It is taught that one does not return to the samsaric realms after having entered Dewachen, and that one can quickly and easily achieve enlightenment from that realm. Thus, Phowa is like an insurance policy, so that if one does not achieve enlightenment while alive, one will be able to ensure that this attainment will follow death. One of the Six Yogas of Naropa, Phowa has been said to be the quickest and most direct way to be liberated from samsaric suffering and to attain enlightenment. This practice is especially relevant in the present day, when most of us lack the luxury of lengthy solitary meditative practice. Because of this lack, as well as the overwhelming power of laziness in the postponement of our practice, we desperately need a spiritual path that is simple and direct, and which enables us to transform the stresses of modern life into a vital force that cucuts through attachment to illusory objects and awakens in us the realization of our own Buddha nature.
Life is very short, and can end suddenly and without warning.
Sufficiently accomplished practitioners may also use this uncomplicated and powerful method to the benefit of other persons and animals who have reached the end of their present life. Tibetan lay people consider it extremely important to perform Phowa for the dying and recently deceased. A Phowa retreat with a qualified lama commonly results in the opening of the central channel and attainment of clear and tangible signs of accomplishment. The appearance of these signs assures the practitioner of successful entrance into the enlightened realms when Phowa is employed at the time of death. This has been experienced by many practitioners around the world.