In the second type of phowa, there is a preparatory stage ("sbyang") done while dreaming and a stage of the actual practice ("'pho ba dngos"). In the preparatory training, one flies up to the seat of the celestial Buddha Vajradhara and forms a strong intention to cultivate Mahamudra. Then, at the time of death, when the subtle elements of the body have dissolved, the yogi transfers their consciousness to the seat of Vajradhara and appears there in the essenceless form of their chosen deity, appearing like a reflection in a mirror. They meditate on radiance from that state of illusory body and thus reach Buddhahood.