There is a lot to be said for meditation and the achievement of inner peace. I tend to reach this point often, mostly in front of the TV after a seven-hour Sunday sports binge. Om Mani Padme Hum, yo.

A mummified monk found in Mongolia seems to have taken things to the next level. Found in the lotus position, opinions differ on whether the man is in fact deceased or not. This from the Siberian Times:

Forensic examinations are under way on the amazing remains, which are believed to be around 200 years old, having been preserved in animal skin. But one expert has insisted the human relic is actually in ‘very deep meditation’ and in a rare and very special spiritual state known as ‘tukdam’.

OK, so finding the 200-year-old remains of a man might not mean he is actually dead? We’re going to need Dr Barry Kerzin, a famous Buddhist monk to help us out here:

If the person is able to remain in this state for more than three weeks – which rarely happens – his body gradually shrinks, and in the end all that remains from the person is his hair, nails, and clothes…

If the meditator can continue to stay in this meditative state, he can become a Buddha.

I must commend this mummified mothertrucker on his dedication to the cause. I hope I look that good at 200.

[source:siberiantimes]