The intent of this book, as indicated by its full title, 'Clarifying the Meaning of Chöd, A Complete Explanation of Casting Out the Body As Food' (by Labdrön Machig, 1055–1153), is primarily an explanation and commentary on the Tibetan Buddhist practice called Chöd, translated as “cutting” or “severance.” Chöd is a practice renowned in the popular mind mainly for its graphic visualizations of cutting up one’s body to offer to demons in charnel grounds.