The foundational texts on states of consciousness are known as the Abhidharma. They’re among the least readable of the suttras; the state of consciousness they induce in me can best be described as “huh?”.

But if you really want to wade into this swamp, I’d suggest this book . Bikkhu Bodhi, the author, is a generally reliable guide through arcane Buddhist texts.

Good luck!

@thorninmud Can you speak about Bardo? I had a friend who was enamored of this whole idea but I don’t really understand much about it. It seems to be relate to this question though I cannot begin to pretend I understand it at all.

@Earthgirl You probably know more about it than I do, I’m afraid. It’s the Tibetans who’ve plotted out all of the post-mortem stuff. There’s an anecdote circulating in the Zen crowd about a guy who asked a Zen master, “What happens when we die?”.

The master said, “I don’t know”

“What do you mean you don’t know? You’re Zen master, aren’t you?”

“Yes, but not a dead one”

@thorninmud that’s so funny! Thank you for that :)

@thorninmud great answer—thank you very much! I did not expect to get this answer on Fluther, so this is a pleasant surprise.