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I do not contemplate / fear / meditate / hold strong views about rebirth. I just keep an open mind towards it, (and have my own theories about it). I stumbled on Milerapa's songs, and it resonated and penetrated my heart in its wisdom. As i was reading, i came upon the following words from a song. Elsewhere, Milerapa has clearly defined what he calls as Shamatha - so i have no doubts about what level of meditation he is referring to. But, I can not fully understand why he says that the great meditators will be reborn as animals. Maybe someone here has studied the life and songs of Milerapa in detail, and could shed some light on the final two lines ? This is more of a curiosity question because I am drawn by his songs; this does not affect my practice in any way. ".............. The great meditators who meditate in shamatha Have powerful experiences, so brilliant and clear They think that it's vipashyana and rest their mind at ease But when vipashyana is needed at the point of death, Luminosity's mother and child they cannot bring together And so the shamatha they've practiced does not help at all. In fact, has it not made them take birth as an animal?............ "