or facing uncertainty, this bardo offers us a chance to step into change with mindfulness.
- The Bardo of Becoming – The space between death and rebirth, this bardo represents the potential of new beginnings. Every transition carries a choice: What do we bring forward? What do we leave behind?
Recognizing the Bardos in Our Lives
Once we start to see transitions as bardos, we realize how often we move through these spaces. The key to navigating them skillfully is awareness. Here are some ways to work with the bardos in your life:
🔹 Pause Before Reacting – In moments of transition, take a breath before responding. Recognize that you are in a bardo, and ask yourself what qualities you want to bring forward.
🔹 Observe Your Patterns – What habits, fears, or expectations do you carry into each new phase? Awareness of these patterns gives you the power to choose a different way forward.
🔹 Embrace Change as Opportunity – Instead of resisting change, see it as a space of potential. Each transition is a chance to create something new.
🔹 Find Stillness in the Space Between – Whether through meditation, deep breathing, or mindful reflection, practice being present in the bardo of this moment.
The Beauty of the In-Between
We often rush through transitions, eager to move from one thing to the next. But what if we slowed down and fully inhabited the space between? What if we allowed ourselves to feel the discomfort, the uncertainty, and the possibility of the bardo?
The truth is, life itself is a bardo. We are always shifting, always changing. The question is, are we present for it? Are we choosing how we move through it?
Listen to the Full Episode 🎧
In this episode, I explore the bardos in more depth, sharing personal stories and practical ways to apply this wisdom in daily life.
🎧 Listen now: https://pod.link/secularbuddhism
As you go about your day, I invite you to notice the bardos in your own life. Whether big or small, each transition holds the power of transformation. What will you bring into your next moment?
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