Guru Viking Podcast

During a recent trip to Nepal, I met with frequent podcast guest Lama Glenn Mullin, spiritual teacher, Tibetologist, and author of over 30 books on Buddhism. Glenn was in Kathmandu to lead a group of over fifty pilgrims into tantric retreat in the nearby mountains and graciously agreed to film with me at various sacred sites before and after their retreat. In this video, Glenn and I travel to Swayambhu Stūpa, a sacred monument venerated by both Buddhists and Hindus. First, we circumambulate the base of the hill. Then Glenn is joined by some of his students and ascends the hill to the main stūpa. Along the way, Glenn explains the history of the site as well as the symbolism of its architecture, sacred statues, and inscriptions. Glenn also discusses Shaivite and Tantric Buddhist relations and their shared power centres, the three kāyas and the tulku tradition, and the use of psychoactive substances such as soma in spiritual practice. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep285-swayambhu-stpa-lama-glenn-mullin Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:10 - History of Swayambhu 04:07 - Recent development at Swayambhu 07:32 - Glenn jokes with the ladies of the cleaning team 09:29 - Legendary origins of the Tibetan people 10:52 - The Tamang people 11:28 - Maoist mountain guerrilla activities 14:51 - Je Tsongkhapa statue 15:28 - The death of the Buddha and the 8 Great Stūpas 16:54 - Glenn explains mantras of compassion, wisdom, and power 17:45 - Sang offerings and sang kilns 19:50 - On Bodhi trees 20:52 - Shaivite and Buddhist relationships and shared power centres 22:29 - Shiva Babas, chillum smoking, and use of drugs in spiritual practice 24:04 - 5 ways to generate clairvoyant power 24:38 - Buddhist use of mind-altering substances and sacraments 26:00 - Bengali masters in Swayambhu 26:56 - Religious exclusivity 29:01 - Use of substances such as soma in tantric Buddhism 31:08 - Nagi Gompa and Tulku Urgyen’s sons 33:10 - Circumambulating a perimeter stūpa 35:09 - The cultural significance of circumambulation 36:00 - Bönpo Triten Norbutse Monastery and dark retreat 37:02 - Teaching on the 3 kāyas 39:29 - Explanation of the tulku tradition 43:44 - Further explanation of the 3 kāyas in terms of method and enlightenment 46:53 - Meaning of offering butter lamps 48:45 - Glenn’s practice of giving money to beggars 51:10 - The monkey temple 52:05 - Exponential merit during Saga Dawa 53:52 - Ritualised scripture recitals 55:01 - Carving sacred mantras and symbols on slate 57:17 - The power of statues and temples 59:07 - The meaning of “Swayambhu” 01:01:11 - Explanation of stūpa design 01:02:36 - Explanation of dharmaśālās 01:05:10 - Buddhas past, present, and future; and the spread of Buddhism 01:10:14 - Teaching on the 5 animals 01:13:04 - Circumambulating the main stūpa 01:15:02 - Mantra and prayer offering site for protection of babies 01:16:14 - Teaching on the five elements and transforming emotions 01:18:07 - Challenging spiritual elitism 01:19:42 - Legends of previous Buddhas’ visits to Swayambhu … Previous episodes with Lama Glenn Mullin: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=glenn%20mullin To find out more about Lama Glenn Mullin, 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 Thanks to Norbu Samphel for checking my translation of the Tibetan language section.

In this episode I am once again joined by Gilbert M Gutierrez, Chan Buddhism teacher and dharma heir of Master Sheng Yen. Gilbert recalls his discipleship under renowned Chan Master Sheng Yen, shares stories of gruelling retreat, private 1-1 exchanges, profound spiritual insights, mystical visions, and supernatural powers. Gilbert gives an overview of Chan philosophy, emphasises the importance of both study and practice, and illuminates the Buddhist doctrine of emptiness. Gilbert also details his process of becoming a Dharma Heir, defends telling stories of spiritual experiences, and reflects on his difficulties as an American in being accepted as a genuine teacher of Chan Buddhism. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep284-adventures-of-a-chan-master-gilbertm-gutierrez-2 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:51 - Becoming a disciple of Master Sheng Yen 04:49 - Eat bitter in your practice 05:54 - Loss of faith 08:21 - Profound encounter with the bodhisattva Quan Yin 12:48 - A contract of the heart 13:39 - A private meetings with Master Sheng Yen 18:30 - Receiving inka transmission from Master Sheng Yen 19:47 - A real master is a chameleon 22:36 - Master Sheng Yen’s compassion and mission 25:49 - About Chan Buddhism and emptiness 29:19 - The Heart Sutra 33:07 - We awaken people 35:10 - Master Sheng Yen’s emphasis on study 36:42 - Study and practice 38:33 - A reading from Daoxin 39:37 - Meditation experiences and a humbling lesson 45:39 - It’s a joke and a sham 47:34 - Becoming a Dharma Heir 49:54 - Everything is mind 51:03 - Special experiences and transcending pain 53:10 - Hearing one’s heart beat 53:38 - A state of ultimate bliss 55:08 - A famous master, a loyal attendant, and Gilbert’s powerful realisation 01:01:03 - Catching the bug 01:06:26 - The bug whisperer 01:08:44 - Why share stories of spiritual experiences? 01:10:17 - Gilbert’s biggest realisation 01:16:22 - Communicating with animals and entities 01:19:58 - Seeing peoples’ past and future lives 01:20:36 - Working with ghosts 01:21:39 - How to calm down a ghost 01:22:54 - Dealing with heaven dwellers 01:24:30 - Concerns about being accepted as a dharma heir 01:28:45 - Anti-Western prejudice 01:30:31 - Growing acceptance from the Taiwanese sangha 01:32:55 - The death of Master Sheng Yen 01:37:07 - A final encounter with the master … Previous episode with Gilbert M Gutierrez: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=gilbert To find our more about Gilbert M Gutierrez, visit: - https://www.youtube.com/@chanmindwork/playlists - https://mind-work.mn.co/ - https://riversidechan.org/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am once again joined by Duncan Barford, occult practitioner, counsellor, and author of ‘Occult Experiments in the Home’. Duncan details the different categories of spirits and entities, ranging from ghosts to demons to angels to elementals and land spirits. Duncan reveals his own encounters with these entities, recalls paradigm shifting fire kasina retreats with Daniel Ingram, and shares his own ideas about the importance and inevitability of working with the dead while on the spiritual path. Duncan also explains the Goetia, a controversial system of summoning demons for personal gain; recalls his own and others’ experiences of the system; and reflects on what drives practitioners to seek tangible contact with the realms beyond. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep283-seance-summoning-goetic-demons-duncan-barford-2 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:57 - Ontology of spirit entities 04:18 - How to categorise spirits 07:07 - Different spirit relationships 08:18 - Demonic entities and their demands 09:44 - What is the Goetic magickal system? 11:08 - Dangers of working with Goetic entities 13:48 - When Duncan used a Goetic demon for money 15:24 - Addictive quality of working with demons 16:55 - Goetia as magick of last resort 18:33 - Why do people work with Goetic demons? 21:41 - Duncan reflects on his Goetic rituals 24:43 - Barrier to entry for success in magick 29:37 - Duncan comments on the Enochian system 32:16 - Fey and fairies 33:28 - A challenging fire kasina retreat 35:18 - A powerful encounter with elementals and nature spirits 40:47 - Duncan reflects on his fire kasina retreats 43:59 - Encounter with Duncan’s guardian angel 45:27 - Why seek supernatural experiences after enlightenment? 47:49 - Shared magickal experiences with Daniel Ingram 49:52 - Duncan’s breakthrough and a compelling encounter with Spider Buddha 58:44 - Dreams as a portal 01:00:09 - Contacting the dead 01:01:31 - The hatred of the dead 01:02:27 - Death of Duncan’s father and dream visitations 01:08:25 - What the dead leave behind 01:10:18 - Helping the dead to let go vs judging them 01:14:15 - The fear of death 01:14:45 - Denying the dead 01:17:02 - We are accountable to the dead 01:18:53 - Carl Jung on relating to the dead 01:20:15 - Duncan’s affinity with the poet John Clare 01:21:18 - Duncan’s encounter with Badger 01:22:05 - The perfected dead 01:23:18 - Working with ancestors 01:24:55 - We live in a world of the dead 01:26:00 - Duncan’s advice for working with the dead 01:27:29 - Encountering the dead in the Odyssey and Aeneid 01:33:41 - The dead as bundles of karma 01:34:52 - National myths and history as propaganda 01:39:32 - Black Easter and occult means of obtaining power and influence 01:47:15 - Magick and politics 01:49:24 - Glory and honour 01:50:27 - Are magicians political? … Watch previous episode with Duncan Barford: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep265-occult-experiments-duncan-barford To find our more about Duncan Barford, visit: - https://www.duncanbarford.uk/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am joined by Shiv Mathur, Youtuber and spiritual explorer. Shiv recounts his life story including his upbringing in India, 16 years of military service, and international career in IT. Shiv describes how a growing spiritual calling saw him retire from the world of work to seek out spiritual masters in the Himalayas. Shiv shares stories from his search, including his encounters with Himalayan yogis such as Tat Wale Baba, and recalls how he began practicing in earnest the teachings he received. Shiv also discusses his current practice, the pros and cons of remote retreat, how to find and relate to a guru, the process of purification, and shares his views on the trajectory of world civilisation today. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep282-spiritual-explorer-shiv-mathur Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:56 - Shiv’s Youtube channel 02:06 - Shiv’s upbringing in India 03:56 - Education and 16 years of military service 05:25 - Leaving the navy and success in the private sector 06:33 - The spiritual calling and travel to the Himalayas 07:31 - Teaching international workshops 08:54 - Interest in Himalayan yogis 09:48 - Influence of Paul Brunton 10:26 - Travel to find authentic yogis 11:50 - Current life of solitude and self enquiry 12:48 - 3 ways of learning 13:38 - Shiv’s current retreat location 15:02 - Pilgrimage and the network of ashrams 16:22 - Shiv’s disillusionment with material riches 18:41 - Looking for an escape 19:59 - Meeting Tat Wale Baba and experiencing profound samadhi 21:36 - Traversing dimensions of experience 23:29 - Delusion and luxury beliefs 25:13 - Meeting yogis and purifying your energy 26:15 - Leaving the body and Shiv’s meditation goal 27:25 - Challenges of practicing in remote locations 29:52 - Personal prerequisites for practicing sādhanā 31:32 - Shiv’s practice method 32:44 - The practice of self enquiry 37:16 - Shiv’s interactions with Nasa and other scientists 39:04 - Indian astrology 40:09 - UFOs + did Nasa steal from India texts? 40:36 - The importance of self enquiry 41:55 - Real saints vs commercial yogis 43:55 - Spotting fake gurus 44:42 - How gurus fall into moral degradation 45:13- How to relate to a guru 46:48 - Lifestyle of a real guru 48:17 - How to prepare to work with a guru 51:11 - Shiv discusses siddhi and supernatural powers 53:57 - What is the purpose of siddhis? 55:00 - Purification 57:11 - Bugs in the human operating system 58:24 - Shiv comments on today’s social issues 01:00:00 - Feminism, trad wives, and Western capitalists 01:02:23 - The benefits of arranged marriage 01:03:59 - Civilisational collapse and universal correction 01:08:19 - Advice for yogis in times of world turmoil 01:10:06 - Closing remarks … To find our more about Shiv Mathur, visit: - https://www.youtube.com/@ShivMathur … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am once again joined by Mattias Daly, Taoist practitioner and translator of ‘Taoist Inner Alchemy’, published by Shambala. Mattias reflects on lessons learned from the series of exorcisms her underwent in his 20s, as described in episode 263 of this podcast, “My Demon Exorcism”, including the means by which entities may gain entry, and the surprising motives for their doing so. Mattias explains the vast hierarchy of spirit beings described in Taoism, considers the problems of obtaining special powers through relationships with entities and gods, and contrasts deity worship with voluntary shamanistic possession. Mattias also reflects on different types of Taoist practices, drawing a distinction between cataphatic and kenotic approaches, and recounts a remarkable story of spiritual healing. … Video version: Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:59 - Lessons learned after exorcisms 03:34 - Can entities give supernatural powers and siddhis? 06:44 - Entities enter through pride 08:15 - Entities piggyback on humans to accumulate merit 09:43 - The problem with gaining siddhi from entities 10:33 - A renowned Taiwanese siddha 11:59 - Do special powers come with spiritual attainment? 15:27 - Necessity to show off during rituals 17:54 - The vast celestial hierarchy of beings 22:10 - Abbess Liu’s spiritual journeys 24:11 - Making contact with higher beings 26:09 - Shamanism and voluntary entity possession 32:34 - Fr Michael Saso on cataphatic Taoist ritual 34:51 - Cataphatic vs kenotic practice 36:34 - Meeting a Taoist practitioner who had three spirit-helpers 43:13 - Requesting information from the spirit realm 49:59 - The cataphatic side of Taoism 52:43 - Learning a powerful somatic release technique and a remarkable healing 01:06:40 - Further healings and the purple cloud 01:17:43 - Mattias’ current views on entities and powers … Watch the previous episodes with Mattias Daly: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=daly To find our more about Mattias Daly, visit: - https://www.shambhala.com/authors/a-f/mattias-daly.html … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Delson Armstrong is a spiritual teacher, meditation virtuoso, and author of ‘A Mind Without Craving’. In this interview, Delson renounces all of his previous claims to spiritual attainment. Delson details recent changes in his inner experiences that saw him question the nature of his awakening, including the arising of emotions and desires that he thought had long been expunged. Delson critiques the consequences of the Buddhist doctrine of the 10 fetters, reveals his redefinition of awakening and the stages of the four path model from stream enterer to arhat, and challenges cultural ideals about enlightenment. Delson offers his current thoughts on the role of emotions in awakening, emphasises the importance of facing one’s trauma, and discusses his plans to broaden his own teaching to include traditions such as Kriya Yoga. Delson also reveals the pressures put on him by others’ agendas, and shares his observations about the danger of student devotion, the hypocrisy of spiritual leaders, and his mixed feelings about the monastic sangha. … https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep280-i-renounce-my-attainments-delson-armstrong Also available on Youtube & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … 01:14 - Delson’s declaration 07:56 - Why has Delson changed his view? 10:13 - Pressure on Delson and other peoples’ agendas 15:12 - Delson’s shocking observations about his 3 year teaching experiment 15:53 - Teaching debut under Bhante Vimalaramsi 17:22 - European teaching tour 17:32 - Tension towards other traditions at Dhammasukha 19:26 - Teacher-student divide at Dhammasukha 20:14 - Tensions with the Indian sangha 21:18 - Discomfort with guru worship in India 22:41 - Mixed feelings about the monastic community 24:30 - Teachers should never stop learning 24:45 - The 10 fetter model and an unhealthy narrative of spiritual success 26:15 - Potential for teacher-student abuse 27:41 - Questioning the 10 fetter model 29:28 - Ideals of awakening and cultural projections 30:48 - Transcending all models and systems 31:39 - Importance of ethics 33:21 - Why is Delson renouncing all spiritual attainments? 36:15 - Being open to your own experience 37:06 - Don’t gloss over suffering 39:41 - Changes in Delson’s understanding about the Buddha, dharma, and sangha 44:20 - Rethinking negative emotion and the end of craving 47:23 - The Simile of the Saw Sutta, Kakacūpamasutta 48:11 - Recontextualising the higher fetters of restlessness, conceit, and ignorance 49:15 - Is awakening static? 50:06 - Delson’s definition of awakening 51:55 - Redefining the 4-path model from stream-enterer to arhat 57:26 - Facing the shadow 59:10 - What was the experience that changed Delson’s mind? 01:02:48 - Learning from conflict and shadow 01:04:37 - Maintaining the image of a teacher 01:05:12 - No longer a teacher 01:06:35 - The corrupting pride of being a spiritual teacher 01:07:04 - Hypocrisy of spiritual leaders 01:09:23 - Do not seek perfection in Delson 01:10:14 - K the Buddha 01:11:44 - Against disempowering students 01:14:06 - Does Delson believe awakening even possible? 01:17:12 - What is awakening? 01:18:06 - Levels of awakening 01:18:58 - The true nature of reality 01:20:43 - Siddha tales and Delson’s supernatural experiences 01:24:27- Sifting the serious students from the merely curious 01:25:22 - Delson’s powerful trip to South India, astrology, and mystical experiences 01:31:07 - Delson’s future plans for teaching 01:32:02 - Plans to conduct Kriya Yoga initiations 01:32:41 - Delson as a conduit 01:33:16 - Reactions to Delson’s declaration Watch previous episodes with Delson Armstrong: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=delson Find out more about Delson Armstrong: - Personal Site: https://www.delsonarmstrong.com/ - YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@delson999 - Delson's Foundation: https://www.freedom-of-mind.org/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am joined by Miles Neale & Matthew Freidell to discuss their documentary film “Missing Peace”. The film’s description states: “Borobudur is a 1250-year old Buddhist monument located on the island of Java, Indonesia. It was designed as a kind of ancient technology to broadcast the frequency of peace across the world. The only problem is---Borobudur is missing its most important piece. Follow along as two masters, from two different traditions, come together with the goal of reactivating this powerful relic at a time when the Earth needs it most.” Miles and Matthew share the remarkable story of the making of the film, including the powerful life lessons both men learned along the way, Miles and Matthew also reflect on the power of pilgrimage, learning to trust intuition in life and the creative process, and the strategies they employed in dealing with local land spirits on location. … Link in bio. Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:03 - Chance meeting in Kathmandu 01:57 - Matthew’s creativity 03:39 - Synchronistic moments 04:07 - Origin story of the collaboration 05:22 - Matthew’s ontological suicide through plant medicines 06:42 - Embracing good and evil, coming to Bali 08:04 - Meeting of minds 09:54 - Thin veils since pandemic 10:43 - Miles’ stagnation and facing a choice 12:45 - Going to Bali during lockdown to follow an intuitive call 15:09 - Synergy and how to find courage and clarity 17:21 - Waypoints in learning to trust intuition 18:05 - Costly decisions and visions of Asclepius 21:25 - Healing temples of Ancient Greece 22:41 - From hyper-rationality to the mythopoetic 24:30 - Contact with discarnate entities 26:10 - Matthew’s experiences in the Amazon & encountering Chenrezig 29:57 - Spirit encounters in Bali 32:21 - Holistic perspective of wisdom cultures 36:03 - Turning off connection to the unseen world 38:10 - Borobudur monument has been turned off 38:57 - Strategies for dealing with entities 41:39 - The Missing Piece documentary 42:47 - Stupas are ancient technologies 44:46 - The power of pilgrimage 46:46 - Uniting Geshe Tenzin Zopa with a Javanese tantrika Mangku Jitho 51:45 - Shiva Buddha prophecy with global import 55:21 - Who is Geshe Tenzin Zopa? 55:52 - Who is Mangku Jitho? 56:38 - Mangku Jitho’s collection of cursed kris knives 57:43 - Reflections on the Shiva Buddha 59:14 - The joint ceremony to reactivate Borobudur 01:04:25 - The chatra and what do we worship? 01:06:50 - Challenges of filming in remote locations 01:08:49 - Style, the artistic process, and AI 01:11:44 - Matthew’s hero’s journey 01:16:06 - Invitation to the viewer … Watch “The Missing Peace”: - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDBzNsxyi_y_4ICCcAoMji6azDelR60OZ Watch previous episode with Miles Neale: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep69-dr-miles-neale-buddhas-tulkus-narcissists … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am joined by Ishtar, an independent mediation teacher, mystic, and spiritual guide. Ishtar shares his unusual childhood including near constant encounters with ghosts, early spiritual experiences, astral journeys, and precognitive dreams. Ishtar details his life of spiritual seeking, years of intensive meditation practice, encounters with the cult groups, dark nights of the soul, and more. Ishtar also recounts the car crash which both killed his mother and plunged Ishtar, at 13 years old, into a near death experience that would change his life forever. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep278-the-mystic-ishtar Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:42 - Ishtar’s unusual childhood 02:16 - Early encounters with ghosts 04:35 - Distress of constant ghost encounters 05:33 - Becoming Sherlock Holmes for ghosts 07:19 - Discovering the personality 10:48 - Beginning to suffer and developing roles 12:48 - Becoming a good faker 13:21 - Car crash, NDE, and the death of Ishtar’s mother 23:34 - Anger towards God 24:08 - A strange silence and bliss 26:59 - Grief and searching for transcendence 29:43 - Beginning of spiritual seeking 31:03 - Meeting local psychics 31:48 - Considering careers 33:12 - A powerful palm reading 36:15 - The mad monk inside 37:07 - 6hrs of practice each day 38:36 - Past life memories and spiritual proclivities 43:33 - Out of body experience 45:38 - Astral travel to floating cities 48:12 - Shaft of light 49:38 - Precognitive daydreams 50:17 - Further precognition 53:39 - Reading “Autobiography of a Yogi” and praying to Babaji 56:52 - Joining the Ishaya Foundation and living in ashrams 01:02:39 - Leaving the ashram and entering a dark night of the soul 01:05:44 - Repercussions of leaving a cult group 01:07:40 - Suffering returns and facing death 01:09:42 - The magic returns and teaching meditation 01:11:47 - Meeting his future wife 01:13:21 - A tough 2016 01:14:19 - Breakthrough to fully merging with everything 01:14:56 - Visions of Tuscany and experiences of blended time 01:19:20 - Reconciliations and purifications 01:19:43 - Leaving Portland and move to Portugal 01:21:47 - “I” vs “we” 01:22:52 - How did Ishtar spend his daily 6hrs of meditation? 01:26:18 - Spinning the wheels of meditation and trying to force results 01:27:40 - Powerful psychedelic experience 01:30:40 - Ishtar reflects on losing his mother at age 13 01:32:42 - An experience of maternal reconnection and affirmation 01:34:38 - Inner child work 01:36:11 - Mother’s embrace in Florence 01:37:44 - What does Ishtar’s teach 01:38:54 - Ishtar’s recent spiritual breakthroughs 01:41:40 - Psychic powers are not the bullseye 01:43:25 - Ishtar’s concluding thoughts and advice 01:47:29 - Christopher Wood, the stick peddler … To find our more about Isthar, visit: - https://www.ascension-meditation.com/ - https://www.awakenedlightastrology.com/ - https://www.youtube.com/ishtarishaya … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am once again joined by Dr. William Rory Dickson an associate professor of Islamic Religion and Culture at The University of Winnipeg and author of “Dissolving into Being: The Wisdom of Sufi Philosophy”. Professor Dickson discusses Ibn ‘Arabi (1165–1240), an important Sufi poet and philosopher. Ibn ‘Arabi was described as the greatest master of the Way but has increasingly been seen as a controversial and heterodox figure by some within Islam. Professor Dickson explores the historical tensions between the mystic and the cleric, describes Sufi meditation methods and the struggle to realisation, and considers extra-Islamic influences on Sufism throughout history. Professor Dickson also reflects on Sufism’s interaction with American culture including the universalist new age movement, the failure of utopian models of worldwide religious harmony, and the retraditionalisation of religious orders such as the Inayatiyya. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep277-master-of-the-way-prof-william-rory-dickson-2 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:14 - Orthodox to heterodox 05:44 - Who was Ibn ‘Arabi? 06:49 - A spiritual prodigy 10:34 - Leaving Andalusia and arriving in Damascus 12:33 - The greatest master of the Way 14:57 - Mystic vs cleric 17:23 - Political executions of sufis 19:12 - The need to read the room 19:54 - Periods of tension and integration 21:37 - The influence of patronage 24:18 - The struggle for spiritual realisation 27:47 - The visions and practice of Ibn ‘Arabi 29:12 - Embodying the 99 names of God 32:11 - Sufi meditation on the names of God 35:36 - The state of dhikr 36:20 - Ascetic practices 37:53 - Extra-Islamic influences on Sufi practice, historical and modern 46:54 - God brings prophets to all people 49:09 - Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan, Lex Hixon, and the New Age 58:04 - History of the Inayatiyya order 01:03:00 - Reformulating Sufism for an American audience 01:05:13 - Retraditionalisation in Inayatiyya 01:06:43 - The failure of modernist universalism 01:09:48 - Death of optimism 01:11:28 - Postmodernism vs perennialism 01:12:24 - Does Ibn ‘Arabi offer a synthesis of modern and post-modern perspectives? 01:16:17 - Rumi and the controversy of Coleman Barks … Previous episode with Professor William Rory DIckson: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep272-mystical-path-of-sufism-professor-william-rory-dickson To find our more about Professor William Rory Dickson, visit: - https://www.uwinnipeg.ca/experts-guide/william-rory-dickson.html - https://anqa.co.uk/publications/dissolving-being … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am joined by Tulku Sherab Dorje, Buddhist teacher, translator, and author of scholarly and popular books about Tibetan Buddhism. Tulku Sherdor recounts his unusual childhood and past-life proclivities, his graduation from Columbia Law School and subsequent elite level law practice, and years of spiritual retreat under masters of Tibetan Buddhist lineages. Tulku Sherdor explores the creative tension between cynicism and devotion, the use of humour in scripture and spiritual teaching, and the importance of reinvesting one’s merit with the inspiration of bodhicitta. Tulku Sherdor also reflects on what it takes to be an effective translator, whether critical scholarship is a threat to religious faith, and the pros and cons of the tulku system from his position as a recognised reincarnation. … Link in bio. Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:34 - Why write about one’s spiritual life? 04:48 - Humour and literary conventions of self-diminishment 06:20 - Self promotion and the marketplace of ideas 08:33 - Cynicism, devotion, and humour in relationship with gurus 11:46 - Buddha’s humour in the sutras 13:53 - Tulku Sherdor’s family background and unusual childhood behaviours 15:20 - Jewish diaspora and resonance with the Tibetan diaspora 17:36 Awakening of existential questioning 18:57 -Child psychologist’s advice to Tulku Sherdor 19:54 - Past life explanation and how to invest your merit 24:24 - How to use your freedoms and advantages 25:22 - Tulku Sherdor expresses gladness about his life’s work 26:52 - Are there dedicated practitioners? 27:49 - Tulku Sherdor’s unique combination of successes 28:53 - Benefits of being a well trained lawyer 29:46 - Important writing lessons learned at Columbia Law School and during law career 32:59 - Hypercriticism of other translators 34:00 - Serving the lineage with high standards 35:44 - Praise for Erik Pema Kunsang and Thinley Norbu 38:11 - Advice for writers and translators 41:12 - Dual-language immersion 42:23 - Translator disillusionment and historical perspective 46:46 - Cultural naivety and the published word 48:41 - Is critical scholarship a threat to sacred texts and religious faith? 53:16 - Advice about how to learn Tibetan 55:31 - Pros and cons of training at Harvard University and the Rangjung Yeshe Institute 56:46 - Advice for graduates of elite academic programs 01:00:39 - Sanskrit and Chinese 01:02:33 - The Amazon monster and Tulku Sherdor’s books 01:05:10 - Remembering past lives 01:08:44 - Carrying qualities into your next life 01:09:15 - Tulku Sherdor reflects on his childhood Dharmic tendencies 01:10:55 - Being a tulku 01:14:21 - Tulku Sherdor reflects on the tulku system 01:15:58 - Concluding remarks … To find our more about Tulku Sherdor, visit: - https://blazingwisdom.org/tulku-sherab-dorje/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am once again joined by Khandro Kunzang Dechen Chodron, teacher of Tibetan Buddhism and executive director of Saraswati Bhawan Publications. Khandro Kunzang details her apprenticeship in Nepal under renowned ngakpa Kunzang Dorje Rinpoche, outlines the course of her training from yidam practice to tummo and beyond, and reflects on the profound trust involved in the guru-disciple dynamic. Khandro Kunzang shares stories about Kunzang Dorje’s psychic powers, his testing the honesty and obedience of potential students and even other lamas, and the price he paid for adhering to his yogic ideals by refusing involvement in politics and religious institutions. Khandro Kunzang explains the value of a close relationship with a guru, what it takes to be a worthy student to a spiritual master, and considers the differences between those who teach dharma with or without lineage authority. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep275-i-was-a-tantric-disciple-khandro-kunzang-dechen-chodron-2 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:06 - Finding the guru 02:08 - US Tour with Lama Dawa 06:13 - Personal time and teachings with Lama Dawa 08:08 - Insistence on ngondro 09:16 - Proposing a consort relationship 14:23 - Meeting Kunzang Dorje Rinpoche in Nepal 16:46 - Past life test 20:48 - Receiving Dudjom Tersar 3 Roots Empowerment 22:00 - Challenged to drink alcohol as a nun 24:41 - Kunzang Dorje Rinpoche agrees to become Khandro’s teacher 25:23 - Further ngondro and 6 month retreat 27:01 - Kunzang Dorje Rinpoche’s clairvoyance and psychic powers 28:51 - How Kunzang Dorje Rinpoche tested seekers and students 30:29 - Exposing infidelity between a student and lama 31:23 - The importance of honesty and trust 32:23 - A pride offering 34:13 - Follow-through and other conditions of samaya 36:40 - A disobedient student 38:28 - Kunzang Dorje Rinpoche’s attitude towards high lamas 40:51 - The price of purity 42:52 - Exploitation of Westerners 44:15 - Ngakpas don’t form groups 45:20 - Faith in the guru 47:03 - Challenged by Kunzang Dorje Rinpoche 49:11 - Arguing with Lama Dawa 50:09 - The value of having a close relationship with a teacher 52:12 - Wrathful teaching vs abuse 53:57 - 2 dimensions of mentorship 55:08 - Motivation and lama wannabes 57:29 - Critique of bad lamas who come to the West 59:20 - What makes a real student? 01:00:27 - Importance of work ethic and personal sacrifice 01:02:30 - Self interest and hidden agendas 01:04:14 - Who is authorised to teach the lineage? 01:07:07 - Selecting a lineage holder 01:08:37 - Different levels of teacher 01:10:02 - The burden of being enthroned 01:12:56 - Khandro details her training under Kunzang Dorje Rinpoche 01:14:28 - Generation stage for ḍākinī, lama, and yidam 01:16:02 - Tummo and completion stage practices 01:19:40 - Rare pipe practice 01:23:23 - Private and public enthronements 01:25:28 - Further completion stage practices and Vajrakīlāya … Previous episode with Khandro Kunzang Dechen Chodron: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep268-sitting-with-terror-khandro-kunzang-dechen-chodron To find our more about Khandro Kunzang Dechen Chodron, visit: - https://www.phurbathinleyling.org/khandro-kunzang/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I host a dialogue between Henry Shukman, British poet, Zen teacher, and author of ‘One Blade of Grass; a Zen memoir’; and John Brehm, American poet and author of ‘The Dharma of Poetry’. Henry and John share the story of their formations as poets, compare the similarities as well as the marked differences in their backgrounds, and reveal the powerful forces that inspire the creative process. Henry and John discuss the purpose and process of writing poetry, reflect on poetry as a means of contact with the sacred, and contrast the richness of poetry with attentional practices such as mindfulness and Zen. Henry and John also perform and discuss several of their poems, including “Walk the Talk”, “Swifts”, “Yahrzeit”, and “Finis Ter”. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep274-poetry-the-sacred-henry-shukman-john-brehm Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:56 - Henry’s early interest in poetry 03:45 - Poetry and spiritual practice 06:04 - What is it to be alive? 06:30 - Searching for the charge 06:51 - First profound experience of writing poetry 08:17 - Poetry that awakes 09:25 - John’s unliterary family background 12:00 - John’s psychedelic experiences in the 1970s 13:23 - Poetry as a way to evoke luminosity 14:37 - Contact with the sacred 15:11 - Henry reflects on John’s early life 15:57 - Henry’s unusual parents 17:23 - Inner freedom and childhood trauma 18:01 - Imagist and Tang dynasty poets 20:08 - The Beat poet and a different way of living 20:54 - Intimacy and rediscovering landscape 22:26 - Seeing beauty in the ordinary and discarded 24:41 - It’s about quality of attention 26:01 - Attracted to the neglected 29:25 - The curse of being a public poet 30:09 - No allies and no encouragement 32:01 - John’s first poetry teacher 33:08 - The audience 34:40 - Poetry only works without purpose 35:32 - Recognising the false note 36:54 - Henry’s process of composition and revision 38:24 - Great poets of the past as audience 39:43 - A R Ammons an writing for an audience 40:20 - Henry’s dream for his poetry 41:52 - The chore of mindfulness 43:09 - Remembering your True Self 43:31 - The sacred pause 44:28 - Temporary enlightenment 45:31 - Poetry is richer than mindfulness 47:28 - Beauty beyond mere mindfulness 49:28- Focusing on what you love 49:59 - Using language to go beyond language 50:54 - Autopoiesis and memetic fulfilment 53:25 - Poet as conduit 55:32 - Radical awakening 57:00 - Banishing the beautiful 58:13 - Seamus Heaney on poetry as redress 59:24 - Collective awakening of consciousness 01:00:20 - Reciprocity and post-medieval alienation 01:01:20 - Hospicing modernity 01:02:30 - Why publish poems? 01:04:27 - John reads “Walk the Talk” 01:06:03 - Reflecting on success as poets 01:09:08 - John reads “Swifts” 01:12:48 - Henry reads “Yahrzeit” 01:18:22 - Henry reads “Finis Ter” 01:19:26 - Appreciation and gratitude … Previous episodes with Henry Shukman: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=shukman Previous episode with John Brehm: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep230-the-dharma-of-poetry-john-brehm … Find out more about Henry Shukman: - https://henryshukman.com/ - http://thewayapp.com/ Find out more about John Brehm: - https://www.johnbrehmpoet.com/ … 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 Dr Ben Joffe, anthropologist and scholar practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism. Dr Joffe leads a deep dive into the Western magickal tradition of spirit conjuration, traces their diverse forms through the centuries, and considers the range of beings described, from the land sprites of localised traditions to the high angels of the Enochian system of Renaissance polymath John Dee. Dr Joffe reflects on the origin and changing usage of terms such as “demon” and “devil”, laments the prevalence of dangerously lax invocation practices, considers the cultural impact of the grimoire tradition, compares the systems of demonology found in world religions, and notes striking similarities between Buddhist tantric mystic Padmasambhava and King Solomon. Dr Joffe also shares his own occult experiences including tales of spirit contact, servitor creation, dream visitations from the recently deceased, and ritual workings in several magickal systems. ... Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:12 - Western Esotericism 04:42 - Spirit conjuration and the grimoire tradition 05:49 - Analysing spirit conjuration tropes in horror movies 09:46 - Diverse magical practice 10:51 - Professor Ronald Hutton’s history of Western Esotericism 12:05 - History of spirit conjuration from Ancient Egypt to today 14:49 - Mesopotamian laws against witchcraft 16:08 - The status of magick in the Abrahamic traditions 16:58 - Clerical underground of wizards 18:20 - Literacy and the power of a magickal book 21:03 - Prioritising of the book and of language itself 23:08 - Gathering one’s magickal tools 25:00 - Preparation is key 26:20 - Do spirits find humans repulsive? 30:29 - Self-purification and strategies for self-deification 31:24 - Similarities between Padmasambhava and King Solomon 32:43 - Dzamling Chi Sang and subjugating spirits 33:41 - The Testament of Solomon and subduing spirits 35:34 - Magick and frat-boy fantasy 37:47 - John Dee and the quest for knowledge 39:40 - Christian ceremonial magick and Jesus as a sorcerer 41:55 - Pre-Christian Pagan European spirit traditions 43:09 - Magick vs religion 45:12 - Hamlet and old spirit frameworks 48:03 - Arguments for and against the grimoire tradition 53:56 - Cultural impact of the grimoire tradition 56:05 - Wisdom of the past 58:33 - Different types of spirits and supernatural beings 01:02:33 - Muslim views of Iblīs (the devil) and djinn. 01:04:22 - Evil spirits in Christianity and Tibetan Buddhism 01:06:01 - Different ideas of the Devil 01:07:17 - What is a demon? 01:07:50 - Lazy demonology 01:15:05 - The perspective of nondual Tibetan tantra 01:18:31 - Limitations of dualistic cosmology 01:20:56 - Angels and pre-modern Christian views 01:25:03 - Why demons are useful for practical magick 01:27:47 - Ben’s personal reflections on working with spirits 01:31:17 - Rites of passage and creating servitors 01:33:00 - Ben explains the Goetia 01:34:16 - Ben reflects on his magickal career 01:36:45 - Summoning spirits at 12 years old 01:43:11 - ADHD approach to magick 01:44:09 - Ben recalls powerful, unexpected spirit contacts 02:00:51 Group corroboration 02:02:17 -Dream visitations from the recently deceased 02:04:56 - Are these experiences real? 02:07:30 - The social aspects of magickal practice 02:10:48 - Ben’s relationship with an invented spirit 02:15:42 - Wyatt the servitor 02:21:02 - Models of magick and questions of purity 02:29:09 - The two wolves inside of Ben 02:31:25 - Universal principles or relative frames? 02:34:33 - Artisanal magick and honing attention 02:36:18 - Is magickal training reliable? … Previous episodes with Dr Ben Joffe: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=joffe To find out more about Dr Ben Joffe, visit: - https://perfumedskull.com/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am joined by Dr. William Rory Dickson an associate professor of Islamic Religion and Culture at The University of Winnipeg and author of “Dissolving into Being: The Wisdom of Sufi Philosophy”. Professor Dickson recalls his Christian upbringing, teenage atheism, and how powerful psychedelic experiences saw him embark on a religious search. Professor Dickson recounts his initial explorations of Tibetan Buddhism, his conversion to Islam, and how his dissatisfaction with conservative and Salafi revivalist trends saw him embrace the Sufi path. Professor Dickson also explains the history of Sufism; considers the influence of Ancient Egyptian, Persian, and Neo-Platonic thought; reflects on the role of language proficiency in the study of religions; and addresses common misconceptions about Sufism and Islam. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep272-mystical-path-of-sufism-professor-william-rory-dickson Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:59 - Upcoming book 01:42 - Religious upbringing 03:39 - Becoming a precocious atheist 04:36 - Late teen mystical experiences 05:29 - Rebellious teen years and interest in Japan 06:29 - Working as a social worker in child protection 07:57 - Drawn to academia 08:29 - Returning to graduate school in late 20s 09:58 - Becoming a professor 11:02 - Psychedelics as spiritual doorways 13:10 - Lessons from trauma 14:24 - Spiritual reading and engaging with Tibetan Buddhism 17:42 - Passion for reading 18:42 - From Tibetan Buddhism to Islam 20:44 - Dissatisfaction with local mosque Islam 22:50 - Friends and family reactions to conversion to Islam 23:52 - Involvement with Salafi Muslim revivalist movements 24:53 - First flush of fundamentalism 26:26 - Burning out, renewed spiritual exploration, and seeking a teacher 28:37 - Meeting Ngak’chang Rinpoche of the Aro gTer 31:32 - Gradual or sudden conversion to Islam? 32:23 - The role of Arabic language study 35:05 - Is source language study necessary to really understand and practice religions? 37:08 - Three idiots on an island 38:04 - Language skills and scholarship 40:21 - Decay of language skills in academia 41:59 - Shift from textual study to lived religion 44:56 - Elite vs popular Sufism 47:44 - Common misconceptions about Sufism and Islam 49:53 - Rich mystical philosophy and the post-colonial dilemma 51:17 - Meeting Sufi teachers and the question of Islamic identity 53:26 - Origin story of Sufism 57:515 - Historical perspective of Sufism and connections to Ancient Egypt, Neo-Platonism, and Persia 58:35 - Enoch as a progenitor of the mystical tradition 59:51 - Inner circle perspective 01:00:52 - Evolution and methods of Sufism 01:03:43 - Diversity of Sufi forms through cultural adaptation 01:06:28 - Ibn ‘Arabi 01:07:58 - Methods and metaphors 01:09:11 - Overwhelmed by the visceral presence of love … To find our more about Professor William Rory Dickson, visit: - https://www.uwinnipeg.ca/experts-guide/william-rory-dickson.html … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode, I host a dialogue between Brad Warner, Zen teacher, Youtuber, and best-selling author of “Hardcore Zen”; and Shozan Jack Haubner, ex-Zen Monk, Youtuber, and prize winning author of the memoir “Zen Confidential: Confessions of a Wayward Monk”. Brad and Jack explore their own journeys as writers, the humorous and confessional elements in their work, and the complications of writing about real life events that involve other people. Brad and Jack reflect on what they see as the politicisation of American Zen, describe how religious institutions can compromise their principles when faced with financial and political pressure, and explain their own efforts on Youtube and elsewhere to challenge hegemony and encourage a return to essential Zen. Brad and Jack also discuss facing criticism as public figures, consider some of their more controversial videos and views, and reveal how they stay centred amidst the polarising forces of today’s internet and social media world. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep271-zen-confessions-brad-warner-shozan-jack-haubner Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:10 - Radical self disclosure 02:49 - Why Brad began writing about Zen 05:59 - Hardcore Zen and success 06:48 - Noah Levine’s Dharma Punx 07:50 - Jack’s initial Zen writing 10:43 - Complications of being ordained 12:34 - When people find out 13:40 - Protecting others’ identity 16:29 - Compromise thru affiliation with Zen organisations 18:08 - Selling meditation as a product 21:03 - Austrian Zen and hard retreat 22:44 - Mainstream mindfulness 23:37 - Wearing Zen robes 24:55 - Why Brad stopped teaching in the USA 25:45 - Hostility in NYC 27:50 - Zen apprenticeship and closing the doors 30:53 - Boomer hippy ideals vs real Zen 31:45 - US Zen hegemony 35:11 - Politicised Zen and 80s televangelists 36:20 - Bullying and fixed views 37:25 - Sasaki Roshi’s scandal and encounters with boutique Zen teachers 39:02 - Politicisation of US Zen 41:07 - Financial pressure and running an institution 44:59 - Brad on Sasaki Roshi 47:16 - Sweeping Zen 48:08 - Challenging socio-political trends in American Zen 50:08 - Hijacking Zen 56:06 - The Jack Kornfield problem 59:20 - Attacked from both sides 01:01:16 - Right wing Zen 01:03:54 - Demonising the other side and facing your shadow 01:09:40 - Abuse and pushing your buttons 01:12:10 - Being too nice 01:13:28 - Self-justification 01:14:57 - Co-opting Zen 01:16:09 - Sasaki beats a lazy student 01:19:06 - The danger of Zen practice 01:23:06 - Patron priest corruption 01:24:58 - Dealing with negative feedback on social media 01:33:24 - Internet radicalisation and keeping your head 01:38:52 - Watching your equilibrium 01:39:49 - Jordan Peterson vs Zen 01:43:07 - Teachings vs entertainment 01:46:00 - Why Rinzai is evil and Soto sucks Previous episode with Brad Warner: - www.guruviking.com/podcast/155-hardcore-zen-brad-warner Previous episodes with Shozan Jack Haubner: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=haubner … To find out more about Brad Warner, visit: - http://hardcorezen.info/ - https://www.youtube.com/c/HardcoreZen To find our more about Shozan Jack Haubner, visit: - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt9Q74t3o7AUCJ_bKTc5CgA … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode, filmed on location in Kathmandu, Nepal, I am joined by Jina Kusala, originally from Norway and now a wandering Theravada monk. Jina tells the story of his traumatic childhood, the mental suffering and instability it caused, and how the Buddhist path provided a means to reckon with the pain. Jina shares encounters with religious leaders such as Mingyur Rinpoche, recounts meeting previous podcast guest Bhante Jason and reflects on the profound time he spent under Bhante’s instruction. Jina recalls his Himalayan wanderings and cave retreats, discusses the power of the 4 foundations of mindfulness, details the differences between Hīnayāna and Vajrayāna realisations, and explains why with incremental progress one may aim for sainthood. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep270-wandering-monk-jina-kusala Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:56 - Background and recent travels in the Himalayas 01:40 - How to work with hardship 03:09 - Upbringing in Norway and traumatic childhood 04:30 - Healing trauma 06:21 - Redeeming trauma and helping others 07:42 - Chasing satisfaction 10:22 - Finishing high school and seeking 13:25 - Discerning the wholesome vs unwholesome 14:46 - First encounter with Buddhism in Norway 15:44 - Travel to Sri Lanka and attempts at meditation 17:17 - Jina suggests a location change 17:57 - Meeting Bhante Jason 19:19 - Sophisticated use of the 4 Foundations of Mindfulness 22:46 - Entering the 4 jhānas, clearing emotional blockages, 23:34 - Mechanism of gaining insight 24:31 - The Buddhist path in brief 24:59 - 3 kinds of delusion 25:35 - The 4 noble truths 29:14 - When the mind lets go 31:55 - Leaving Bhante Jason’s hermitage 35:21 - Making Jina’s broken mind functional 38:25 - A scripture parade 38:45 - A period of chaos and profound uncertainty 40:05- Stabilising and improvement of functionality 40:59 - Interpersonal difficulties and wounds of mistrust 42:52 - Manifestation of unprocessed trauma 43:55 - Becoming a cure for trauma 44:53 - Himalayan Buddhism as Jungian shadow work 45:49 - Jina’s karmic background with Himalayan Buddhism 47:02 - Differences between the realisations of early vs later Buddhist forms 49:16 - Formless states vs true nirvāṇa 52:25 - A private meeting with Mingyur Rinpoche and 5 month retreat in caves 54:40 - Plans for India 55:21 - Reflections on the wandering life 57:05 - Developing intuition and accessing the magical mind 58:59 - Reflections on the path, meaning, and ennobling character 01:00:43 - Learning from your mistakes 01:02:29 - Incremental improvement 01:02:32 - Aiming for sainthood … Kathmandu Interviews playlist: - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlkzlKFgdknwvU82dU487LhF_mF4AkGek&si=gFGJpi-fnLtxeyZ5 Previous Episode with Bhante Jason: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep12-bhante-jason-guru-viking-interviews … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ and ‘Meditation’ by Steve James

In this episode I am once again joined by Damo Mitchell author, teacher, and student of the internal arts of Asia including Tai Chi and Daoist Inner Alchemy. Damo draws on his background in the qi arts, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Western psychology to reveal the causes and symptoms of various types of qi and meditation related problems, including dragon sickness, nihilism and depression, scorched nervous system, entity possession, and more. Damo explains the two most common triggers for qi illnesses, expresses warnings about working with spirits and reservations about tantric practices of deity and guru yoga, and differentiates true meditation from mere mental cultivation. Damo shares his own spiritual encounters, considers whether or not it is wise to explain mystical experiences to students, and offers recommendations for those facing energetic or existential upset. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:03 - Damo comments on Dr Willoughby Britton’s work 03:04 - Is meditation dangerous? 04:31 - Mediation vs qigong illnesses 06:15 - The illness threshold 07:06 - Why qigong illnesses are common 07:38 - Hunting sensation and hyper-stimulation of the nervous system 11:12 - Releasing the nerves 11:45 - Teachers who disclose vs those who withhold 1534 - Making progress or losing ground? 19:19 - Combining Eastern and Western psychological methods 23:00 - Meditation vs mere mental work 26:27 - Fascination with one’s own psychology 27:12 - Damo’s definition of mental illness 28:07 - Is mental work a preliminary to or distraction from meditation? 30:39 - Chinese terms for meditation vs mental work 32:23 - Comparisons with Patanjali’s 8 limbs of yoga 34:10 - Identity attachment 34:55 - Why teaching hurts your training 35:55 - Freedom vs negligence as a teacher 38:01 - Psychiatry vs traditional medical and religious models 41:03 - Two common triggers for qi deviations 42:34 - The dangers of going inside 43:32 - Qi side effects 44:14 - Advice for qigong teachers 45:19 - Scorching the nervous system 46:37 - Dragon sickness 47:43 - A case of dragon sickness that ended in suicide 50:04 - 5 types of qigong illness 51:38 - Entering into fire to encourage demons 52:39 - Nihilism from meditation 53:05 - Poison fire infecting the heart 54:19 - Criticism of sexual practice 58:06 - Contamination of the heart mind 01:00:25 - Love in the spiritual arts 01:01:49 - Demon possession or psychological disorder? 01:03:51 - How entity possession happens 01:06:27 - Lighting up the body 01:07:22 - A story about possession 01:08:58 - Seeking contact with entities through Falun Gong and tantra 01:11:56 - Don’t trust spirits 01:15:07 - Evolution away from shamanism 01:17:15 - Tulkus, dead gurus, and terma 01:20:05 - The cult of Avalokiteśvara and the Dalai Lama 01:21:07 - Risks associated with contacting ascended masters 01:23:42 - Reflections on deity yoga 01:25:15 - Quan Yin worship and personification of deities 01:27:52 - Premature ejaculation and sexual imbalances 01:31:36 - Damo’s mystical experience in a Bhutanese temple 01:35:19 - Questioning one’s own position 01:36:39 - Kundalini syndrome vs qi sickness 01:38:40 - What is kundalini syndrome? 01:39:55 - Commenting on Gopi Krishna’s kundalini account 01:41:26 - Karmic illnesses 01:43:39 - Pilgrimage and confession 01:44:30 - How to fix qi deviations 01:46:28 - Complicated cases and overpowering the incorrect patterns 01:47:22 - How extreme cases develop 01:48:43 - Scaremongering and the value of lineage 01:52:02 - Combining psychedelics with qigong practices 01:55:24 - Potency and risk … Previous episode with Damo Mitchell: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep174-daoist-inner-alchemy-damo-mitchell 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

In this episode I am joined by Khandro Kunzang Dechen Chodron, teacher of Tibetan Buddhism and executive director of Saraswati Bhawan Publications. Khandro Kunzang recalls her childhood samadhi experiences and communications with animal spirits, her meetings with great gurus, and her own path of mystical experiences. Khandro Kunzang recounts stories about Lama Dawa and Kunzang Dorje Rinpoche including tales of mirror divination, precognitive dreams, chulen mastery, and other yogic feats. Khandro Kunzang also explains how to work with terror and collapse of the Self, how to hold a place in one’s practice for uncertainty, and the importance of the student’s capacity when working with a guru. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep268-sitting-with-terror-khandro-kunzang-dechen-chodron Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:52 - Early life and connection to nature 03:06 - Exposure to Eastern religion and samadhi experiences 05:38 - Powerful experience with a Buddha statue at 14 years old 08:07 - Initial Buddhist seeking 09:44 - Involvement in New Age 10:03 - Transformative resonance with Yeshe Tsogyal’s biography 12:42 - Collapse of the Self structure 14:11 - Active Buddhist involvement 16:31 - Taking refuge and life falling apart 18:34 - All in for Dharma 20:29 - Meeting Lama Dawa and open discussion of the spirit realm 26:29 - Karmic affinity with Lama Dawa 28:16 - Invitation to meet Kunzang Dorje Rinpoche 29:59 - Accompanying Lama Dawa on a 9 month tour 33:10 - The influence of Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo 34:10 - Childhood communication with nature spirits and interest in environmental activism 38:20 - Dreams of guardian angel / dharma protector 40:42 - Feelings of alienation and other awakening experiences 44:58 - Past life as a Kagyu retreat master 47:00 - New Age interpretations 50:17 - Time as a sound healer 53:00 - More than mere appearances 54:13 - Trauma and the subtle body 55:52 - Lama Dawa’s yogic emphasis on experience 58:42 - Lama Dawa’s criticisms of scholars 59:55 - Bad death of a geshe 01:00:29 - Lama Dawa’s skill in debate 01:02:06 - Disillusionment with scholarship and social status 01:03:25 - Using the body to process trauma and “stuff” on retreat 01:05:21 - Intense experiences on retreat 01:07:18 - Discipline and music 01:09:08 - Constructive criticism and student capacity 01:11:27 - History of Lama Dawa and Kunzang Dorje Rinpoche 01:18:40 - Mastery of stone chulen and other yogic feats 01:23:12 - Mirror divination and other prognostication 01:31:21 - Living with a collapsed Self 01:33:16 - Sitting with terror and holding the place for uncertainty 01:36:14 - Working with the edge … To find our more about Khandro Kunzang Dechen Chodron, visit: - https://www.phurbathinleyling.org/khandro-kunzang/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am joined by Gilbert M Gutierrez, Chan Buddhism teacher and a dharma heir of Master Sheng Yen. Gilbert recounts his early childhood mystical and meditation experiences, his deep-dive into closed-door internal martial arts and nei gong systems, and the special abilities he both witnessed and unlocked. Gilbert describes the unusual circumstances leading up to meeting Taiwanese Chan master Master Sheng Yen, and how an arduous meditation retreat and a powerful encounter with Quan Yin changed his life forever. Gilbert also discusses exorcisms, ghosts, and vexing spirits, and tells stories of the pitfalls of using spiritual healing to sustain terminally ill patients. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep267-american-chan-master-gilbertm-gutierrez Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:52 - Childhood bardo memories 03:28 - Early meditation experiences 06:05 - A “roaming” Catholic and asking questions 10:26 - Studies at UCLA 11:37 - Studying closed-door martial arts systems 12:44 - Chinese master vs Japanese karateka 15:23 - Things are not as they appear 17:45 - Visionary experiences across time 19:37 - Nāgārjuna’s refutation of time and space 20:32 - True meaning of “no thought” 24:27 - The first level of Chan practice 25:53 - Nei gong studies and building chi 29:07 - Developing Wu Nien and related abilities 33:13 - Demonstrating abilities 34:52 - Meeting a qigong master and becoming his successor 39:52 - Healing abilities of the master 42:32 - Meeting masters and cracking the code 44:15 - Asking why we practice 45:33 - The dangers of using entities to empower your practice 50:39 - Meeting Master Sheng Yen 54:01 - Master Sheng Yen psychically anticipates meet Gilbert 58:59 - Suffering at first retreat with Master Sheng Yen 01:02:44 - Prostrating to Quan Yin and finding life’s purpose 01:06:37 - Metta, Karuna, and Henry Shukman 01:08:44 - Unconditional compassion 01:11:21 - True meaning of the Heart Sutra 01:18:45 - Moving from qigong to Chan 01:25:57 - Exorcisms, ghosts, and vexing spirits 01:29:42 - Buddha-perception and seeing other realms 01:31:10 - How do the Buddhas see the world? 01:35:33 - A vision of Quan Yin … To find our more about Gilbert M Gutierrez, visit: - https://www.youtube.com/@chanmindwork/playlists - https://mind-work.mn.co/ - https://riversidechan.org/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode, I host a dialogue between Guo Gu, Chan Buddhist teacher and scholar and author of ‘Silent Illumination: A Chan Buddhist Path to Natural Awakening’, and Meido Roshi, Rinzai Zen Abbot of Korinji Monastery and author of ‘Hidden Zen: Practices for Sudden Awakening and Embodied Realisation’. Guo Gu and Meido Roshi reflect on their long friendship, recall their first meeting in 1989 at a meditation retreat led by Master Sheng Yen, and extol the virtues of dharma friendship. They challenge common misconceptions about awakening, explain how to train the body in Chan and Zen practice, and reveal the suprising results of an integrated body-mind. They also describe the enlightened field of a true master, the power of being close to one’s teacher, and how to master energy, time, and space. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep266-meeting-of-masters-guo-gu-meido-roshi Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:58 - Meido and Guo Gu reflect on their friendship since 1989 08:20 - What is a dharma friend? 11:36 - Sharing experiences in Chan vs Zen 14:28 - Half baked experiences and marking history 16:25 - Keeping a practice journal 20:16 - Dreaming about Master Sheng Yen 24:30 - Developing as a teacher 28:30 - Embodying the master 31:04 - Master Sheng Yen’s sharp humour and private sarcasm 34:01 - Face to face training and being an attendant 35:55 - Drawbacks of online training 39:22 - The teacher as friend 41:46 - Dharma projections 43:16 - The resonant field of a master 47:42 - Embodied practice and interdependence of being 51:47 - The power of the retreat container 52:39 - The silent influence of one’s practice 57:33 - Learned bodily aptitude 58:39 - How to train the body 01:01:44 - Content and clear 01:04:32 - Mastering energy, time, and space 01:06:57 - Everyone is different 01:09:33 - The body-supporting experience 01:10:46 - Working with injuries 01:13:47 - Zazen emerges organically 01:15:20 - How to use the teacher’s influence 01:17:09 - Learning to let go 01:20:39 - “Put it down” 01:25:40 - Delusion is baked into the body 01:31:24 - Mind and body conditioning 01:34:20 - Solving problems 01:36:40 - Integrating the body-mind 01:30:01 - The entire universe is the true human body 01:38:30 - Putting down awakening 01:39:11 - Effort vs allowing 01:40:47 - Concluding remarks Previous episodes with Guo Gu: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=guo Previous episode with Meido Roshi: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep98-meido-roshi-hidden-zen … To find out more about Guo Gu, visit: - https://guogulaoshi.com/ To find our more about Meido Roshi, visit: - https://www.korinji.org/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am joined by Duncan Barford, occult practitioner, counsellor, and author of ‘Occult Experiments in the Home’. Duncan discusses his own journey into the occult including reality-bending experiments with Chaos Magick, invocation of his holy guardian angel, identifying and relating to entities, and meeting his long-time collaborator, the magician and spiritual teacher Alan Chapman. Duncan recalls his first encounter with Daniel Ingram’s “Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha”. He explains how he combined Daniel’s approach with Western occult methods and rituals to attain arhatship for himself. Duncan declared his enlightenment on the internet and began teaching awakening in a short-lived venture called “Open Enlightenment”. Duncan reflects on the strongly negative reactions that both his declaration and teaching project received. Duncan also comments on demonic affliction, both his own experiences as well as those of recent podcast guest Mattias Daly, the influence of social class and geographic location, navigating kundalini crisis, the intersection of mysticism and magick. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep265-occult-experiments-duncan-barford Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:19 - Occult experiments in the home 02:38 - Duncan comments on Mattias Daly’s demonic affliction 04:34 - Demonic or kundalini awakening? 06:27 - - Duncan’s own kundalini crisis 08:44 - Seeking guidance from Tara Springett 11:39 - Identifying entities 14:19 - Duncan’s specialism in counselling those having unusual occult experiences 17:05 - Finding the best paradigm 19:38 - Does Duncan prescribe magickal practice? 21:50 - Spirituality vs everyday life 24:42 - Meeting Alan Chapman and sustained interest in the occult 26:59 - Invocation of the Holy Guardian Angel 27:57 - Encountering Daniel Ingram and bringing awakening back to magick 30:31 - Duncan’s childhood interest in the supernatural and strange 33:13 - Gothic horror and psychoanalysis 33:52 - Beginning to explore magickal practice 35:03 - Moving from intellect to feeling and emotion 36:32 - Abandoning a PhD, meditation frustration, and life crisis 44:12 - Encountering Chaos Magick and leaning to bend reality 46:26 - Envy of Daniel Ingram and reception in the Chaos Magick community 49:40 - Are mysticism and spirituality compatible with magick? 51:09 - Using magick to induce mystical experiences 52:44 - Declaring arhatship and attaining the four paths 57:45 - Powerful experience with Andrew Cohen 01:01:43 - Advice from Christopher Titmuss 01:03:50 - Dreaming of Gary Numan 01:05:25 - Is arhatship the end of enlightenment? 01:07:09 - Duncan asks Steve’s opinion 01:09:07 - Did Duncan and Alan keep pace in their awakening path? 01:10:03 - The 3 doors and awakening with visions 01:13:39 - Fire kasina retreat with Daniel Ingram 01:16:26 - Why did Duncan declare arhatship? 01:17:59 - Ego inflation through magickal practice 01:19:08 - Negative responses to declaration of enlightenment 01:19:54 - Failure of Open Enlightenment and the compulsion to share one’s awakening 01:24:49 - Is UK conducive to spiritual and magickal work? 01:27:27 - Reflections on being working class 01:28:33 - Travellers vs locals 01:29:15 - Comments on the spectrum of entities 01:31:09 - Discount code for the Baptist Head Compendium … To find our more about Duncan Barford, visit: - https://www.duncanbarford.uk/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode, filmed on location in Boudhanath, Kathmandu, I am joined by Naljorma Tsül'dzin, an internationally acclaimed performance artist and ordained apprentice in the Aro gTer sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Tsül'dzin recalls her childhood in rural Ireland, early cultural and occult explorations, substance abuse and recovery, and her international career as a performance artist under the name “Kira O’Reilly”. Tsül'dzin traces her history with the Aro gTer sect of Tibetan Buddhism, from first encounter to full ordination, reveals her religious robes and the reactions they provoke, and explains her ongoing fascination with the Great Stupa in Kathmandu. Tsül'dzin also considers the intersection of art and religious expression, the tension between practice and performance, ritual and spectacle, and reflects on her long-standing work with Serbian conceptual and performance artist Marina Abramović. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep264-vajrayana-performance-art-naljorma-tsldzin Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:04 - Inspiring example of Jomo Samphel Dechen Rinpoche 06:30 - Working with body and physicality as a practitioner 09:34 - Childhood in Catholic rural Ireland 11:55 - The 80s goth scene 12:43 - Linda Montano’s insight on Tsül'dzin and subcultures 14:07 - Occult explorations 15:09 - Substance abuse and entering recovery 16:29 - Studying fine art at university 17:36 - Encountering the Aro gTer Buddhist sect 20:22 - Group practice format in the Aro gTer 22:44 - Attraction to the Aro gTer 23:37 - Internationally acclaimed performance art career 29:08 - Deepening Buddhist practice 30:47 - Ordination and Kathmandu 31:28 - Performance art and religious ritual 32:50 - Meeting Marina Abramović 35:25 - The Golden Bough and ritual as performance art 36:16 - Working with Marina Abramović 37:50 - Performing at Marina Abramović’ recent London retrospective at the Royal Academy of Art 39:16 - West/East influence 41:34 - Marina Abramović as a teacher 43:45 - Wearing religious robes 44:48 - Conversations arising from wearing robes in public 47:08 - Explaining the colour scheme 49:56 - Robes and participation 53:00 - Fasting and preparing for the 12-day Royal Academy performance 57:41 - Street Dog Care 58:43 - Reflecting on spiritual experiences 01:00:20 - Time and space 01:02:27 - Why spend so much time in Boudha? 01:06:22 - Practice vs spectacle 01:07:15 - Prostrations 01:08:08 - Art and the Aro gTer 01:09:44 - Secular vs religious art 01:12:04 - Disappointment with Western Buddhist art 01:14:08 - Recommendations for when visiting Boudha 01:14:36 - How to have impromptu conversations … Boudhanath Interviews playlist: - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlkzlKFgdknwvU82dU487LhF_mF4AkGek&si=gFGJpi-fnLtxeyZ5 … To find our more about Naljorma Tsül'dzin, visit: - https://www.instagram.com/naljormatsuldzin/ - https://www.kiraoreilly.com/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am once again joined by Mattias Daly, Taoist practitioner and translator of ‘Taoist Inner Alchemy’, published by Shambala. Mattias tells the story of his affliction by a malevolent entity, a demon attached to his ancestral line for generations. Mattias details the progression of his symptoms and his terror as the being began to take deeper hold on his body and mind. Mattias recounts several attempts at exorcism, working with ritualists from Taoist, Catholic, Tibetan Buddhist, Spiritualist, and Māori traditions in increasingly desperate attempts to rid himself of the entity. Mattias also explains various theories of demonology, the steps he now takes to avoid contact with such forces, and reveals the surprising reasons why he is sharing his story now, for the first time in public. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep263-possessed-by-a-demon-mattias-daly-3 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:02 - Arriving in New Zealand 03:49 - Searching for a mentor 04:23 - Intense and unusual spontaneous meditation experiences 11:48 - Teacher’s advice 13:02 - Extreme experiences reach a crescendo 14:54 - Martial movements and speaking in tongues 17:34 - Self healing powers 20:26 - Meeting a new Qi Gong teacher 26:01 - Lead up to the exorcism 35:06 - Exorcism #1: Taoist 37:33 - Failure of the exorcism 42:06 - Exorcism #2: Catholic 50:18 - Challenge to Mattias’ materialistic world view 55:03 - Return to meditation practice and involvement with Tibetan Buddhism 58:38 - The demon returns 01:02:13 - Teacher advises to stop practice 01:04:37 - Exorcism #3: Tibetan Buddhist 01:09:26 - Demon breaks through and takes possession of Mattias 01:13:33 - A deeper level of possession 01:15:47 - Isolation and worsening symptoms 01:20:20 - Exorcism #4: Spiritualism 01:24:14 - Fear of full possession 01:25:35 - Exorcism #5: Māori 01:38:06 - Māori tohunga’s explanation of the exorcism 01:49:03 - Origin of the demon and ancestral ties 01:50:54 - Why did the demon try to take possession of Mattias? 01:54:11 - Care and safety around malevolent entities 01:59:19 - Contact with other entities 01:59:48 - Should you learn exorcism? 02:02:23 - Sleep schedule and dreams 02:03:16 - Chinese demonology 02:07:15 - Ghost sightings 02:10:38 - Why is Mattias sharing this story now? … Watch the previous episodes with Mattias Daly: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep244-taoist-adventures-mattias-daly - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep251-taoist-inner-alchemy-mattias-daly-2 To find our more about Mattias Daly, visit: - https://www.shambhala.com/authors/a-f/mattias-daly.html … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode, filmed on location in Boudhanath, Kathmandu, I am joined by Dorje, an American Vajrayana practitioner born in 1947. Dorje recounts his childhood in the American South, his move to San Francisco in 1968, and his involvement in the early days of the gay liberation movement. He recalls the arrival of AIDS in 1981, the traumatic deaths of his close friends, and the impact of his own HIV diagnosis. Dorje explains his conversion to Buddhism in the midst of a chaotic and stressful life, his 25 years as an ordained monk, the power of Yamantaka practice, and his understanding of the spiritual path. Dorje also explores the deep relevance of the core teachings of Buddhism to his experience of the AIDS crisis, describes the rhythms of grief and death, and shares what he has learned about helping the dying. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep262-life-of-liberation-dorje Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:03 - Dorje’s upbringing 02:07 - Dorje as a boy 02:59 - Career aspirations and becoming a lawyer 04:16 - Arriving in San Francisco in 1968 04:38 - Involvement in the civil rights movement 06:28 Early days of the gay liberation movement 09:13 - The Cockettes 11:48 - Gay political organising in Atlanta 14:02 - Arrival of AIDS in 1981 15:21 - Deaths of Dorje’s close friends 16:10 - Dorje’s HIV diagnosis 16:45 - Stages of grief 18:50 - Dorje’s HIV related legal and political work 20:39 - Activism vs realpolitik 23:06 - Encountering Buddhism 25:08 - Reading DT Suzuki and Evans-Wentz 25:46 - Shamata in a highly stressful of life 28:29 - Drawn to Tibetan Buddhism 30:39 - The life of the Buddha 33:57 - Modern insulation from sickness and death 36:14 - The Buddha’s quest for enlightenment 39:18 - 4 noble truths and the core of Buddhism 42:26 - How to develop wisdom 44:10 - The spiritual path 47:38 - Ordaining as a Buddhist monk 52:12 - The 3 jewels of refuge 54:05 - Challenges of living as a monk 56:14 - Moving to Nepal 57:48 - Why were some people slow to recognise the danger of HIV 01:02:25 - Helping the dying 01:03:27 - The rhythm of grief 01:06:43 - Actors and magicians 01:08:42 - Facing his own death 01:10:01 - The power of Yamantaka practice 01:12:10 - Living with an HIV diagnosis 01:17:06 - Leaving monasticism and solo retreat during Covid 01:19:28 - Aspiration to help those newly diagnosed with HIV 01:23:19 - How to help those with a new diagnosis 01:24:10 - Side effects of medication 01:25:31 - Climate change in Kathmandu 01:25:42 - Hippy trail and changing fashions 01:26:35 - Experimentation with psychedelics 01:27:51 - Unsung heroes of civil rights 01:28:53 - Dorje’s Great Stupa kora practice 01:30:07 - Compassion and the goal of practice 01:31:33 - Kora around the Great Stupa 01:32:34 - Developing compassion for others … Boudhanath Interviews playlist: - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlkzlKFgdknwvU82dU487LhF_mF4AkGek&si=gFGJpi-fnLtxeyZ5 … 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’ and the new book ‘Original Love’. Henry discusses the surprising writing process of ‘Original Love’, the importance of love in spiritual practice, and how to release the heart. Henry describes the 4 major areas of spiritual development, his own first and subsequent awakenings, and the purifying effects of deep jhana practice. Henry also talks about his own journey from head to heart, his personal challenges of heartbreak and neurological illness, and his love for St Augustine’s ‘Confessions’. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep261-original-love-henry-shukman Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:50 - Writing Original Love 06:01 - 4 major areas of spiritual development 07:47 - The importance of love 09:27 - The example of mindfulness 11:06 - Henry’s neurological illness 13:37 - Letting go 14:39 - An epiphany in Venezuela 18:35 - Migrating from head to heart 20:53 - Heartbreak of awakening 22:31 - What is awakening? 26:56 - Henry’s first awakening 28:35 - Subsequent awakenings and the place of love 29:50 - The two wings of practice 30:41 - Release of the heart 32:50 - Does awakening change the experience of suffering? 36:53 - Resistance and suffering 38:37 - Unwrapping the gift of life 39:38 - Training jhana with Stephen Snyder 48:31 - Purification and catharsis in jhana 49:42 - Jhana vs awakening 53:54 - Encouragement to those seeking awakening 01:03:55 - Henry’s love for Augustine’s ‘Confessions’ 01:06:44 - Henry’s mother 01:10:03 - A resurgence in interest in awakening 01:14:15 - The original face 01:15:50 - Henry’s meditation app … Previous episodes with Henry Shukman: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=shukman To find out more about Henry Shukman, visit: - henryshukman.com - thewayapp.com … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

During a recent trip to Nepal, I met with frequent podcast guest Lama Glenn Mullin, spiritual teacher, Tibetologist, and author of over 30 books on Buddhism. Glenn was in Kathmandu to lead a group of over fifty pilgrims into tantric retreat in the nearby mountains and graciously agreed to film with me at various sacred sites before and after their retreat. In this video, we join Glenn before his retreat as he carries out his early morning circumambulation of the Great Stūpa of Boudhanath. As we walk, Glenn explains the story and significance of the renowned holy site, reveals the esoteric symbolism of stūpa design, and discusses the healing and spiritual power of pilgrimage. Glenn also reflects on his own life experiences in Kathmandu, recalls his early dharma training, interacts with people around the stūpa, and considers the implications of Kālacakra prophecies for recent history and current events. … Link in bio. Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:06 - Glenn’s early dharma training 02:54 - The sacred land of Nepal 03:28 - Movement of Buddhist masters and lineages from India through Nepal 04:30 - A local offering ritual 04:59 - History of Boudha 05:53 - History of the Tibetan exile community in Nepal 10:22 - Shechen Gompa and Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche 11:44 - An enlightened being 12:26 - Walk to the stūpa 13:16 - Stūpa architecture and its symbolism 16:59 - Morning circumambulation 17:43 - Glenn and students 18:53 - How to do kora circumambulation 22:59 - Kora in Dharamsala 24:21 - Why morning kora? 25:51 - Clockwise or counterclockwise? 28:51 - Healing power of pilgrimage 31:32 - Anecdote of life extension through kora 33:24 - The power of pilgrimage 33:49 - The meaning of ‘ani-la’ 34:49 - Many temples of Boudhanath and city migration 38:02 - Kangyur recitation 39:11 - Cakravartin or spiritual teacher? 41:45 - The story of the Great Stūpa 43:32 - An auspicious lineage 44:12 - Misconceptions about Buddhism in Tibet 45:37 - Damage and renovation of stūpa 47:08 - Making a donation 48:45 - Walking around the stūpa 49:50 - Prophecy of Buddhism coming to the West? 54:37 - Kālacakra prophecy about age of darkness or golden age 55:56 - Buddhist and Newari art 01:01:46 - Glenn’s favourite monastery in Boudhanath 01:03:25 - Walking around the stūpa … Previous episodes with Lama Glenn Mullin: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=glenn%20mullin To find out more about Lama Glenn Mullin, 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 I am once again joined by Dr James Justin Sledge, a professor of philosophy and religion specialising in the Western Esoteric tradition and founder of the popular Esoterica Youtube channel. Dr Sledge begins by explaining his position on enlightenment, why he’s not interested in becoming enlightened but still finds the concept interesting, and whether or not enlightenment claims are linked to traits of narcissistic personality disorder. Dr Sledge also reveals his own ethical orientation, considers various theories of morality, the role of tradition vs subjective experience, and what he calls the ”meaning famine”. Dr Sledge also takes aim at postmodernism and deconstructionism, retrieves the overlooked philosophers of antiquity and the Renaissance, and offers recommended reading lists for the autodidact interested in the esoteric. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep259-questioning-enlightenment-dr-justin-sledge-2 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:01 - Don’t want to be enlightened 02:20 - Belief, practice, and tradition 04:17 - Magick and the quest for power 06:42 - Judaism without belief in God 09:34 - Origins of moral authority 12:43 - Is belief in God necessary? 14:44 - Natural law and utilitarianism 16:07 - Dr Sledge’s personal ethics 16:40 - Virtue ethics 19:05 - The danger of existential questions 21:59 - Intellectual and spiritual hazing 22:31 - The meaning famine 25:35 - Dr Sledge on deconstruction and post-modernism 31:43 - Cancelling the canon 33:51 - Classics reading list for the autodidact 38:43 - Why get enlightened? 40:34 - Too lazy? 41:27 - Is enlightenment worth it? 44:48 - Enlightened narcissists 45:56 - Criticism of Dr Sledge 46:56 - Danger of unthinking fealty 50:05 - Questioning tradition and existential crisis 53:09 - Pros and cons of mystical experiences 57:27 - The mystic’s mistake 58:24 - Hyperfixation on baseline consciousness 59:42 - Hallucinations of the recently deceased 01:02:13 - Upsetting both sides 01:04:19 - Truth and other epistemologies 01:10:02 - Overlooked philosophers 01:12:05 - Telling the whole story of philosophy 01:13:25 - Dishonesty of academic philosophy 01:14:06 - Spiritual Renaissance philosophy and depriving 01:15:49 - The loss of awe and beauty 01:18:59 - Chasing awe with psychedelics, astronomy, and community 01:23:39 - Tactical religion and joining communities of value 01:27:19 - Huge influx of new converts to Judaism 01:28:43 - Recommended reading for Western Esotericism and overlooked philosophy 01:34:59 - Dr Sledge’s go-to book … Previous episode with Dr Justin Sledge: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep248-esoterica-academia-dr-justin-sledge To find out more about Dr Justin Sledge, visit: - https://www.justinsledge.com/ - https://www.youtube.com/@TheEsotericaChannel … 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 Ben Joffe, anthropologist and scholar practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism. Dr Joffe begins an interview series on demonology with a discussion about the spirit ontology of Tibet and the Himalayas. Dr Joffe explores the pre-Buddhist frameworks of relating to spirits and considers the degrees to which the arrival of Buddhism in Tibet erased, modified, or even incorporated those frameworks. Dr Joffe explains the unique methods of spirit domination, missionary geomancy, and other magickal techniques found in Buddhist Tantra and how these means were used to establish Buddhism in Tibet. Dr Joffe also discusses the inevitability of spirit contact for Tantric practitioners, what to do about predatory demons, the misunderstandings of Buddhist converts about the paranormal, and recalls his own stressful experiences with the spirit world. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep258-demonology-of-tibet-dr-ben-joffe Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 01:06 - 3 part demonology 03:31 - Interaction with imported Indian cosmology 04:32 - A scholarly caveat 05:47 - Pre-Buddhist Tibetan entity and spirit frameworks 10:16 - Land spirits 12:23 - Drawbacks of secularisation and psychologising of Buddhism 14:34 - Right relationship with entities 18:16 - Origins of dedicating the merit 18:16 - The arrival of tantra in Tibet and Padmasambhava’s spirit domination 22:30 - The essence of Buddhism 24:12 - Did Buddhism weaken Tibet? 26:11 - Tantric missionary technology of spirit domination 32:32 - Degrees of Buddhist integration with Tibetan practices and rituals 40:00 - Dr Robert Mayer’s work to reevaluate the terma tradition 43:30 - Beyul and opening sacred sites 47:10 - Offering practices and Chod 50:47 - Spirit mediumship and offending spirits 54:13 - Geomancy 56:41 - Staking the demoness of the land 01:01:03 - Dark tantra and the ethics of subjugation 01:05:59 - What is a demon? 01:06:57 - Facist tantra and Western occultists 01:09:12 - The role of compassion 01:10:07 - Tantra as institutional shamanism? 01:13:11 - Interviewing protector deities 01:15:15 - Perceiving spirits 01:18:07 - Misunderstandings of Western Buddhist converts 0:24:54 - Buddhism and the cultural substrate 01:25:47 - IFS and shamanism 01:27:55 - Completion stage practice and the logic of yoga 01:30:49 - Are spirits just your own mind? 01:35:09 - Dudjom Lingpa’s demon encounter in a dream 01:39:09 - Brahma, Buddha, and various levels of beings 01:40:44 - Are yidams just archetypes? 01:42:19 - Paradoxes of protection from spirits 01:45:35 - Predatory demons 01:48:29 - Many faces of Buddhism 01:50:05 - Outer, inner, secret 01:52:08 - Dream yoga and visionary sex 01:57:35 - Inevitability of spirit contact 01:58:09 - Ben’s stressful experiences with the spirit world 02:06:10 - Alien abduction experiences 02:11:42 - Night terrors 02:13:30 - Cognitive dissonance of tantric practitioners 02:15:30 - Priestly class mindset 02:18:09 - Real tantric training 02:22:05 - Logistical challenges of creating tantric adepts 02:23:57 - Ben’s magickal training Previous episodes with Dr Ben Joffe: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=joffe To find out more about Dr Ben Joffe, visit: - https://perfumedskull.com/ - http://www.skypressbooks.com/ … 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 Dr Nida Chenagtsang, Buddhist teacher, doctor of Tibetan Medicine, and author of ‘Let Meditation Be Your Medicine: The Timeless Healing Wisdom of Tibet’. Dr Nida discusses his latest book, the practicality of the Yuthok Nyingthik meditation system, and why it is important to choose a meditation style that suits one’s typology. Dr Nida explains why he opens the book with a tribute to the Ancient Greek physician Hippocrates, recounts how he came to a deep appreciation of the roots of European culture, and parses the difference between intellectual and experiential spirituality. Dr Nida also calls for a moving beyond conditioned views, explains how to appreciate culture and religion without being limited by them, considers attachment theory and guru-disciple dynamics, and reveals how transformative retreat experience brought him beyond conceptual limitations. … Link in comments. Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 01:04 - Sowa Rigpa Forum 14:41 - Appreciation of Western culture 18:05 - Know your roots 19:47 - Dr Nida’s journey to open up to European culture 22:55 - Déjà vu when first coming to Rome 25:37 - Similarities between Ancient Greek medicine and Tibetan medicine 28:48 - European meditation traditions 32:01 - Grabbing the devils 34:09 - A dream of facing the devil 36:50 - Inner dialogue meditation 39:51 - The essence of meditation 44:20 - The roots of meditation 47:37 - Becoming more open 49:07 - Intellectual vs experiential spirituality 50:33 - Dr Nida’s transformational experience on retreat 56:18 - Freedom from conditioning 59:00 - Yuthok’s open-mindedness 01:01:16 - Choosing the right meditation for your typology 01:05:05 - Anger management and Guru Yoga meditations 01:07:26 - Attachment theory and guru-disciple dynamics 01:13:131 - Beyond fixation and appreciating culture 01:16:31 - Adjusting to different life circumstances 01:18:36 - Learning languages 01:20:35 - Bonsai vs bamboo Previous episodes with Dr Nida Chenagtsang: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=nida 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 interview I am once again joined by Prajwal Ratna Vajracharya, a tantric priest in a centuries old Newari Buddhist family lineage and master of the religious dance tradition of Charya Nritya. Prajwal Vajracharya explores the history of Newar Buddhism, a rich form of Varjayana practiced in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal. Prajwal Vajracharya recounts the history of the religion, from its periods of suppression and secrecy up to its complex modern day interactions with 1960s hippies and Tibetan Buddhist refugees. Prajwal Vajracharya details the distinctive ritual practices of Newar Buddhism, which contain cultivation practices for ten paramitas, and explains the use of sacred sounds and the alphasyllabry. Prajwal Vajracharya also reveals distinctive mudra and mantra practices, explains the many esoteric uses of the mala prayer beads, and decodes the rich deity artwork for which the region is renowned . … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep256-newar-buddhism-prajwal-ratna-vajracharya-2 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:05 - Suppression of Newar Buddhism for 800 years 03:56 - Secret family lineages 04:52 - Distinctive ritual practices of Newar Buddhism 06:23 - 10 Paramita system 09:05 - Why perform daily ritual? 09:48 - Learning to perform ritual 11:28 - The power of ritual 13:00 - Sacred sounds and the alphasyllabary 14:54 - Decoding the symbolism of sacred deity art 16:50 - Daily practice 17:34 - History of Nepal’s Buddhist textual tradition 20:08 - Buddha’s birth and past life activity in Nepal 21:56 - Lost in Tibetan translation 23:14 - Guru Rinpoche activities in Nepal 24:18 - Secret practices under Gorkha rule 25:42 - Frustrations publishing about Charya dance 26:55 - Gendun Chophel 27:55 - Lack of scholarly evidence and destruction of Buddhism in Nepal 28:49 - Modern revival 29:44 - History of the Tibetan refugee community in Nepal 31:54 - Opening to the hippies in the 60s 33:17 - Lack of interest in Newar Buddhism among Tibetan lamas in Nepal 36:03 - Sectarian rivalry and racism 39:33 - How to use a mala 40:44 - Subtle anatomy and mudra 41:08 - Elemental and energetic significance of each finger 43:38 - Mudra uses the whole body 44:44 - The 3 important mudras 46:50 - Inner mudra 47:32 - The flower mudra 48:08 - Making mudra into meditation 49:32 - A gradual path 51:18 - Future mudra discussions 51:56 - A call for more research into Newar Buddhism … To find out more about Prajwal Ratna Vajracharya, visit: - https://www.dancemandal.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 Anthony Metivier, author and internationally renowned memory expert who’s meditation practice is reciting sacred Sanskrit texts from memory. Anthony shares his own language learning journey, including his childhood struggles learning French, to later success with languages such as German, Mandarin, Latin, Hebrew, and Sanskrit. Anthony describes the 5 levels of processing and reveals how he uses his expertise in the art of memory to fast track language acquisition, including strategies to optimise progress in vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension. Anthony challenges popular theories of comprehensible input, criticises gamified language learning apps, and reveals his number one secret to success in foreign language study. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep255-memory-secrets-for-language-learning-dr-anthony-metivier Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:55 - Anthony’s struggles with English 03:09 - Early life aversion to language learning 04:06 - Learning Hebrew as a revenge language 05:20 - Moving to Germany and unlocking the secrets of language learning 06:45 - Passing level 3 in Mandarin and other studies 08:55 - Impressive Hebrew progress 10:23 - Grammar tables and the importance of extensive reading 11:30 - Criticism of comprehensible input theories 12:30 - 5 levels of processing 14:20 - Key metrics to avoid overwhelm 16:54 - Advice for beginners and intermediates 19:02 - Frequency lists 20:53 - Working with native speakers 22:19 - A powerful reading regime 24:38 - Movie mixing 26:33 - Speaking and yogic exercises 28:28 - Latin grammar approaches 32:03 - Don’t need to learn grammar? 33:44 - Anticipatory reading 35:40 - Latin and Sanskrit vs German and Mandarin 37:38 - Disillusionment after fluency 39:55 - Breaking through to German fluency with extensive reading 43:46 - Problems with the language learning industry 46:40 - The tragedy of gamified apps 49:26 - Fast tracking vocabulary acquisition 56:39 - Linguistic deskilling 58:15 - Pros and cons of tests and exams 01:02:04 - Maintaining multiple languages 01:05:28 - The power of laddering … Previous episodes with Anthony Metivier: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=metivier To find out more about Anthony Metivier, 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 episode I am joined by Jason Miller, occultist, author, and teacher of magick. Jason shares his explorations in Tibetan Buddhism, including life changing encounters with Lama Vajranatha and famed ngakpa Kunzang Dorje Rinpoche. Jason recalls his months spent in Nepal during which he received esoteric empowerments, conducted cave and charnel ground practice, and refused the offer of discipleship under a spiritual master. Jason also discusses encountering the goddess Hekate and beginning to teach a magickal system associated with her. Jason compares Western ritual magick to the tantric sorcery of the Himalayas, and considers the role of natural talent in spiritual accomplishment. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep254-adventures-in-vajrayana-jason-miller Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:53 - Meeting Lama Vajranatha 04:27 - Experiments in Voodoo and psychedelic insights 07:23 - Beginning studies in Buddhism 10:31 - Travel to Nepal and meeting Kunzang Dorje Rinpoche 14:12 - Cave practice of Vajrakilaya 16:38 - Refusing Kunzang Dorje’s offer of traditional training 20:01 - Charnel ground practice and introduction to the nature of mind 22:37 - Realising rigpa 23:56 - Memories of empowerments in Nepal 30:30 - Powerful encounter with Hekate 36:26 - Choosing Western Magick over Tibetan Buddhism 37:37 - Communication with Hekate 40:53 - Grimoire culture of the early 2000s 42:45 - Beginning to teach the Hecate system 44:01 -Success of the Sorcery of Hekate online courses 45:56 - Why collect Buddhist empowerments? 49:19 - Illusory body and connections between systems 51:00 - Empowerments and further adventures in Nepal 57:01 - Himalayan vs Western Magick 59:17 - The truest wizard Jason has ever met 01:01:22 - What makes a powerful wizard? 01:02:46 - Old vs new systems 01:09:08 - Are some people supernaturally or spiritually gifted? 01:18:34 - Spiritual duds 01:19:41 - Senders vs receivers 01:20:17 - How to relate to spiritual experiences 01:23:11 - Astral projection and guitar playing … Previous episode with Jason Miller: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep235-strategic-sorcery-jason-miller To find out more about Jason Miller, visit: - https://strategicsorcery.net/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am once again joined by Leigh Brasington, Buddhist meditation teacher and author of ‘Right Concentration, A Practical Guide to the Jhanas’. Leigh discusses his latest book, ‘Gradual Training: The Buddha’s Step-by-Step Guide for Awakening’, in which Leigh lays a 13 step training which culminates in enlightenment. Leigh explains the scriptural origins of this formulation, why it is so crucial for meditation success, and speculates as to why it is so rarely taught by Buddhist teachers in America. Leigh also emphasises the importance of moral precepts, wrestles with contradictions in the Buddhist scriptures, considers how the scriptures have been altered over the centuries, and reveals his opinion of Buddhist claims to psychic powers. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep253-the-buddhist-path-leigh-brasington Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:53 - Leigh’s latest book 02:09 - A life changing meditation encounter 03:00 - The gradual training 05:05 - Training in insight practice under Ayya Khema 05:49 - Leigh’s insight journey 07:31 - Why isn’t gradual training taught in Western Buddhism? 07:55 - Buddhist teacher schtick 09:00 - People don’t teach the suttas 09:47 - 13 steps to awakening 12:23 - Origin and evolution of the 13-step Gradual Training 13:23 - The Buddhist scriptures have been tampered with 15:23 - Evolution of the doctrine of 12 links of dependent origination 16:34 - Philological implications 17:51 - Did the Buddha have supernatural powers? 21:59 - Contradictions in Buddhist scripture 24:11 - Early vs late suttas 26:20 - When were the suttas composed? 29:39 - When was the gradual training devised? 31:11 - Gradual training vs Lamrim 32:35 - Fruits of the spiritual life 36:38 - Keeping the precepts 40:08 - Guarding the senses 42:41 - Mindfulness and clear comprehension 44:47 - Contentment with little 47:04 - Overcoming hinderances 49:12 - Are psychic powers real? 50:14 - Meditation or morality? 54:13 - Consequences of skipping ethics 58:05 - Do the precepts spoil the fun of life? 01:01:19 - What makes practice life changing? 01:02:36 - Enjoyment without attachment 01:04:17 - The power of motivation to change habits 01:06:19 - How Leigh gave up pot and sweets 01:08:19 - How to do insight practice 01:09:08 - Future writing projects 01:13:30 - Why Leigh publishes his books for free … Previous episodes with Leigh Brasington: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=brasington To find our more about Leigh Brasington visit: - http://www.leighb.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I host a dialogue between Dr Chencho Dorji, Bhutan’s first psychiatrist and the Professor of Psychiatry at Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences, and Dr Caroline Van Damme, an adult psychiatrist and family and systemic psychotherapist specialising in chronic psychotic disorders. Drs Dorji and Van Damme dialogue about their experiences as psychiatrists in very different countries, Bhutan and Belgium. They compare their experiences treating religious psychosis in which patients believe they are Jesus or Padmasambhava, address mental health stigma, and examine the interaction of supernatural beliefs such as spirit possession with modern psychiatry. The Drs discuss the emerging mental health laws in Bhutan, including forced treatment laws, innovative treatment models, and pressures from pharmaceutical companies. The Drs also consider the pros and cons of religion to both society and the individual, examine three levels of Bhutanese Buddhism, and reflect on the dire consequences of the death of Christianity in Europe. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep252-religion-psychiatry-dr-chencho-dorji-dr-caroline-van-damme Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:16 - How they met 03:44 - Dr Chencho’s visit to the Night Hospital in Belgium 05:12 - Dr Chencho’s side of the story 06:07 - Fascination with the ‘Night Hospital’ model 08:33 - Sharing models between countries 09:39 - Not trying to cure 12:36 - Mental health challenges in developed vs developing countries 15:04 - Psychiatry is a simple science 17:26 - Negligence of psychotic patients 19:01 - Stigma around mental illness 23:03 - Pressure from pharmaceutical companies 25:53 - Mental health laws in Bhutan 30:17 - Forced treatment laws in Belgium 39:15 - Complications of supernatural beliefs in Bhutan 41:28 - Getting the family on side 45:02 - Anti-psychiatry beliefs 46:57 - Psychosis or spirit possession? 49:25 - Dangers of marijuana 55:38 - Padmasambhava’s proscription against smoking 58:00 - Religion at societal and personal level 59:47 - Religious psychosis 01:01:23 - 3 levels of Buddhism 01:02:27 - Pros and cons of religious belief 01:06:25 - Treating psychotic Padmasambhavas 01:08:06 - Patients who hear God 01:11:00 - Fading of Christianity in Europe 01:13:03 - Spiritual void and fading of religion in Bhutan 01:13:55 - Today’s Buddhist monks’ failings 01:16:00 - Learning from the fall of European religion 01:21:17 - Science vs religion 01:22:05 - Spiritual void and suicide 01:24:04 - Is religion needed? 01:26:38 - Lack of priests 01:29:40 - Uniqueness of psychiatry 01:31:25 - Reflections on inter-cultural collaboration 01:33:53 - Dr Caroline praises Dr Chencho’s accomplishments … Previous episodes with Dr Chencho Dorji: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=chencho Previous episode with Dr Caroline Van Damme: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=damme To find out more about Dr Chencho Dorji, visit: - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057403100633 To find out more about Dr Van Damme, visit: - https://www.sowarigpainstitute.org/dr-caroline-van-damme … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am once again joined by Mattias Daly, Taoist practitioner and translator of ‘Taoist Inner Alchemy’, published by Shambala. Mattias recounts the unusual circumstances that saw him travel to a remote monastery to meet Abbess Liu Yuanhui, under whom he would begin intensive training in meditation. Mattias discusses Taoist meditation and its relationship to magical powers, psychic abilities, and other unusual meditation experiences. Mattias then pulls back the veil to reveal the history and evolution of Taoist inner alchemy, referencing classical texts to contextualise and explain the Golden Elixir, differing ideas of the goal of alchemy, and the various ways in which the practice was undertaken. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep251-taoist-inner-alchemy-mattias-daly-2 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:54 - Meeting Abbess Liu Yuanhui 03:23 - Recruited to rescue a wealthy son 08:10 - Miraculous cure through Buddhist ritual 11:38 - First visit to Abbess Liu’s monastery 13:05 - Initial intensive training with Abbess Liu 16:19 - Attachment to unusual meditation experiences 19:05 - Siddhi and magical power in Taoism 24:00 - Influence of Kung Fu novels 26:06 - Ge Guolong’s commentary Huang Yuanji’s The Oral Record of the Hall of Joyous Teaching 30:30 - History and evolution of Taoist inner alchemy 34:58 - Sexual interpretations of Taoist inner alchemy 36:30 - Disagreement about the goal of inner alchemy 39:29 - What about physical immortality? 42:08 - Mechanism of alchemy 45:43 - The Nameless Master and physical secretions 48:26 - Text alteration and philological considerations 52:02 - Achieving the Goku moment 52:53 - Why close reading of classical texts is a necessity for practitioners 56:34 - How to read early texts 58:24 - Is facility in Classical Chinese necessary? 01:00:50 - What is the Golden Elixir? 01:03:48 - Mattias shares some of his translations about Golden Elixir 01:06:07 - Decoding alchemical symbols and metaphors 01:10:08 - Confusion about sex 01:12:09 - How to go about practicing? … Watch the previous episode with Mattias Daly: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep244-taoist-adventures-mattias-daly - To find our more about Mattias Daly, visit: - https://www.shambhala.com/authors/a-f/mattias-daly.html … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this interview I am joined by Dr Willoughby Britton, an Associate Professor at Brown University, the Director of Brown’s Clinical and Affective Neuroscience Laboratory, and founder of Cheetah House which provides support to those experiencing meditation-related difficulties. Dr Britton recounts her unusual childhood interest in consciousness, why a friend’s suicide drove her to meditation, and how a psychedelic peak experience changed her view of the world. Dr Britton considers the overlaps between spiritual experience and mental illness, why deconstructing the sense of self in search of enlightenment can lead to lasting psychological damage, and questions if experiences of fear are a necessary part of the meditative path. Dr Britton also covers the neurobiology of attention, reveals the hidden religious messaging woven into mindfulness techniques such as Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), and shares how she deals with the negative responses from meditation enthusiasts towards her work. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep250-when-meditation-goes-wrong-dr-willoughby-britton Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:15 - Dr Britton’s upbringing and early interest in consciousness 03:58 - Friend’s suicide and a life crisis 05:02 - Powerful high dose psychedelic experiences 08:46 - Influence of peak experiences 09:28 - Operative mechanism of Dr Britton’s epiphany 11:04 - Is redefinition of the self necessary for awakening? 11:50 - What is the ‘self’? 13:31 - A caveat 14:19 - Many possible modifications to the sense of self and identity 18:18 - What do Buddhists really mean when they talk about no-self? 19:01 - Surprising disagreement between Buddhist sects 19:48 - Lack on consensus about the end goal in Buddhism 20:47 - Awakening or mental illness? 24:01 - Cultural differences in what constitutes mental health 24:58 - Cultural influences and personal goals 26:39 - When meditation goes wrong 28:35 - When no-self experiences lead to negative outcomes 30:46 - The importance of connection 32:14 - Strategic ambiguity of enlightenment 34:34 - The enlightenment fantasy 35:23 - Absorbing a world view from meditation instructions 36:31 - How to assess your meditation practice 39:04 - Stealth Buddhism 40:31 - Hidden frames of meditation techniques 41:37 - Metaphysics of MBSR 45:18 - Market forces and religion as product 47:50 - Negative reactions to Dr Britton’s work 51:48 - Does Dr Britton’s work threaten meditators? 54:39 - Nasty emails and internet comments 56:08 - Is Dr Britton upset by the negativity? 57:31 - What is the goal of Dr Britton’s work? 59:51 - Why look for problems? 01:01:07 - How often do meditation related problems happen? 01:03:03 - Founding Cheetah House to help meditators in crisis 01:04:29 - Is fear necessary on the spiritual path? 01:06:20 - The neurobiology of attention 01:07:43 - Attention and arousal 0110:12 - The phenomenology and meaning of fear in Buddhist meditation 01:11:46 - Is fear part of the path? 01:13:10 - Buddhism doesn’t have its story straight 01:14:30 - The desire for a comprehensive world view … To find out more about Dr Willoughby Britton, visit: - https://www.cheetahhouse.org/ - https://www.brown.edu/public-health/mindfulness/people/willoughby-britton-phd … 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 Lama Glenn Mullin, spiritual teacher, Tibetologist, and author of over 30 books on Buddhism. Glenn discusses the mysterious Kālacakra ‘Wheel of Time’ Tantra, exploring its history, and uncovers its unique esoteric characteristics, Glenn recounts his own connection to the Kālacakra tantra, including his memories of the Dalai Lama’s first ever public Kālacakra empowerment given to hundreds of thousands of people in Bodhgaya, and discusses the surprising pros and cons of mass public initiations. Glenn reveals the subtle body yogas of the Kālacakra, compares its methods to other highest yoga tantras such as Cakrasaṃvara and Guhyasamāja, and considers the Kālacakra prophecies of Śambhala and a coming age of darkness over the world. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep249-kalachakra-tantra-lama-glenn-mullin Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:56 - Kālacakra 03:01 - Glenn’s history with the Kālacakra 04:25 - Dalai Lama’s first public Kālacakra empowerment 08:18 - Coney Island of the mind 08:49 - Blavatsky and Theosophical Society’s interest in Kālacakra and Śambhala 10:25 - Dreams and other signs during tantric empowerment 14:24 - Why give public tantric empowerments? 15:35 - Outer, Inner, and Secret levels 18:14 - Exclusively secret traditions 18:38 - History of public Kālacakra empowerments 20:06 - Tantric vows 21:07 - Śambhala prophecies and the Laṅkāvatāra Sūtra 23:48 - Today’s signs of fulfilment of prophecy 26:30 - Origin of Kālacakra in the Buddha’s teaching career 32:42 - Time capsule wisdom teachings 35:09 - Highest Yoga Tantra’s characteristics 36:29 - Cross-fertilisation with Himalayan shamanism 37:30 - Later ways of categorising tantric systems 40:20 - Unique and common aspects of the Kālacakra yogas 42:30 - 7 initiations of entering like a child 46:48 - Kālacakra completion stage 48:18 - Subtle body yogas and rainbow body 53:35 - Misunderstandings about Śambhala 55:15 - A century of Russian interest in Kālacakra 01:00:27 - Limits of Helena Blavatsky’s understanding 01:01:38 - Blavatsky’s world legacy 01:06:50 - Why is Kālacakra so little practiced? 01:15:10 - How to receive teachings from Glenn … Previous episodes with Lama Glenn Mullin: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=glenn%20mullin To find out more about Lama Glenn Mullin, 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 I am joined by Dr James Justin Sledge, a professor of philosophy and religion specialising in the Western Esoteric tradition and founder of the popular Esoterica Youtube channel. Dr Sledge recounts how his working class upbringing profoundly influenced both his view of academia and his work ethic within it. He recounts his early fascination with philosophers and mystics, and recalls his studies in religion, philosophy, and the occult. Dr Sledge discusses the importance of language learning in academic study of religion and shares his own practical strategies for achieving competency in several ancient and modern languages including Latin, Hebrew, German, French, Akkadian, and more. Dr Sledge also shares his views on education, diagnoses its problems and offers solutions, gives advice to the self-learner, and reveals his surprising view on whether attaining enlightenment is worth the effort. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep248-esoterica-academia-dr-justin-sledge Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:07 - Working class upbringing in Misissipi 03:03 - Limited access to education 04:13 - Exploitation in academia 05:20 - Fascination with Aristotle 08:55 - Accidentally entering college 11:28 - Dr Sledge’s experience in college 12:58 - Double majoring in religious studies and philosophy while working full time 1408 - Studying Western Esotericism in Amsterdam, Holland 15:44 - Bad reputation of Western Esotericism in academia 18:07 - Lessons learned studying in Amsterdam 20:37 - Distaste of punching down 21:44 - Surprising difference between USA and European education 24:47 - Toxicity in American academia 25:57 - How should we educate ourselves? 28:42 - Intellectual aristocracy or a cartel? 29:50 - Educating through Youtube 31:47 - How would Dr Sledge fix the American education system? 34:42 - The importance for scholars to read French and German 37:28 - Learning Latin and Hebrew, reading the Bible in the original language 39:50 - How to learn ancient languages 41:56 - Philology and the dirty secret of The Key of Solomon 43:56 - Copying out texts and scrolls 46:46 - Dr Sledge shows scrolls he has copied by hand 49:59 - Dr Sledge’s highly structured work and study life 58:24 - Common mistakes when learning Latin and other languages 01:01:21 - Pedagogical data and living Latin 01:05:48 - Dr Sledge’s advice for young students who wish to go to University 01:06:56 - Advice for the autodidacts 01:09:54 - The importance of education 01:13:30 - Why Dr Sledge doesn’t want to become enlightened 01:15:10 - The horror of heaven 01:16:15 - How Dr Sledge wants to die 01:16:47 - Enlightenment isn’t worth it … To find out more about Dr Justin Sledge, visit: - https://www.justinsledge.com/ - https://www.youtube.com/@TheEsotericaChannel … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am join by Steve Donoghue, writer, nationally published book critic, and popular Youtuber. Steve details his remarkable daily routine in which he sleeps 90 minutes a night and devotes vast amounts of time to reading and writing. He recalls his Jesuit education and reveals the intellectual doctrines at the heart of the religious order famed for its rigour and learning. Steve reflects on the healing power of high states of concentration, the art of memory and how to train it, and considers the threats posed to human attention by social media and smartphones. Steve considers strategies for more effective reading, how to grapple with difficult texts, and how to engage in criticism without losing appreciation. Steve also offers his views on religion, shares his fasciation for religious writing, and expresses his passion for the Gospel of Luke and the works of Erasmus and St Augustine. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep247-a-life-in-reading-steve-donoghue Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:03 - Background and career in book reviewing 03:54 - A Jesuit education 06:28 - The brain is a muscle 09:50 - Learning and reading Ancient Greek and Latin 13:15 - A breakthrough moment in Latin 15:48 - Steve’s favourite Latin authors 18:06 - Common misunderstandings about memorisation 20:06 - What is the point of memorisation? 21:46 - Can memory be trained? 23:22 - Memory palaces and other ancient memory techniques 25:51 - Advice for those who wish to improve memory 27:01 - 21st century attacks on human attention 28:29 - A simple test of concentration 32:00 - The healing power of concentration 33:26 - People don’t know what they’re missing 37:18 - Experiences of transcendence and intrinsic reward 38:47 - The value of boredom and rest 42:00 - Meditation as rest taken too far? 44:02 - Generational changes in attention 46:08 - Meditation as attention training 47:00 - Steve’s amazing sleep and reading schedule 52:39 - Sleeping 90 minutes a night 55:19 - The joy of starting a new book 57:20 - Grappling with a text 59:27 - Sub-vocalising slows you down 01:03:32 - Difficulties in discussion religion 01:04:36 - Steve’s view on religion 01:06:00 - Steve’s admiration for religious people 01:11:37 - Steve’s fascination with religious writing and texts 01:14:52 - Philosophers are priests 01:15:29 - Faith based on texts? 01:17:07 - The danger of criticism without appreciation 01:22:07 - Reluctance to examine scripture 01:23:01 - Cynical critics 01:24:28 - A Christian meme of losing one’s faith 01:30:36 - The thrill of engaging with religious texts even without belief 01:32:37 - Following the thread 01:33:05 - The Gospel of Luke 01:34:10 - Steve’s love for St Augustine and Erasus 01:36:36 - Luke vs the other Gospels 01:38:25 - St Augustine’s Confessions 01:40:40 - In Praise of Folly and mocking religious hypocrisy 01:45:40 - Concluding remarks on faith and religion … To find out more about Steve Donoghue, visit: - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1B9FfvVLRt8s6scUa79oag - https://www.stevedonoghue.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 John Maki Evans, teacher of Japanese swordsmanship and several esoteric spiritual disciplines, and author of ‘Kurikara: The Sword and the Serpent’. John discusses his time at Oxford University, his depression as a student, and why it took him years in a monastery and extensive training in Japan to undo the effects of academic study on his mind. John shares his insights into ‘The Subtle Art of a Cat’, a little known, centuries old Japanese text with a potent message about spiritual cultivation, true art, and complete spontaneity. John tells the story of the text and explores its hidden meanings, including how to maintain awareness during dynamic action, access freedom and flow, and move beyond self consciousness. John also reflects on his powerful near-death experience, the art of teaching, and how to harmonise the primal forces of Thanatos and Eros, death and desire. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep246-subtle-art-of-a-cat-john-maki-evans-2 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:09 - Getting into Oxford University 04:30 - John’s experiences at Oxford University 07:57 - Struggles with depression 09:12 - Bad effect of Oxford on John’s mind 10:25 - Stultification and John’s personality 11:04 - Time at the monastery and releasing inner stuckness 13:26 - Time in Japan and developing a different personality 17:28 - How John learned Japanese 18:43 - Study arc for reading Japanese classics 21:19 - Gaining practice value from texts 23:37 - Accessing the real thing 27:22 - The Subtle Art of a Cat 33:17 - The polarising ego 35:14 - Spontaneity and beyond self consciousness 37:09 - Neti neti 39:12 - Spontaneous action and the spiritual side of martial arts 41:35 - Freedom and flow 43:09 - Maintaining awareness and complete spontaneity 45:47 - John’s life changing near-death experience 54:20 - Hara power, the unconscious, and the survival instinct 58:16 - True martial cultivation 01:00:06 - Common mistakes and hurting oneself 01:04:11 - Complete body-mind participation 01:05:43 - Evaluating quality of movement and being 01:07:46 - Duende and art 01:09:18 - England and the old white male 01:10:24 - Learning to be with Thanatos and Eros 01:12:39 - The Gate of Killing and Death 01:15:39 - Harmonising intuition and manipulation 01:16:16 - Egotism in the martial arts 01:18:00 - Becoming exposed and the art of teaching 01:21:39 - Letting go of feeling good … Previous episode with John Maki Evans: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep231-esoteric-arts-of-japan-john-maki-evans To find out more about John Maki Evans, visit: - https://www.battodo-fudokan.co.uk/ Read ‘The Subtle Art of a Cat’ - https://terebess.hu/zen/neko.pdf … 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 Chencho Dorji, Bhutan’s first psychiatrist and the Professor of Psychiatry at Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences. Dr Dorji reveals the challenges he faced establishing modern psychiatrist in Bhutan, a culture heavily invested in a supernatural model of mental illness. He recounts stories of patients possessed by ghosts, local avatars of Shiva, reincarnations of Padmasambhava and more. Dr Dorji explains the role of religion and superstition in stigmatising mental illness, and considers whether shamanistic rituals and other traditional healing methods can co-exist with modern medical practices. Dr Dorji also warns that mental illness in general, and borderline personality disorder in particular, is on the rise on Bhutan and shares his vision for a greater collaboration between modern medicine, the clergy, shamans, and Sowa Rigpa healers. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep245-padmasambhava-psychosis-dr-chencho-dorji-2 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:04 - Return to Bhutan to establish psychiatry 05:40 - Programme to train primary healthcare staff 06:18 - Advocating for community based mental health services 10:38 - DANIDA funding and mental health survey 12:07 - Collaboration with and educating traditional healers 13:47 - Locating and treating cases in remote communities 18:13 - What kinds of mental illness is commonly found in Bhutan? 19:29 - Challenges identifying depression 21:16 - The stigma of epilepsy 22:50 - Community fear of contagion of mental illness 26:55 - Culture of taboo and about mental illness in Bhutan 29:00 - Impact of the pandemic 30:29 - Using social media to educate 31:22 - Psychological first aid 35:09 - Why is South Asian psychology and psychology training weak? 37:41 - Mental health as a luxury for the rich 40:40 - Borderline personality disorder encounters 43:36 - Rise in cases of BPD in Bhutan 45:05 - Social changes in Bhutan causing rise in mental illness 49:10 - Chronic psychosis and social disturbance 51:26 - Lack of compassion for BPD 52:17 - Economic aspiration and the rat race 54:36 - Overlap and clash with religious professionals 56:21 - Buddhism and shamanism in Bhutan 58:05 - Use of rituals in healing mental illness 59:00 - Personal indifference towards Buddhism 01:00:19 - Challenges engaging with Sowa Rigpa practitioners 01:02:39 - Educating Sowa Rigpa doctors about mental health 01:03:34 - Do traditional healing modalities have a role in modern medicine? 01:04:17 - Different kinds of monk 01:05:41 - Religious control of the population 01:07:33 - Difficulties communicating with clergy 01:09:58 - Karma and the importance of openness 01:10:56 - Navigating patients’ supernatural world views 01:14:42 - Example of a manic patient claiming to be Guru Rinpoche 01:17:18 - Impact on families 01:18:05 - Cases of entity possession and mass hysteria 01:24:38 - Possession by Lord Shiva 01:29:58 - Advice for working with traditional healers and shamans 01:31:01 - Future challenges of mental health in Bhutan 01:34:41 - Explosion of mental illness, obesity, and substance abuse 01:35:43 - Neglect of the elderly 01:37:31 - A model for the third world … Previous episode with Dr Chencho Dorji: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep237-bhutans-first-psychiatrist-dr-chencho-dorji To find out more about Dr Chencho Dorji, visit: - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057403100633 For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am joined by Mattias Daly, Taoist practitioner and translator of ‘Taoist Inner Alchemy’, published by Shambala. Mattias reveals how youthful delinquency and substance abuse problems saw him kicked out of the University of Chicago and drove him to seek out martial arts and meditation instruction under a Taoist master. Mattias shares his travels to China and unusual training adventures there including bodily purification through tree slapping, encounters with religious cults, and experiences with profound spiritual masters. Mattias also discusses having a generational demonic possession exorcised by a Māori Tohunga in New Zealand and warns of the danger of incorrect internal practice such as psychosis, premature ejaculation, and more. … Link in bio. Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:57 - Why translate Taoist Inner Alchemy 04:58 - Trying not to be a scumbag 06:50 - Attraction to Buddhism 09:06 - Meeting Red Pine and mentoring relationship 11:59 - Red Pine’s influence and friendship 14:02 - Chaos Elemental 15:01 - Professor father and blue collar mother 18:34 - Childhood delinquency 24:07 - Model of masculinity 24:14 - Entry into the martial arts 26:27 - Male role models and discipline 28:57 - Did UFC destroy traditional martial arts? 31:34 - How to win a fight 33:34 - Limits of Chinese Kung Fu schools 35:31 - Rock bottom and kicked out of University of Chicago 38:09 - Return to martial arts and finding a Taoist master 41:17 - Initial Taoist training 45:01 - Buddhist vs Taoist cultivation 49:26 - Possession by demonic entity 55:58 - Generational demonic possession 59:50 - Learning Chinese 01:01:49 - Finding teachers in China 01:04:19 - Powerful purification experiences in Taoist cultivation 01:09:58 - Encountering a spiritual cult leader 01:17:04 - Reflections on spiritual charlatans in China 01:18:43 - Discovering the power of the empty state 01:22:13 - Practicing Taoist Inner Alchemy 01:25:17 - Move to Taiwan and walking away from Chinese medicine 01:27:36 - The dangers of meditation and internal cultivation 01:32:52 - Premature ejaculation and the lower Dantian 01:33:39 - Qigong and Tai Chi delusions 01:35:53 - Psychosis and Qigong fever 01:36:40 - Being in the presence of powerful teachers 01:38:07 - The heart of the path … Pre-order Mattias’ new book at a 30% discount with the promo code ALCHEMY30 at https://www.shambhala.com/ten-discourses-on-daoist-alchemy.html. Valid through March 11th. To find our more about Mattias Daly, visit: - https://www.shambhala.com/authors/a-f/mattias-daly.html … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am joined by Charles Manson, author of ‘The Second Karmapa Karma Pakshi’ published by Shambhala, and librarian for the Tibetan Collections at the Bodleian Library (Oxford University) and the British Library. Charles begins by discussing the remarkable life of Karma Pakshi, the second Karmapa, Tibet’s oldest continuous reincarnation lineage. Charles traces Karma Pakshi’s adventures as a yogic trainee, personal guru to Mongol Khans, figure of political intrigue, and reformer of monasteries. Charles goes on to tell the story of his own life, from brutal treatment at elite British boarding schools to undergraduate studies at the renowned Columbia University. Charles recounts how arrest and deportation saw his academic prospects dashed. After a period of homelessness, he became a master woodcarver training under craftsmen in England and Germany. Charles recalls his encounter with Buddhism, his contact with spiritual teachers such as the 16th Karmapa, his reckoning with the untimely death of his son’s mother, and details his experiences undertaking 8 years of closed retreat including challenging group dynamics, the painful complications of energetic yogas, and the mechanisms of spiritual transformation. Charles also discusses his remarkable time with the terton Karma Rinpoche, receiving sacred chulen instructions and witnessing the mahasiddha miraculously press a footprint into rock; as well as Charles’ own return to academia, with postgraduate studies at Harvard and longstanding work at Oxford University and the British Library. … https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep243-scholar-practitioner-charles-manson … 01:48 - Karma Pakshi, the 2nd Karmapa 07:57 - Summoned by the Khan 15:26 - Imprisoned by Kublai Khan 25:58 - The tulku tradition 33:18 - Interest in Karma Pakshi and the tulku tradition 39:02 - Childhood in Venezuela 45:28 - Suffering at boarding school 49:34 - Institutional cruelty and formation for empire 52:07 - Coping strategies and intellectual rebellion 54:33 - Attraction to Buddhism 56:18 - Love of reading and research 01:02:08 - Study at Columbia 01:04:42 - Changes in the UK private school system 01:07:30 - The social and political scene at Columbia 01:08:36 - Joining the Black Panthers 01:09:30 - Psychedelic experimentation 01:12:21 - Arrest and deportation 01:16:34 - Homelessness 01:20:32 - Resilience 01:22:30 - Searching accentuated 01:24:22 - Career as a woodcarver 01:28:07 - Unplanned pregnancy 01:28:41 - Finding Buddhism 01:31:07 - Seeking Chogyam Trungpa 01:36:17 - 16th Karmapa and ngondro 01:37:48 - Regrets about Sherab Palden 01:39:33 - Early days at Samye Ling and meeting Kalu Rinpoche 01:45:12 - The charisma of the 16th Karmapa 01:46:26 - What is charisma? 01:49:40 - How to develop spiritual power 01:53:21 - Private time with the 16th Karmapa 01:55:09 - Maggie’s cancer and a sacred pilgrimage 02:01:53 - Regrets 02:03:54 - Maggie’s death and the aftermath 02:07:44 - Entering into long-term retreat 02:13:20 - Were the 3-year retreats successful? 02:26:26 - Experience on extended retreat 02:26:57 - Spiritual obstacles 02:29:37 - Trulkhor heart attack 02:30:47 - Should 3-year retreatants call themselves ‘Lama’? 02:37:24 - Advice for those coming out of retreat 02:39:23 - Reintegrating into society 02:40:46 - Terton Karma Rinpoche 02:42:58 - What is chulen? 02:44:06 - Karma Rinpoche’s siddhi 02:50:50 - Journeys to Tibet 02:52:34 - Mountain yogis in Tibet 02:56:40 - Chulen retreats 03:00:34 - Harvard and return to academia 03:06:46 - British Library and the Bodleian 03:07:38 - PhD work at Oxford and Paris 03:08:33 - Writing a book about Karma Pakshi 03:09:05 - 1000 year old Tibetan documents at the British Library 03:11:16 - The Bodleian collection and the John Stapleton Driver project 03:16:19 - Charles’ teaching activities and other work … To find our more about Charles Manson, visit: - https://www.shambhala.com/authors/the-second-karmapa-karma-pakshi.html

In this episode I am once again joined by Stephen Snyder, Buddhist meditation teacher and author of several books including ‘Buddha’s Heart’, ‘Trust in Awakening’, and his up-coming release ‘Soothing the Longing Heart’. Stephen talks about the importance of working with one’s personality material especially after awakening. He points to an idealisation of the Buddha and other blindspots in Buddhism that he believes have led to the various behavioural scandals that have surrounded so many famous Zen masters. Stephen discusses how to work with fear and anger, how to heal one’s core wound, how to convert the superego into Absolute guidance, and reflects on the pros and cons of American culture’s interaction with the Buddhist religion. Stephen also reflects on how he approaches leading meditation retreats, why he does not enforce strict Zen schedules, the deleterious effect of electronics on concentration power, and the subtle power of taking a dharma name. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep242-soothing-the-longing-heart-stephen-snyder Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:07 - Stephen teaching in-person retreats in 2024 in Europe and the US 03:53 - Relaxed vs rigorous retreat approaches 06:10 - Treating students like adults 08:23 - Why Stephen cooks for his retreats 10:00 - Reworking the precepts 11:40 - The damaging effect of electronics on concentration power 13:03 - Stephen’s interview schedule on retreat 13:37 - Receiving full Zen dharma transmission to be recognised as a sensei 17:00 - Combing Zen with Theravada practice 18:10 - Post-awakening problems with personality issues 19:06 - Examples of post-awakening triggered behaviour and the core wound 23:08 - Working with anger and fear 27:42 - Quickly resolving karma 29:09 - Do meditation peak experiences heal the personality? 29:30 - Blindspots and scandals in Zen Buddhism 31:41 - Going beyond cultural bias 33:52 - How much cultural transfer is necessary in Buddhist practice? 35:36 - Stephen’s experimental teaching approach 38:00 - America’s contribution to Buddhism 40:57 - British class system 42:23 - Indian caste system 43:53 - How Buddhism assimilates indigenous cultural and religious forms 45:28 - Gregorian style Zen chanting 46:50 - The importance of your dharma name 47:49 - Working vs wallowing in emotional material 52:16 - What is your core wound? 54:52 -The personality as a shield 56:44 - The tyranny of the superego 01:00:39 - Transforming the superego into Absolute guidance 01:02:07 - True vs false 01:04:32 - Common compassion misunderstanding 01:06:12 Parenting mistakes around compassion 01:08:08 - Should we tell stories of awakening? 01:09:47 - The importance of doubt and trust 01:11:59 - Stephen’s advice to practitioners … Previous episode with Stephen Snyder: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=Stephen%20Snyder To find our more about Stephen Snyder, visit: - https://awakeningdharma.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 Dhammarato: a lineage teacher in the Thai Buddhist tradition who is known for his unique, 1-1 teaching style conducted over Skype. Dhammarato challenges what he sees as the widespread misconceptions about meditation practice, focusing in particular on American Buddhism and the Goenka and Mahasi methods. Dhammarato discusses issues such as the dangers of meditation retreats, the problems with sleep deprivation and other austerities, and recounts stories of men he has known who crippled themselves through obsessive meditation practice in damaging seated postures. Dhammarato also calls for a return to the original teaching of the Buddha, advises on how to find and keep spiritual friends, and shares his perspective on how to meditate well. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep241-myths-of-meditation-dhammarato Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. ... 00:00 - Intro 00:53 - Challenging Western Buddhism 03:54 - Drawbacks of Goenka Vipassana retreats 04:14 - Buddha’s advice for meditation 06:21 - Common meditation mistakes 07:28 - How to see dukkah 08:16 - Coming out of victimhood 09:28 - Drawbacks of the Mahasi method 11:21 - The problem of pain on meditation retreats 13:48 - Following the Ānāpānasati Sutta and jhana practice 16:18 - Western practitioners who destroyed their knees and legs while meditating 17:47 - Sleep deprivation 18:38 - Take it easy and be gentle 19:18 - Dangers of meditation retreats 20:31 - Essence of Buddhism 22:01 - Misunderstandings about meditation posture 28:16 - Magical body postures and siddhi powers 32:29 - The Donald Trumps of Buddhism 33:56 - What attracts people to extreme asceticism and psychedelics? 35:23 - Does Dhammarato’s approach merely suppress suffering? 43:00 - The myth of life enhancing meditation 47:24 - Dhammarato’s advice for regular practice 50:22 - The value of noble friends 55:49 - The Open Sangha Foundation 59:23 - Getting out of magical thinking 01:01:08 - How to make Dhamma friends … Dhammarato Episode Playlist - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=DHAMMARATO … 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 interview I am once again joined by Dr Nida Chenagtsang, Buddhist teacher, doctor of Tibetan Medicine, and author of ‘Foundations of Sowa Rigpa: A Guide to the Root Tantra of Tibetan Medicine’. Dr Nida discusses the traditional Tibetan medical system of Sowa Rigpa and reveals its core doctrines such as health as balance, pulse and urine analysis, and how to discover your body’s typology. Dr Nida also delves into the esoteric side of Sowa Rigpa, including Tibetan demonology, the crossovers with tantra, and the use of magic rituals and spells to treat mental and physical illness. Dr Nida also discusses the similarities between Sowa Rigpa and Ancient Greek medicine, the importance of sleep, the toxicity of emotion, and offers a direct warning to spiritual people around the world. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep240-foundations-of-sowa-rigpa-dr-nida-chenagtsang Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:53 - What is Sowa Rigpa? 03:27 - Connecting to the European medical tradition 07:02 - Pros and cons of modern medical science 10:05 - How Dr Nida’s teaching changed after integration into European culture 12:46 - Cultural conditioning in Asia vs Europe 17:58 - Similarities between Ancient Greek medicine and Sowa Rigpa 21:19 - 8th century international medical conference in Tibet 24:21 - A universal medicine 25:14 - What is medical tantra? 27:33 - The ‘4 Tantras’ 30:34 - Why study an 8th century medical text today? 32:34 - A new translation by Dr Ben Joffe 35:47 - Compiling Dr Nida’s commentary 36:56 - Sowa Rigpa Institute 37:47 - The core of Sowa Rigpa 41:11 - How to understand your typology 44:15 - Healthy sleep 45:03 - 3 methods of diagnosis in Sowa Rigpa 46:27 - Urine analysis 47:57 - 3 levels of pulse reading 52:03 - How to receive to the body’s signals 54:15 - Bedside manner 56:58 - Connecting to the unconscious mind 01:00:03 - Art of conversation 01:02:54 - Buddhist influences on Sowa Rigpa 01:07:48 - Emotional toxins 01:11:02 - Toxic energy 01:14:49 - 3 nyepas and the 3 doṣas 01:18:18 - Monastics vs ngakpas 01:22:36 - The esoteric specialisms of the village ngakpa 01:27:44 - Tibetan demonology 01:29:21 - How spirits cause health problems 01:33:57 - The esoteric side of Sowa Rigpa 01:36:37 - Dr Nida’s warning to spiritual people 01:38:37 - Dangers of materialism Previous episodes with Dr Nida Chenagtsang: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=nida 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 interview I am once again joined by Ralph White holistic learning pioneer, international speaker on cultural transformation and the history of the Western esoteric tradition, and co-founder of the New York Open Centre. Ralph reflects on his decades at the centre of the American spirituality and human potential movements and discusses the life and works of figures such as poet Robert Bly, Ram Dass, Colin Wilson, RD Laing, and Rupert Sheldrake and tells personal anecdotes of his time spent with each. Ralph also reflects on today’s psychedelic renaissance, the pros and cons of AI, and why he is more motivated than ever before to bring about an enlightened cultural shift. … https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep239-gurus-i-have-known-ralph-white-3 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 02:14 - Ralph on Robert Bly 07:48 - Bly as a source of spiritual strength 08:35 - Where did Bly get his depth of insight? 09:48 - The Rag and Bone Shop of the Heart 11:06 - Spiritual Athlete in an Orange Robe 13:29 - The mysterious Colin Wilson 18:49 - RD Laing’s wildness 20:04 - RD Laing’s alcoholism 22:53 - British vs USA approaches to the esoteric 24:27 - Rupert Sheldrake and the psychedelic renaissance 28:35 - Do psychedelics affect one’s credibility? 31:05 - Ralph on Ram Dass and Timothy Leary 35:30 - Was the 60s psychedelic movement good or bad? 37:13 - Reconnecting to the earth and existential crisis 41:13 - Is civilisational utopia naive? 46:33 - The rise of the religious right in America 49:34 - Engage with society or withdraw into the ark? 54:14 - Ralph’s work organising international conferences 56:29 - Indigenous Peoples’ Resistance To Globalisation 57:56 - Techno utopian attitudes of Silicon Valley 01:00:39 - Revitalising the Western Esoteric tradition 01:04:09 - Ralph on the current frontiers of human potential and culture … Previous episodes with Ralph White: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep140-quest-for-a-life-of-meaning-ralph-white - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep202-mission-to-tibet-ralph-white 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 episode I am joined by Katarina Falkenberg & Tommy Westlund, alchemists, practitioners of Western Esotericism, and authors of ‘Alchemy, The Divine Work’. Katarina and Tommy recount the history of Western alchemy from Egypt, through Ancient Greece, the Islamic golden age, Renaissance Europe, to today and consider critiques of alchemy as mere proto or indeed pseudo-science.. Katarina and Tommy reveal the language of the birds, the hidden language of symbol and intuition used among initiated practitioners. The detail the stages of inner transformation that the alchemist ascends in his quest for spiritual evolution and compares them to the stages of other meditative traditions. Katarina and Tommy also discuss today’s changing cultural mores around masculinity and femininity and their implications for the metaphors used by the alchemical tradition to express polarity and the union of opposites. … Video versions: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep238-alchemy-the-divine-work-katarina-falkenberg-tommy-westlund Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:04 - Writing ‘Alchemy, The Divine Work’ 05:56 - The language of the birds and hidden language 09:14 - Are alchemical symbols specific to certain cultures? 11:13 - Alchemy vs other esoteric traditions and religions 14:20 - Intuition vs intellectual study 19:39 - People have changed in the last 5 years 21:03 - Me too movement & the pandemic 24:42 - Are masculine-feminine paradigms of polarity still relevant? 29:47 - Polarity is essential to alchemy 30:55 - Tommy’s hopes for masculinity and femininity in culture 35:32 - History of Western alchemy 41:57 - Spiritual alchemy vs metallurgical techniques 46:47 - Proto-science or pseudo-science? 49:17 - The relationship between the outer and the inner 56:56 - Who is attracted to study alchemy? 01:01:24 - The role of experimentation 01:03:44 - Collaboration with the egregore of the tradition 01:05:26 - Katarina and Tommy’s collaboration 01:09:32 - Greek philosophical influence on alchemy 01:11:40 - The first element of creation 01:12:52 - Pythagoras 01:15:44 - Cosmogony and alchemical application 01:18:01 - Metaphilosophy 01:18:47 - The prima materia 01:20:48 - The principle of love 01:22:24 - Gnosticism and alchemy 01:25:04 - The gnostic revolution 01:29:26 - Religious traditions as living metaphors 01:31:00 - Alchemical stages 01:35:44 - The dark nights of the mind and soul 01:41:47 - Blissful stages and beyond … To find out more about Katarina Falkenberg & Tommy Westlund, visit: - https://www.alkemiskaakademin.se/eng/about-us/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am joined by Dr Chencho Dorji, Bhutan’s first psychiatrist and the Professor of Psychiatry at Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan. Dr Dorji recalls his traumatic childhood growing up in Bhutan with a psychotic, alcoholic father. He describes the impact of living in constant fear of violence on he and his siblings, the resultant psychotic breakdown of his elder brother and the extreme methods used by the shamans, lamas, and traditional doctors who were recruited to heal them. Dr Dorji also recalls his arduous progress through medical training, special placements for psychiatry in Sri Lanka and Australia, compares Bhutanese and Western societies, and begins to consider the interaction between modern psychiatry and traditional Bhutanese approaches to mental health. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep237-bhutans-first-psychiatrist-dr-chencho-dorji Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:56 - Life in Bhutan before modernisation 03:23 - Community and family networks 05:26 - Ashi Kunzang Choden 07:08 - Radical social change in Bhutan 08:45 - Living in fear with a psychotic father 12:00 - Father’s traumatic background 17:23 - Elder brother’s breakdown and psychosis 20:31 - Devastated by brother’s illness 21:44 - Attempting to cure Nima’s psychosis through shamanic and religious rituals 26:30 - Supernatural vs modern approaches to mental health 29:58 - The limits of modern medicine 32:48 - Struggles and successes in education 37:28 - Deciding to become a psychiatrist to help family 41:42 - Lost opportunity to pursue psychiatry 47:00 - Studying psychiatry in Sri Lanka 49:03 - Fever and depression 52:22 - First experience of holiday 55:32 - One year clinical placement in Australia 57:40 - Problems in Australian society and healthcare system 01:00:56 - A challenging case 01:03:24 - All societies have problems 01:04:40 - Children’s schooling experience in Australia 01:09:15 - Warning to young Bhutanese emigrating to Australia 01:13:06 - Return to Australia and hosting Bhutanese migrants 01:14:28 - Social impact on Bhutan of large scale emigration 01:18:14 - Time travel and predicting the future 01:19:47 - Interactions between psychiatry and traditional medical models 01:21:16 - Praise for Dr Caroline Van Damme 01:24:59 - Reflections on the US healthcare system … Previous Bhutan episodes playlist: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=bhutan To find out more about Dr Chencho Dorji, visit: - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057403100633 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 Lama Lhanang, a spiritual teacher of the Nyingma Longchen Nyingthig lineage of Tibetan Buddhism and an expert in meditation, geomancy, art, cultural and historical studies, and Tibetan medicine. Lama Lhanang discusses the Tibetan Buddhist and traditional Tibetan medical beliefs about death, including a detailed description of the death process itself, physical signs of imminent death, and the system of divination and omens that can indicate that one’s life will soon end. Lama Lhanang reveals the methods and mechanisms of the yogic death practices of phowa, tukdam, and rainbow body, and tells stories of his own role in guiding his students through the death process. Lama Lhanang also gives his heart advice to those facing death and to those who are supporting the dying, and explains how to die well. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep236-art-of-dying-lama-lhanang-2 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:58 - What is the Tibetan Book of the Dead? 06:52 - Practice for the living and the dead 08:22 - A story of a Lama performing phowa for a woman 11:11 - Phowa, a magical meditation 12:24 - Who can perform phowa for others? 14:26 - Lama Lhanang performed phowa for a dying student 17:52 - How to perform phowa for others 21:49 - Omens of impending death 25:56 - The three energies of life and how to retrieve life force 27:01 - Asking a demon about death 29:25 - Predicting life and death 32:12 - Signs of imminent death 34:50 - The process of death 41:19 - Beyond the Western scientific point of death 48:18 - Advice for when being around dying people 51:19 - Fake tukdam 54:06 - What is tukdam? 56:32 - How to achieve tukdam 59:54 - The crazy yogi 01:01:10 - How to recognise a Buddha 01:03:40 - Tukdam vs rainbow body (jalu) 01:06:48 - Story about Lama Lhanang’s teacher who achieved rainbow body 01:09:15 - What it means to be a yogi 01:12:43 - Advice for facing death 01:19:42 - The secret to having peace at death 01:20:19 - A woman who died well … Previous episode with Lama Lhanang: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep226-nyingma-master-lama-lhanang To find out more about Lama Lhanang, visit: - https://www.buddhistsandiego.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James