Sounds True: Insights at the Edge

Andrew Holecek: What Reincarnates? | Part 2

Aug 26, 2025
Tami Simon speaks with Andrew Holecek, a scholar and teacher in Tibetan Buddhism, about the profound themes of reincarnation. They explore how our beliefs about death shape our lives and discuss the transformative practice of dark retreat—essentially a 'sober psychedelic.' Andrew emphasizes the importance of habits in the reincarnation process and shares practical techniques to cultivate openness and presence, benefiting both the dying and those they leave behind. Their dialogue bridges ancient wisdom with modern life's challenges.
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INSIGHT

Reality Decides When Ego Falls Away

  • There is no separate 'you' making ultimate decisions; reality flows through open, noncontracted minds.
  • In moments of surrender or flow, enlightened activity occurs effortlessly without deliberate egoic choice.
ANECDOTE

Meditation Revealed Past-Life Intimations

  • Andrew describes intimations of previous-life memories arising during deep dark-retreat meditation.
  • He locates these recollections in an ongoing indestructible mind-stream that stores pre-temporal karmic traces.
ADVICE

Start Dark Retreats With Small, Safe Steps

  • Try short, safe dark-retreat sessions and gradually increase duration to habituate openness and restorative processes.
  • Use eye masks, careful titration, and guidance rather than jumping into long isolated retreats immediately.
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