The All-Determining Influence of Thought

Reading 6 of 6

O nobly-born, to sum up: thy present intellect in the Intermediate State having no firm object whereon to depend, being of little weight and continuously in motion, whatever thought occur to thee now — be it pious or impious — will wield great power; therefore think not in thy mind of impious things, but recall any devotional exercises; or, if thou wert unaccustomed to any such exercises, [show forth] pure affection and humble faith; pray to the Compassionate One, or to thy tutelary deities; with full resolve, utter this prayer:
Alas! While wandering alone, separated from loving friends,
When the vacuous, reflected body of mine own mental ideas dawneth upon me,
May the Buddhas, vouchsafing their power of compassion,
Grant that there shall be no fear, awe, or terror in the Bardo.
When experiencing miseries, through the power of evil karma,
May the tutelary deities dispel the miseries.
When the thousand thunders of the Sound of Reality reverberate,
May they all be sounds of the Six Syllables.
When Karma follows, without there being any protector,
May the Compassionate One protect me, I pray.
When experiencing the sorrows of karmic propensities here,
May the radiance of the happy clear light of Samādhi shine upon me.
Earnest prayer in this form will be sure to guide thee along; thou mayst rest assured that thou wilt not be deceived. Of great importance is this: through that being recited, again recollection cometh; and recognition and liberation will be achieved.