Guru Viking Podcast (Guru Viking)

In this episode, I am joined by Wendy and Ronnie Barry who discuss their quest to find the reincarnations of their two sons who, in 1997, died in a car crash. Upon learning of the deaths of their sons, Andy and Bobby, the Barrys immediately turned to the Tibetan Book of the Dead, and entered the world of the supernatural as they followed the instructions within to guide their sons through the after-death realms. The Barrys then vowed to find their sons next lives. Embarking on an international search and recruiting the aid and support of high Lamas, tulkus, seers, channellers and more. Wendy and Ronnie also reveal their plan for their next lives, and discuss their history as prominent members of the Brotherhood of the Eternal Love. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep85-wendy-and-ronnie-barry-finding-our-sons-reincarnations/ Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … 0:00 - Intro 0:53 - Brotherhood of the Eternal Love 08:28 - LSD and the bardos 16:49 - The deaths of Bobby and Andy, Wendy and Ronnie’s sons 21:25 - Visiting the scene of the crash 26:15 - Using the Tibetan Book of the Dead to help their sons 30:06 - A special family connection and the boys’ personalities 35:10 - Resolving to find the reincarnations of Bobby and Andy 36:51 - Friends’ dreams of Bobby and Andy 39:06 - Was there criticism of Wendy and Ronnie’s search? 42:11 - Experiences reading the Bardo Thodol for the 49 days of the boys’ bardo 45:38 - Beginning the search and consulting psychics, seers, and channellers 48:57 - Encountering a corrupt Tibetan Lama 55:09 - Meeting Khamtrul Rinpoche and falling in love with Tibetan Buddhism 1:00:49 - Joining Rigpa and deepening study 1:05:14 - Receiving a divination from Tulku Sang-ngag Rinpoche 1:09:09 - Beginning a significant relationship with Lama Samten 1:10:33 - Receiving a divination from Lama Dawa 1:12:16 - Finding Bobby’s reincarnation, Kelsey 1:19:36 - Kelsey’s parents’ reaction 1:23:09 - Interest in Tibetan culture 1:24:54 - Support from and friendship with Lama Samten 1:27:13 - Meeting Drubwang Konchok Norbu Rinpoche 1:30:09 - Landing in India and meeting their guide, Jangchub 1:34:40 - The importance of discretion in the search 1:36:06 - Receiving Vajrasattva empowerment to clear obscurations 1:37:38 - Unsuccessful first trip and meeting Ringu Tulku 1:41:54 - Another divination from Lama Dawa and a second India trip 1:44:11 - Powerful Vajrasattva experience of spiders, scorpions, and wasps 1:51:26 - Ronnie’s dream of divination 1:54:27 - Finding Tenpa 02:04:57 - India and meeting karma 02:06:48 - How did Kelsey and Tenpa view things are they grew up? 02:16:15 - Wendy and Ronnie’s plan for their next lives 02:19:47 - How to get the book and European book distribution … To find out more about Wendy and Ronnie Barry, visit: - https://reincarnationstory.website/index.html 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I host part 4 of an ongoing dialogue between Shinzen Young, meditation teacher and neuroscience research consultant, and Chelsey Fasano, a Columbia University neuroscience student. But now the dialogue has become a trialogue as we have the great pleasure of being joined by Dr Jay Sanguinetti, Assistant Director for the Center for Consciousness Studies and Research Assistant Professor at the University of New Mexico where he directs the NICE Lab (Non-Invasive Cognitive Enhancement Lab) and SEMA, the Sonication Enhanced Mindful Awareness Lab in collaboration with Shinzen. In this episode we discuss topics such as what is pleasure?, enlightenment as Fristonian free-energy, the relationship between predictive coding and the nature of suffering, bliss and orgasm, Shinzen’s daily mystical experiences, and more. … https://www.guruviking.com/ep86-bliss-enlightenment-fristonian-physics-feat-chelsey-fasano-shinzen-young-dr-jay-sanguinetti/ Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Stitcher – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 0:00 - Intro 0:58 - Bliss and the symmetry valence hypothesis 4:18 - What is pleasure? 9:47 - What is the Quaila Research Institute? 11:41 - Symmetry and facial attractiveness 14:51 - Averaging, integration, and prediction 15:40 - Continuous orgasm, Sensory saturation, turning towards 20:33 - Harmonics, gamma, and global processing 31:07 - Trained improvement vs primordial completeness 34:56 - Shinzen’s experience when walking 39:29 - Jay’s experience after a 15 week meditation course 46:03 - Approach motivation without negative valence 47:37 - The birth of the pleasure god, Kama, and learned helplessness 50:38 - Shinzen’s Fristonian free-energy pleasure hypothesis 59:56 - Could predictive coding theory explain the nature of suffering? 1:03:42 - Jay analyses Shinzen’s experience 1:05:06 - Is enlightenment free-energy? 1:06:33 - What the brain expects influences what the eye sees 1:09:49 - Shinzen’s experience after meditation and ultrasound experiments 1:13:09 -Chelsey reflects on her enjoyment of Shinzen 1:14:44 - Enlightenment as stabilising dynamic states vs fixed states 1:18:02 - Spiritual integration as pleasure-mode transfer and reconfiguring of top-down processing 1:19:53 - Changing the geometry of conscious experience 1:21:55 - Jay’s intuition about the big questions in contemplative brain science 1:23:57 - Shinzen’s take on Fristonian physics 1:27:55 - Jay’s advice and comments on the philosophy of science 1:29:40 - What Chelsey loves about scientists 1:31:19 - More on Jay’s philosophy of science 1:32:45 - Shinzen on American math education 1:35:03 - Applying higher dimensional abstract algebra to Fristonian physics 1:36:52 - The cliffhanger of the Hegelian taco ... Previous episodes with Shinzen and Chelsey: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep72-shinzen-young-and-chelsey-fasano-tantra-neuroscience-and-true-enlightenment/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep76-shinzen-young-chelsey-fasano-2-the-science-of-enlightenment/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep81-shinzen-young-chelsey-fasano-3-orgasm-epilepsy-mystical-experience/ Previous Interview with Shinzen Young: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep37-shinzen-young-pandemic-edition-guru-viking-podcast/ ... To find out more about Shinzen, visit: - www.shinzen.org To find out more about Chelsey, visit: - www.chelseyfasano.com To find our more about Dr Sanguinetti, visit: - https://www.jaysanguinetti.com/ ... For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am joined by Drukmo Gyal Dakini, an International singer, recording artist, and practitioner of Tibetan mantra healing. Drukmo discusses her childhood in Amdo, Tibet, and the early musical and spiritual influences of her family and community. Drukmo reveals how a chance meeting with the man who would become her root guru, Dr Nida Chenagtsang, kindled a passion for Tibetan medicine and spiritual practice in the Yuthok Nyingthig tradition. Drukmo talks about her experiences of cultural differences between East and West, the history and power of mantra for healing, the importance of personal practice, and addresses common misconceptions about being the devotee of a guru. … Video version available at: https://www.guruviking.com/ep87-drukmo-gyal-dakini-tibetan-mantra-healing/ 
This podcast is also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
 … Topics Include: 0:00 - Intro 0:48 - Growing up in Amdo, Tibet 05:03 - The role of religion in Drukmo’s upbringing 07:08 - The spiritual guidance of the women in Drukmo’s family 11:43 - How contact with Western views have affected Drukmo’s view of her culture 15:12 - Globalisation and cultural exchange 16:58 - The role of music in Drukmo’s upbringing 18:04 - Taking spiritual chanting from private practice to public performance 21:51 - Dr Nida’s encouragement to perform mantra singing 23:27 - Why Vajrasattva mantra is an essential part of Drukmo’s performance 25:28 - Drukmo’s passion for languages 26:42 - How Dr Nida Chenagtsang became Drukmo’s root guru 28:07 - The results of Drukmo’s first meditation retreat 31:00 - Praise for Dr Nida 32:27 - Misunderstandings about having a guru 37:05 - Drukmo’s focus on compassion 41:45 - Imposing views on others 44:05 - The history and application of mantra healing 47:02 - What is the source of mantra power? 49:42 - The importance of the mantra practitioner’s own practice and attainment 51:45 - Drukmo’s mental state when singing mantra 53:29 - How to find Drukmo’s music and teaching … To find our more about Drukmo Gyal, visit: - https://www.drukmogyal.com/ - https://youtu.be/zl9zwCKyQQk For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am joined by Har-Prakash Khalsa, artist, meditation teacher, and founder of the Expand Contract Youtube Channel, which hosts the video teachings of Shinzen Young. Har-Prakash discusses his early life, including ten years of heavy drug use, near death experiences in the Andes and India, and a life changing encounter with Yogi Bhajan’s Kundalini Yoga. We learn of Har-Prakash’s research into Yogi Bhajan’s questionable historical claims, and how Har-Prakash reconciled his own practice and teaching with the many allegations of abuse made against his once guru. Har-Prakash discusses his decades of study with Shinzen Young, and shares more thoughts on spiritual scandals when recounting his own time with Joshu Sasaki Roshi. Then, an accomplished interviewer himself, Har-Prakash gives me a set of 12 questions to ask him. Har-Prakash reveals that these are the questions he has often wished I would ask my guests, and gamely submits to answering them himself. They cover topics such as stream entry, enlightenment, suffering, the self, and more. … Video version available at: https://www.guruviking.com/ep88-har-prakash-khalsa-saints-and-psychopaths/ 
This podcast is also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
 … Topics Include: 0:00 - Intro 1:10 - Early interest in meditation 03:04 - Childhood altered experiences 05:10 - Near death experience in India 08:11 - Lost in the Andes jungle and coming to a realisation 13:20 - 10 years of heavy drug use and finding kundalini yoga 20:24 - Teaching kundalini yoga in jail after 3 months practice 26:50 - Meeting Yogi Bhajan 27:48 - Allegations against Yogi Bhajan 32:10 - Criticisms of kundalini yoga’s origin story 35:14 - Reconciling with the allegations against and criticisms of Yogi Bhajan 40:57 - Why did Yogi Bhajan fabricate so much of his history and system? 45:40 - Saints and Psychopaths 48:04 - Meeting Shinzen Young 52:03 - Studying with Shinzen for 20 years and founding a Youtube channel 59:29 - Personal experiences of Shinzen 1:04:50 - Powerful experiences with Joshu Sasaki Roshi 1:07:34 - The prevalence of spiritual scandals among masters 1:10:46 - Har-Prakash’s spiritual curriculum 1:13:57 - Har-Prakash gives Steve a set of questions to ask 1:17:23 - Har-Prakash’s dramatic awakening experience 1:26:20 - Surprises and disappointments after awakening 1:33:10 - Integration of awakening 1:36:09 - How much does Har-Prakash suffer post-awakening? 1:40:13 - Har-Prakash’s current sensory experience 1:42:49 - Current sense of ‘self’ 1:48:58 - Changes to craving and aversion 1:56:25 - Har-Prakash’s ‘Fabrication Cycle’ 2:02:10 - Qualities and behaviours to improve 2:05:04 - Common misunderstandings about enlightenment 2:06:36 - Har-Prakash’s art 2:09:10 - Har-Prakash on service and legacy … To find our more about Har-Prakash Khalsa, visit: - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC86n5crGjoZK_z0LBhCWUIQ - https://vimeo.com/hpkmindfulnesstraining - https://www.facebook.com/groups/shinzenyoungmindfulnesscommunity For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I host a dialogue between Dr Ian Wickramasekera, Bön Buddhist practitioner and associate professor of Mindfulness Based Transpersonal Counselling at Naropa University, and Petra Tauchner, a student at the University of Vienna with a degree in microbiology and genetics, whose current batchelor’s thesis in psychology is based on Dr Ian’s ‘Empathic Involvement Theory’ of hypnosis. In the first part of this interview, Dr Ian gives an overview of the history of the mysteries and theories of hypnosis, lays out his own journey to formulating EIT, and discusses its implications for therapy and enlightenment. Then, Dr Ian and Petra dialogue about how to increase one’s own hypnotisability, why empathy does not guarantee pro-social outcomes, and the very particular empathy skills of psychopaths - including a case review of Dr Ian’s own psychopathic client. Dr Ian also recounts his own experiences practicing Dzogchen, meeting spiritual gurus, and taking ayahuasca, while Petra reveals her own passion for first hand research, including a life-changing 21 day water fast undertaken to reset her dopamine system. … Video version at https://www.guruviking.com/ep89-dr-ian-wickramasekera-petra-tauchner-dzogchen-hypnosis-psychopaths/ 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
 … Topics Include: 0:00 - Intro 01:12 - What is EIT? 04:43 - How Ian began to suspect a connection between empathy and hypnotisability 08:12 - A summary of the main theories of hypnosis 13:23 - Trance states in client centred therapy 19:19 - Empathy-induced hypnosis and correlations with absorption 29:26- Studying transference and the Self 34:40 - Reconciling the two main theories of hypnosis 42:50 - ‘Real’ experience and the default mode network 48:10 - Clinical application of hypnosis for chronic pain 1:08:48 - EIT Summary 01:11:55 - Petra’s research interests and first set of questions 1:12:31 - Does Scacchia and De Pescalis (2020) challenge EIT? 1:16:32 - 4 different kinds of empathy 1:26:51 - Do psychopaths have empathy? 1:27:42 -Dr Ian’s first client was a psychopath 1:30:55 - Empathy is not compassion 1:34:22 - The case of the Hillside Strangler 1:42:10 - Rethinking empathy measurement techniques 1:44:26 - How to increase your hypnotisability 1:52:26 - Gurus & ayahuasca 1:55:26 - Measuring enlightenment 2:04:53 - Practicing Dzogchen 2:14:14 - Petra’s 21 day water fast 1:16:35 - Ian’s take on detox, Tummo diets, and the ayahuasca dieta 2:22:12 - Why did Petra undertake a 21 day water fast? 02:24:14 - The importance of first hand research 02:29:43 - Ian encourages Petra’s research 02:31:00 - Petra’s reflections … Previous episodes with Dr Ian Wickramasekera: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep61-dr-ian-wickramasekera-devolving-the-self/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep67-dr-ian-wickramasekera-tummo-hypnosis-realising-rigpa/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep74-dr-ian-wickramasekera-gurus-hypnosis-toxic-devotion/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep79-dr-ian-wickramasekera-agony-into-bliss-facing-covid-with-dzogchen/ To find our more about Dr Ian Wickramasekera, visit: - https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ian_Wickramasekera2 - https://www.naropa.edu/faculty/ian-wickramasekera.php For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In June 2020 I was interviewed for the second time by Dan Doty of DanDoty.com. Topics include: 0:00 - Living on a boat 2:59 - ‘Is Steve living the dream?’ 05:51 - Steve’s premonition 08:04 - A strange dream 12:00 - Unravelling and thinning out 15:12 -Steve’s practice approach 19:00 - Service and attention 22:38 - Being in shape 25:08 - Braindump on how to get a daily practice 31:51 - Confidence and tasting the result 36:43 - Different types of meditation 43:48 - Men, helping, and society
 Dan is known around the world for his work with men and his latest online offering is 'Ring of Fire', a 5 month mastermind for men's coaches: http://dandoty.com/ringoffire For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com

In this episode I am joined by Andrew Holecek, author, spiritual teacher, and expert on lucid dreaming and the Tibetan yogas of dream and sleep. In this interview, Andrew reveals his childhood fascination with the occult, including seances, Ouija boards, and channellers such as Edgar Cayce and Jane Roberts. We learn how a series of powerful spiritual openings set Andrew on a quest into the world’s mystical traditions, eventually to find a home in the practices of Tibetan Buddhism. Andrew discusses the limitations of scientific materialism, the similarities and differences between his training as a concert pianist and the discipline of meditation, and gives a lucid dreaming primer for those in lockdown. Andrew also shares his thinking on the role of lineage in religion, the recent scandals in the Buddhist tradition, and reflects on his own departure from the controversial religious organisation Shambala after decades of study. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep90-andrew-holecek-nocturnal-meditation/ 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
 … Topics Include: 0:00 - Intro 01:30 - Childhood interest in the occult 04:09 - Edgar Cayce and Jane Roberts’ Seth Material 06:05 - Powerful experience with Transcendental Meditation 07:24 - Practicing seances and using ouija boards 11:16 - Inspiration from the Kung Fu TV series 13:27 - Dimensional travel and contacting entities in lucid dreams 18:39 - Is ‘the West’ equivalent to scientific materialism? 28:53 - Similarities and differences between Andrew’s concert piano training and meditation 32:54 - Lucidity is the natural state 37:07 - Andrew’s profound spiritual opening into rigpa 40:30 - Post-awakening crash 43:19 - Conversion to Buddhism 44:44 - Reasons for leaving Shambala 46:50 - Travels in Asia and connecting to teachers 50:28 - Studies in non-dual Shaiva tantra 51:28 - Why is lineage backing important? 58:48 - Does Andrew have lineage backing? 1:02:53 - Seeing problems in Shambala and deciding to leave 1:07:15 - Andrew’s reflections on abuse by spiritual teachers 1:10:35 - Andrew’s lockdown lucid dreaming guide 1:20:58 - The Night Club 3.0 … To find our more about Andrew Holecek, visit: - https://www.andrewholecek.com/ - https://nightclub.andrewholecek.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James …

In this episode I am joined by Anna Lutkajtis author of ‘Dark Side of the Dharma: Meditation, Madness, and Other Maladies on the Contemplative Path’. Anna is a postgraduate researcher at the University of Sydney who’s research focuses on mysticism, the dark night of the soul, and the healing potential of altered states of consciousness. We learn how Anna’s own existential crisis saw her embark on a spiritual quest, including deep exploration of meditation and yoga, and close contact with pragmatic dharma teachers Daniel Ingram and Kenneth Folk. Anna reveals where a senior teacher placed her on the 4-path model of enlightenment, and why that framework is no longer the focus of her personal practice. We also discuss Anna’s research into adverse meditation effects, explore three different theories of the dark night of the soul, and consider the friction points between enlightenment and psychological health. Anna then asks me about my experience sharing meditation with others and we discuss my interests in the parallels between mindfulness and mainstream Christianity, the mechanisms of religious conversion, and the pros and cons of intensive retreat. … Video version available at: https://www.guruviking.com/ep91-anna-lutkajtis-dark-side-of-the-dharma/ Episode also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
 … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 01:10 - Anna’s meditation history 04:38 - Encountering Daniel Ingram and Kenneth Folk 09:53 - Personal outcome of working 1-1 with Kenneth Folk 11:03 - Fire kasina practice and yoga asana 11:40 - Anna’s fire kasina story 15:56 - Anna’s ‘relentless seeking phase’ 16:57 - Perspective on the 4-path model 19:22 - Who diagnosed Anna’s path attainments and on what basis? 20:59 - Anna’s dark night, depression, and Daniel Ingram’s help 24:59 - 3 different dark night theories 29:40 - Scripting and experience construction 33:36 - Why are adverse meditation effects ignored? 36:00 - Religious vs psychological friction points 40:18 - Bikkhu Analayo’s critique 42:57 - Defining ‘adverse effects’ 44:53 - Trauma and adverse meditation effects 45:51 - Pros and cons of intensive retreat 48:03 - Frequency of adverse meditation effects 52:29 - The goals of practice 55:21 - Further definitions and variables 1:00:02 - Spiritual but not religious? 1:03:32 - Mindfulness as a religious movement 1:05:17 - Peak experiences and religious conversion 1:07:20 - Dangers of psychedelic-assisted therapy 1:07:50 - Encountering resistance during research and publication 1:11:51 - Anna’s psychedelic research 1:12:25 - The life-cycle of the mindfulness trend ... Buy Anna’s book with discount code DS20 (valid until 4/30/21): - USA https://redwheelweiser.com/detail.html?id=9781913504595 - UK https://www.aeonbooks.co.uk/product/the-dark-side-of-dharma-meditation-madness-and-other-maladies-on-the-contemplative-path/94921/ To find our more about Anna Ludkajtis, visit: - https://annalutkajtis.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am joined by Alejandro Chaoul PhD, author, meditation teacher, Huffington Foundation Endowed Director of the Mind Body Spirit Institute at the Jung Center of Houston. Alejandro is an expert in tsa lung trulkhor, also known as Tibetan Yoga, and in this episode we discover the practices and encounters that kindled Alejandro’s fascination with this subject. We learn about Alejandro’s travels through India and encounters with gurus such as UG Krishnamurti, Namkhai Norbu, and the exorcist and weather maker Ngakpa Yeshe Dorje. Alejandro reveals the details of his path and practice, tells stories of his personal relationships with many great teachers, and his entry into academia. Alejandro also discusses the inner heat practice of tummo and I ask him about traditional dietary recommendations for yogis and the tantric practice of breath retention. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep92-dr-alejandro-chaoul-magical-movements-of-tibet/ 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
 … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:51 - Learning yantra yoga from Namkhai Norbu 03:55 - Studying trulkhor in Nepal 08:34 - The teacher-student relationship and what attracted Alejandro to the Bön religion 13:02 - Converting to Buddhism 14:14 - From Buddhism to Bön 17:08 - Being dismantled by UG Krishnamurti 21:15 - Studying with exorcist and weather maker Ngakpa Yeshe Dorje 30:55 - Stories of personal relationship with Namkhai Norbu 38:13 - Converting to Buddhism from Judaism 40:59 - Becoming a rug buyer 42:53 - Learning Tibetan and becoming an academic 46:01 - Studying Tibetan with Jeffrey Hopkins 49:07 - Alejandro’s pHD in Bön trulkor and joining academic study with practice 53:56 - The teacher-student relationship 58:20 - Interpersonal relationship with Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche 1:00:21 - The magical movements of Tibetan Yoga 1:03:19 - Tummo ‘inner heat’ yoga 1:04:33 - Kum Nye 1:06:23 - Upcoming book on Tibetan Yoga 1:07:46 - Diet and semen retention 1:08:53 - Diet recommendations for yogis 1:12:25 - S3xual practices and semen retention 1:14:02- Working with Alejandro ... To find our more about Alejandro Chaoul, visit: - www.alechaoul.com - www.ligmincha.org - www.mbsihouston.org For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am joined by Amalia Rubin - internationally known singer, Buddhist practitioner, 8 language polyglot, and scholar currently conducing her PhD research on ‘Gesar as an ongoing mode of reality in the lives of modern Tibetan youths in Eastern Tibet’ at the University of Leeds. In this interview, Amalia reveals her unusual upbringing and subsequent life of adventure, intensive language immersion, life and work throughout Asia, and encounters with high Lamas including an ongoing friendship of the 17th Karmapa. We learn about Amalia’s research interests, including the shamanic healing practices of the Steppes, the babdrung trance-bards of the Gesar tradition, and the similarities between the modern revivals of traditional shamanism in Mongolia and the Gesar Ling traditions of Eastern Tibet,. Amalia also discusses her special relationship with Tana monastery, and how she became an internationally renowned singer and performer. … https://www.guruviking.com/ep93-amalia-rubin-the-epic-of-king-gesar/ Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 0:00 - Intro 00:57 - ‘I come from a weird family’ 05:00 - Intersection of Judaism and Buddhism 10:25 - Childhood meetings with high Lamas of Tibetan Buddhism 13:33 - Beginning formal Tibetan language study 15:21 - Asian Studies at University of Buffalo 17:11 - Intensive language study at Sarah College 18:40 - Advice for students pursuing higher education 19:35 - Travel to Mongolia and completing a masters at University of Washington 22:37 - Shamanic migraine healing 23:44 - 3 years in India and spiritual relationship with the 17th Karmapa 27:44 - Personal stories about the 17th Karmapa 32:52 - Parallels between Tibetan Gesar and Mongolian Shamanic revivals 34:26 - The babdrung trance-bards of the Gesar tradition 36:32 - Involuntary tradition revivals 37:33 - How do the babdrung enter trance? 39:26 - Are the babdrung chanellings philologically consistent? 42:04 - Pop culture expressions of the Gesar revival 46:00 - Eschatalogical aspects of the Gesar myth 47:33 - Who was Gesar and what is his cultural significance? 52:10 - Origin of the name ‘Gesar’ 53:26 - Amalia’s Gesar practice and connection with Tana monastery 58:28 - Further details on Gesar practice 1:01:45 - Amalia’s academic work on Gesar 1:03:21 - Sacred artefacts of Tana monastery 1:11:30 - How Amalia was invited to begin her PhD 1:15:38 - Hospitalised in Tibet 1:17:50 - Research during the pandemic 1:18:45 -Recovering from COVID 1:19:40 - Amalia’s international singing career ... To find our more about Amalia Rubin, visit: - https://www.facebook.com/groups/708269639856653 - www.baganmongolian.com - https://www.instagram.com/thewildamalia/ - ahanarubin @ gmail [dot] com For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I host part 5 of an ongoing trialogue between Shinzen Young, meditation teacher and neuroscience research consultant, Chelsey Fasano, a Columbia University neuroscience student, and Dr Jay Sanguinetti, Assistant Director for the Center for Consciousness Studies and Research Assistant Professor at the University of New Mexico. In this episode we discuss topics such as is there an enlightenment button and is it enough, extracting the essence of religious approaches, multi-dimensional integration after enlightenment, a deep dive on trauma and the no-self, and more. … https://www.guruviking.com/ep94-the-enlightenment-button-feat-shinzen-young-chelsey-fasano-dr-jay-sanguinetti/ This podcast is also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:41 - Is there an enlightenment button and is it enough? 03:46 - The scope of the enlightenment button 09:01 - How deep can a state level change go? 11:24 - Spontaneous awakening trends 14:21 - Extracting the essence 17:18 - Operationalising enlightenment and the context of awakening 20:53 - Embodied interdependent cognition and integration 24:43 - Wilber’s ‘clean up, grow up, wake up’ 27:16 - Shinzen comments on Wilber’s formulation 29:42 - Shinzen responds to criticisms of modern mindfulness 34:43 - Embedding the practice 38:30 - Can no-self reinforce trauma? 41:00 - Harnessing reward systems for meditation 42:29 - Defining no-self 44:09 - Multi-dimensional self alteration 47:29 - Shinzen on trauma and the dying process 58:30 - The Christian religious experience 1:00:12 - Pattern completion and changing relationship to trauma 1:08:55 - After enlightenment, why heal? … Previous episodes with Shinzen and Chelsey: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep72-shinzen-young-and-chelsey-fasano-tantra-neuroscience-and-true-enlightenment/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep76-shinzen-young-chelsey-fasano-2-the-science-of-enlightenment/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep81-shinzen-young-chelsey-fasano-3-orgasm-epilepsy-mystical-experience/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep86-bliss-enlightenment-fristonian-physics-feat-chelsey-fasano-shinzen-young-dr-jay-sanguinetti/ Previous Interview with Shinzen Young: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep37-shinzen-young-pandemic-edition-guru-viking-podcast/ To find out more about Shinzen, visit: - www.shinzen.org To find out more about Chelsey, visit: - www.chelseyfasano.com To find our more about Dr Sanguinetti, visit: - https://www.jaysanguinetti.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am once again joined by Dr Ben Joffe, anthropologist and scholar practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism. In this interview Ben takes us on a deep dive into the theory, practice, and scholarship of coitus reservatus as a Tantric religious practice. Ben compares these practices within various Buddhist lineages, as well as exploring the similarities and differences between Shaiva Tantra, Western Occultism, and modern Neo-Tantric approaches. Ben also discusses the various applications of this practice - including spiritual, medical, and magickal - how to choose a consort, and draws on religious texts to discuss previously secret catheter practices. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep95-dr-ben-joffe-4-coitus-reservatus/ This podcast is also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 0:42 - Ben’s move to South Africa and work with Dr Nida Chenagtsang 04:10 - Ben’s line-by-line ngondro translation class 06:59 - About ngondro practice 11:27 - Why is Dr Nida going on extended retreat? 15:10 - Coitus reservatus in popular culture 23:00 - A summary of academic and popular views on Karmamudra 33:04 - An overview of ejaculation control and orgasm in Vajrayana 45:53 - Shaiva Tantra and Western S3x Magick 1:16:30 - The female experience and further considerations 1:33:10 - Medical and magickal use of s3xual fluids in Tibetan texts 1:52:13 - Thoughts about the origins of Tantric practice formulations 1:57:55 - Choosing a consort 02:12:31 - The ‘Self’ and identity in Tantra 02:28:33 - The diversity of Tantric practices 02:34:35 - Vajrolīmudra and urethral catheter practices 02:39:44 - Methods of ejaculatory control 03:03:26 - Similarities between traditional and Neo-Tantric practices 03:08:44 - Everything is Karmamudra … Ngakpa series with Dr Ben Joffe: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep44-dr-ben-joffe-ngakpa-the-occult-and-anthropology/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep48-dr-ben-joffe-2-siddhi-samaya-and-duels-of-magick/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep52-dr-ben-joffe-3-dakinis-consorts-beyond-heteronormativity/ Ben’s PhD dissertation: - https://pqdtopen.proquest.com/doc/2335180529.html?FMT=ABS&fbclid=IwAR3bXYiUmC6YcOgR09-GuSiC_UwwXYuTcLJ-kce_tI3-8e-smZS99wy1HMY To find out more about Ben, visit: - https://perfumedskull.com/ - http://www.skypressbooks.com/ - https://www.sowarigpaonline.org/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this interview I am joined by Gregory Blann: mystic, artist, author, and initiate of the Inayati and Halveti-Jerrahi orders of Sufism. Gregory reveals the rich history and practices of Sufism, including meditation techniques, Zikr, and the dream practices of the Halveti-Jerrahi. Gregory also recounts his own spiritual journey from Evangelical Christianity to Gurdjieff to encounters with great Sheiks of the 20th century such as Pir Vilayat Khan, Sheik Nur, and Muzaffer Efendi. Gregory also explains the 4 Levels of Religion, connections between Sufism and Kabbalah, and discusses the possibility of an allegorical reading of the Gospels. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep96-gregory-blann-the-garden-of-mystic-love/ 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:45 - The history and context of Sufism 12:41 - The 4 levels of religion 17:14 - The ‘Verse of the Sword’ and the inner path 27:34 - Inclusiveness of Sufism 32:44 - Are there connections between Sufism and Indic Tantric thought? 38:58 - Zikr practice of Sufism 48:57 - Gregory’s spiritual journey 53:29 - Gurdjieff’s work and encountering Sufism 1:02:35 - Initiating into the Inayati Order of the West with Pir Vilayat Khan 1:05:25 - About Pir Vilayat Khan 1:10:32 - About Lex Hixon aka Sheik Nur 1:20:07 - Initiation into the Halveti-Jerrahi Order with Sheik Nur 1:20:49 - Granted permissions of the Sheik by the Grand Sheik Muzaffer Efendi in Istanbul 1:21:24 -Retreat practice and the history of the Halveti-Jerrahi Order of Sufism 1:30:12 - Muzaffer Efendi and the transmission of Turkish Sufism to the West 1:36:34 - Levels of initiation as a Sufi Sheik 1:42:45 - Dream practices of the Halveti-Jerrahi Order 1:44:51 - Sufism and Kabbalah 1:47:20 - Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi and Jewish Renewal 1:51:31 - Reading the Gospels on an allegorical level … To find out more about Gregory, visit: - https://blanng.wixsite.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am once again joined by Tibetologist, author, and Tantric Buddhist Lama Glenn Mullin. Glenn explains the 4 Classes of Buddhist Tantra - Kriya, Charya, Yoga, and Anuttarayoga - including their history and development, and what distinguishes them from each other in practice and view. Glenn reveals the structures of each level of Tantra, compares their creation and completion stage practices, and discusses the possible Persian origin of the Bön and Nyingma schools and their classification systems. Glenn also guides a walk-through of the Kriya Tantra practice of Avalokiteshvara, using his own translation of the 3rd Dalai Lama’s practice text to illuminate each step. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep97-glenn-mullin-from-the-heart-of-chenrezig/ Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:48 - Life update and current projects 06:29 - The history and development of the 4 Classes of Tantra 18:18 - The classic metaphor for explaining the 4 Class classification system 21:45 -The secret code language of the Hidden Meaning Tantras 24:04 - The structures of the different classes of Tantra 26:24 - Generation stage and the three Kayas 31:54 - Each Tantra is a living lineage 34:31 - Bön influence on the Nyingma School’s Tantric classification 40:54 - Ati Yoga and Dzogchen 43:43 - Prerequisites for practicing Tantra 44:22 - Persian influence on the Bön and Nyingma codification 49:54 - Differences in the khyerim practices of the 4 Classes of Tantra 54:08 - Detailed Kriya Tantra practice walkthrough 1:10:47 - Chenrezig, Majushri, Tara, and Amitayus Kriya Tantras 1:13:10 - Kriya Yoga dzogrim practices 1:14:37 - How to practice multiple Tantras 1:17:24 - 3rd Dalai Lama on the 7 Stages of Chenrezig Kriya Tantra … Previous Glenn Mullin episodes: - https://www.guruviking.com/?s=glenn+mullin Buy ‘The Dalai Lamas on Tantra’: - https://www.shambhala.com/from-the-heart-of-chenrezig-2783.html To find our more about Glenn, visit: - http://www.glennmullin.com/ - https://www.facebook.com/Maitripa.Glenn … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this interview I am joined by Meido Roshi, Rinzai Zen Abbot of Korinji Monastery, Wisconsin, and author of ‘Hidden Zen: Practices for Sudden Awakening and Embodied Realisation’. In this episode we discuss how childhood existential panic set Meido Roshi on a quest for spiritual meaning, travelling Asia to meet famous meditation masters such as Shri Munindra, Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, & Sheng Yen before finally finding a home in the practice of Zen. Meido Roshi details his years of rigorous training, his subsequent awakening, and critiques the shortcomings of today’s American Zen lineages. Meido Roshi reveals the Rinzai Zen principle of ‘Ba’, how to cultivate spiritual charisma and use it to impact others, and offers a comparison of the different flavours of spiritual charisma possessed by the masters that he has met. … https://www.guruviking.com/ep98-meido-roshi-hidden-zen/ 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:56 - Childhood existential panic and religious personality 05:42 - Attraction to the Catholic priesthood 07:27 - Encounters with Anagarika Shri Munindra, Chokyi Nyima, Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, & Sheng Yen 10:29 - Meeting Tenzan Toyoda Rokoji, Meido’s first teacher 12:19 - Comparing the spiritual charisma of various enlightened masters 15:37 - Meido Roshi’s view on perennialism 17:46 - Deficiencies and shortcomings of Western Zen 26:18 - Conflation of Zen and psychotherapy 27:48 - What can be changed in Zen? 32:40 - Is Meido Roshi’s critique of American Zen inconsistent with his own modifications to the tradition? 38:00 - Why have the techniques in ‘Hidden Zen’ been unknown by scholars and practitioners? 41:18 - 7 years of intense apprenticeship with Tenzan Toyoda Rokoji 44:02 - How Tenzan Toyoda Rokoji burned through Meido’s cloudiness 47:11 - Acknowledged by Tenzan Toyoda Rokoji 48:27 - Hard training or abuse? 51:42 - Traditional martial arts training 54:19 - 15 years with Hosokawa Roshi 57:05 - Training with So'zan Miller Roshi 59:10 - The progression of the Zen path towards and beyond Kensho 1:04:08 - Profound states of Samadhi + shattering vs distraction 1:07:41 - Prerequisites and obstacles to profound Samadhi 1:10:29 - Individualism and bad habits in meditators 1:14:08 - Spiritual charisma as a teaching tool 1:20:22 - How to train spiritual charisma in Rinzai Zen 1:23:55 - How Meido Roshi uses spiritual charisma with students 1:25:57 - Developing Siddhi and special powers 1:31:23 - Siddhi in Meido Roshi’s teachers 1:34:59 - Meido Roshi’s own Kensho experiences … To find our more about Meido Roshi, visit: - https://www.korinji.org/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode, I am once again joined by David Curtis, a Lama in the Shangpa-Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism and founder of the Tibetan Language Institute. In this interview, we pick up David’s story as he emerges from 3 years of closed retreat as a fully qualified Lama, and see his return to America to teach both the Tibetan language and the Buddhist religion. David also recounts many unexpected meetings and powerful mystical experiences with Buddhist masters including Mindrolling Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche, Anam Thubten Rinpoche, Thinley Norbu Rinpoche, Lama Tharchin, and more. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep99-lama-david-curtis-2-making-of-a-tantric-lama/ Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:45 - Becoming a Lama in the Kagyu tradition 05:12 - Finishing the 3 year retreat and studying Tibetan medicine 09:40 - Meeting Dzogchen master Nyoshul Khen 11:38 - A powerful encounter with Mindrolling Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche and Vajrayogini 17:53 - Shaktipat & mystical experiences with Mindrolling Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche 25:55 - Return to America and beginning to teach the Tibetan language 32:58 - Collaborations with Anam Thubten Rinpoche and Professor Sarah Harding 36:48 - Encounters with Lama Tharchin and Thinley Norbu Rinpoche 43:23 - Divination and encouragement from Mindrolling Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche 49:11 - Endorsed to teach by Anam Thubten Rinpoche 53:33 - David’s approach to teaching Buddhism 1:00:31 - Founding the Big Sky Mind sangha Previous interviews with Lama David Curtis: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep84-lama-david-curtis-hitchhiking-in-samsara/ To find out more about Lama David Curtis, visit: - http://www.bigskymindmontana.org/ - http://www.tibetanlanguage.org/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am once again joined by Dr Ian A. Baker, international fellow of the Explorers Club and the Royal Geographic Society, author of 7 books, and an initiate of Buddhist, Taoist, and Hindu Tantric lineages. In this interview Ian recounts a life-changing encounter with a Shakta tantric Siddha in Nepal, who healed Ian of severe climbing injuries and initiated him into the Kaula Tantric order. Ian compares the hitherto secret practices of this sect - such as pranayama, asana, and kundalini techniques - with their Tibetan Tantric equivalents. Ian reveals the surprising reactions of his Tibetan teachers to his initiations into Kaula Tantra, including Chatral Rinpoche and Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, and shares a drinking practice taught to him by his Kaula guru. Ian also discusses Himalayan Beyul, the thin places of the Scottish Highlands, and how a trip to the Isle of Skye brought him into living contact with local Faerie lore. ... Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep100-ian-baker-emancipated-passion-of-kaula-tantra/ 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:02 - Recent research into esoteric Burmese spiritual elixirs and the Soma tradition 09:55. Exploring the thin places of the Scottish Highlands 15:15 - Encountering the human the faerie tradition of the Isle of Skye 18:21 - Psychoactive substances in Buddhism 22:32 - Tantric Buddhism in Burma 28:38 - Ian on Mike Crowley’s book ’The Secret Drugs of Buddhism’ 34:12 - Initial interest in Kaula Tantra 39:59 - Padmasambhava and the Nyingma Sects of Tibetan Buddhism 41:41 - Love vs renunciation and the Indian roots of Tibetan Tantra 47:18 - Emancipated passion, Yab Yum, and Maithuna 52:14 - Touring the sacred Shakta sites of Kamakya, Assam with Sakya Trinzin 59:29 - Ian’s first Kaula Tantric initiation 1:03:05 - Meeting a Shakta master and experiencing Siddhis (paranormal powers) 1:05:06 - Extensive physical healing by the Shakta master after Ian’s climbing accident 1:16:05 - Ian’s second Kaula Tantric initiation and Maithuna practice 1:20:11 - Tulku Urgyen and Chatral Rinpoche’s responses to his Kaula experiences 1:23:50 - Ian demonstrates a pranayama drinking practice 1:29:58 - Criticisms of mulabhanda and visualisation practice 1:35:08 - Comparison of Shakta and Tibetan pranayama practices 1:37:46 - Integration of Sahaja and the core practices of Dzogchen 1:41:32 - Comparison of approaches to the pelvic floor in the esoteric traditions 1:49:04 - Female masters and the overlooked roots of Tantric practice 1:52:14 - Ian recommends some recent scholarship ... To find out more about Dr Ian A Baker, visit: - https://www.ianbaker.com/ 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am joined by Henry Shukman, award-winning poet, Zen teacher, and author of ‘One Blade of Grass, a Zen memoir’. In this interview Henry discusses his upbringing in Oxford, as the son of a don and a graduate of the illustrious Dragon School, and how in poetry he found the liberating aspect of literary life. Henry reveals his first awakening experience, the breakdown that occurred thereafter, and how finding meditation saw him begin a quest to deepen his spiritual life. Henry discusses the importance of finding a teacher, how he overcome a childhood-learned distrust of men to do so, and why his Zen practice brought an end to his professional writing career. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep101-henry-shukman-one-blade-of-grass/ 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:47 - Henry’s learned upbringing in Oxford 06:30 - An award-winning career as a poet and author ended by Zen 09:13 - Henry’s education at the illustrious Dragon School, Oxford 15:12 - Poetry as the liberating aspect of literary life 17:17 - Henry as a poet and ‘is poetry high-brow’? 22:56 - First awakening experience 28:11 - Post-awakening breakdown and despair 30:26 - Discovering meditation and unwinding the nervous system 35:00 - Distrust of men and finding a spiritual teacher 43:49 - Inside the teacher-student relationship 51:31 - Did Zen kill Henry’s writing process? To find out more about Henry Shukman, visit: - https://www.mountaincloud.org/about/henry-shukman/ 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this interview I am joined by Dr Jay Sanguinetti, Research Professor at the University of Arizona, Assistant Director at the Center for Consciousness Studies, and co-director of the SEMA Lab with Shinzen Young. In this episode, Jay recalls his upbringing in Mississippi, falling in love with science, and how his work synthesising MDMA as a promising undergraduate brought him o an ethical crisis . Jay recounts a life changing encounter with the Dalai Lama that radically altered his research path and inspired him to personally take up the practice of meditation. Jay reveals how a profound meditation epiphany led to an existential crisis, and the role that psilocybin had in reintegrating his body and mind. Jay also discusses Olympic level meditators, the role of identity in self-transformation, and what it’s like to collaborate with noted meditation teacher Shinzen Young. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep102-dr-jay-sanguinetti-cults-science-the-dalai-lama/ 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:59 - Research resources and recent media interest 03:12 - Jay’s upbringing in Mississippi and falling in love with science 06:00 - Manufacturing MDMA and an facing an ethical crisis 10:04 - How Jay’s upbringing affected his life and career 13:11 - A profound encounter with the Dalai Lama 18:58 - Discussing the Dalai Lama’s spiritual power 25:40 - Jay’s life-changing spiritual epiphany and ensuing existential crisis 32:22 - Reintegrating the psyche with psychedelics 36:26 - Lasting consequences of Jay’s epiphany 42:14 - Olympic level meditators and becoming the Dalai Lama 51:04 - The malware of religion and science 58:28 - The bias lensing mechanism 01:01:21 - Identity and spiritual bypass 01:13:25 - Jay imagines the future of contemplative neuroscience 01:15:01 - Cults, conversion, and meditation progress 01:21:38 - Inner resources and reducing cognitive load 01:27:15 - Jay on Shinzen Young … Previous episodes with Dr Sanguinetti: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep86-bliss-enlightenment-fristonian-physics-feat-chelsey-fasano-shinzen-young-dr-jay-sanguinetti/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep81-shinzen-young-chelsey-fasano-3-orgasm-epilepsy-mystical-experience/ … To find our more about Dr Sanguinetti, visit: - https://www.jaysanguinetti.com/ Jay’s TEDx Talk - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGEjmwaIPZk Jay at USC - https://youtu.be/ljl7tapTCh4 Jay and Shinzen in the Guardian - https://youtu.be/spukj-4sYS0 … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I host part 6 of an ongoing conversation between Shinzen Young, meditation teacher and neuroscience research consultant, Chelsey Fasano, a Columbia University neuroscience student, and Dr Jay Sanguinetti, Assistant Director for the Center for Consciousness Studies and Research Professor at the University of New Mexico. In this episode we take a deep dive into the dopaminergic reward system, including current thinking on its function and role, and its interaction with meditation practice and Buddhist notions of craving and suffering. We also discuss what to do after enlightenment, and speculate about the Fibonacci sequence as a universal constant. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep103-dopamine-meditation-fibonacci-feat-shinzen-young-chelsey-fasano-dr-jay-sanguinetti/ 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
 … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:44 - International attention and Sir Roger Penrose 02:38 - What is the reward system and how does it function? 06:45 - The punishment system 09:50 - Social media and the basal ganglia 11:09 - Meditation’s effects on the basal ganglia 14:50 - SART and the work of Dr David Vago 19:37 - Meditation and resting tonic dopamine levels 22:24 - Knytl & Opitz on meditation and negative reinforcement 25:14 - What is resting tonic dopamine? 27:04 - Leigh Brasington and Haggerty’s jhana study 30:19 - Is the Haggerty study fatally flawed? 32:21 - More to pleasure than dopamine 33:05 - The different jhana systems of Buddhism 35:36- Jay suggests a jhana study at his lab 37:26 - Integration of ecstatic experience across traditions 43:13 - Integrating the the top-down Self with the basal ganglia 45:47 - After enlightenment, what to do? 49:10 - Shinzen on measuring the endorphin rush 53:14 - Endorphins, Dopamine, and craving 55:48 - Hard and soft jhana, wet and dry vipassana 01:01:02 - Jay on in-brain competition and behaviour change 01:04:51 - Outcomes from Shinzen’s life of practice 01:07:54 - The Fibonacci sequence as the universal constant 01:21:01 - Craving, conflict, and suffering … Previous episodes in this series: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep72-shinzen-young-and-chelsey-fasano-tantra-neuroscience-and-true-enlightenment/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep76-shinzen-young-chelsey-fasano-2-the-science-of-enlightenment/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep81-shinzen-young-chelsey-fasano-3-orgasm-epilepsy-mystical-experience/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep86-bliss-enlightenment-fristonian-physics-feat-chelsey-fasano-shinzen-young-dr-jay-sanguinetti/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep94-the-enlightenment-button-feat-shinzen-young-chelsey-fasano-dr-jay-sanguinetti/ - To find out more about Shinzen, visit: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep37-shinzen-young-pandemic-edition-guru-viking-podcast/ - www.shinzen.org To find out more about Chelsey, visit: - www.chelseyfasano.com To find our more about Dr Sanguinetti, visit: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep102-dr-jay-sanguinetti-cults-science-the-dalai-lama/ - https://www.jaysanguinetti.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode, I am once again joined by David Curtis, a Lama in the Shangpa-Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism and founder of the Tibetan Language Institute. In this interview, David shares his passion for the Tibetan language and insights gained from his 27 year career teaching Tibetan to thousands of students. We learn about David’s unique approach to language learning, the unique characteristics of the Tibetan language that David loves, and how different approaches to grammar can open up meaning at different points in a student’s journey. David also reveals how to approach language learning as a spiritual practice, and shares stories of his interactions with prominent gurus and translators. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep104-lama-david-curtis-teaching-the-tibetan-language/ 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:45 - Tibetan Language Institute 02:26 - Developing language learning materials over 27 years of teaching 07:45 - Early dictionaries assumed a knowledge of Greek and Latin 08:43 - David’s approach to teaching the Tibetan language 11:44 - The connection between enlightened nature and language 14:07 - The integration of Sino-Tibetan and Indo-European elements in the Tibetan literary language 22:18 - Chomsky and how to teach grammar 29:08 - Language learning as a spiritual practice 33:04 - The three aspects of language, and advice for the intermediate language learner 39:01 - Resources from Joe B Wilson and John Rockwell 40:39 - How David sees his role as a language teacher 41:39 - Benefits of learning Tibetan and some student success stories 44:33 - The profile of an ideal student Previous interviews with Lama David Curtis: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep84-lama-david-curtis-hitchhiking-in-samsara/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep99-lama-david-curtis-2-making-of-a-tantric-lama/ To find out more about Lama David Curtis, visit: - http://www.bigskymindmontana.org/ - http://www.tibetanlanguage.org/ 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this interview, I am joined by Dr Angelo Dilullo, anaesthesiologist, spiritual teacher, and author of ‘Awake! It’s your Turn’. We learn how a profound existential angst in childhood and adolescence propelled Angelo into spiritual practice and, at the age of 24, precipitated a radical spiritual awakening. Angelo details the practices, shifts, and consequences of his awakening, and shares the process of coming face to face with deeply held conditioning. Angelo also discusses certainty and religious experience, and reveals why he is absolutely certain that not only can anyone wake up, but that anyone who wants to will. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep105-dr-angelo-dilullo-simply-always-awake/ 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:45 - Profound existential suffering during childhood and adolescence 05:44 - Transcendental Meditation and a life-changing encounter 09:56 - Angelo’s awakening 14:11 - More on Angelo’s teenage existential angst 19:42 - Anyone can wake up 20:20 - Awake nature and Angelo’s certainty 24:54 - Is certainty a valid basis for truth claims? 31:11 - Certainty = truth? 41:14 - More on Angelo’s pre-awakening practice and awakening experience 45:26 - Past life recall and disappearance of the self structure 50:31 - Sampling Zen 54:07 - More details on Angelo’s past life experience 55:20 - Consequences of awakening 59:18 - Sexuality after awakening 1:12:08 - Agency and motivation after awakening 1:21:51 - Facing conditioning, behavioural guard rails, & people pleasing 1:35:15 - Authenticity and socialisation 1:44:26 - Differentiating Angelo’s truth claims 1:54:34 - How Angelo began to teach 2:02:49 - Paradox, objective claims, and moving beyond concept ... To find out more about Dr Angelo Dilullo, visit: - www.simplyalwaysawake.com 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this interview, I am joined by Professor Arthur Versluis, a professor and Department Chair of Religious Studies in the College of Arts & Letters at Michigan State University, author of over 25 books on subjects ranging from Western esotericism, magic, Christian Theosophy, ancient mystery schools, and more. In this episode we discuss Arthur’s latest book, ‘Conversations In Apocalyptic Times’ and trace a thread of esoteric Christianity that stretches back to the mystery schools of Ancient Greece. We discover fascinating figures such as shoemaker and mystic Jakob Böhme; priest, alchemist, and astrologer John Pordage; and learn about the negative theology of Christian Neoplatanist Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite, contrasting it with Buddhist notions of emptiness and the ‘neti neti’ method advocated by Shankara. Arthur also explains the differences between historical and a-historical lineages and discusses the recurring friction between the religious mystic and the religious institution. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep106-arthur-versluis-phd-conversations-in-apocalyptic-times/ 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:04 - Arthur’s academic and popular writing 02:30 - Arthur’s childhood interest in the unknown 03:59 - Jakob Böhme, John Pordage, and Christian Theosophy 07:33 - Lineage and ahistorical continuity 10:00 - Christianity as a Mystery Tradition 18:28 - Christian Theosophy as an alchemical, contemplative path 24:32 - Why are mystics persecuted by the institutions? 30:04 - Negative theology, mystical transcendence, and Platonic mysticism 35:53 - Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite 39:39 - Comparisons and differences between negative theology and shunyata 44:43 - How are a-historical lineages revived and reconstructed? 49:35 - Robert Fass’ synthesis of Western psychology and Christian Theosophy ... To find out more about Dr Arthur Versluis, visit: - https://arthurversluis.com/ 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am once again joined by Henry Shukman, award-winning poet, Zen teacher, and author of ‘One Blade of Grass; a Zen memoir’.  In this interview Henry reveals what he calls Zen’s true miracle, and shares his own personal journey of healing childhood trauma in the context of spiritual awakening and integration of enlightenment. Henry also explores the two purposes of Zen koan training, contrasts different models of enlightenment, and explains how to awaken in the midst of intense suffering and pain. …

 Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep107-henry-shukman-2-zens-true-miracle/ 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:36 - Endorsed by Dr Rick Hanson 01:25 - Evolving definitions of trauma 05:16 - Cold War espionage and Henry’s infant trauma 08:18 - Profound insights from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy 10:43 - Exploring Jungian dream work 17:36 - Can one be enlightened and traumatised? 21:08 - Integration and the Heart Sutra 29:46 - Asymptote of enlightenment vs ‘just this’ 37:04 - Awakening in extreme trauma 40:40 - The two purposes of koan training 49:19 - Extraordinary states of mind vs ordinary reality 57:40 - Addendum: The true miracle of Zen … Previous episode with Henry Shukman: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep101-henry-shukman-one-blade-of-grass/ To find out more about Henry Shukman, visit: - https://www.mountaincloud.org/about/henry-shukman/ 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James …

In this episode I am joined by Erik Jampa Andersson, a teacher of Tibetan medicine, astrology, and meditation endorsed by luminaries of the field such as Dr Nida Chenagtsang and Lama Tsultrim Allione. Erik recounts how childhood tragedy and an early interest in the occult saw him deeply influenced by the works of J.R.R Tolkien, and to eventually become a Buddhist in the Nyingma lineage of Tibet. Erik reveals his personal journey in resolving friction points with the Buddhist religion, including doctrines of hell realms and heteronormative ethical standards. Erik also discusses his education in Tibetan medicine, and shares his deep interest in and personal experience of the realm of spirits and unseen beings, both as mythic devices and also as influences in mental health and physical disease. … 

Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep108-erik-jampa-andersson-from-tolkien-to-tibet/ 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:28 - Childhood interest in the occult 04:39 - From Tolkien to Tibetan Buddhism 11:15 - Becoming a student of Lama Tsultrim Allione 13:12 - Attraction to Tibetan Buddhism 17:37 - Christian vs Buddhist ethics 20:51 - Frictions points with Buddhism 26:09 - Homosexuality and Buddhism 40:39 - Queer liberation and religious marginalisation 48:15 - S3xual ethics and Buddhism 50:52 - The myth of Padmasambhava 55:13 - From acting to Tibetan medical studies 01:01:36 - Modern vs traditional education styles 01:09:13 - Cultural and medical exchange in antiquity 01:17:47 - Erik’s work on unseen beings and spirit provocations 01:28:17 - Endorsed by Lama Tsultrim Allione and Dr Nida Chenagtsang 01:32:57 - Becoming a professional astrologer 01:47:26 - Personal entity encounters 01:53:33 - Experiments with states of high concentration and plant medicines 02:03:20 - The genius of Tolkien 02:17:02 - Erik’s upcoming book on rational animism 02:27:09 - Contacting Erik … To find out more about Erik Jampa Andersson, visit: - https://www.shrimala.com/ 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

I was recently interviewed by James Iandoli at 'Engaging the Phenomenon', where we discussed meditation, psychic powers, and UFOs 👽 00:00 - Who is Steve? 02:10 - Why ‘Guru Viking’? 05:05 - Becoming interested in meditation 07:52 - Contemplative Christianity 10:13 - UFOs 18:08 - Close encounters as catalysts for awakening 21:58 - Siddhi and psychic experiences 34:15 - CE5 and contacting entities 48:27 - Meditation, perennialism, and being fun at parties 58:59 - Advice when starting meditation Check out James Iandoli's 'Engaging the Phenomenon' podcast at: - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnFc2oM4A60NcG0LCjKoH8g Find out more about Steve and the 'Guru Viking Podcast' at: - www.guruviking.com

In this interview I am once again joined by Tibetologist, author, and Tantric Buddhist Lama Glenn Mullin. Glenn takes a deep dive into the use of yidam, or meditation deities, in Buddhist tantra including the role of personal preference, karmic coincidence, and divination in choosing the right yidam for you. Glenn reveals his own primary yidam practice and details the unusual experiences around his initiation as well the effects of the yidam practice over his lifetime. Glenn also explains the use of ritual instruments, mudra, and choreographed hand gestures in Tantric practice, and discusses what it means to become an accomplished practitioner of these disciplines. … Full episode link in bio. Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:47 - How to choose a practice deity 11:54 - How to determine your karmic dispositions and tales of empowerments 18:13 - Divination and karmic coincidence 24:57 - Effects of Yamantaka tantric practice on Glenn 44:42 - What is a yidam really? 54:10 - What does it mean accomplish a practice? 01:02:23 - Tantric use of ritual instruments, mudra, and choreographed hand gestures 01:26:04 - Founding ‘The Mystical Arts of Tibet’ touring group … Previous Glenn Mullin episodes: - https://www.guruviking.com/?s=glenn+mullin Buy ‘The Dalai Lamas on Tantra’: - https://www.shambhala.com/from-the-heart-of-chenrezig-2783.html To find our more about Glenn, visit: - http://www.glennmullin.com/ - https://www.facebook.com/Maitripa.Glenn … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode special guest Leigh Brasington, Buddhist meditation teacher and author of ‘Right Concentration, A Practical Guide to the Jhanas’, joins the ongoing conversation featuring: - Shinzen Young, meditation teacher and neuroscience research consultant - Chelsey Fasano, a Columbia University neuroscience student, - Dr Jay Sanguinetti, Assistant Director for the Center for Consciousness Studies and Research Professor at the University of New Mexico In this episode Leigh shares his work with jhana meditation and neuroscience, summarising his 2013 paper ‘Case Study of Ecstatic Meditation’ and showing his brain scans in profound states of samadhi. Dr Sanguinetti offers his own interpretation of Leigh’s scans, and Chelsey asks why mystics report states of nothingness as so much more satisfying than the mundane pleasures associated with the reward systems of the brain. Listen in as Shinzen and Leigh, old friends with decades of elite-level meditation experience, engage in far reaching discussions of samadhi, , the nature of spiritual insights, deathlessness vs immortality, bliss and the cosmic leela, and what foundational math debates about set vs category have to say about Buddhist notions of paticca-samuppada. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep110-case-study-of-ecstatic-meditation-leigh-brasington-shinzen-young-chelsey-fasano-dr-sanguinetti/ Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 01:22 - Leigh overviews his work in jhana meditation and neuroscience 06:10 - Leigh’s brain scans in jhana states 10:26 - What are the jhanas? 15:32 - Dr Sanguinetti comments on Leigh’s brain scans 17:50 - Samadhi and the positive feedback loop 26:53 - Shinzen and Leigh on foundational math, set vs category, and paticca-samuppada 39:42 - Why is no-self so fulfilling? 47:00 - Shinzen and Leigh on death 54:07 - Jhanas are just the warm-up 01:00:01 - What are spiritual insights and why are they so rewarding? 01:08:29 - Dr Sanguinetti comments on nested levels and jhana practice protocol 01:16:30 - Retraining the default mode to nothingness 01:22:34 - A test of spiritual liberation and sensory deprivation hallucination 01:33:19 - Attention both amplifies and inhibits 01:35:37 - ‘The Emperor’s New Mind’ 01:38:37 - SODAPI 01:40:59 - Bliss and the Cosmic Leela 01:50:47 - Three Gates of Liberation 01:55:31 - Immortality project vs deathlessness … Previous episodes in this series: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep72-shinzen-young-and-chelsey-fasano-tantra-neuroscience-and-true-enlightenment/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep76-shinzen-young-chelsey-fasano-2-the-science-of-enlightenment/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep81-shinzen-young-chelsey-fasano-3-orgasm-epilepsy-mystical-experience/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep86-bliss-enlightenment-fristonian-physics-feat-chelsey-fasano-shinzen-young-dr-jay-sanguinetti/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep94-the-enlightenment-button-feat-shinzen-young-chelsey-fasano-dr-jay-sanguinetti/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep103-dopamine-meditation-fibonacci-feat-shinzen-young-chelsey-fasano-dr-jay-sanguinetti/ To find out more about Leigh, visit, - https://www.guruviking.com/ep18-leigh-brasington-guru-viking-interviews/ - http://www.leighb.com/ - Case Study of Ecstatic Meditation: fMRI and EEG Evidence of Self-Stimulating a Reward System - https://www.hindawi.com/journals/np/2013/653572/ To find out more about Shinzen, visit: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep37-shinzen-young-pandemic-edition-guru-viking-podcast/ - www.shinzen.org To find out more about Chelsey, visit: - www.chelseyfasano.com To find our more about Dr Sanguinetti, visit: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep102-dr-jay-sanguinetti-cults-science-the-dalai-lama/ - https://www.jaysanguinetti.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this interview I am joined by Mike Crowley, Buddhist Lama, musician/composer, and author of ’Secret Drugs of Buddhism: Psychedelic Sacraments and the Origins of the Vajrayana’. We learn about Mike’s childhood as the son of a psychopath, and his extensive experimentation with all manner of drugs and psychoactive substances. Mike recalls his encounters with Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, and his 7 year apprenticeship with Lama Yungdrung which eventually resulted in Mike becoming a lama himself. Mike reveals details of his training and experiences practicing the yogas of Naropa including dream yoga, tummo, and more. Mike lays out his argument that psychedelic sacrament was an essential part of Buddhist Vajrayana, discussing symbolism in sacred art, references in hagiographical accounts, and artefacts of psychedelic use in modern practice forms. Mike also discusses how to transform negative emotion into wisdom, and compares Taoist inner alchemy to the inner yogas of Tibet. … Video version at: https://www.guruviking.com/ep111-mike-crowley-secret-drugs-of-buddhism/ Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 01:05 - Upcoming books and memoirs 05:17 - Growing up with a psychopathic father 07:45 - Extensive drug and psychedelic experimentation 09:52 - A life-changing vision of Indra’s net 14:53 - Mike’s understanding of the fifth precept 18:41 - Meeting Chogyam Trungpa and studying with Lama Yungdrung 21:37 - Hippy vs vajrayana psychedelic use 25:12 - Drug use in Buddhism 34:34 - 7 year training apprenticeship with Lama Yungdrung and becoming a lama 45:22 - Tummo, dream yoga, and the 6 Yogas of Naropa 56:16 - Learning Sanskrit, Tibetan, and Chinese 01:01:47 - Tummo and pranayama as psychedelic substitutes? 01:07:18 - Longchenpa’s psychedelic ganacharka 01:10:13 - Tantric deities emerging from psychedelic experience 01:27:45 - To those who doubt the use of psychedelics in Buddhism 01:32:37 - Implications for vajrayana practitioners who have been practicing without psychedelics 01:35:39 - Transforming negative emotions into wisdom energy 01:42:07 - Taoist drugs, and comparing Taoist alchemy with Tibetan inner yogas 01:53:24 - Mike demonstrates some of his musical instruments … Buy ‘Secret Drugs of Buddhism’: - https://synergeticpress.com/catalog/secret-drugs-of-buddhism-psychedelic-sacraments-and-the-origins-of-the-vajrayana/ To find our more about Mike, visit: - http://amritadzong.com/AD_LamaMike.html - https://www.facebook.com/SecretDrugs/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this interview I am joined by Bhante Vimalaramsi: author, American Buddhist monk, and abbot of the Dhamma Sukha Meditation Center in Annapolis, Missouri. In this episode Bhante Vimalaramsi describes how twenty years of dedicated practice of Mahasi-style vipassana meditation left him unsatisfied and how discarding that method and learning to relax and smile unlocked the spiritual path. Bhante describes how his current teaching approach, based not on Buddhaghosa’s Visuddhimagga but on Vimalaramsi’s interpretation of the earlier Buddhist scriptures, sees anything from 25% to 50% of his students attain nibbana in a single 10-day retreat. Bhante Vimalaramsi also details the four path model of enlightenment found in the Theravada schools, and claims that his advanced students experience a permanent cessation of sexual activity and the ability to meditate for up to 7 days without breathing or heart beat. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep112-bhante-vimalaramsi-relaxing-into-nibbana/ Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … 00:00 - Intro 01:05 - Krishnamurti and Ram Dass 02:30 - Beginnings in Mahasi-style vipassana meditation 07:55 - Attending to U Sīlānanda and ordaining in Thailand 09:56 - Dissatisfaction with the Mahasi method 13:49 - Learning to relax and discarding the Visuddhimagga 32:05 - 50% of students attain stream entry in Bhante’s 10-day retreats in Asia 37:10 - How to handle hinderances 44:59 - Defining ‘mindfulness’ 46:39 - The importance of having fun 52:41 - 25-30% of students attain nibbana in Bhante’s 10-day retreats in America 54:37 - How to become enlightened 59:38 - Overcoming anxiety and PTSD 01:03:58 - Effects of becoming a stream enterer, sakadāgāmin, anāgāmi, and arahant 01:09:30 - Dipa Ma and other anagamis can sit for up to 7 days without breathing … To find our more about Bhante Vimalaramsi, visit: - https://www.dhammasukha.org/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this interview, I am once again joined by Professor Arthur Versluis, a professor and Department Chair of Religious Studies in the College of Arts & Letters at Michigan State University, author of over 25 books on subjects ranging from Western esotericism, magic, Christian Theosophy, ancient mystery schools, and more. In this episode we discuss Arthur’s 2015 book, ‘American Gurus’ and trace the uniquely American cultural and philosophical factors that lead to the prevalence of independent spiritual teachers such as Adi Da, Andrew Cohen, and Ken Wilber. Arthur argues that a philosophy he calls immediatism is the key cultural force and traces its origins from Plato to Emerson to the 60s counter-culture and beyond. Arthur recounts personal meetings with figures such as Stephen Gaskins, Bill Ayers, and Bernadette Roberts as well as reflecting on his own affiliation with Tibetan Buddhism as both a practitioner and teacher. Arthur also shares his take on the psychedelic movement, the revolutionary politics of the counter-culture figures, and the essential ingredients of the modern American Guru. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep113-arthur-versluis-phd-2-american-gurus/ 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:12 - Current writing projects 02:42 - Immediatism and the transcendentalists 08:26 - American individualism and the emphasis n personal mystical experiences 12:14 - Meister Eckart to Bernadette Roberts 14:56 - Adi Da as the avatar of immediatism 19:24 - The psychedelic movement 21:57 - Stephen Gaskin and the counter-culture of the 60s 28:29 - Mysticism and revolutionary politics 40:02 - The confidence of the American gurus 46:53 - Social dynamics and the role of the devotee 58:54 - The charismatic powers of the guru 57:36 - Arthur as a Tibetan Buddhist practitioner and teacher 01:03:01 - American Gnosis and writing about heresy 01:04:54 - American influence on Zen and Tibetan Buddhism … Previous episode with Dr Arthur Versluis: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep106-arthur-versluis-phd-conversations-in-apocalyptic-times/ … To find out more about Dr Arthur Versluis, visit: - https://arthurversluis.com/ 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

n this episode I host a dialogue between Dhammarato and Daniel Ingram on the question ‘Lineage: Who May Teach The Authentic Dharma?’. Dhammarato is a lineage teacher in the Thai Buddhist tradition, a student of the meditation master Bikkhu Buddhadasa, and is known for his unique, 1-1 teaching style conducted over Skype. Daniel Ingram is an independent Buddhist author and co-founder of the Emergent Phenomenology Research Consortium (EPRC), a multidisciplinary, multinational alliance of researchers, clinicians, and patrons who share a vision of bringing scientific methods and clinical sensibilities to the study of emergent phenomena. In this episode Dhammarato and Daniel offer various definitions of the word ‘lineage’ and debate the value of lineage authorisation as a qualification to teach the Buddhist religion. Dhammarato recalls his own monastic training in what he calls the ‘noble lineage’ under teachers such as a Ajahn Po and Bikkhu Buddhadasa and critiques the lack of authentic lineage in the West, while Daniel reflects on the pros and cons of the concept of lineage purity and institutional persecution of the outsider. Dhammarato and Daniel also consider generational preferences in lineage styles, the roles of religious institutions, and predict the evolution of Buddhism in America. … Video version at https://www.guruviking.com/ep114-lineage-who-may-teach-the-authentic-dharma-dhammarato-daniel-ingram/ 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 01:59 - Lineage - who may teach the authentic dharma 03:36 - Dhammarato’s opening address 18:51 -Daniel’s opening address 33:31 - What is lineage? 38:55 - Lack of lineage in the West 41:57 - Christopher Titmuss on what makes a dharma teacher 44:31 - Aesthetics vs dhamma 47:59 - Dhammarato’s noble training under Ajahn Po 54:10 - Goenka approach is the end a lineage 55:42 - Lineage as family and pure blood perspective 59:04 - Noble vs ordinary lineage 01:06:48 - Lineage as outsourced social proof 01:13:08 - Spending time with role models 01:20:37 - The roles of institutions 01:24:20 - With whom should you share your attainments? 01:31:11 - The maverick and the institution 01:33:02 - Generational preferences 01:37:22 - The evolutional of Western Buddhism 01:43:23 - Evaluating competency and judging others 01:44:07 - Daniel’s closing address 01:49:00 - Dhammarato’s closing address .. Dhammarato Episode Playlist - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlkzlKFgdknyGISEfksirYaYpsrXdf8va Daniel Ingram Episode Playlist - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlkzlKFgdkny_MJSecHyvKHPpvxTskBAC … To find out more about Dhammarato, visit: - https://dhammaratoblog.wordpress.com/ - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjxg5GJFsRqnS-YLTzyrjLQ To find out more about Daniel, visit: - https://theeprc.org/ - integrateddaniel.info … 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode special guest Leigh Brasington, Buddhist meditation teacher and author of ‘Right Concentration, A Practical Guide to the Jhanas’, joins the ongoing conversation featuring: 

- Shinzen Young, meditation teacher and neuroscience research consultant
 - Chelsey Fasano, a Columbia University neuroscience student
 - Dr Jay Sanguinetti, Assistant Director for the Center for Consciousness Studies and Research Professor at the University of New Mexico In this episode Shinzen and Leigh engage in a detailed discussion about the variety of classifications of jhana in Buddhist scripture and the competing interpretations of them that exist today. They examine the contents and political context of 5th century text the Visuddhimagga and its author Buddhagosa and consider possible conflicts between its jhana system and the those of the Sutta and Abhidhamma literature. Chelsey reveals fascinating research on the neuroscience of pleasure and its relationship to meditational bliss, Jay shares the research on cognitive bias and religious belief, and the group ask the question if jhana and kriya phenomena are actually forms of epileptic seizure. … Video version available at: https://www.guruviking.com/ep115-jhana-ego-orgasm-leigh-brasington-shinzen-young-chelsey-fasano-dr-sanguinetti/ 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
 … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 01:45 - Sutta vs Visuddhimagga jhanas 06:53 - Complete absorption and nimitta 09:35 - Do jhanas confer an evolutionary advantage? 11:54 - Orgasmic jhanas 14:18 - Shinzen and Leigh discuss jhanas and lineage 25:40 - How enlightened was Buddhagosa? 29:55 -Sutta vs Abhidhamma vs Visuddhimagga 33:01 - Why did the Visuddhimagga become so popular? 37:14 - Leigh’s orientation vs Shinzen’s orientation 43:36 - The spiritual ego 47:11 - Cognitive bias and defense mechanisms in spiritual practice 54:38 - Sutta Nipāta on dogmatism and bias 59:05 - Is grasping fundamental to the brain? 01:01:54 - Leigh’s enlightenment test 01:07:34 - The nature of pleasure 01:14:28 - Reducing inhibition to reveal states of bliss 01:15:33 - Centre-surround neurons 01:22:25 - Sensory processing according to Buddhism 01:27:24 - The neuroscience of pleasure 01:32:43 - Jhana and kriya as kinds of epileptic seizure 01:42:58 - Leigh’s upcoming book on dependent origination … Previous episodes in this series: - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlkzlKFgdknxjhwG5wmXRVfrkeGczVPVI To find out more about Leigh, visit, - https://www.guruviking.com/ep18-leigh-brasington-guru-viking-interviews/ - http://www.leighb.com/ - Case Study of Ecstatic Meditation: fMRI and EEG Evidence of Self-Stimulating a Reward System - https://www.hindawi.com/journals/np/2013/653572/ - How Many Jhanas Are There? http://www.leighb.com/howmanyjhanas.htm To find out more about Shinzen, visit: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep37-shinzen-young-pandemic-edition-guru-viking-podcast/ - www.shinzen.org To find out more about Chelsey, visit: - www.chelseyfasano.com To find our more about Dr Sanguinetti, visit: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep102-dr-jay-sanguinetti-cults-science-the-dalai-lama/ - https://www.jaysanguinetti.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this interview I am joined by Greg Kaminsky, host of the Occult of Personality podcast and author of ‘Pronaos: Reflections on the Preliminary Practices of Buddhist Tantra’. In this episode, Greg details over twenty years of extensive occult studies, including his daily magickal practice regime, and reveals why an encounter with American born spiritual teacher Traktung Khepa Rinpoche, saw him leave the path of Western esotericism in favour of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Greg shares just why Traktung Rinpoche impressed him so much, and contrasts the view of magic and entity binding in the occult and Buddhist traditions. Greg also discusses his new book on ngondro, so-called preliminary practices involving hundreds of thousands of repetitions of special prayers and prostrations, and recounts the profound spiritual transformations that occurred when he himself took up this practice. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep116-greg-kaminsky-occult-of-personality/ Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:59 - Greg’s book on ngondro 04:04 - Upbringing and early mystical experiences 06:36 - Exploring Western Esotericism, Freemasonry, & Tarot 09:01 - Transformative kundalini experience on salvia divinorum 11:48 - Greg’s daily magickal practice regime and its results 16:41 - Siddhis and working with angelic entities 19:51- Binding spirits in tantra vs occultism 21:58 - Meeting Traktung Khepa Rinpoche 24:55 - Who is Traktung Khepa Rinpoche? 26:55 - Assessing the teacher 32:45 - An inability to follow instruction 33:49 - Teaching in casual situations 36:52 - Does Traktung Rinpoche have any teachers? 38:09 - Unseen teachers 41:23 - Is Traktung Rinpoche’s biography known? 43:13 - Is Traktung Rinpoche connected with the wider Tibetan Buddhist community? 46:22 - What is ngondro practice? 52:24 - Intensity of practice a key ingredient for transformation 56:27 - Physical injury as spiritual purification 01:02:01 - Sarno back pain and learning by experience 01:03:56 - Managing lyme disease 01:07:10 - Changes to Greg’s life after ngondro 01:09:35 - Greg’s daily practice 01:13:04 - Working for his guru and upcoming publishing projects 01:14:20 - The Grail legends and the spiritual path 01:20:27 - The place of failure … To find our more about Greg, visit: - https://harvard-ext.academia.edu/GregKaminsky - http://occultofpersonality.net/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this interview I am joined by internationally renowned yoga teacher Angela Farmer. Angela recounts the story of her life in yoga, from her birth in 1939 pre-war England, to her studies under yoga guru BKS Iyengar, to her international teaching career spanning over fifty years. Angela reveals how after a decade of rigorous training under Iyengar, she broke away from strict asana practice to find her own path of listening to the body. Despite the resultant blacklisting by the yoga community, Angela uncovered a radically different way of practicing yoga. Angela also shares what it means to be receptive to life in the face of fear, trauma, and change, and offers her heart advice to women of all ages. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep117-angela-farmer-a-life-in-yoga/ Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:45 - Angela’s childhood during WW2 04:37 - Differences between girls’ and boys’ education 08:02 - Major childhood injuries and surgeries 14:20 - Reading Huxley and discovering yoga 16:30 - Meeting B.K.S. Iyengar and time in India 22:01 - Challenges teaching yoga in English schools 25:37 - Teaching career in America and meeting Victor van Kooten 27:31 - Breaking from Iyengar and beginning to feel the body 31:25 - Injuries incurred practicing Iyengar yoga 35:34 - Radical change in teaching style 39:38 - Connecting to the woman inside 44:18 - How to be with the body 47:18 - Working with fear and trauma 53:17 - Do you really want to hug? 55:54 - Receptivity vs passivity 59:56 - Being a woman 01:05:34 - Being blacklisted by the Iyengar school 01:12:36 - Angela’s heart advice to women … To find our more about Angela, visit: - https://angela-victor.com/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am once again joined by Henry Shukman, award-winning poet, Zen teacher, and author of ‘One Blade of Grass; a Zen memoir’.  In this interview Henry discusses the dangers of early spiritual openings, reflects on personality changes after awakening, and questions the complexifying of enlightenment in such activities as the yogas of dream and sleep. Henry also shares his own journey rediscovering the power of community as crucible, how to navigate religious trauma, and offers his thoughts on a viable formula for Zen in America.
 …

 Video version at: https://www.guruviking.com/ep118-henry-shukman-3-zen-the-crucible/ 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:43 - What’s it all about? 05:29 - Early openings can cause trouble 11:24 - Self as a seed 15:54 - What happens to the self after awakening? 20:31 - Personality changes after awakening 27:14 - Zen and sleep yoga 31:06 - Complexifying enlightenment 34:32 - Nondual experience can assist trauma resolution 36:26 - Community and wearing down the sharp edges 41:00 - The lone wolf finds a guide 45:29 - Navigating sangha after religious trauma 49:48 - The negative influence of power on religious leaders 50:50 - A plausible formula for Zen community 53:23 - Henry’s zen is not religious 56:05 - The Sambo Zen lifestyle … Previous episode with Henry Shukman: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep101-henry-shukman-one-blade-of-grass/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep107-henry-shukman-2-zens-true-miracle/ To find out more about Henry Shukman, visit: - https://www.mountaincloud.org/about/henry-shukman/ 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode we consider the effect of meditation practice and classical enlightenment on sexuality, as we continue the ongoing conversation between:

 - Shinzen Young, meditation teacher and neuroscience research consultant
 - Chelsey Fasano, a Columbia University neuroscience student 
- Dr Jay Sanguinetti, Assistant Director for the Center for Consciousness Studies and Research Professor at the University of New Mexico We recall Leigh Brasington’s statements in episode 115 that many of his students experience states of meditative absorption as erotic in nature, and we consider Chelsey’s observation that Leigh’s brain scans in these absorption states resemble images of the brain during orgasm. I contrast early Buddhist scriptural statements which state that it is impossible for enlightened people to have sexual intercourse with later, highly sexual accounts of enlightened masters such as ‘The Saint of 5000 Women’, Drukpa Kunley, and Rinzai saint and erotic poet Ikkyū Sōjun, and pose the question, ‘What does the data say?’. In the face of this apparent disagreement within the wisdom traditions about the effect of realisation on sexuality, what trends have the panel observed in the sexuality of their meditation students, and in their ultra-sound subjects, and what might that tell us about the real world consequences of deep meditation practice and/or brain stimulation aimed at classical enlightenment. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep119-sex-and-enlightenment-shinzen-young-chelsey-fasano-dr-jay-sanguinetti/

 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
 … Topics include: 
 00:00 - Intro 01:29 - Jhana and orgasm 04:31 - Buddha vs Durkpa Kunley 11:07 - Shinzen on the sutras 15:12 - Who was Drukpa Kunley? 17:13 - Ikkyu and Zen 18:52 - Are arhats impotent? 22:37 - Jay on relationship to drives 24:33 - Screwing up on the job 26:43 - Different practices, different results? 31:12 - Being enlightened vs acting enlightened 36:07 - The single most important factor 39:22 - What is integration? 44:47 - Ethical guidelines vs commandments 50:53 - What does the data say? 56:33 - Neuroscience interventions in sexuality 01:01:58 - A logical conundrum 01:03:08 - Shinzen’s experience from the field 01:06:23 - Can any human being be free of sin? 01:08:13 - Benchmarks vs complete liberation as an end point 01:10:58 - What does it mean to be a certified a teacher 01:13:36 - Jay analyses the logic 01:16:25 - Chelsey’s dimensional analysis 01:18:53 - A job for applied category theory 01:24:00 - Shinzen’s advice to mathematicians and category theorists 01:26:30 - Aversion and the system 01:28:39 - Compassion cascading 01:32:57 - Complex systems … Previous episodes in this series: - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlkzlKFgdknxjhwG5wmXRVfrkeGczVPVI 
… To find out more about Shinzen, visit: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep37-shinzen-young-pandemic-edition-guru-viking-podcast/ - www.shinzen.org To find out more about Chelsey, visit: - www.chelseyfasano.com To find our more about Dr Sanguinetti, visit: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep102-dr-jay-sanguinetti-cults-science-the-dalai-lama/ - https://www.jaysanguinetti.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am joined by Delson Armstrong, spiritual teacher and star student of Bhante Vimalaramsi, who’s senior student David Johnson has said ‘Delson Armstrong has mastered every practice we have given him. He is the most amazing student we have ever seen.’ In this interview, Delson recalls his early life training in the Himalayas where he mastered the system of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, attaining to all of its highest states of Samadhi; attained all 6 levels of Kriya Yoga under three separate lineages; studied Sanskrit; and was exposed to practices of Shaiva Tantra through students of Osho. Delson shares his subsequent explorations of Buddhism, including Mahamudra, Dzogchen, and the TWIM practice of Bhante Vimalaramsi. Delson recounts and contrasts his experiences accomplishing the 8 jhanas, attaining the 4 levels of Buddhist awakening, and realising Rigpa. Delson also reveals yogic feats such as recalling past lives and entering into a type of suspended animation called nirodha-samāpatti for up to six days, and reveals his passion for neuroscience and recent participation in a study at the University of Amsterdam that has examined his brain and body in this state of yogic suspension. …

 Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep120-meditation-virtuoso-delson-armstrong/ 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:17 - David Johnson’s endorsement 02:46 - Raised in America, and return to India 04:57 - First encounter with yoga 06:16 - Leaving school to study the practices of the yoga sutras and kriya yoga in the Himalayas 11:07 - Return to the US and meeting Bhante Vimalaramsi 14:29 - How was Delson able to master Raja Yoga, Kriya Yoga, and Buddhism so quickly? 15:17 - Raja Yoga path 23:56 - The Kriya Yoga path 26:29 - Delson’s timeline to mastery of Raja and Kriya yogas 28:51 - Brahmacharya and sexuality after realisation 31:34 - Is Delson beyond sexuality? 34:41 - Yogic vs Buddhist samadhi 41:13 - Studies of the Yoga Vasistha 46:00 - Intergalactic beings 47:09 - Studies of Shaiva Tantra 51:55 - Learning from Osho’s lineage 52:52 - Studying Dzogchen and Mahamudra with Lama Lena 55:10 - Rigpa vs TWIM 59:24 - Achieving all challenges set by Johnson and Bhante Vimalaramsi 01:07:14 - Attaining Stream Entry and the other path attainments 01:18:22 - How to see past lives and Delson’s previous life as a Sadhu 01:25:02 - Entering suspended animation of nirodha-samāpatti for 6 days 01:27:55 - Studied at University of Amsterdam 01:30:33 - Surprising results from the study 01:35:09 - Conflicts between traditional accounts and the scientific data 01:43:06 - Is Delson an outlier? 01:51:06 - Why do so few people become enlightened if anyone can do it? 01:54:30 - Why do people keep enlightenment secret? 01:55:35 - Delson’s view on his future 02:00:25 - Delson’s upcoming book and previous publications … Previous episode with Bhante Vimalaramsi: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep112-bhante-vimalaramsi-relaxing-into-nibbana/ To find out more about Delson Armstrong, visit: - https://www.suttavada.foundation/our-teachers/ - https://www.dhammasukha.org/ 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this interview I am joined by Thupten Phuntsok, Buddhist teacher who, after 21 years as a monk in the Gelugpa order, disrobed to live the life of a lay person in New York City. Phuntsok describes his childhood in Haiti, and the awakening of his desire to become Christ-like and dedicate his life to spiritual contemplation. Phuntsok shares his subsequent explorations in Western Esotericism, Indian yoga, and Tibetan Buddhism including studies under Rato Rinpoche and Geshe Lobsang Tharchin. Phuntsok also shares his views on the dysfunctions of modern sexuality, the scholastic emphasis of his Gelugpa training, the 6 Yogas of Naropa, and reveals the surprising reasons why after two decades he chose to leave the monastic life behind. … 

Video version at: https://www.guruviking.com/ep121-leaving-monasticism-thupten-phuntsok/ 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:49 - Childhood spiritual leanings 03:21 - Why Phuntsok did not become a Catholic priest 04:46 - Christian vs Buddhist monasticism 06:13 - Interest in reading and meeting Kyongla Rato Rinpoche 09:50 - What does it mean to be Christ-like 12:46 - Tonglen and substitutionary atonement 13:55 - Studies with Rato Rinpoche, the Himalayan Institute, and Rosicrucianism 19:31 - Meeting Sermey Khensur Rinpoche Geshe Lobsang Tharchin 23:55 - Social context, Hinduism & Buddhism 25:26 - Phuntsok’s daily practice 27:24 - Daily esoteric practice of Rosicrucianism 31:00 - States of high concentration and the lack of masters 34:45 - Ordination as a Buddhist monk 40:28 - Family opinion on Phuntsok’s ordination 42:34 - Struggles as a monk 49:22 - Sexuality and celibacy 51:52 - Modern sexuality is dysfunctional, multi-generational trauma 55:22 - Analysis of dysfunctional sexuality 01:02:50 - How did Phuntsok arrive at this view? 01:21:31 - Why Phuntsok didn’t live in a monastery 01:30:00 - Doctrinal education under Geshe Lobsang Tharchin 01:39:05 - 6 Yogas of Naropa and sacrilegious views on tantra 01:43:49 - Disrobing as a monk after 21 years 01:50:23 - Out of touch with people 01:57:43 - Teaching activities ... To find out more about Thubten Phuntsok, visit: - https://www.thuptenphuntsok.com/ - https://www.youtube.com/c/ThuptenPhuntsok - https://www.patreon.com/thuptenphuntsok 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

I was recently interviewed on Shane Hanner’s ‘Humint’ podcast. We talk about meditation, Dzogchen, embodiment, trauma, and more… https://www.guruviking.com/guru-viking-on-the-humint-podcast/ 00:00 - Steve’s background 09:55 - Steve’s practice 14:00 - Shane on meditation 18:13 - Shane’s background and Dzogchen studies 21:32 - Realising rigpa 25:24 - What motivated Shane’s spiritual seeking? 27:40 - Shane’s search for meaning 30:35 - The War of Art 33:16 - Why meditate? 40:14 - Steve’s daily process 42:35 - What is embodiment 45:32 - Trauma and meditation 52:30 - Embodiment and relationships Check out Shane’s other interviews at: https://linktr.ee/shanehanner You can find me at: www.guruviking.com

In this episode I am joined by Leigh Brasington, Buddhist meditation teacher to discuss his new book ‘Dependent Origination and Emptiness: SODAPI’. Leigh lifts the lid on his writing process, including how he overcame severe writer’s block to complete the book that his students had been asking for years, and shares his reasoning for making the book free. Leigh reveals why he considers the dependent origination to be at the heart of the Buddha’s teaching, and traces different interpretations of the doctrine throughout the Buddhist literature. Leigh draws on the works of Nagarjuna to discuss emptiness, and levels a critique of the teaching of reincarnation which he calls an ‘immortality project’. Leigh explains why he translates ‘dukkha’ as the hippy slang word ‘bummer’, how he came up with the acronym SODAPI - Streams of Dependently Arising Phenomena Interacting, and offers medium and long term strategy advice for how to practice this powerful method to achieve the liberation of promised in Buddhism. … Video version at: https://www.guruviking.com/ep122-mysteries-of-dependent-origination-leigh-brasington/ Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:03 - Leigh’s new book 02:24 - Why the book is free 06:00 - Dharma teacher income 09:35 - What is dependent origination? 13:21 - Inspired by teachers 18:00 - The writing process 20:15 - Overcoming writer’s block 23:00 - Dukkha is a bummer 30:36 - Various sutta presentations on dependent originations 37:55 - Dependencies not causes 43:04 - Consciousness and the body 45:25 - Critique of religious immortality projects 49:12 - kāmataṇhā (NB: Leigh meant to use the word bhavataṇhā, not kāmataṇhā) 52:35 - Moment to moment model 55:17 - Buddhism without reincarnation? 01:01:37 - Jakatta tales and the tulku system 01:08:56 - Short and long term practice strategies 01:16:27 - Is mindfulness of vedana enough to uproot ignorance? 01:19:56 - Nagarjuna and the implications of the emptiness doctrine 01:23:43 - How did Leigh come up with SODAPI? 01:29:07 - Sañña and the Honeyball Sutta 01:32:27 - How to practice dependent origination for jhana meditators … Previous episodes with Leigh: - https://www.guruviking.com/?s=BRASINGTON … To find out more about Leigh, visit: - http://leighb.com 
 Read Leigh’s new book ‘Dependent Origination and Emptiness: SODAPI’: - http://sodapi.leighb.com/download.htm 
 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this interview I am joined by Anthony Metivier, author and memory expert who’s life was unexpectedly transformed by the meditation practice of memorising long form Sanskrit texts. Anthony recounts his childhood of familial chaos and extreme religion, and how a psychotic break at university saw him wrestle with his mental health for years while self-medicating with anti-psychotic drugs and alcohol. A lifelong meditator, Anthony shares how applying his world-class memory skills to the practice of memorising and reciting long-form Sanskrit texts caused a series of profound spiritual experiences that revolutionised his perception of reality. Now a world-renowned memory educator, Anthony also reveals his daily routine for optimal mental performance, and shares insights into the role of memory in identity formation and in spiritual awakening. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep123-master-of-memory-anthony-metivier/ Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:58 - Childhood of chaos and extreme religion 02:46 - Exposure to meditation and memorising sanskrit texts 07:05 - Charismatic religious experiences 12:18 - Psychosis and self medication 21:07 - Psychedelics and Carlos Castaneda 25:48 - Past life regression 27:16 - Spiritual entities and rational skepticism 30:59 - Gary Weber and the effect of memorising long-form Sanskrit 35:15 - The essence of spiritual insight 39:25 - Plato and being vs non-being 41:45 - Sanskrit memorisation as a spiritual practice 49:18 - A profound spiritual experience 52:51 - Loss of the fear of death and the psychopathic danger 56:51 - Storytelling and identity 01:01:52 - Narrative drift and how memory works 01:07:34 - Anthony’s daily routine for optimal memory and productivity … To find out more about Anthony, visit: - https://www.youtube.com/c/AnthonyMetivierMMM - https://www.magneticmemorymethod.com/ 
 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this interview I am joined by Rupert Spira: a teacher of the direct path method of Advaita, and an internationally acclaimed ceramic artist. In this episode Rupert discusses his childhood in British boarding school, his disenchantment with science, and his discovery of spirituality. Rupert explains how his decision to pursue a career in pottery caused a rift with his father, and reveals the profound significance of their subsequent reconciliation many years later. Rupert recounts his intensive apprenticeship with the Zen Master-like British studio potter Michaela Cardew, and shares the essence of his artistic process as it expresses both in ceramics and in his work as a teacher of nonduality. Rupert also discusses personality cults in the arts and spirituality, the seductiveness of adulation as a spiritual teacher, the apparent conflict between beauty and truth, and why awakening so often still the artistic impulse but can also liberate it. … https://www.guruviking.com/ep124-art-of-awakening-rupert-spira/ Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include:

 00:00 - Intro 01:11 - Rupert’s upbringing and education at boarding school 05:25 - Disenchantment with science 08:00 - Discovery of spirituality and the arts 10:32 - Rupert’s parents’ mixed response to his career in the arts 10:58 - Estrangement and powerful reconciliation with Rupert’s Father 15:31 - Apprenticeship under the Zen-like master potter Michael Ambrose Cardew CBE 23:04 - The education of a master artist 27:37 - Spiritual interests kept secret from Michael Cardew 30:57 - The essence and process of Rupert’s internationally acclaimed 30 year career as a ceramic artist 35:35 - Transitioning from pottery to spiritual teaching 36:58 - Similarities between Rupert’s arc as a potter and as a spiritual teacher 38:00 - Leaving the master and the emergence of the artist’s own voice 42:36 - Rupert’s art in every aspect of teaching 50:14 - Personality cults in the arts and spirituality 55:06 - Navigating student’s projections 57:06 - The seductiveness of adulation 01:04:48 - Resolving the conflict between beauty and truth 01:11:00 - The liberation of Rupert’s art 01:17:19 - Why awakening can kill art, and why it didn’t kill Rupert’s art … To find out more about Rupert Spira, visit: - https://rupertspira.com/ 

For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I host a third dialogue between Dhammarato and Daniel Ingram, this time on the vipassana meditation method of the highly influential Burmese monk Mahasi Sayadaw. While Daniel’s own path has been deeply informed by the Mahasi Method, Dhammarato has critiqued it as incomplete - particularly as it has been applied by the American Vipassana movements that it influenced. In this episode Daniel and Dhammarato share their own experiences of the method, reflect on its changes from Mahasi to U Pandita to America, and reveal rarely seen teachings from Mahasi’s own writings. Daniel and Dhammarato also debate different approaches to working with meditation hinderances, compare the results of Mahasi practitioners to those of fire kasina meditation and Culadasa’s ‘Mind Illuminated’ school, and address topics such as the Dark Night, Stream Entry, and perennialism. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep125-the-mahasi-debate-dhammarato-daniel-ingram/ 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:58 - Dhammarato vs Daniel on the internet 03:55 - Daniel’s practice history with the Mahasi Method 12:47 - Who was Mahasi Sayadaw and what was his emphasis? 16:16 - Dhammarato’s experiences with the U Pandita and the Mahasi method 18:52 - ‘U Pandita was not the nicest of people’ 19:20 - What was lost in the translation of Mahasi’s method to America? 29:46 - Dry vs wet vipassana 31:08 - Daniel on rare and surprising Mahasi teachings 32:52 - U Pandita’s stern personality 34:45 - The joyful vibe at the Malaysian Buddhist Meditation Centre 37:53 - Open discussion of attainments 38:47 - Does Mahasi noting dwell on hinderances and cause Dark Nights of the Soul? 39:57 - Do different people need different meditation methods? 46:16 - How to deal with hinderances 49:52 - Comparing Mahasi, TMI, and Fire Kasina 01:00:21 - Is there a good side to hindarances? 01:07:03 - Is the Dark Night inevitable or a sign of practice gone wrong? 01:23:42 - Dhammarato’s rock bottom and investigation vs noting 01:29:03 - The richness of the full Buddhist tradition 01:30:28 - Different definitions of stream entry and Daniel’s personal experience 01:35:47 - Perspective on practice 01:40:33 - Daniel’s concluding reflections on the varieties of insight experiences 01:42:59 - Has Daniel nuanced his perennialsm? ..
 Dhammarato Episode Playlist - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlkzlKFgdknyGISEfksirYaYpsrXdf8va Daniel Ingram Episode Playlist - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlkzlKFgdkny_MJSecHyvKHPpvxTskBAC … To find out more about Dhammarato, visit: - https://dhammaratoblog.wordpress.com/ - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjxg5GJFsRqnS-YLTzyrjLQ To find out more about Daniel, visit: - https://theeprc.org/ - integrateddaniel.info … 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this interview I am joined by Jack Haubner, prize winning author of the memoirs Zen Confidential: Confessions of a Wayward Monk; and Single White Monk: Tales of Death, Failure, and Bad Sex. In this interview Jack shares his early spiritual openings, his strict Catholic upbringing, subsequent break from Christianity, and discovery of Buddhism. Jack reveals his complex relationship with his first Zen mentor, describes the development of his personal meditation practice, and recounts his initial meetings with renowned and latterly infamous spiritual teacher Joshu Sasaki Roshi. Jack went on to become the head monk of Sasaki’s monastery, a role which he occupied during the widely publicised sexual misconduct allegations made against the aged abbot, who was then in his hundreds. Jack reflects on the decades long open secret of Sasaki’s conduct within the Zen community, and discusses the widespread and complex fallout of a charismatic religious leader’s fall from grace. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep126-zen-scandal-jack-haubner/ Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 
 00:00 - Intro 01:03 - Catholic childhood and early spiritual opening 05:03 - Explaining the opening in Zen terms 08:05 - Leaving Catholicism 11:59 - Steve’s Catholicism 14:35 - European vs American Catholicism 18:07 - Encountering Lama Ole Nydahl and Shambala Buddhism 22:59 - Why Zen? 25:56 - Jack’s Zen mentor 28:07 - The evolution of Jack’s meditation practice 31:20 - ‘Finally learning to sit’ 35:43 - The Rinzai style of training 37:17 - How to express No-Self in a Los Angeles bar 39:24 - Sexually propositioned by his mentor 45:23 - Meeting Joshu Sasaki Roshi 46:25 - First impressions of Joshu Sasaki 48:28 - Who was Joshu Sasaki? 51:59 - How much persona did JS have? 53:16 - JS’s daily routine 55:36 - Does Jack still orient to JS? 56:53 - JS’s sexual scandal 01:01:54 - The open secret of JS’s sexual misconduct in the Zen community 01:10:50 - Being Head Monk during the scandal 01:17:50 - The legacy of JS’s scandal 01:24:23 - Does Jack teach Zen today? 01:26:15 - Joshu Sasaki’s death 01:32:28 - Where does Zen lead? … To find out more about Jack Haubner, visit: - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt9Q74t3o7AUCJ_bKTc5CgA 

 For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am once again joined by Delson Armstrong, spiritual teacher and star student of Bhante Vimalaramsi. In this interview, Delson recalls tales of unusual spiritual mentors, including an Indian cobbler who taught Delson to read peoples’ karma, unlocking the ability to see not only others’ past lives, but also their future fate. Delson engages in a detailed discussion of how to acquire, refine, and master siddhi, aka special powers, discusses his own encounters with entities while on dark retreat, reveals his experience with the yogas of dream and sleep, and offers advice on dealing with periods of karmic reckoning. Delson also describes the 31 planes of existence, from the Brahma Lokas to the Hell Realms, and shares his opinion on figures such as Mara, Patanjali, and Jesus Christ. …

 Video version at: https://www.guruviking.com/ep127-siddha-tales-delson-armstrong-2/ 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:56 - The Indian cobbler who taught Delson to read peoples’ karma 09:24 - Delson’s powerful precognitive experiences 10:41 - How to unlock precognition 15:33 - Acquiring, refining, and mastering Siddhi (aka special powers) 20:54 - Delson’s mentor Greg Halpern who had 13 near-death experiences 30:53 - Delson on psychedelics and anti-aging herbs taken during dark retreat 32:41 - Visions of entities on dark retreat 35:39 - Delson’s yogic experience of sleep 39:05 - How Delson can operate without sleep 42:40 - Delson on dream yoga 47:23 - Periods of intense karmic purification 53:58 - How to relate skilfully to karmic reckonings 56:40 - 31 Planes of Existence 01:00:47 - Who is Mara? 01:02:56 - Brahma Lokas and Hell Realms 01:06:27 - The Formless Realms 01:11:57 - Do this before interacting with entities 01:22:30 - Can entities influence our lives? + Nagas and reptilian entities 01:26:22 - Was Patanjali a Naga? 01:26:55 - What did the ancient Naga teach humans? 01:27:45 - Delson on astral travel 01:32:48 - Contacting deceased masters and alien teachers 01:36:29 - How Delson perceives Jesus 01:39:31 - Dependent origination and future episodes … Previous episode with Delson Armstrong: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep120-meditation-virtuoso-delson-armstrong/ Previous episode with Bhante Vimalaramsi: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep112-bhante-vimalaramsi-relaxing-into-nibbana/ To find out more about Delson Armstrong, visit: - https://www.suttavada.foundation/our-teachers/ - https://www.dhammasukha.org/ ... 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode special guest Dr Jud Brewer - pioneering psychiatrist, neurosciencist, and New York Times best-selling author - joins the ongoing conversation featuring: 

- Shinzen Young, meditation teacher and neuroscience research consultant
 - Chelsey Fasano, a Columbia University neuroscience student 
- Dr Jay Sanguinetti, Assistant Director for the Center for Consciousness Studies and Research Professor at the University of New Mexico In this episode Dr Brewer gives a fascinating summary of his ground-breaking work, and shares his wildest secret dream for the future of neuroscience and humanity at large. Dr Sanguinetti and Shinzen reveal the latest science in their lab, and dialogue with Dr Brewer about pseudo-arhats and the power of conditioning. The panel also map the 4 noble truths using the latest neuroscience theories, debate the pros and cons of including subjective experience in serious research, explore how to translate academic language into common parlance, and raise serious concerns about healthy integration of altered states. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep128-pioneering-science-dr-jud-brewer-shinzen-young-chelsey-fasano-dr-sanguinetti/ Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
 … 00:00 - Intro 01:29 - Dr Jud Brewer summarises his pioneering work 18:41 - Jud’s vision for the future of the field 29:19 - Hope for the future 37:31 - Shinzen’s meta comment 40:08 - Jud’s wildest secret dream 44:58 - Dr Jay Sanguinetti tells the story of his work 49:51 - Jay’s collaboration with Shinzen Young 54:11 - Jay and Shinzen go deeper into the science 59:24 - Mapping the 4 Noble Truths with the neuroscience 01:06:19 - Pseudo-arhats and interruption of conditioning 01:08:13 - Getting unstuck and inducing equanimity 01:13:24 - Exciting developments at SEMA Lab 01:16:44 - Discussing different areas of the PCC 01:20:19 - Pros and cons of integrating first person subjective experience 01:24:54 - Next steps at SEMA Lab and integrating mindfulness training 01:26:19 - Jud reflects on the pragmatic public health implications 01:28:59 - Crucial considerations around integrating altered states 01:34:32 - Jud’s latest work on integration 01:36:48 - Shinzen on academic vs street language 01:44:41 - Chelsey’s reflections … Previous episodes in this series: - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlkzlKFgdknxjhwG5wmXRVfrkeGczVPVI 
… To find out more about Dr Brewer, visit: - https://drjud.com/ - https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Judson-Brewer To find out more about Shinzen, visit: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep37-shinzen-young-pandemic-edition-guru-viking-podcast/ - www.shinzen.org To find out more about Chelsey, visit: - www.chelseyfasano.com To find our more about Dr Sanguinetti, visit: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep102-dr-jay-sanguinetti-cults-science-the-dalai-lama/ - https://www.jaysanguinetti.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Had an enjoyable and wide-ranging conversation with Connor Beaton of the popular 'ManTalks' podcast: From Connor's shownotes: 'This was one hell of a conversation. Steve and I cover wide ground, but the central hub of our talk is the state of modern masculinity. What are men asking about? What are they rejecting? What are they loving, losing, and leaving behind? What are men choosing? So yeah. Only light questions in this episode. Listen in for some brilliant insight from a brilliant guest.' 00:00 - ‘Tell us a story about a defining moment in your life’ 07:34 - ‘What is the state of men today?’ 11:25 - Sweeping statements 15:07 - What men think about 18:02 - Why are men questioning relationship? 27:24 - Navigating choice and finding your way 36:15 - Grief and praise 38:45 - Death and the self-contraction 40:58 - How to get out of the head and into the body Find Conor at: https://www.youtube.com/c/ManTalks Find Steve at: www.guruviking.com

In this interview I am joined by Guo Gu, Chan Buddhist teacher, author, and scholar of Buddhism. Guo Gu shares stories of his early training under the mysterious hermit Gūang Qìn, who’s siddhi powers were sought after by locals for healing and divination. Guo Gu also details his decades as the attendee and disciple monk of Chan Master Sheng Yen, including examples of Master Sheng Yen’s unusual and sometimes painful teaching methods, and shares how a powerful practice brought about Guo Gu’s stream entry in a moment of profound repentance. Guo Gu compares the powerful spiritual presences of his teachers, reflects on the means of acquiring siddhi and why Chan Buddhism deemphasises such powers, and shares the power of humility as a path to enlightenment. … www.guruviking.com Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
 … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:55 - Childhood training under the hermit Master Gūang Qìn 11:15 - Meeting Master Sheng Yen and other masters 17:03 - The powerful presences of great masters 21:16 - A wrathful display 23:26 - Intense training under Master Sheng Yen 26:30 - How did Master Gūang Qìn acquire his siddhi powers? 29:10 - Further tales of clairvoyance 31:55 - How to acquire siddhi powers vs Chan’s emphasis 37:10 - The motivation behind Master Gūang Qìn’s ascetic lifestyle 43:16 - Exposing Guo Gu’s self-involvement 54:10 - Public pointing out as a teaching tool 57:33 - The practice of repentance 59:15 - The spiritual power of humility 01:07:07 - Kensho via humility 01:14:26 - An experience of clarity without a reference point 01:17:38 - Master Sheng Yen confirms Guo Gu’s stream entry 01:21:36 - Guo Gu’s most powerful awakening experience 01:38:24 The death of Master Sheng Yen … To find out more about Guo Gu, visit: - https://guogulaoshi.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this interview I am once again joined by Dr Jay Sanguinetti, Research Professor at the University of Arizona, Assistant Director at the Center for Consciousness Studies, and co-director of the SEMA Lab with Shinzen Young. In this episode, Dr Sanguinetti reveals his personal secrets for optimal brain function and cognitive high performance that enable him to perform at his intellectual best. Jay also gives us deep dive phenomenological reports of accessing boundary-less states of meditation, experiencing the unraveling of his self identification, and how self-administered brain stimulation in tandem with Dr Jeffrey Martin’s Finder’s Course and close 1-1 coaching with Shinzen Young radically expedited these processes. Jay also shares how his spiritual epiphanies have transformed his communication strategies with his staff and mentees, and explains the power of vulnerability in optimising decision making. … Video version at: www.guruviking.com 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 01:44 - How Jay optimises his mental function 05:25 - Jay’s current meditation approach 08:59 - Working 1-1 with Shinzen 09:53 - A state without boundaries and Jay’s jhana practice 12:15 - Dr Jeffrey A Martin and the ‘Finder’s Course’ 19:18 - Jay’s transformative experience on the Finder’s Course 20:33 - Falling into the void 23:11 - Using brain stimulation on himself 27:52 - Fear of dissolution 29:44 - Jay’s changing practice motivations from is 20s to 30s 31:40 - Identifying with enlightenment 38:06 - Unravelling the self-identification process 43:47 - The exponential happiness curve and further ultrasound 48:55 - Transformed relationships 49:54 - Shinzen’s ongoing coaching and correspondences to traditional maps 53:37 - Jay’s key spiritual insight 01:00:13 - Defining ‘equanimity’ and is ‘vulnerability’ a weakness? 01:06:50 - - Equanimity and optimised decision making 01:10:12 - Suffering is essential for growth 01:13:00 - Jay’s mentoring approach of vulnerability 01:18:03 - ‘Defining vulnerability’ 01:30:37 - Vulnerability in conflict situations 01:31:46 - The emerging science of compassion … Previous episodes with Dr Sanguinetti: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=sanguinetti … To find our more about Dr Sanguinetti, visit: - https://www.jaysanguinetti.com/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

A dialogue between Rupert Spira, a teacher of the direct path method of Advaita and an internationally acclaimed ceramic artist; and Henry Shukman, Zen teacher and award winning poet and writer. Well known as influential spiritual teachers, both men have also had prestigious careers in the arts, and in this episode they discuss the intersection of art and spirituality. Rupert and Henry consider such issues as the true purpose of art, narrative as a healing device, art as interruption of the subject object distinction, the darshan of Rembrandt, and how Chekov relates to the Vedantic witness. Rupert and Henry also reflect on their own artistic careers, including the importance of mentors, finding one’s unique voice, and the relationship between discipline and spontaneity. … Video version at: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep131-art-spirituality-rupert-spira-henry-shukman 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:56 - Art and awakening 02:34 - Rupert Spira as a ceramic artist 03:03 - Henry Shukman as a poet and author 03:40 - Differences between Spira and Shukman 06:09 - The purpose of art 11:06 - What Henry discovered in poetry 19:07 - Intimacy and collapsing the subject-object distinction through art 25:40 - Tang Dynasty poetry and interrupting linearity 27:37 - Imagination vs conceptualisation 30:57 - Using concepts to point to the pre-conceptual 33:36 - Art as interruption and portal 35:53 - Narrative as a healing device 36:33 - The disinterested affection of great art 42:44 - Rembrandt’s darshan 44:24 - Irony and sympathy of the vedantic witness 47:00 - The most real and essential thing in life 50:14 - The power of apprenticeship in Rupert’s life 55:00 - Liberation from the teacher and finding your own voice 58:37 - Henry’s poetry apprenticeship 01:00:58 - Discipline and spontaneity 01:02:38 - Finding a teacher 01:05:20 - The death of Zen 01:07:20 - The real lineage 01:14:55 - The artistic process 01:17:26 - What makes effective art and an effective artist? 01:18:14 - The master’s eye view … To find out more about Rupert Spira, visit: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep124-art-of-awakening-rupert-spira - https://rupertspira.com/ To find out more about Henry Shukman, visit: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=shukman - https://originallove.org/ … 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this interview I am joined by Dr Thomas Clough Daffern, poet, historian, philosopher, educator, and peace officer for the Council of British Druid Orders. Thomas recounts an unusual upbringing, a love affair with classics and poetry, and dropping out of school at 15 to pursue philosophical enquiry. We learn of Thomas’ immersion in study of the world’s religious and mystical traditions, and his early tantric and druidic initiations. Thomas discusses the Ancient Greek mystery schools, the cultural consequences of their closure, and what it would take to revive them in the world today. Thomas reflects his time as a celibate, why every student of the mysteries should have a brahmacharya phase, and why a sense of duty and civic responsibility eventually saw him marry and start a family. Thomas also talks about reconciling the schools of Islam, compares Eastern and Western enlightenments, and reveals the inspiration behind his relentless intellectual curiosity. … Video version at https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep132-student-of-the-mysteries-dr-thomas-clough-daffern 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 01:07 - Dr Daffern’s family and educational background 03:51 - Discovering classics and poetry 05:50 - Dropping out of school at 15, discovering philosophy, and first love 09:34 - LSD, first druid initiation, and intensive self-study of world religions 15:08 - Psychedelic experiences as a mystery tradition 18:17 - About the Ancient Greek mystery schools 21:51 - Eastern and Western enlightenments 23:33 - What are the essential ingredients of a mystery school? 26:24 - Music and the mysteries 29:53 - Kabbalah and verbal fluency 30:56 - The importance of a brahmacharya phase 33:02 - Thomas’ philosophical enlightenment 35:10 - The consequences of the closing of the Greek mystery schools 39:21 - The Delphic games 40:50 - The influence of Thomas’ mother 51:16 - Baháʼí and interfaith activities 54:42 - Reconciling the schools of Islam 57:24 - Relentless intellectual curiosity 01:01:53 - Writing a sequel to Newton’s ‘Principia Mathematica’ 01:06:39 - The secrets of Thomas’ prodigious work ethic 01:09:50 - Enlightenments, the book of Enoch, and Comparative Diabology … To find our more about Dr Daffern, visit: - http://www.educationaid.net/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am once again joined by Alejandro Chaoul PhD to discuss his latest book ‘Tibetan Yoga: Magical Movements of Body, Breath, and Mind’ published by Wisdom Publications. Alejandro tells the story of the creation of this book, describes its textual sources, and explains his decision not to include images of the sacred movements. Alejandro reveals the different uses of Tibetan Yoga movements, including physical healing, clearing obstacles, enhancing meditation, and spiritual advancement. Alejandro also discusses personality typologies, the flavour of Dzogchen awakening, the importance of the full lotus posture, and compares Buddhist tummo techniques to the inner heat methods of the ‘Iceman’ Wim Hof. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep134-tibetan-yoga-alejandro-chaoul 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
 … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:50 - The story of Alejandro’s new book 08:04 - Textual sources and Alejandro’s use of image 13:37 - Different uses of tsa lung trulkhor 17:21 - Trulkhor for health 19:49 - - The breath-body trulkhor process 21:32 - Vertical and all-pervasive energies 24:04 - Clearing obstacles and enhancing meditation 29:33 - Approaches to trulkhor for different personality types 35:08 - The flavour of Dzogchen awakening 38:58 - Full lotus posture 43:18 - A dynamic practice 44:20 - Shardza’s 100 day retreat curriculum 47:40 - Tummo vs Wim Hof method 51:29 - Anecdotes and advice from Alejandro’s practice … Previous episode with Alejandro Chaoul: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep92-dr-alejandro-chaoul-magical-movements-of-tibet/ To find our more about Alejandro Chaoul, visit: - www.alechaoul.com - www.ligmincha.org - www.mbsihouston.org For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this bonus episode, I am once again joined by Dhammarato – a lineage teacher in the Thai Buddhist tradition who is known for his unique, 1-1 teaching style conducted over Skype.  This footage was recorded right before a dialogue about the Mahasi Method between Dhammarato and Daniel Ingram. Due to a scheduling miscommunication, Dhammarato and I arrived to the recording one hour early. It wasn’t long before Dhammarato began sharing his insights with his characteristic humour and precision and so we decided to release this informal exchange as a bonus episode. Dhammarato discusses the role of story and how to wake up from it, what stream entry really is and how can it be verified, and the difference between sati and psychological repression. Dhammarato also teaches a coffee meditation, talks about mindfulness in daily life, and reveals the real practice of anapanasati. … Video version: www.guruviking.com Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. ... 00:00 - Intro 01:24 - The role of story and memory 04:10 - Waking up to the story 10:52 - Verifying stream entry 12:44 - What is stream entry really? 19:04 - Is stream entry a sudden event? 22:27 - Motor habit and Steve’s coffee 24:21 - Dhammarato teaches a coffee meditation 27:50 - The real practice of anapanasati 32:33 - Spiritual materialism and buying books 36:12 - Catch the rabbit 31:05 - All fires have a fuel 44:28 - Repression, catharsis, and the mechanism of waking up 
 … 
Dhammarato Episode Playlist - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlkzlKFgdknyGISEfksirYaYpsrXdf8va … To find out more about Dhammarato, visit: - https://dhammaratoblog.wordpress.com/ - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjxg5GJFsRqnS-YLTzyrjLQ … 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I host a dialogue between Daniel Ingram and Delson Armstrong. Daniel Ingram is an independent Buddhist writer, author of ‘Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha’, and co-founder of the Emergent Phenomenology Research Consortium (EPRC). Delson Armstrong is a spiritual teacher, author of ’A Mind Without Craving’, and the star student of Bhante Vimalaramsi. Daniel and Delson discuss the similarities and differences between their doctrinal positions and personal experiences of the 4-path model of Buddhist enlightenment, which ranges from stream entry to arhatship. In this collegial yet rigorous dialogue, Daniel and Delson engage in detailed debate on the differences in their positions and draw on personal experience, scriptural examples, and issues of scientific verification. They also discuss the effect of enlightenment on psychopathy and other personality disorders, reflect on which meditation methods best fit different personality types, and conduct in-depth analysis of the phenomenon of ‘nirodha samapatti’. … Video version at: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep136-meeting-of-the-dharmas-daniel-ingram-delson-armstrong 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include:
 00:00 - Intro 01:49 - Daniel on stream entry 05:03 - Delson on stream entry 08:08 - Afterglow of stream entry and dependent origination 14:34 - 3 fetters discussion 24:24 - Does stream entry result in moral improvement? 28:49 - Can you retrain a sociopath with loving kindness meditation? 30:51 - Does stream entry make sociopaths and psychopaths more dangerous? 35:18 - Saints & psychopaths - how can we differentiate? 41:03 - 2nd path and the reduction of craving and aversion 47:30 - 2nd path vs stream entry - which is more profound? 53:13 - Daniel on 3rd path 56:18 - Delson on 3rd path 59:23 - Daniel’s critique of the traditional 3rd path position 01:03:05 - Delson and Daniel dialogue about 3rd path 01:10:40 - Is it possible to completely eradicate craving and aversion? 01:16:00 - Scientific testing and Bikkhu Analayo’s critique 01:23:39 - Delson on TWIM the importance of method 01:26:18 - What is nirodha samapatti? 01:28:08 - Comparing Daniel and Delson’s abilities 01:29:33 - How to train for nirodha samapatti 01:32:25 - Different personalities and jhana aptitude 01:36:43 - Resolution training and balancing enlightenment factors 01:38:18 - Steve on Delson’s yoga training and the three humours 01:43:40 - More on matching personality types to meditation methods 01:53:58 - Arhatship and agency 01:56:20 - Agency vs conceit 02:00:21 - Disagreement between Daniel and Delson about outcomes of arhatship 02:08:30 - Compassion vs suffering 02:13:01 - Suicide and arhatship 02:21:17- The dusty end of the path 

… Daniel Ingram Episode Playlist - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlkzlKFgdkny_MJSecHyvKHPpvxTskBAC Delson Armstrong Episode Playlist: - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlkzlKFgdknxiWzbRXNY29pSwlAcDYF_r To find out more about Daniel, visit: - https://theeprc.org/ - integrateddaniel.info To find out more about Delson Armstrong, visit: - https://www.suttavada.foundation/our-teachers/ - https://www.dhammasukha.org/ … 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am joined by Tara Springett, a Buddhist psychotherapist who specialises in treating Kundalini Syndrome. Tara recounts emerging from a troubled childhood to experience her first of several spiritual awakenings through a type of consciousness expansion known as kundalini. Tara shares the diverse consequences of these experiences in her own life including a reckoning with her unconscious mind, a life-changing yearning for the divine, and paranormal encounters. Tara recounts her conversion to Tibetan Buddhism and time spent with teachers such as Rigdzin Shikpo and Garchen Rinpoche, who would both go onto encourage her to teach Buddhism. Tara details learning a range of Buddhist practices including compassion meditation, manifestation wish practice, and the inner yogas of tummo. Tara also shares her experiences channeling White Tara, and reflects on her understanding of the process of spiritual awakening and karmic purification that working with kundalini energy is said to bring about. … Video version at: www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep137-kundalini-awakening-tara-springett 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include:
 00:00 - Intro 01:05 - A troubled childhood and initial kundalini awakening 03:42 - What is kundalini? 04:48 - 4 effects of kundalini activity 07:05 - Paranormal experiences after kundalini awakening 09:16 - Are the different kundalini systems related? 12:51 - Radical transformation after Tara’s kundalini awakening 23:07 - Turning to God in the depths of kundalini crisis 28:28 - Finding Tibetan Buddhism 30:19 - Time in an unusual Buddhist community 36:24 - Studying with Lama Ole Nydahl and meeting Rigdzin Shikpo 38:37 - Buddhist manifestation techniques 40:12 - Receiving Dzogchen transmission from Garchen Rinpoche 44:17 - Encouraged to teach Buddhism by Garchen Rinpoche 47:33 - Bliss and purification 49:05 - The essence of Tara’s approach to kundalini awakening 54:14 - Difficult experience with tummo meditation 56:01 - Kundalini and extreme purification 59:42 - Rainbow appearance 01:02:29 - Marriage strife and Tara’s husband’s kundalini awakening 01:03:13 - Tantric relationships and taking your partner as your guru 01:12:50 - Tara’s recent intense lower chakra purifications 01:23:12 - Channeling the Buddhist deity White Tara 01:33:10 - Has Tara faced criticism for her channeling? 01:37:38 - Are there spiritually gifted people? 01:40:53 - The power of taking a spiritual name … To find out more about Tara, visit: - https://www.taraspringett.com/ … 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com

In this interview I am joined by Beth Upton, a meditation teacher, ex-nun, and student of renowned meditation master Pa Auk Sayadaw. Beth reveals why reading economics at Cambridge caused her to fracture with today’s economic system and eventually led to her ordaination as a nun in Myanmar. Beth details her rigorous training under renowned meditation master Pa Auk Sayadaw, addresses skepticism of the Visuddhimagga, and criticises so called ‘soft jhana’ teachings as watered down dharma. Beth contrasts popular soft jhana teachings with how she was trained at Pa Auk, discusses the 10-fetter model of enlightenment, and explains how samadhi can be used to remember past lives and generate siddhi such as the ability to see devas and ghosts. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep138-trained-as-a-nun-beth-upton 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include:
 00:00 - Intro 00:51 - Upbringing and and reading economics at Cambridge 03:56 - The problem at the heart of money 05:44 - Money as a monastic vs a lay person 09:32 - Beth’s current thinking on money 16:14 - Encountering Buddhism 19:21 - Becoming a nun and meeting the meditation master Pa Auk Sayadaw 23:26 - Is the Visuddhimagga overblown? 25:03 - Soft Jhana teachings are watered down 28:43 - Hard jhana vs soft jhana distinctions 31:42 - Is there duality in jhana? 34:11 - Is jhana necessary for effective vipassana? 36:06 - Is progress possible without retreat? 38:57 - Beth’s 1-1 mentorship 40:14 - The curriculum of Beth’s training as a nun 44:10 - How to remember past lives 48:45 - Observing the causal links of karma 50:45 - How to develop siddhi via deep samadhi 53:44 - Opening the divine eye to perceive devas and ghosts 56:11 - Not claiming attainments 01:00:42 - Choosing the right meditation object 01:03:36 - Beth’s dislike of Dharma talks 01:05:57 - 1-1 mentorship with Beth 01:08:10 - Change technique after stream entry? 01:19:14 - Beth on the 10 Fetters and 4 Path Model … To find out more about Beth Upton, visit: - https://bethupton.com/ … 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this interview I am joined by Ralph White holistic learning pioneer, international speaker on cultural transformation and the history of the Western tradition, and co-founder of the New York Open Centre. Ralph reveals his difficult upbringing in working class England, and how his intellect served as his escape route, emigrating to America as a Fulbright scholar in 1970. Ralph shares a life-changing spiritual experience on Route 66, reflects on the role of psychedelics in raising consciousness, and details his personal path as a nature mystic heavily influenced by Western Esotericism. Ralph recounts his adventures throughout Canada, hitch hiking to Machu Picchu, getting streetwise in Columbia, and eventually landing in New York to co-found the world-famous Open Centre. Ralph also reflects on what years of booking spiritual teachers taught him about spotting spiritual fakes, what it means to be in the third of act of one’s life, and shares his vision for the future of world culture … Video version: www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep140-quest-for-a-life-of-meaning-ralph-white 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include:
 00:00 - Intro 03:22 - Ralph’s childhood in working class England 08:12 - Education as the escape route 12:45 - Move to America and travelling Route 66 17:19 - A life-changing spiritual experience 22:01 - Ralph on psychedelics 25:01 - The future of psychedelics research 29:37 - Ralph’s meditation practice and explorations in Western Esotericism 34:35 - Nature mystic 38:17 - Misconceptions about Western Esotericism 50:14 - Ralph’s Esoteric Quests 52:21 - Adventures in Vancouver 58:39 - Hitch hiking for 6 months to Machu Picchu 01:00:30 - Profound experience in the Andes 01:06:55 - The role of pilgrimage in finding one’s purpose 01:16:21 - Streetwise in Colombia and New York 01:20:11 - How to spot spiritual fakes and baloney 01:29:10 - Integrity and the spiritual marketplace 01:35:06 - Ralph reflects on the erotic 01:41:28 - The third act of one’s life 01:45:41 - The future of world culture … To find out more about Ralph White, visit: - https://www.ralphwhite.net/ 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this interview I am joined by Dr Thomas Clough Daffern philosopher, educator, peace activist, and peace officer for the Council of British Druid Orders. Most widely known as a peace activist and academic, Dr Daffern is also an esotericist and in this episode he reveals his system of peace magic which draws on a wide range of occult systems. Dr Daffern explains the difference between a peace magician and a war magician, warns of the dangers of magical practice, and gives advice for navigating today’s information landscape. Dr Daffern also gives a series of case studies of his own career in peace and reconciliation, including work in Ireland and the Middle East, before giving his detailed analysis of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. … Video version: www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep139-peace-magic-dr-thomas-clough-daffern-2 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:50 - What are magi and druids? 05:16 - What is peace magic? 07:28 - Out of body peace magic examples 14:14 - Dangers in magical practice 21:43 - Dr Daffern’s peace work at Stonehenge 24:01 - Dr Daffern’s peace work in Ireland 27:26 - Celtic oppression in the British Isles 30:24 - History of spiritual oppression in the Byzantine model 35:31 - Dr Daffern’s peace work in the Middle East 41:32 - War magic and war magicians 43:24 - Can peace really be achieved? 47:40 - Interfaith mediation 49:43 - Dr Daffern’s peace work in the Caucasus 54:14 - Peace magic vs war magic 55:54 - Dr Daffern on the invasion of Ukraine 57:05 - The influence of Ivan Ilyin and Julius Evola 01:03:35 - Spartans vs Athenians 01:05:00 - How to resolve European conflict 01:11:40 - How wars end and Dr Daffern’s interfaith peace treaty 01:16:32 - Acharya Tulsi and peace declarations 01:21:33 - Planetary enlightenment 01:25:51 - Advice for navigating the information war … Previous episode with Dr Daffern: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep132-student-of-the-mysteries-dr-thomas-clough-daffern … Dr Daffern's upcoming course on Enlightenment: https://gal.infusionsoft.app/app/orderForms/A-Course-on-Enlightenments To find our more about Dr Daffern, visit: - http://www.educationaid.net/ - https://www.lulu.com/spotlight/iipsgp - https://interfaithpeacetreaty.wordpress.com/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am once again joined by Stephen Snyder, meditation teacher, author, and the first non-monastic Western man to master the virtuoso-level shamata meditation system of Pa Auk Sayadaw. In this interview we discuss Stephen’s latest book ‘Demysifying Awakening: A Buddhist Path of Realization, Embodiment, and Freedom’. Stephen gives detailed comparisons between the maps of Theravadan and Zen Buddhism, explains the difference between Kensho and Satori, and reveals why it is so easy to stall after an initial awakening experience. Stephen also shares techniques to open the Wisdom Eye, loosen allegiance to the body, and transcend the superego; and reveals how he assesses others spiritual experiences and how an individual can self-assess their own level of awakening. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep141-demystifying-awakening-stephen-snyder 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:51 - Why is Stephen writing so many books? 05:42 - What is the probability of awakening? 08:46 - Kensho vs Satori probabilities 11:06 - Languishing between Kensho and Satori 13:57 - Self-administered tests of awakening 15:37 - How Stephen assesses his students’ awakenings 17:39 - Opening the Wisdom Eye 20:27 - Energetic resonance of awakening 21:31 - Facsimiles of awakening 23:53 - Confusion around awakening 30:09 - Rebirth, reincarnation, and tulkus 33:00 - Superego and trauma 39:43 - Purifying the body via the four elements 45:44 - Stephen’s experience of the crystal body 48:06 - Loosening allegiance to the body 49:37 - Resistances to jhana and awakening 54:05 - Steve’s practice challenge 58:16 - How to work with intensity and blocks 01:02:09 - The will to live 01:05:17 - Boat meditation 01:06:15 - Comparing the maps of Theravada and Zen 01:13:29 - Fear of No-Self 01:16:32 - Integrating the No-Self 01:19:31 - Koan practice 01:23:16 - Flavours of enlightenment 01:27:24 - Keeping a spiritual journal … Check out my previous interviews with Stephen: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep24-stephen-snyder-a-stroke-of-realisation-guru-viking-interviews/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep33-stephen-snyder-pandemic-edition-guru-viking-podcast/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep70-stephen-snyder-buddhas-heart/ Purchase ‘Demystifying Awakening’: - https://awakeningdharma.org/book/demystifying-awakening/ 
To find out more about Stephen Snyder, visit: - https://awakeningdharma.org/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com/ Music 'Deva Dasi' by Steve James

Dr Jud Brewer - pioneering psychiatrist, neuroscientist, and New York Times best-selling author - returns to once again join the ongoing conversation featuring:

 - Shinzen Young, meditation teacher and neuroscience research consultant
 - Chelsey Fasano, a Columbia University neuroscience student 
- Dr Jay Sanguinetti, Assistant Director for the Center for Consciousness Studies and Research Professor at the University of New Mexico In this episode, the group take a deep dive into concepts of the ‘Self’, comparing and contrasting religious models with the latest theories in neuroscience and psychology. Shinzen rethinks Early Buddhist craving and aversion doctrines in the light of modern mathematics and Jud considers the clinical implications of neuro-modulation and psychedelics. The group also discusses the typical learning curve to enlightenment, as well as the role of connection and communion in contemplative endeavours. … Video version:

 www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep142-science-the-enlightened-self-brewer-shinzen-fasano-sanguinetti Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
 … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 01:05 - What is the self? 06:24 - DFN hubs of the self 09:13 - The multi-dimensional self 10:14 - 6-fold aspects of the self 12:58 - The experiential self and seeing through illusion 16:35 - Shinzen on mathematics, the self, and early Buddhist teachings 24:11 - Distinctions around dimensional analysis 31:03 - Clinical considerations and psychedelics 34:28 - Stickiness and surprising results of ultrasound neuro-modulation on meditators 37:45 - Different kinds of self-stickiness can be directly targeted by ultrasound 39:11 - Shinzen rethinks craving and aversion doctrines 47:00 - More on targeting self-clinging with ultrasound 48:32 - How to attain stream entry 55:09 - Jud on phase change and the ice cube analogy 01:00:22 - Typical learning curve to enlightenment 01:05:41 - Connection and communion 01:15:21 - Three important concepts for current and future meditation researchers 01:23:25 - Jud on his clinical observations 01:31:26 - A kinder, gentler B.F. Skinner … Previous episodes in this series: - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlkzlKFgdknxjhwG5wmXRVfrkeGczVPVI 
… To find out more about Dr Brewer, visit: - https://drjud.com/ - https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Judson-Brewer To find out more about Shinzen, visit: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep37-shinzen-young-pandemic-edition-guru-viking-podcast/ - www.shinzen.org To find out more about Chelsey, visit: - www.chelseyfasano.com To find our more about Dr Sanguinetti, visit: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep102-dr-jay-sanguinetti-cults-science-the-dalai-lama/ - https://www.jaysanguinetti.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this interview I am joined by Dr Caroline Van Damme, an adult psychiatrist and family and systemic psychotherapist specialising in chronic psychotic disorders, and co-teacher of Buddhist guru and Sowa Rigpa doctor Nida Chenagtsang.  Caroline discusses the cultural complexity of being raised in Belgium, how an early interest in the mind saw her train as a psychiatrist, and the reasons for her specialising in chronic psychosis. Caroline also recounts her first encounters with Buddhism, including a meeting with a mysterious Lama, and the story of her collaboration with Dr Nida Chenagstang to train counsellors informed by both Western psychology and traditional Tibetan medicine. Caroline draws on her professional experience to reveal rapport building skills for clinicians, as well as discussing religious experience as a form of psychosis, and the the pros and cons of the religious mind. … Video version: www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep143-dr-caroline-van-damme-psychiatry-religious-experience 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:01 - Upbringing in Catholic Belgium 05:25 - Interest in Buddhism & neuroscience and studying in America 09:51 - Training to become a psychiatrist 14:17 - Specialising in chronic psychosis 16:39 - Brussels Night Hospital 18:54 - Cultural complexity of Belgium 23:45 - Choosing clinical practice over a research career 30:11 - Discovering Buddhism and co-teaching with Dr Nida Chenagtsang 34:55 - An encounter with a Tibetan guru 40:01 - Meeting Dr Nida 44:32 - What so impressed Dr Caroline about Dr Nida? 50:13 - The healing relationship 53:22 - Attachment theory 58:54 - How to build trust with a patient 01:03:57 - How to cut through evasive small talk 01:07:33 - The #1 reason patients lose trust 01:12:56 - Insights into parenting and setting boundaries 01:20:38 - Transference and keeping your centre as a therapist 01:30:35 - Is religious experience a kind of psychosis? 01:44:56 - Religiosity as pathology 01:47:50 - Scientism as over-reach 01:50:55 - Religious abuses 02:06:09 - Personality disorders and meditation gone wrong … 
To find out more about Dr Van Damme, visit: - https://www.sowarigpainstitute.org/dr-caroline-van-damme Interviews with Dr Nida Chenagtsang: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep49-dr-nida-chenagtsang-heart-of-a-nomad/ 
https://www.guruviking.com/ep71-dr-nida-chenagtsang-karmamudra/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep41-dr-nida-chenagtsang-pandemic-edition-guru-viking-podcast/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com/ Music 'Deva Dasi' by Steve James

In this interview I am once again joined by Gregory Blann: mystic, artist, author, and initiate of the Inayati and Halveti-Jerrahi orders of Sufism. Gregory discusses his latest book on the remarkable life of Lex Hixon, aka Sheik Nur, the influential American mystic, author, and broadcaster who was initiated into several of the world’s mystery traditions and was a key figure in inter-faith dialogue. Gregory recounts his own encounters with Lex Hixon, and reveals why he decided to write a biography of his old friend and colleague. Gregory also discusses the heart of the Quran, the power of the feminine, and why Swami Vivekananda said ‘American women will be the salvation of the world’. Gregory and his wife Silvia end the episode by singing two Turkish Ilahis of the Sufi Tradition. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep145-living-open-space-lex-hixon 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:52 - Meeting Lex Hixon 06:10 - The heart of the Quran 08:11 - The source behind all religions 12:45 - The early life of Lex Hixon 15:50 - Why Gregory wrote Lex’s biography 26:55 - Lex’s four main religious lineages 31:18 - The power of the feminine 43:14 - ‘American women will be the salvation of the world’ 49:33 - Clashes with religious institutions 01:07:31 - Interspirituality 01:09:03 - Reflections on Lex Hixon 01:14:24 - What are Turkish Sufi Ilahis? 01:18:44 - Gregory and his wife sing two Ilahis … Previous episode with Gregory Blann: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep96-gregory-blann-the-garden-of-mystic-love/ To find out more about Gregory, visit: - https://blanng.wixsite.com/blanngallery For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this interview I am joined by Amoda Maa, spiritual teacher and author of books such as ‘Embodied Enlightenment’ and ‘Falling Open in a World Falling Apart’. Amoda Maa shares how her troubled upbringing including secretive paternity, abuse, and financial instability, saw her fall into a profound depression with multiple suicide attempts. Amoda Maa discusses how psychedelic experimentation led her to leave her PhD and embark on 7 years of homelessness and consciousness exploration in the London drug scene, experiencing mystical states and healing her trauma through therapies and personal practice. Amoda Maa recounts her travels in India, joining Osho’s ashram, and subsequent awakening which she describes as ‘falling into the abyss of being’. Amoda Maa also reveals why she thinks the egoic state of humanity has comets a peak, and why each person must hold the line of presence and openness in an increasingly divided world. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep147-falling-open-amoda-maa Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
 … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:04 - Troubled upbringing 07:59 - Secrecy about Amoda Maa’s father 12:02 - Educational excellence and further domestic challenges 15:31 - Abuse and suicide attempts 21:44 - Lack of financial stability and making ends meet 24:46 - Becoming homeless and 7 years in the London drug scene 28:17 - Psychedelic experimentation and leaving her PhD 35:00 - Spiritual reading and recognising the clear light of mind 41:35 - Healing trauma through rebirthing and other therapies 45:07 - Experiencing the trauma healing potential of MDMA 52:53 - Out of body experiences and mystical visions 57:43 - Amoda Maas’ prophetic vision of current events 59:20 - Egoic state of humanity has come to a peak 01:02:31 - Holding the line of presence and openness 01:10:33 - Travels in India and joining Osho’s ashram 01:14:01 - Receiving the name ‘Amoda Maa’ and a profound spiritual experience 01:16:49 - Returning to London and falling into the abyss of being 01:20:26 - After awakening and the feminine face of awakening … To find out more about Amoda Man, visit: - https://www.amodamaa.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Stephen Synder, meditation teacher and author of many books including ‘Demsystifiyng Awakening’ and ‘Buddha’s Heart’, offers a ‘guided meditation into the unmanifest Absolute to contact and abide in the deep peacefulness there’. 

Stephen’s students have found this meditation helpful when working with the fear and anguish of the war in Ukraine, and Stephen generously offered to share it here. … Video version: www.guruviking.com/podcast/peace-meditation-stephen-snyder-bonus-episode Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. …
 Topics include:
 00:00 - Intro
 03:46 - Guided meditation ... Check out my previous interviews with Stephen: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep24-stephen-snyder-a-stroke-of-realisation-guru-viking-interviews/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep33-stephen-snyder-pandemic-edition-guru-viking-podcast/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep70-stephen-snyder-buddhas-heart/ - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep141-demystifying-awakening-stephen-snyder 
 Purchase ‘Demystifying Awakening’: - https://awakeningdharma.org/book/demystifying-awakening/ 
To find out more about Stephen Snyder, visit: - https://awakeningdharma.org/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com/ Music 'Deva Dasi' by Steve James

J Brown recently interviewed me for his Yoga Talks Podcast. … Video version: www.guruviking.com/podcast/j-brown-yoga-talks-interviews-steve-james- 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. 
… Topics Include: 00:00 - J’s Intro 06:22 - J meets Steve 07:49 - J’s alter-ego 10:18 - Living on a boat 15:43 - Outdoor survival and unraveling the mystery 19:57 - Facing fear 22:12 - Altar boy and martial arts 26:52 - Yoga training with Godfrey Devereux 27:18 - Pranayama 32:15 - The context of doing 38:19 - Steve’s influences 39:57 - Shinzen Young 44:05 - Movement vs Sitting Meditation 51:05 - Working with Michaela Boehm 54:20 - Non-Linear Movement Method® 01:01:20 - Structured vs non-linear practice 01:07:30 - Long meditation sitting 01:13:43 - Why meditate? 01:20:32 - Mystical and supernatural experiences 01:33:43 - Experiences of profundity 01:38:32 - The mystic and structure 01:43:59 - J’s concluding comments … J Brown Yoga: https://www.jbrownyoga.com/ Other times I have been interviewed: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlkzlKFgdknzwdzEdv0Q4Y9a25xDv_Xuv You can find me at: www.guruviking.com

In this interview I am once again joined by Guo Gu, Chan Buddhist teacher, author, and scholar of Buddhism. Guo Gu describes how ongoing bullying and violent confrontations as a teenager led him to form influential music groups Death Before Dishonor and Judge. Guo Gu reveals why a feeling of hypocrisy as a monk led him to study social work and eventually obtain a PhD from Princeton University's Department of Religion on self-inflicted violence in Chinese religions Guo Gu also reveals why he became Straight Edge, considers the role of religious asceticism and the body in today’s world, and comments on what others have called a meaning crisis in today’s society. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep144-hardcore-and-body-in-spiritual-practice-guo-gu 

Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
 … Topics include:
 
00:00 - Intro 00:43 - Bullied as an adolescent 08:53 - Meeting Mike Ferraro and getting good at fighting 14:29 - Imprint of his violent past 21:30 - Death Before Dishonor and heavy metal influences 23:26 - Becoming Straight edge 33:05 - Guo Gu’s PhD on religious asceticism 33:47 - A feeling of hypocrisy as a monk 44:30 - Reflecting on religious asceticism 47:43 - Bodily aptitude in spiritual practice 50:52 - Meaning crisis in society 54:12 - New book on the Gateless Barrier 59:31 - The practice of silent illumination 01:13:02 - Apophatic and cataphatic practice … Previous episode with Guo Gu: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep127-chan-master-guo-gu To find out more about Guo Gu, visit: - https://guogulaoshi.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I host part 2 of an ongoing dialogue between Rupert Spira: a teacher of the direct path method of Advaita and an internationally acclaimed ceramic artist; and Henry Shukman, Zen teacher and award winning poet and writer. Rupert and Henry discuss the path of deep training in both art and spirituality, why traditional forms are repositories of generational understanding, and the meaning of spiritual friendship. Rupert reflects on how art points to truth, and Henry discusses Koan training as a means to stabilise awakening. Rupert and and Henry also reflect on what it takes to create effective art and why it is vital for the apprentice to surpass the master. … Video version: www.guruviking.com 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:47 - Rupert on Henry’s zen memoir 03:46 - Henry on Rupert’s books 06:01 - Evolution of Rupert’s art from ceramics to language 13:00 - Discipline teaches the process of art 15:42 - The student must surpass the teacher 20:06 - Premature teaching vs submission to deep training 25:30 - Henry’s journey as a poet 30:17 - Imitation before innovation 33:57 - Koan training to stabilise awakening 36:48 - Forms of the tradition are the repositories of generations of understanding 39:33 - Key moments in Henry’s koan training 42:48 - 1-1 teaching vs group teaching 49:02 - Are new koans evolving? 52:52 - Rupert and Henry discuss koans 57:18 - What is required of the artist to make effective art? 01:00:26 - What Henry’s art seeks to convey 01:06:38 - Rupert on how art points to truth 01:12:47 - Art of expressing suffering 01:16:05 - The experience of artistic work 01:21:54 - The master’s view 01:24:31 - Rupert and Henry on Steve’s facilitation 01:27:18 - On teaching … Previous dialogue between Spira and Shukman:
- https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep131-art-spirituality-rupert-spira-henry-shukman 
 To find out more about Rupert Spira, visit: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep124-art-of-awakening-rupert-spira - https://rupertspira.com/ To find out more about Henry Shukman, visit: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=shukman - https://www.mountaincloud.org/about/henry-shukman/ … 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this interview I am joined by lucid dreaming teacher and best-selling author Charlie Morley. Charlie recounts a trip to South Africa to see his Buddhist guru Lama Yeshe, and recalls a mystical experience he had there while on retreat with Dr Daniel P Brown. Charlie reveals his most effective lucid dreaming techniques, explains why meditation can be bad for trauma, details his work with veterans with PTSD, and demonstrates a powerful breath technique to regulate the nervous system. Charlie also speaks openly about his recent life struggles, including the terminal diagnosis of his mother, the end of his marriage, and an emotional breakdown that led to suicidal ideation. Charlie shares how these struggles have profoundly transformed every aspect of his life and clarified his life mission to help others. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep148-wake-up-to-sleep-charlie-morley-2 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
 … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:01 - Visiting Lama Yeshe in South Africa 09:00 - Charlie on Dr Daniel P Brown 12:42 - Mystical experience on retreat with Dr Daniel P Brown 15:50 - Pure vision and experiencing emptiness in the dream state 18:39 - Awareness and learning in lucid dreams 20:07 - Claiming spiritual attainments 26:09 - Charlie’s work with with veterans and PTSD 31:56 - 5 pillars of trauma work with veterans 34:36 - The power of coherent breathing 44:12 - Meditation bad for trauma? 46:10 - Guided coherent breathing practice 54:53 - Tummo, and Wim Hof, and trauma 59:24 - Why sleep hygiene tips don’t work 01:01:33 - Charlie’s ketamine trauma at 17 years old 01:03:11 - Charlie on tummo practice 01:07:04 - The most effective lucid dreaming technique 01:10:08 - Story of a powerful lucid dream 01:19:38 - Charlie’s brutal obstacle year of Alzheimers and divorce 01:24:58 - Charlie’s breakdown and suicidal ideation 01:28:27 - A profound growing up 01:29:43 - What Charlie learned from his breakdown 01:33:46 - Waking up and growing up 01:35:53 - Rupert Spira vs Henry Shukman, creativity and trauma 01:43:14 - Profound shifts in Charlie’s motivation and lucid dreaming practice 01:46:53 - The reflection of Charlie’s mentors 01:49:34 - Charlie’s mission statement … Previous episode with Charlie Morley: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/guru-viking-interviews-ep2-charlie-morley-2 To find out more about Charlie, visit: - http://www.charliemorley.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this interview I am joined by Michael Taft: maverick meditation teacher, bestselling author, host of the ‘Deconstructing Yourself’ podcast, and founder of the Alembic community. Michael recounts his lifelong meditation journey, describes his initial reluctance to teach meditation, the writing of ‘Mindful Geek’, and his divergence from Shinzen Young. Michael reveals his troubled upbringing, crippling teenage anxiety, and intense experimentation with LSD and the occult. Michael also shares a transformative mystical experience in Japan, his practice of classical Hindu tantra, and details experiences of seeing other dimensional entities in daily life. … Link in bio.

 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
 … Topics include:
 00:00 - Intro 01:57 - Looking back at ‘Mindful Geek’ 03:09 - Reluctance to teach 04:49 - Secular mindfulness 10:09 - Diverging from Shinzen Young 12:52 - Michael’s troubled upbringing 17:32 - Crippling anxiety attacks and discovering meditation 21:35 - Experiments with the occult 22:36 - Michael’s magical explorations 25:40 - Chaos magic and massive doses of LSD 28:12 - The essence of Robert Anton Wilson 31:31 - David Chapman ruins everything 34:10 - Shapeshifting as a meditation teacher 41:36 - More on LSD 43:06 - Moving to Japan 46:46 - A transformative psychedelic experience 49:38 - Analysing Michael’s psychedelic experience 54:32 - Living in the Jewel Ornament Sutra 56:48 - Seeing entities 01:00:17 - Learning to see other realms 01:04:20 - Extensive kundalini work 01:08:23 - Michael’s practice of classical tantra 01:10:38 - Intensive underground retreat practice 01:11:16 - The essence of Michael’s tantric journey 01:14:33 - Trauma healing and the energy body 01:17:20 - Integration and personal relationships ... To find out more about Michael Taft, visit: - https://deconstructingyourself.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am once again joined by Dr Nida Chenagtsang, master of Tibetan Medicine and spiritual teacher of the Yuthok Nyingthig tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. Dr Nida reveals why in 2021 he withdrew from public teaching to take an extended personal retreat lasting the year, and details the overall structure, daily routine, and practices that he engaged. Dr Nida recalls the obstacles he encountered and how he overcame them, and shares the powerful experience towards the end of his retreat that caused lasting significant change in his personality and activity. Dr Nida also discusses the danger of ego inflation and narcissism in spiritual practice, the serious psychological risks of rigorous training, and offers his advice on those who wish to embark on meditation retreat. … Video version: www.guruviking.com Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:56 - Why did Dr Nida go on retreat? 04:31 - Longchenpa on life’s busyness 06:23 - Overall retreat structure 09:28 - Daily retreat routine 11:32 - 2 different styles of practice 19:20 - Pros and cons of using an altar 21:46 - Chulen retreat diet 23:52 - Facing obstacles 26:51 - Bliss interrupted 30:00 - Changes in Dr Nida after the retreat 31:25 - Clarity, public opinion, and compassion burnout 39:02 - A beautiful inner understanding 41:08 - A transformative experience during the retreat 43:07 - Exclusive specialness 46:05 - Dr Nida’s retreat reading 47:31 - Feedback from others after retreat 49:34 - The ultimate spiritual expression 51:20 - Ego inflation from retreat practice 56:26 - Psychological disorders and retreat 59:06 - Spiritual narcissism 01:00:04 - Tough retreats and when training is too hard 01:01:52 - Retreat suicides 01:05:21 - Avoiding ego inflation on retreat 01:07:18 - Dangers of demanding higher practices 01:09:45 - Strict retreat vs quality of practice 01:11:11 - Advice for those embarking on retreat 01:16:17 - Dr Nida’s plans for future retreat 01:18:17 - Stiff mindfulness vs relaxed mindfulness … Previous Interviews with Dr Nida: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=nida To find out more about Dr Nida, visit: - https://www.facebook.com/DoctorNida/ - http://www.skypressbooks.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Lian Brook-Tyler recently interviewed me about magic and the esoteric for her ‘Primal Happiness’ podcast. Topics include: 00:00 - Steve is a muggle 03:07 - Who is Daniel Ingram? 08:29 - Musing on magic 18:04 - Cheat code or apotheosis? 19:46 - Magic as listening 22:22 - Dream yoga 25:00 - Lian on magic 26:55 - Siddhi and special powers 28:48 - Magic in modern culture 35:02 - Lian’s journey with magic 42:18 - Lian’s magical evolution 47:21 - Magical dark night 49:30 - Advice for those interested in magic 51:59 - Seeing beyond yourself 56:11 - Lian and the rose Lian’s ‘Primal Happiness’ Show - https://www.youtube.com/c/WakingTheWild Other times I have been interviewed: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/category/Steve+Interviewed

David recounts his upbringing in Scotland, and how a lifetime of frustrated spiritual seeking was resolved in a profound spiritual experience that changed everything. David details the results of this transformative experience and discusses themes such as religiosity, the zeal of the convert, falling into the spirit of God, advice for prayer and meditation, and the mystic’s view of identity. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/151-scottish-mystic-david-mcmurdo Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:37 - David’s upbringing in Scotland 03:50 - David’s love of the Scottish town of Thurso 05:56 - Frustrating spiritual seeking 07:57 - A life-changing spiritual experience 10:56 - Piercing the roof of the intellect 12:32 - Jesus Christ 15:43 - The Mystery 18:01 - Changes in David after the experience 20:06 - Gnosis and experiential spirituality 21:55 - Zeal of the convert 26:50 - Disagreement with the doctrine of the trinity 30:52 - Zealots aren’t fun 31:48 - Leaving the tribe 34:12 - Falling into the spirit of God 36:43 - The ultimate truth 40:04 - Depression and the Dark Night of the Soul 42:13 - What is God? 47:04 - Heaven, hell, and the afterlife 49:57 - Experiential vs intellectual knowledge 54:35 - Advice for spiritual practice 59:56 - Prayer and meditation 01:02:39 - How to meditate 01:04:51 - What is love? 01:09:26 - Pacifism and conflict 01:14:35 - Repentance and purification 01:17:57 - The mystic’s view of identity 01:23:25 - David’s YouTube channel … To find out more about David McMurdo, visit: - https://www.youtube.com/c/DavidMcMurdo For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I travel to the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan, where I visit world renowned Bhutanese author Ashi Kunzang Choden at her family seat of Ogyen Choling in the Tang Valley, Bumthang. Ashi gives a tour of her home, which her family have occupied for hundreds of years, including a rare look into a remarkable multi-story temple with rich religious frescos, sacred artefacts, and entire floors dedicated to Tara and Guru Rinpoche. Ashi also recounts her remarkable life that embodies so much of Bhutan’s recent history. Ashi was born into a family of feudal lords, witnessed the reformations of the 1950s, was educated in Catholic convents in India, and worked for the United Nations, before returning to her family home which she now runs as a cultural centre and guest house. Ashi also recalls the spiritual advice given to her by Dudjom Rinpoche, reveals why her exposure to Christianity opened her up to the heart of Buddhism, and discusses the impact of feminist thought on her perspective of Bhutanese culture and her place in it. … Video version: www.guruviking.com/podcast/152-voice-of-bhutan-ashi-kunzang-choden Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
 … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:13 - About Ogyen Choling 04:53 - Entering the temple 06:15 - The main temple featuring Buddha Shakyamuni, Dorje Lingpa, & Longchenpa 08:55 - Bardo Thodol fresco 09:28 - Sacred relics 12:49 - Frescoes of Guru Rinpoche and Kalachakra Shambala 16:53 - The Tara temple with unique family statues 18:36 - Frescos of the 84 Mahasiddhas, Avalokiteshvara, & the Buddha 20:44 - History of Ashi’s family temple 22:26 - Preservation of Dorje Lingpa’s texts 26:43 - Tour of the family museum 28:14 - About the local spirits 30:48 - Pre-reformation life of self-sufficiency 32:44 - Effects of global warming on crops 35:14 - Rice, grain, and alcohol practices 38:16 - History of Ashi’s family 42:44 - Ashi’s memories of Bhutan’s reformations 46:43 - Education at Catholic convents for 11 years 50:28 - Opening to Buddhism to through Christianity 53:41 - Meetings with great Lamas and the advice of Dudjom Rinpoche 01:00:03 - Ashi on feminism 01:06:28 - Ashi’s writing career 01:11:19 - Ashi’s closing remarks 

… To find out more about Ashi Kunzang Choden, visit: - https://www.olingheritagehouse.com/about - https://www.riyangbooks.com/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am joined by Mary Shutan: author, occultist, and spiritual teacher. Mary shares her journey from a traumatic early childhood to adoption into an upper-middle class family, and how spiritual overwhelm in her teenage years, and a subsequent kundalini awakening, drove her to in-depth study of spiritual themes. Mary details her own kundalini experience, including challenging side effects, kundalini traps, and the role of sacrifice on the spiritual path. Mary also discusses her love of reading and magical realism, recounts her time as a ritual magician working with the dark feminine, advises on encounters with entities and extra-terrestrials, and describes the different types of spiritual protection employed by institutions and public figures. … Video version: www.guruviking.com/podcast/153-mary-shutan-kundalini-and-the-occult Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
 … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:03 - Prolific publications 01:41 - Mary’s writing process 02:35 - Upper-middle class upbringing as an adoptee 04:56 - Early childhood trauma 08:28 - Spiritual overwhelm during teenage years 13:03 - Magical realism and Mary’s writing influences 17:29 - Spiritual truths in fiction 18:41 - Pan’s Garden, elementals, and Clive Barker 20:34 - Magic in art 22:37 - Mary’s kundalini awakening 26:04 - What is kundalini? 28:04 - Challenging side-effects of Mary’s kundalini awakening 32:35 - Active vs passive surrender 34:49 - Common misconceptions about kundalini 37:59 - What triggers kundalini awakening? 40:58 - Spontaneous kundalini awakenings 42:46 - Direct methods to awaken kundalini 45:40 - Kundalini traps 48:07 - Sacrifice on the spiritual path 49:48 - Losing martyrdom and other identity markers 52:31 - Years in ritual magic and occultism 55:31 - Misogyny in Western Occultism and the dark feminine 59:01 - How to know if an occult ritual has worked 01:01:29 - Are occultists hired by governments and celebrities? 01:07:12 - Different types of spiritual protection employed by institutions and public figures 01:09:09 - Mary’s near death experience 01:12:23 - Working with non-corporeal teachers and other entities 01:14:39 - Voluntary possession practices 01:18:06 - Encounters with extra-terrestrials 01:20:25 - Adi Da’s ‘Knee of Listening’ 01:22:38 - Working with Mary … To find out more about Mary Shutan, visit: - http://maryshutan.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Special guest Dr Jonathan Lunine, distinguished American planetary scientist and physicist, joins the ongoing discussion with: - Shinzen Young, meditation teacher and neuroscience research consultant - Chelsey Fasano, a Columbia University neuroscience student Dr Lunine is the David C. Duncan Professor in the Physical Sciences and Chair of the Department of Astronomy at Cornell University. Dr Lunine has published over 380 research papers and is at the forefront of research into planet formation, evolution, and habitability. Dr Lunine’s work includes the Cassini mission to Saturn, the James Webb Space Telescope, and the Juno Mission to Jupiter. Dr Lunine is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and has participated in and chaired advisory and strategic planning committees for the Academy and for NASA. In this episode, the group question the compatibility of faith and science, explore the writings of St Thomas Aquinas and the radical theology of T.S Eliot, and consider the controversial theories of Sir Roger Penrose. Dr Lunine also discusses his research into life on other planets, reveals the possibility of cyanide-based life, and speculates about the role of God in the universe of the Big Bang. … Video version: www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep145-faith-and-science-jonathan-lunine-shinzen-young-chesley-fasano Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 01:23 - Faith and Reason 04:42 - How big is life? 07:57 - Physics & God 08:57 - Buddhist exceptionalism 09:33 - Are science and faith compatible? 13:59 - The Society of Catholic Scientists 15:17 - Georges Lemaître and the Big Bang 16:03 - Dr Lunine’s search for life on other planets and moons 17:36 - Titan’s methane seas and hydrogen bonding mechanisms 20:03 - Cyanide-based life and information molecules 28:52 - Future missions to Titan 30:57 - Definition of a habitable zone 33:20 - Detecting water on extra-solar planets 37:04 - How big is life and where is information stored? 43:55 - Is life on Earth the ultimate pinnacle of self-organisation? 45:42 - Meta-life and Sir Roger Penrose 48:04 - The radical theology of T.S Eliot 50:24 - Aquinas on diversity as an expression of order 52:14 - Time and timelessness 55:44 - God as the Infinite and eternal foundation of all reality 56:46 - Chaos and Dr Sanguinetti … Previous episodes in this series: - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlkzlKFgdknxjhwG5wmXRVfrkeGczVPVI … To find out more about Dr Lunine, visit: - https://astro.cornell.edu/jonathan-lunine To find out more about Shinzen, visit: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep37-shinzen-young-pandemic-edition-guru-viking-podcast/ - www.shinzen.org To find out more about Chelsey, visit: - www.chelseyfasano.com For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Richard Ayling recently interviewed me on his 'Man Reimagined' Podcast. Topics include: 00:00 - Rich on Steve and interesting topics 03:07 - Steve’s background 08:46 - What is average? 11:06 - Growing up on the Shetland Islands 13:41 - Discipline and delayed gratification 22:54 - Guru Viking Meditation Club 34:10 - Strong determination sitting 36:51 - Dedication from enjoyment 43:07 - ‘Masculine and feminine’ 01:00:36 - Fundamentalism trap 01:03:08 - Rich’s doubts about men’s work 01:07:30 - Rich’s professional trajectory 01:18:36 - Methods are limited + Steve on men’s work 01:29:03 - Enquiry over imposition 01:34:23 - Movement Koan Method 01:42:43 - Meditation vs movement practices 01:44:40 - About relationship 01:49:27 - On conversation 01:51:42 - Steve’s future Richard Ayling: https://www.re-align.co/ Other times I have been interviewed: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/category/Steve+Interviewed

In this episode I am joined by Brad Warner, Zen teacher and best-selling author of ‘Hardcore Zen’ and ‘The Other Side of Nothing’. Brad recounts his unusual childhood, his passion for Punk rock ethics, and reveals what thwarted his teenage desire to become a born again Christian. Brad describes his first encounter with Zen, shares the secret of his decades of daily practice, and explains why he is at odds with the culture and institutions of mainline American Zen. Brad also discusses his awakening experience, the significance of dharma transmission, his new book on ethics, and what Dogen’s mysterious metaphors have in common with the TV show ‘Ancient Aliens’. … Video version: www.guruviking.com/podcast/155-hardcore-zen-brad-warner Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
 … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:48 - Brad’s writing process 01:54 - ‘I’m not saying it was Aliens, but it was Aliens’ 03:25 - Brad’s unusual upbringing 06:22 - Finding Zen and moving to Japan 09:38 - Punk rock ethics 11:38 - Trying to become a Christian 14:39 - Practice vs belief 18:09 - At odds with institutional Zen 20:57 - Brad’s Zen vs American Zen 25:08 - American Buddhist politics 26:25 - The secret of Brad’s daily meditation practice 36:01 - Meditation consequences permanent or temporary? 39:11 - The danger of stopping practice after awakening 40:56 - Nishijima Roshi cutting Brad down 46:36 - Brad’s awakening experience 49:37 - Receiving Dharma transmission 54:01 - Links to SFZC 55:09 - Dharma transmission wars and institutional power 01:02:06 - Secret lineage of transmission 01:05:06 - Will Brad give dharma transmission? 01:09:35 - What if Nishijima Roshi had moved to the USA? 01:13:41 - Does Brad have a teacher now? 01:17:15 - Brad’s new book about ethics and non-duality 01:25:13 - Dogen’s elusive metaphors 01:30:44 - Brad on race and being a foreigner … To find out more about Brad Warner, visit: - http://hardcorezen.info/ - https://www.youtube.com/c/HardcoreZen For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am once again joined by Delson Armstrong, spiritual teacher, meditation virtuoso, and author of ‘A Mind Without Craving’. Delson draws on his scriptural knowledge and personal experience to take a deep dive into dependent origination, the doctrine believed by many Buddhists to be the key to enlightenment. In practical and relatable terms, Delson explains how this doctrine works, why it is important yet so often misunderstood, and how to use meditation to move from an intellectual understanding to the experiential understanding that is Buddhist enlightenment. Delson also compares the enlightened to the unenlightened experiences of time, memory, and decision making process, and gives a surprising answer to the question: can enlightened people make mistakes? …

 Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/155-key-to-enlightenment-delson-armstrong-3 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:53 - How to obtain an experiential understanding 05:56 - Essence of Dependent Origination 07:37 - How choices create reality 11:09 - Delson explains the 12 links 21:38 - Common mistakes in understanding the 12 links 24:25 - 6R’s as a craving intervention 30:09 - Consequences of disrupting the 12 links via meditation 36:30 - Does the wisdom mind generate karma? 39:01 - Exhaustion of past life karma 41:09 - Enlightened vs unenlightened experience of life 45:14 - Enlightened vs unenlightened experience of time, memory, and future planning 48:38 - Enlightened vs unenlightened decision making processes 55:22 - Why do enlightened people make mistakes? 01:00:03 - Lifting the veil that filters reality 01:06:36 - Trauma how to recondition the mind 01:15:01 - Letting go of craving is wholesome 01:17:21 - Is cultivation of wholesome states necessary? 01:20:39 - How purification works 01:23:42 - Healing trauma and MDMA-assisted therapy 01:27:39 - Simply observing suffering is not enough 01:31:24 - Riding the 12 links to stream entry and beyond 01:41:46 - Practical advice for the practitioner ... Previous episodes with Delson Armstrong: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep120-meditation-virtuoso-delson-armstrong/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep127-siddha-tales-delson-armstrong-2/ - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep136-meeting-of-the-dharmas-daniel-ingram-delson-armstrong To find out more about Delson Armstrong, visit: - https://www.suttavada.foundation/our-teachers/ - https://www.dhammasukha.org/ 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Candia Raquel recently interviewed me for her ‘Sensual Sessions’ Podcast. Video version: www.guruviking.com/podcast/steve-james-interviewed-on-the-sensual-sessions-podcast 00:00 - What does Steve do? 02:00 - Does Steve have magical powers? 03:36 - Is Steve enlightened? 06:14 - Why is Steve interested in mysticism and relationship? 08:45 - Are Steve’s interests useful in daily life? 10:17 Applying sublime and subtle practices in daily life 14:31 - Falling in love with the mundane 17:22 - Feeling pleasure in meditation 22:37 - Do men struggle to describe feeling? 26:40 - 3 blocks to feeling pleasure 31:20 - Relaxations vs excitation 36:05 - Pleasure in martial arts and competition 39:11 - The ritual of preparation 42:53 - Winning 45:17 - Candia on ritual and the unexpected 47:08 - Biggest challenges for men in feeling pleasure 48:55 - Do men have unique stresses? 50:36 - Stoicism and emotions 54:47 - Candia on macho culture 58:42 - Repression vs narcissism 59:52 - How Steve works with people who want to feel more pleasure 01:04:52 - Mapping pleasure and going beyond method 01:07:39 - Movement as a portal 01:12:36 - Steve describes his present experience 01:13:20 - Steve online Candia Raquel: https://www.centrodepoder.com/ Other times I have been interviewed: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/category/Steve+Interviewed  #guruviking #stevejames #candiaraquel

Tseyang Osel is a Buddhist yogini who has spent most of her twenties in solitary retreat in remote mountain areas. Recorded in Tang Valley, Bhutan. Tseyang tells the story of her childhood, the beginning of the inspiration to become a yogini, and her attraction to solitary retreat. Tseyang details the practicalities as well as the dangers of spending months in the remote mountains, and the unique challenges of being a female practitioner in today’s world. Tseyang also discusses her love of Vajrayogini practice, the effect of kye-rim naljor on the subtle body channels, themes of devotion and attachment, and gives her heart advice to those who wish to practice well. …

 Video version: 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:47 - Tseyang’s childhood and upbringing 04:25 - The desire to become a mountain practitioner 06:35 - Searching for female inspirations 12:07 - Solitary retreats and attraction to remote mountain areas 16:05 - Special qualities of mountain retreats 20:25 - Food and provisions on remote retreats 23:28 - Challenges and dangers in the mountains 29:07 - Five elements practice as sustenance 30:43 - Nomad encounters 32:30 - Vajrayogini practice 36:51 -Generation stage and the subtle body 39:33 - Tendrel and devotion 41:34 - Skill in practice 42:37 - Being a female practitioner 44:40 - Long hair and attachment 51:59 - Wearing religious robes 53:51 - Advice to male and female practitioners 59:51 - Tseyang’s upcoming mountain retreat 01:01:20 - What inspires Tseyang’s practice … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Dr Evan Thompson is a Professor of Philosophy at the University of British Columbia an Associate Member of the Department of Asian Studies and the Department of Psychology, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.
 Evan recounts his upbringing in his father’s intentional community, the Lindisfarne Association, and shares stories of childhood encounters with teachers of Zen, Sufism, Tibetan Buddhism, Yoga, and more. Evan traces his intellectual and academic trajectories, and reflects on the problems of community dynamics and religious perennialism that his father’s community faced. Evan then outlines his critique of what he calls ‘Buddhist Exceptionalism’, as laid out in his book ‘Why I Am Not A Buddhist’. As part of this critique, Evan addresses subjects such as why Buddhism is not a science of the mind (or of anything else), why presentations of the historical Buddha used by figures such as Goenka are a useful fiction, the problems of borrowing the authority of science for the purposes of Buddhist evangelism, and the surprising influence of Protestantism on Buddhism’s development in Asia. Evan also reflects on the future of Buddhism and explores the question, ‘what is enlightenment?’. … Video version: www.guruviking.com/podcast/158-why-i-am-not-a-buddhist-evan-thompson 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:23 - Evan’s upbringing in his father’s intentional community 06:38 - Exposure to Zen via Richard Baker Roshi 09:34 - Zen takeover of the Lindisfarne Association 11:13 - Childhood encounters with Buddhist, Sufi, Yoga, and Christian teachers 14:29 - Evan’s distaste for Chogyam Trungpa’s scene 16:48 - Fractious community dynamics and the Zen takeover 21:19 - Problems of perennialism 25:03 - An ecology of mysticism 26:32 - Religious superiority 28:18 - Evan’s intellectual development and academic trajectory 35:36 - Buddhist exceptionalism and the Mind & Life Institute 41:20 - What is Buddhist modernism 44:065 - Evan’s misgivings about Buddhist exceptionalism 47:37 - Evan summarises his critique 49:21 - Reactions from colleagues 54:44 - Why do elite academics engage in Buddhist apologetics? 56:58 - Goenka’s useful fiction of the historical Buddha 01:01:09 - B Alan Wallace and religious vs academic register 01:04:19 - Exceptionalism as evangelism and exhortation 01:05:20 - The core philosophical engine of Buddhism 01:07:41 - Buddhism is not scientific 01:10:56 - Personal experience and ‘test and see’ 01:15:59 - Is Buddhist philosophy uniquely rich? 01:21:12 - What is enlightenment? 01:25:00 - Awakening as a regulative ideal 01:27:20 - What counts as the experience of awakening? 01:32:28 - Protestant Christianity’s surprising influence on Buddhism in Asia 01:40:23 - What would convert Evan to Buddhism 01:42:22 - Exceptionalism harms Buddhism and science … To find out more about Evan Thompson, visit: - https://evanthompson.me/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I host a dialogue between Tibetologist and Tantric Buddhist Lama Glenn Mullin and doctor of Tibetan Medicine and Yuthok Nyingthig spiritual teacher Dr Nida Chenagtsang. Lama Glenn and Dr Nida discuss impact of three key revolutionary figures in Tibetan Buddhism from historical and doctrinal perspectives: Padmasambhava, Atisha, and Tsongkhapa. The discussion extends to include the history and evolution of the famous 6 Yogas of Naropa. Both Lama Glenn and Dr Nida are known to teach these hitherto secretive practices relatively openly, and they discuss the issues that have influenced them to do so, including prophecy, the true meaning of secrecy, and the importance of including the body in religious practice. Lama Glenn and Dr Nida also discuss subjects such as the geomancy of Samye and the surrounding areas, the pros and cons of the multiplicity of religious sects in Tibet, similarities between Buddhist lineages and Western psychological schools, and more. …

 Video version: www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep159-meeting-of-ngakpas-lama-glenn-mullin-dr-nida-chenagtsang 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include:
 00:00 - Intro 01:10 - Jimi Hendrix and Je Tsongkhapa 03:29 - 3 revolutionaries: Padmasambhava, Atisha, Tsongkhapa 09:38 - Tsongkhapa’s 5 stages of the Dzogrim vs 6 Yogas of Naropa 14:13 - Padmasambhava’s big breakthrough 18:07 - Civil war, religious persecution, and Muslim invasion 20:08 - Why was Atisha special? 21:09 - Sect consciousness 21:41 - Tsongkhapa and the Sarma Renaissance 23:27 - Importance of historical perspective in understanding Tibetan Buddhism 26:16 - Samye College & the 5 Perfections 29:27 - Similarities with psychology schools 31:07 - Milarepa and experiential learning 35:38 - Core of all the schools 37:24 - Pros and cons of many schools 41:16 - The geomancy of Samye and Tibet 48:26 - Geomancy and dream yoga 51:36 - Historical evolution of the 6 Yogas of Naropa 56:34 - Why secrecy? 59:06 - Experiential vs academic learning 01:04:07 - Completion stage secrecy doesn’t make sense 01:08:08 - Body liberation is essential in tantra 01:12:47 - Physical activity is important 01:15:07 - Subtle body yogas of vajrayana 01:23:29 - Glenn’s closing remarks on the pros and cons of recent spread of Buddhism 01:33:19 - Nida’s closing remarks on social awareness and finding balance in Buddhist teaching 01:41:14 - The need for female teachers 01:43:32 - BONUS: Lama Glenn & Dr Nida's first meeting (in Tibetan) … Previous episodes with Lama Glenn Mullin: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=glenn%20mullin Previous episodes with Dr Nida Chenagtsang: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=chenagtsang … 
To find out more about Lama Glenn Mullin, visit: - http://www.glennmullin.com/ - https://www.facebook.com/Maitripa.Glenn To find out more about Dr Nida Chenagtsang, visit: - https://www.facebook.com/DoctorNida/ - http://www.skypressbooks.com/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am joined by Tulku Yeshi Rinpoche, Dzogchen master, teacher of Tibetan Buddhism, and author of over 15 books. Tulku Yeshi Rinpoche recounts his nomad upbringing in Amdo, Tibet including his family circumstances, early education in his local tent school, and more. Tulku Yeshi Rinpoche recalls, the spiritual influence of his mother, his rigorous religious education under the mahasiddha Lama Tamcho Gyatso, and the early signs of his being a tulku. Tulku Yeshi Rinpoche also describes his love of books and reading, and how the circumstances of his early life have shaped him today. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/160-nomad-master-tulku-yeshi-rinpoche 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:44 - Nomad upbringing in Amdo, Tibet 11:08 - Early education in a tent school 16:43 - Further education at boarding school 26:36 - Mother’s religious influence 28:13 - Reopening of the local temples and monasteries 30:34 - Studies with the mahasiddha Lama Tamcho Gyatso 36:45 - Rigorous learning regime in the monastery 38:36 - About Lama Tamcho Gyatso 44:16 - Receiving the name ‘Yeshi Gyatso’ 45:12 - Early signs of being a tulku 54:51 - A love of books and reading 01:02:28 - Journey to India … To find out more about Tulku Yeshi Rinpoche, visit: - https://www.facebook.com/HerukaInstitute/ - https://www.herukainstitute.org/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this interview I am once again joined by Beth Upton, meditation teacher, ex-nun, and student of renowned meditation master Pa Auk Sayadaw. Beth shares her emphasis on meditation with the natural rhythms of the body and reveals how she deals with students who experience low motivation, psychological challenges, and even psychosis as a result of meditation practice. Beth also discusses her own relationship difficulties after disrobing as a nun, why she embarked on special communication trainings to address them, and explains why erotic feeling diminishes as one becomes more enlightened. … Video version: www.guruviking.com/podcast/161-natural-meditation-beth-upton-2

 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:43 - Beth’s Sanditthika meditation community in Spain 04:16 - Different modes of community 07:36 - Meditation with one’s natural rhythm 10:45 - The structure at Pa Auk monastery 12:04 - Resting for the first few days of retreat 14:35 - Working with low motivation to practice 17:30 - Facing challenging mental and emotional states during retreat 19:47 - Psychosis on retreat 21:34 - Common teacher mistakes when dealing with emotional states and psychosis 23:12 - Fear of litigation and criticism 27:14 - Scandal, transparency, and patriarchal models 31:57 - Living in harmony with nature 33:12 - Relationships after leaving monasticism 40:12 - Does enlightenment eliminate erotic function? 41:58 - Begin in a relationship with an enlightened person 43:49 - Tantric and kundalini practices 47:05 - The value of relational and communication practices 48:14 - Meditation isn’t enough to heal relational patterns 52:04 - Beth’s training in relational practices 53:20 - Truth in relationship 55:32 - Balancing retreat practice and practice in life 58:51 - Off-cushion meditation toolkit 01:01:09 - Beth’s personal practice rhythm 01:03:48 - Sense restrain is a gift to oneself 01:06:00 - The consequences of indulgence … Previous episode with Beth Upton: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep138-trained-as-a-nun-beth-upton … To find out more about Beth Upton, visit: - https://bethupton.com/ - https://www.sanditthika.org/ … 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com

In this interview I am joined by Martin Faulks: author, hermeticist, meditation adept, and memory expert. Martin recalls his upbringing in Norwich England, including his childhood love of martial arts, the dissonance between an intellectual home life and school yard bullying, and an intuition for something more in life. Martin shares his first steps in practicing hermeticism according to Franz Bardon's methods, and offers the fruits of his unbroken daily practice of over thirty years. Martin also reveals elemental personality strategies for facing adversity and how to balance them, how to find one’s authentic self amidst society's mixed messages of approval, and how the Renaissance era memory techniques of Giordano Bruno can be used today as a path to enlightenment. ... Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/162-the-hermeticist-martin-faulks 

Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:56 - Upbringing in nature 03:40 - Childhood love for martial arts 06:57 - An intuition for something more 08:14 - Bullying at school vs intellectual home life 11:36 - Learning to learn 13:06 - Testing martial arts claims 15:58 - Discovering Franz Bardon and hermeticism 18:44 - Genuineness is a super power 22:02 - Coming home to hermeticism 24:24 - Developing awareness beyond the normal level 29:40 - Were there enlightened world leaders in the past? 31:51 - Elemental strategies to get ahead 35:17 - Correcting elemental imbalance 38:43 - First steps on the hermetic path 41:14 - Sources of authority 42:46 - Martin’s rigorous practice regime 45:18 - Initial exercises of Franz Bardon’s system 51:44 - How to discover your authentic self 54:37 - Mixed signals of societal approval 01:00:07 - Esoteric aspects of hermeticism 01:03:50 - Everything is real 01:06:59 - Meetings with extraordinary people 01:07:53 - Proving Giordano Bruno’s memory wheel system 01:13:20 - Renaissance era memory techniques for enlightenment … To find out more about Martin Faulks, visit: - https://martinfaulks.co.uk/ … 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I’m joined by Dean Sluyter: meditation teacher, best-selling author of several books including his most recent ‘The Dharma Bum’s Guide to Western Literature: Finding Nirvana in the Classics’. Dean recounts his fortunate upbringing, how he began to realise he had an unusually fast mind, and the early mystical experiences that would change his life in profound ways. Dean talk about his parent’s radical left activism, and how one event caused him to re-examine his family’s beliefs. Dean shares the arc of his spiritual life, including his psychedelic sadhu period, his twenty years as a teacher of Transcendental Meditation while teaching English at the illustrious Pingry School, his studies in Buddhism and Dzogchen, and why he now considers himself to be a spiritual elder. … Video version: www.guruviking.com/podcast/163-dharma-bums-guide-to-western-literature-dean-sluyter Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:55 - Origins of the book 03:05 - Dean’s Moby Dick karma 04:02 - A literature primer 05:16 - Art comes through people 06:30 - Dean’s fortunate upbringing 07:55 - A special mind 09:01 - Spontaneous childhood mystical experiences 12:18 - The mystery of awakening experiences 16:13 - Is Dean spiritually talented? 17:48 - Teaching literature and enlightenment at the illustrious Pingry School 20:03 - Dean’s emotional and social development 21:51 - Radical left activism of Dean’s parents 24:40 - Being wrong is a precious opportunity 30:57 - The appeal of certainty 32:18 - How to examine one’s inherited views 36:59 - Dean’s psychedelic sadhu phase 42:35 - Encountering Transcendental Meditation 48:09 - Mood making enlightenment 52:09 - Making your day a practice 54:20 - Why Dean left TM 57:15 - True meditation is effortless 01:00:12 - Life after TM 01:05:17 - Interest in Buddhism and Dzogchen 01:06:39 - Studying with Ngakchang Rinpoche and Surya Dass. 01:07:45 - Umbanda explorations 01:09:31 - Becoming a spiritual elder 01:11:14 - Rupert Spira as a spiritual reality check 01:13:36 - Emily Dickinson’s pure nonduality 01:16:39 - Facing the impossible in art 01:17:44 - Dean’s writing routine 01:18:18 - Dean’s teaching activities … To find out more about Dean Sluyter, visit: - https://deansluyter.com/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am joined by Dr K.A Shakoor: spiritual life coach, doctor of traditional Chinese medicine, and author of several books including ‘Ghetto Sutras’ and ‘Maahaah Yoga’. Dr Shakoor recalls his childhood upbringing in which he overcame illness and bullying through martial arts and meditation. Dr Shakoor recounts his early martial training, the unfolding of his psychic abilities, and the influential mystical experiences and people that influenced his life. Dr Shakoor reveals how he learned to be assertive and handle conflict, how he developed his own variation of tonglen meditation, and the importance of trusting one’s first thought. Dr Shakoor also shares his training in various religious and energetic systems, including qigong, yoga, aikido, Buddhism, traditional Chinese medicine, and more. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/164-dr-ka-shakoor-ghetto-sutras 

Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:55 - Growing up in Detroit Michigan 03:17 - Childhood illnesses and bullying 05:09 - Discovering martial arts and meditation in 1963 07:38 - Existential turning point after seeing a baby’s corpse 09:34 - Disillusionment with religion and a search for experience 12:59 - Psychic talents 15:06 - Deciding to become a yogi 16:13 - The influence of Catholic nuns 17:55 - A mystical encounter with a stranger 22:27 - Touring as a musician and training with many teachers 27:17 - Studying with Gelek Rinpoche and reading about Buddhism 28:54 - Academic achievement in the family 30:08 - Transformative effects of Dr Shakoor’s childhood Aikido training 33:44 - An experience of racism 38:28 - Learning to be assertive and handling conflict 41:09 - Psychic development 44:43 - Changing attitudes towards women 46:16 - Women’s psychic power 46:52 - Trusting what you feel 49:04 - Significant teachers 53:37 - Discussing karmamudra with Lama Wangchuk 56:07 - Dr Shakoor’s tonglen practice 57:54 - A spiritual epiphany 59:25 - S3men retention and pop tantra 01:05:21 - Becoming a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine 01:10:36 - Meeting Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche and encountering traditional Tibetan medicine 01:14:11 - Training with Dr Nida Chenagtsang ... To find out more about Dr K.A. Shakoor, visit: - https://www.drkashakoor.com/ … 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this interview I host a conversation between iconoclastic yoga teacher Angela Farmer, and internationally renowned counsellor, workshop teacher, and author of ‘The Wild Woman’s Way’, Michaela Boehm. Michaela shares her admiration for Angela’s work, and Angela describes the journey of her relationship to her body, including childhood struggles , meeting her pain, and beginning a love affair with the body. Angela discuses her life’s process of teaching and eventually going beyond traditional yoga, as well as sharing the remarkable account of recovery from severe injuries received in a recent fall. Angela and Michaela also discuss Milarepa and the feminine, surrender vs giving up, the wisdom of the body, structure and imposition, learning to receive, and how to meet the world with all one’s fullness. … Video version: www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep165-wisdom-and-the-body-angela-farmer-michaela-boehm Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:57 - How Michaela first encountered Angela 05:31 - Angela’s struggle to connect with her body 08:08 - Finding yoga 09:25 - The story of the body and judging oneself 12:30 - The spiral and childhood challenges 13:53 - Meeting one’s pain and disfunction 23:03 - Beyond the social persona 24:24 - Freedom from traditional yoga 30:32 - Learning about women 31:20 - Students’ projections 35:05 - Milarepa and the feminine 37:20 - Women’s empowerment 38:50 - A love affair with the body 43:38 - Deepening practice in pandemic sabbatical 45:47 - Angela’s recent fall 48:54 - Angela’s remarkable recovery process 52:09 - Be here now 56:26 - Surrender vs giving up 58:06 - Being in the head and being stuck in the underworld 01:01:27 - Wisdom of the body 01:04:36 - Structure and imposition 01:08:23 - Learning to receive 01:10:55 - Softening inside to meet the world 01:14:58 - Role models and learning through resonance 01:17:45 - Animals as role models 01:21:58 - Inspiring others 01:24:05 - Zoom vs in-person teaching … Previous episode with Angela: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep117-angela-farmer-a-life-in-yoga Previous episodes with Michaela: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=michaela%20boehm To find our more about Angela, visit: - https://angela-victor.com/ To find out more about Michaela, visit; - https://www.michaelaboehm.com/ … 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am once again joined by Daniel Ingram, independent Buddhist writer, author of ‘Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha’, and co-founder of the Emergent Phenomenology Research Consortium (EPRC). Daniel recounts his history with the obscure but powerful fire kasina technique, which uses a candle flame to enter into advanced states of meditative concentration. Daniel shares his successes and failures, encounters with occultists and meditation masters, and investigations into ancient texts. Daniel reveals the many uses of the powerful concentration that can be developed using fire meditation, discusses his own experiences of psychic powers and out of body experiences, and considers the risks of mental illness when dabbling in esoteric realms. At the time of recording, Daniel had just returned from a three week intensive private fire kasina meditation retreat, and he also gives a detailed practice report from his meditative seclusion, as well as practical advice for those who wish to explore this technique for themselves. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep166-fire-kasina-mystic-daniel-ingram Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 01:10 - Daniel’s history with the fire kasina technique 06:23 - Bhante Gunaratana 07:03 - Honeybunny the ceremonial magician 09:08 - Retreats at Gaia house and first out of body experience 12:15 - Breakthrough retreat 17:36 - Correlating fire kasina experiences with Daniel’s insight levels 19:43 - What age is best for peak meditation attainment? 25:50 - Ceremonial magic path to high concentration 27:25 - Crowley’s Book Four 28:00 - Concentration vs liberation 29:44 - A powerful experience on retreat 32:22 - Various applications of fire kasina 34:42 - Safety warning 36:55 - Experiences of OBE’s and the powers 43:09 - Divine eye and divine ear experiences 46:54 - Psychic powers or a daydream? 50:30 - Dangers of the powers 52:15 - Daniel’s guide for group retreats 01:02:14 - Practice dose advice and ideal retreat duration 01:09:10 - Aftershock and afterglow 01:19:15 - Intention, summoning entities, and retreat goals 01:29:32 - Mania, psychosis, and the clinical view 01:35:07 - Daniel’s report from his recent intensive fire kasina retreat 01:51:19 - Kripal’s flip and coping mechanisms … Daniel Ingram Episode Playlist - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlkzlKFgdkny_MJSecHyvKHPpvxTskBAC To find out more about Daniel, visit: - https://theeprc.org/ - integrateddaniel.info - https://firekasina.org … 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James x

Michael Taft is a meditation teacher, author, and host of the ‘Deconstructing Yourself’ podcast.
 In this episode, Michael reveals why he dislikes maps of meditation, and why he believes the Progress of Insight, a widely taught meditation map in Theravada Buddhism, causes more problems than it solves. Michael also discusses his points of agreement and disagreement with the Buddhist four path model, how he defines and teaches stream entry, the common traps on the way to enlightenment, how to cut through spiritual ego, and why Michael questions if becoming an arhat is actually good for anybody. Michael goes on to explain his own meditation map, based on the teachings of Shinzen Young, and shares his takes on emptiness, jhana, fire kasina, and how life changes after awakening. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep167-maps-to-enlightenment-michael-taft-2 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
 … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:57 - Cons of meditation maps 06:06 - Why the Progress of Insight map causes more problems than it solves 09:50 - Disagreement with Daniel Ingram 10:37 - Controversy of claiming Arhatship 14:15 - Teaching towards stream entry 15:06 - Defining stream entry 18:16 - Do meditators really want stream entry? 20:17 - Where Michael diverges from the 4-path model 22:42 - different approaches to spiritual practice 23:24 - What changes after enlightenment? 29:01 - Stress tolerance of enlightenment 30:09 - Michael’s perceptive 31:16 - Dangers on the way to stream entry 36:29 - Post-stream entry pitfalls 37:54 - Spiritual ego trips 38:35 - How Michael slices through spiritual ego 39:39 - Michael’s own map of vipassana 45:35 - The failure mode of high concentration 48:05 - Differences between low concentration and insight into emptiness 51:05 - The problem with cessation 52:47 - Emptiness of self and other 54:37 - Pointing to the self 56:02 - When Michael’s students achieve stream entry 57:02 - Welcome to the club 57:41 - Sutra vs Mahamudra 58:53 - Running the map backwards 01:01:21 - Emptiness and form 01:05:07 - The big temptation of emptiness and bliss 01:08:35 - Why leave emptiness? 01:13:10 - Vipassana vs vipasyana 01:15:41 - Quick fire round 01:16:13 - Wet of dry vipassana? 01:16:39 - Hard or soft jhana? 01:17:22 - Breath or fire kasina? 01:18:21 - BIT or SHF? 01:19:09 - Shinzen Young’s evolution … Previous episode with Michael Taft: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep149-deconstructing-yourself-michael-taft To find out more about Michael Taft, visit: - https://deconstructingyourself.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I host a dialogue between Stephen Snyder, meditation teacher and author of several books including ‘Buddha’s Heart’ and his new release ‘Trust in Awakening’; and Mark Mininberg, Zen master, dharma heir to Bernie Glassman, and founder CEO of Environ Energy. Stephen and Mark recount how they met and why they decided to become each others’ teacher, Stephen teaching Mark heart meditation methods while Mark completed Stephen’s Zen koan training. Stephen and Mark pull back the curtain to give us an intimate view into their mutual teaching relationship, including accounts of mind-to-mind transmission, powerful spiritual epiphanies, and a blossoming friendship. Stephen also announces his new book ‘Trust In Awakening’, a reworking with commentary of the classic Tang Dynasty Chan poem of awakening the XinXin Ming, and offers a teaching and commentary on two of the stanzas from the book. Stephen and Mark also discuss their rigorous new program for training the next generation of teachers, their plans to open a residential retreat centre, and reflect on the dharma politics of traditionalists vs innovators. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep168-trust-in-awakening-stephen-snyder-mark-mininberg

 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
 … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:13 - First meeting 03:35 - Becoming each others’ teacher 06:47 - Adding heart to Zen 12:54 - Zen master learning heart practices from Stephen 17:09 - A powerful heart experience 20:50 - Receiving Dharma transmission in the Glassman-Roshi lineage 24:27 - Deepening koan practice 26:18 - Meeting the minds of the ancient masters 29:04 - Trust in Awakening 33:48 - Stephen and Mark teach about awakening from the 5th stanza of Stephen’s reworking of the Xinxin Ming 39:59 - How to practice with Xinxin Ming stanzas 43:40 - Stephen and Mark teach from the 8th stanza 50:17 - What is the Zen transmission process? 55:09 - Demonstration and the Mu koan 01:00:21 - Buddha’s Heart Meditation Centre 01:07:44 - Training the next generation of teachers 01:08:37 - Qualities needed in a trainee teacher 01:15:29 - The program for trainee teachers 01:18:45 - Respect for the Zen tradition 01:24:00 - Stephen’s in-person retreats 01:25:26 - Dharma politics and traditionalists vs innovators … Previous episode with Stephen Snyder: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=Stephen%20Snyder To find our more about Stephen Snyder, visit: - https://awakeningdharma.org/ To find out more about Mark Mininberg, visit; - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mininberg-3ba7b2a … 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I travel to the tropical island of Ko Pha-ngan in the Kingdom of Thailand, to visit recurring podcast guest Dhammarato, a lineage teacher in the Thai Buddhist tradition who is known for his unique, 1-1 teaching style conducted over Skype. I arrived at Dhammarato’s home and over the course of two days engaged in discussions with him about his life, practice, and teaching. Dhammarato shares stories of his childhood in the American South, where he faced conflict and racism that influence his world view today. He recalls his time in Ana Arbor where, immersed in the New Age movement, he studied with a witch, and attended meetings with the Indian siddha Muktananda. Dhammarato unfolds his approach to teaching Buddhism, and addresses commonly misunderstood topics such as the 8 fold noble path, stream entry, paticca samuppada, the power of placebo, how to deal with malicious people, and the importance of sangha. … Video version: www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep169-visting-dhammarato Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. ... 00:00 - Intro 01:02 - Finding Dhammarato 02:15 - Life after the Wat 06:04 - Starting to teach on Skype 07:30 - Noble Dhamma vs ordinary Buddhism 08:30 - Respect for Bikkhu Buddhadasa in Thailand 11:22 - Other teachers of the Noble Dhamma 13:27 - Skilful means 14:44 - Dhammarato’s approach to concentration and jhana 16:37 - Common practice mistakes 19:25 - How to practice the Supra-mundane Dhamma 20:05 - Right view 22:20 - Right effort and sati 23:53 - Remember to look, then make a change 25:08 - From victim to winner 28:53 - No need for examples 36:09 - Is stream entry permanent? 37:16 - Does it get easier? 42:19 - Fear and the self 48:04 - Realisation of no-self is overrated 01:01:21 - Identification with the body 01:06:31 - Liking and disliking 01:23:06 - Tour of Dhammarato’s house 01:25:30 - ‘The Handful of Leaves’ sutra 01:26:58 - Dhammarato’s Skype teaching set-up and protocol 01:30:20 - Dinner with Dhammarato 01:31:39 - Placebo and meditation 01:44:27 - Dhammarato’s upbringing 01:48:05 - Paticca samuppada and movie projection 01:52:10 - Racism in the American South 01:56:46 - Why did Dhammarato’s family move from place to place 01:58:18 - Experiences of racism and jealousy 02:03:25 - Dhammarato’s childhood dreams 02:05:24 - New age period in Ana Arbor 02:06:31 - Studies with a witch 02:11:17 - Swami Muktananda and shaktipat 02:16:23 - Dhamma is playful 02:19:02 - Anything goes? 02:25:55 - Dealing with malicious people 02:34:04 - The sangha and good friends 02:38:31 - Capitalism vs socialism 02:41:52 - Dhammarato’s work to build the Western Sangha 02:46:04 - What is Dhammarato’s motive? 02:48:18 - Dhammarato’s students and graduates … Dhammarato Episode Playlist - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlkzlKFgdknyGISEfksirYaYpsrXdf8va … To find out more about Dhammarato, visit: - https://dhammaratoblog.wordpress.com/ - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjxg5GJFsRqnS-YLTzyrjLQ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am joined by Nadia Rafaat, yoga and meditation teacher, doula, and former journalist with a special interest in female empowerment and female spirituality. Nadia recounts her difficult childhood, early career in gymnastics, and multi-year rebellious phase of class A drug use in London. Nadia recalls how attending her first yoga class radically changed her life direction, and how bringing her spiritual practices of meditation and pranayama into her own pregnancy journeys unlocked profoundly transformative effects. Having trained extensively as a doula and in pregnancy yoga, Nadia dives deep into the world of pregnancy and birth, criticising the mainstream medicalising model and offering an alternative, more intuitive approach. Nadia also shares the powerful spiritual potential of giving birth, including her own spiritual experiences during labour, and shares her perspective on female empowerment and spirituality. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep170-yoga-of-birth 

Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 01:10 - Childhood and gymnastics career 04:47 - A difficult upbringing and the beginnings of spirituality 07:38 - Rebellious phase and drug use 11:39 - Class A’s vs psychedelics 14:17 - First yoga class and a change in life direction 16:30 - An unplanned pregnancy and life uncertainty 19:44 - Going into labour at a meditation retreat 24:40 - Birth and attachment mothering 29:25 - Second pregnancy and pushing for a home birth 35:36 - Training in pregnancy yoga with Francoise Freedman and ongoing studies 38:18 - Nadia’s meditation training 45:24 - Yogic meditation experiences 47:54 - Mindfulness for mothers 49:01 - Third pregnancy and attentiveness to the mind 53:09 - Insight into suffering during labour 54:53 - History of childbirth from domestic to medical 01:01:32 - An intuitive birthing countercurrent 01:07:47 - Agendas behind the C-section trend 01:17:11 - The spiritual dimensions of giving birth 01:21:53 - Bringing birth back home 01:24:12 - The yoga of pregnancy 01:31:01 - Pratyahara during labour 01:34:15 - Female empowerment and spirituality 01:41:56 - Yoga on a woman’s terms 01:46:07 - Nadia’s work … To find out more about Nadia Rafaat, visit: - https://nadiaraafat.com/ … 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am joined by Bruce Frantzis, world renowned Taoist master and author of books such as ‘Opening the Energy Gates of your Body’ and ‘Taoist Sexual Meditation’. Bruce recalls his turbulent childhood living with a schizophrenic mother, witnessing murders in New York city, and early training in martial arts and meditation. Bruce recounts a lifetime of adventurous travel and powerful encounters with spiritual and energetic masters in Japan, China, and India. Bruce describes his induction into a secret Taoist priesthood, his discipleship under Taoist immortal Liu Hung Cheh, and his training under Dzogchen masters such as Dudjom Rinpoche, Namkhai Norbu, and Lama Wangdor. Bruce also discusses the keys to Taoist meditation, the mechanics of mind-to-mind spiritual transmission, and how to heal mental, emotional, psychic, and karmic traumas. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep171-taoist-master-bruce-frantzis Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 01:02 - Bruce’s troubled childhood with his schizophrenic mother 03:10 - Boarding school at 6 and appetite for learning 07:12 - Spontaneous meditation practice as a child and other karmic presages 09:18 - Witnessing violent killings and beginning martial arts 14:13- Participation in the 60s counter culture 17:55 - Facing death at first Zen sesshin 20:03 - The New York scene 23:03 - Intense martial arts training in Japan 26:07 - Shocking meeting with Wang Shujin 30:31 - Adventures travelling in Asia 34:59 - Life changing experiences in India 42:38 - Getting busted in Okinawa 44:32 - Encountering a secret Taoist priesthood and further adventures in America 49:58 - Travelling through Europe 51:47 - Dangerous encounters in the Middle East 54:24 - One year of kundalini practice in a cave in India 58:19 - Surviving hepatitis and travel to Kashmir 01:03:27 - Further studies in East Asia 01:06:02 - Return to the USA 01:06:21 - More Hong Kong anecdotes 01:08:56 - Bagua and challenge matches 01:17:16 - Bruce’s observations about meditation after 60 years of practice 01:19:16 - The problem with the Buddhist valorisation of mothers 01:25:05 - Resolving childhood trauma 01:28:33 - Bruce’s teacher confronts his attitude 01:30:21 - Meetings with survivors of torture 01:42:45 - Essence of spirituality 01:48:08 - Past life karma with Dudjom Rinpoche 01:53:22 - Mental illness in America and impending environmental catastrophe 01:59:11 - The golden age of the baby boomers 02:02:02 - Medical gigong tuina 02:03:37 - Teaching meditation and exploitative gurus 02:06:06 - Taoist view of the spiritual path 02:10:20 - Taoism vs Buddhism 02:13:21 - Dzogchen studies with Namkhai Norbu and Lama Wangdor 02:17:10 - Realisation of clear light 02:19:47 - Advice for those facing difficult times 02:22:57 - Mind to mind transmission 02:25:08 - Understanding the totality of something 02:25:56 - First attain stability of mind 02:27:33 - Nityananda, Muktananda, and shaktipat 02:29:45 - How to do mind-to-mind transmission 02:38:26 - Potential for abuse in mind-to-mind transmission abilities 02:40:36 - Muktanada, Satchidananda, and sexual repression 02:46:00 - Mental vs emotional vs psychic vs karmic traumas … To find out more about Bruce Frantzis, visit: - https://www.energyarts.com/ … 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am once again joined by Tara Springett, a Buddhist psychotherapist who specialises in treating Kundalini Syndrome. Tara reveals how she works with her private clients, including how she assesses kundalini symptoms, her 5 step kundalini test, and emergency strategies for acute distress. Tara discusses the 3 part foundation for psychological and spiritual health, as well the essential role that relationship plays in the enlightenment process. Tara also shares her experience working at the intersection of kundalini with narcissism and other cluster B disorders, why it is that kundalini magnifies one’s latent negative tendencies, and why paranormal experiences and entity contact are inevitable for those with an awakened kundalini energy. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep172-kundalini-therapist-tara-springett 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include:
 00:00 - Intro 00:54 - How Tara assesses a kundalini patient 05:20 - The 5 Step Kundalini test 05:57 - How rare is kundalini awakening? 08:37 - Criterion 1: An extreme interest in spirituality 09:00 - Criterion 2: Intensified emotions 09:54 - Criterion 3: Feeling energy movements in the body 10:30 - Criterion 4: Hypersensitivity 11:24 - Criterion 5: Paranormal experiences 12:55 - The most important symptom 13:15 - The anti-anxiety technique 16:21 - Enlightenment happens in relationship 18:30 - Bringing spirituality and psychology together 21:03 - Cultivating self love 22:29 - The 3 parts of an essential foundation 22:59 - Applying the anti-anxiety technique 27:54 - The importance of the client-therapist relationship 31:24 - Healing emotional attachment issues by relating to a divine being 33:31 - Tara’s approach to the relationships with her clients 34:58 - Challenges working with narcissists 35:39 - Interaction of kundalini awakening and cluster B personality disorders 40:17 - Religious conversion as a medicine for narcissists 42:12 - Kundalini and Borderline Personality Disorder 42:59 - Awakened gurus with personality disorders 45:33 - 5 chakra enlightenment 47:00 - Reckoning with one’s sexuality 47:44 - Cult leaders and spiritual power 49:59 - Kundalini magnifies one’s tendencies 52:10 - Advice for when choosing a guru 59:29 - How Tara keeps herself grounded and morally straight 01:04:05 - Tara’s history of being hard on herself 01:05:27 - Kundalini and different demographics 01:07:23 - The #1 cause of kundalini awakenings 01:08:53 - Paranormal experiences are inevitable 01:10:11 - Entities attachment and possession 01:13:00 - Dealing with horror visions … Previous episode with Tara Springett: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep137-kundalini-awakening-tara-springett To find out more about Tara Springett, visit: - https://www.taraspringett.com/ … 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am once again joined by Tulku Yeshi Rinpoche, Dzogchen master, teacher of Tibetan Buddhism, and author of over 15 books.
 Tulku Yeshi Rinpoche recounts his gruelling journey fleeing Tibet across the Himalayas, his years in refugee camps and monasteries in Nepal and India, and his eventual arrival in the United States. Tulku Yeshi Rinpoche discusses his love of poetry, the cultural divide between Tibet and America, and why he still experiences nightmares about his time as a refugee. Tulku Yeshi Rinpoche also reflects on his recognition as a tulku, explains tantric dream yoga techniques, how to find a guru, when to reveal secret teachings, and gives his opinion on Westerners who use the title ‘Lama’. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep177-dreaming-tulku-yeshi-rinpoche-2 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:53 - Crossing the Himalayas 03:28 - Arriving in Nepal and life in the refugee camp 06:02 - Gruelling travel across India 10:21 - Arriving at Drepung Monastery and death of the monks 12:24 - Learning English in Seattle 15:50 - Love of poetry and published as a poet 19:22 - The poetry of Dzogchen and Mahamudra 21:39 - Cultural divide between Tibet and America 23:51 - Connecting to Steinbeck’s ‘The Grapes of Wrath’ 25:45 - Tulku Yeshi Rinpoche shares a religious poem 28:00 - Nightmares about Tibet 33:02 - Dream yoga techniques 38:08 - How Tulku Yeshi Rinpoche learned dream yoga 39:39 - Being recognised as a tulku by Trulshik Rinpoche 42:44 - Politics and nepotism in the tulku system 44:23 - Motive to help sentient beings 46:47 - The weight of having a title 49:47 - A warning to Western lamas 50:47 - Opinion of Western lamas 53:01 - Religion is not art 58:50 - Why is tantric Buddhism so popular? 01:03:07 - Powerful techniques of the vajrayana 01:05:40 - How to find a guru 01:10:41 - The importance of samaya 01:13:08 - Differences between students from different countries 01:14:19 - Shy to be a Buddhist 01:19:12 - How to keep Buddhism alive into the future 01:21:36 - When to share secret teachings … Previous interview with Tulku Yeshi Rinpoche: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/160-nomad-master-tulku-yeshi-rinpoche To find out more about Tulku Yeshi Rinpoche, visit: - https://www.facebook.com/HerukaInstitute/ - https://www.herukainstitute.org/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Damo Mitchell is an author, teacher, and student of the internal arts of Asia including Tai Chi and Daoist Inner Alchemy. Damo recounts his childhood of fear, inadequacy, and martial arts. And recalls how his rage, born from childhood trauma, was healed by the direct energetic intervention of a Daoist master. Damo shares his adventures throughout Asia, seeking authentic teachings of inner spiritual alchemy and internal martial arts, baiting teachers into fights to test their skills, and eventually discovering hidden lineages of spiritual and energetic transmission. Damo also explains the Taoist theory of the Dan Tien, why this crucial idea is so often misunderstood even by advanced practitioners of spiritual alchemy, and reveals his own encounters with paranormal powers such as electrokinesis and pyrokinesis. …

 Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep174-daoist-inner-alchemy-damo-mitchell 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:57 - From martial arts to inner alchemy 03:35 - Childhood fear and inadequacy 05:39 - The limits of martial arts for personal growth 08:20 - The pros and cons of martial arts 09:51 - UFC vs traditional martial arts 11:53 - Practical combat vs spiritual development 14:48 - The problem with Chinese martial arts 17:14 - Confusion of the purpose of training 20:37 - Geoff Thompson and radical combat effectiveness as a spiritual portal 23:16 - Damo’s rage stemming from childhood trauma 25:38 - Early meditative experiences 27:49 - Damo’s childhood meditation system 29:36 - Two types of practitioner 31:00 - Leaving school and travelling to Asia 33:03 - Dead ends when seeking teachers 34:12 - Secrecy in Chinese arts 35:10 - Reflecting on the dead ends 37:34 - Baiting teachers into fights 38:25 - How Damo found real siddhi and internal power 40:41 - The truth about Fa Jin 43:34 - How a controversial master healed Damo’s rage and trauma 48:27 - Damo analyses his chi healing 50:10 - Damo’s life fell apart 52:03 - Full engagement with the spiritual path 53:27 - Calibrating breakthrough experiences 55:14 - Damo on the Self 59:23 - Daoist inner alchemy 01:03:35 - Damo’s inner alchemy journey 01:07:05 - Misconceptions about the dan tien 01:09:20 - Building and filling the dan tien 01:11:04 - Breath work in inner alchemy 01:13:52 - Optimising efficiency 01:14:40 - Enlightenment in Daoism vs Buddhism 01:18:03 - Immortality in Daoism 01:19:34 - Meeting immortals 01:21:15 - Siddhi as evidence of progress 01:22:39 - Electrokinesis and pyrokinesis siddhi 01:24:45 - The importance of morality 01:27:43 - How Damo’s teacher challenges his morality 01:29:35 - How to improve one’s morality and conduct 01:34:03 - Sex and Daoism 01:38:31 - Learning Chinese … To find out more about Damo Mitchell, visit: - https://damomitchell.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

I was recently interviewed by Andres Valdivieso for his 'Innercraft' podcast. Topics include: 0:00 – Episode Intro 2:10 – The Guru Viking Podcast: origins and vision going forward 4:45 – Steve’s learnings from conducting The Guru Viking Podcast 13:30 – Steve’s current main priorities, activities and hobbies 24:51 – The intersection of music and meditation 37:00 – Steve’s background and how he got started in contemplative practices 51:50 – Steve’s goals and intentions regarding meditation/spirituality 58:44 – How formal sitting meditation impacts Steve’s life experience 01:07:55 – Meditation in daily activity 01:17:35 – Steve’s current daily meditation practice 01:23:29 – Relationship with daily activities that can be detrimental to meditation practice 01:35:00 – The intersection of movement, somatic practices and meditation 01:47:55 – The Movement Koan Method: nourishing the joints and bringing awareness to subtle body sensations. Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/steve-james-interviewed-on-the-innercraft-podcast Innercraft website: https://www.inner-craft.com/ Other times I have been interviewed: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/category/Steve+Interviewed www.guruviking.com

In this episode I am joined by Adele Tomlin, Buddhist practitioner, writer, poet, independent scholar-translator of Tibetan Buddhist texts, and founder of the Dakini Translations website. Adele recalls her upbringing in England, training as a barrister, and work as a strategist in the city of London, before a chance meeting with the 17th Karmapa changed her life forever. Adele traces her beginnings in becoming a Buddhist, her studies of the Tibetan language in Nepal, and thriving in the academic rigour of Tibetology at the University of Hamburg. Adele discusses her published works, shares her research and translation process, and explores the implications of the shentong vs rangtong doctrines of emptiness. Adele also expresses her frustration with gate-keeping in academia, reveals the reasons behind her founding of DakiniTranslations.com, and shares her research into the forgotten female mystics of India and Tibet. …

 Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep175-dakini-translations-adele-tomlin 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:05 - Endorsed by scholars 02:53 - Miranda Shaw 03:48 - Adele’s upbringing 04:35 - Training as a barrister and entering the city of London 07:39 - Dissatisfaction with life and training in yoga and philosophy 08:53 - Life changing meeting with the 17th Karmapa 14:47 - Reaction of friends and family 15:33 - Learning Tibetan to be closer to the guru 17:33 - Studying Tibetan in India and Nepal 20:28 - Discovering a talent for the Tibetan language 21:46 - The power of past life connections 28:22 - Studying Tibetology at the University of Hamburg 30:08 - Adele adjusts to the academic rigour at Hamburg 32:29 - The importance of practice experience when translating Vajrayana texts 34:54 - Publishes her first critical edition translation 36:30 - Philological and philosophical challenges of translating Taranatha's commentary on the Heart Sutra  41:04 - Rangtong vs Shentong 48:13 - The implications of the shentong view for practice 54:11 - Taranatha’s shentong reading of the Heart Sutra 55:08 - Frustration with gatekeeping in academia and founding dakinitranslations dot com 01:00:25 - Making Buddhist translation and research accessible and relatable 01:03:16 - Ethics of profiting from dharma 01:04:23 - The secret of Adele’s prolific output 01:06:33 - How Adele chooses which texts to translate 01:11:14 - Research into forgotten female mystics and masters 01:15:39 - Humour in Vajrayana and pointing out all male panels 01:18:36 - Male dominated lineage trees 01:20:08 - ‘Dakini Translations’ and British humour … To find out more about Adele Tomlin, visit: - https://dakinitranslations.com/ - www.facebook.com/dakinitranslations For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James