Guru Viking Podcast

Stephen Snyder, meditation teacher and co-author of ‘Practicing the Jhanas’, is my featured guest in this episode of the Guru Viking Podcast: Pandemic Series. Please share these episodes among those who might find them helpful, and let me know what you think in the comments below. ... Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Stitcher – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … I am producing a special series of the Guru Viking Podcast to support those affected by the pandemic. I'll be asking my guests questions like how to work with anxiety, fear, and panic? How to work with isolation? How to work with sickness and death? And how to help others having those experiences? Fear, sickness, death are perennial human experiences, and so my hope is that these episodes will be of use not only to those who are being affected now in this situation, but also of use to others beyond it. … 0:55 - Guidance for those who are afraid or panicked. 03:49 - Guided mindfulness of breathing exercise. 10:11 - Guidance for those who are sick. 12:34 - Guidance for those who are dying. 17:56 - Guidance for helping those who are sick or dying. 20:05 - Guidance for those in isolation. 22:53 - Concluding comments. … Check out my previous interview with Stephen Snyder: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep24-stephen-snyder-a-stroke-of-realisation-guru-viking-interviews/ To contact Stephen Snyder, please email: - [email protected] For more interviews, videos, and more visit: – www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Michaela Boehm, world-renowned counsellor, workshop teacher, and author of ‘The Wild Woman’s Way’, is my featured guest in this episode of the Guru Viking Podcast: Pandemic Series. Please feel free to share these episodes among those who might find them helpful, and let me know what you think in the comments below. ... Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep32-michaela-boehm-pandemic-edition-guru-viking-podcast/ Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Stitcher – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … I am producing a special series of the Guru Viking Podcast to support those affected by the pandemic. I'll be asking my guests questions like how to work with anxiety, fear, and panic? How to work with isolation? How to work with sickness and death? And how to help others having those experiences? Fear, sickness, death are perennial human experiences, and so my hope is that these episodes will be of use not only to those who are being affected now in this situation, but also of use to others beyond it. … 0:55 - Guidance for those who are afraid or panicked. 04:42 - Strategies to get out of fight or flight mode 10:40 - The Non-Linear Movement Method® for unfreezing the body 14:00 - Guidance for those who want to help the sick and dying 18:09 - Facing death and sickness 22:00 - Guidance for those in isolation 28:30 - Concluding comments. … Free Non-Linear Movement Method® class: - https://bit.ly/nlmm_class Check out my previous interview with Michaela about surviving the Thomas Fire: - https://www.guruviking.com/guru-viking-interviews-ep7-michaela-boehm-thomas-fire-special/ To find out more about Michaela visit: – https://www.michaelaboehm.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: – www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Tina Rasmussen Ph.D, meditation teacher and co-author of ‘Practicing the Jhanas’, is my featured guest in this episode of the Guru Viking Podcast: Pandemic Series. Please feel free to share these episodes among those who might find them helpful, and let me know what you think in the comments below. ... Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep31-tina-rasmussen-pandemic-edition-guru-viking-podcast/ *Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Stitcher – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.* … I am producing a special series of the Guru Viking Podcast to support those affected by the pandemic. I'll be asking my guests questions like how to work with anxiety, fear, and panic? How to work with isolation? How to work with sickness and death? And how to help others having those experiences? Fear, sickness, death are perennial human experiences, and so my hope is that these episodes will be of use not only to those who are being affected now in this situation, but also of use to others beyond it. … 0:55 - Guidance for those who are afraid or panicked. 05:59 - Guidance for those who are sick or dying. 26:02 - Guidance for helping those who are sick or dying. 53:07 - Guidance for those in isolation. 1:12:37 - Concluding comments. … Check out my other interviews with Tina here: -https://www.guruviking.com/ep22-tina-rasmussen-ph-d-guru-viking-interviews/ To find out more about Tina Rasmussen Ph.D, visit: – http://www.awakeningdharma.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: – www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Lorin Roche PhD, meditation teacher and author of ‘The Radiance Sutras’, is my featured guest in this episode of the Guru Viking Podcast: Pandemic Series. I'd love to know what you think about the episodes, and please feel free to share them among those who might find them helpful. ... Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep30-lorin-roche-pandemic-edition-guru-viking-podcast/ Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Stitcher – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … I am producing a special series of the Guru Viking Podcast to support those affected by the pandemic. I'll be asking my guests questions like how to work with anxiety, fear, and panic? How to work with isolation? How to work with sickness and death? And how to help others having those experiences? Fear, sickness, death are perennial human experiences, and so my hope is that these episodes will be of use not only to those who are being affected now in this situation, but also of use to others beyond it. … 0:55 - Guidance for those who are afraid or panicked. 14:18 - Guidance for those who are sick. 19:48 - Guidance for helping those who are sick or dying. 21:21 - Guidance for those who are dying. 27:43 - Guidance for those in isolation. 33:13 - Concluding comments. … Check out my other interviews with Lorin here: - https://www.guruviking.com/the-guru-viking-interviews-ep1-lorin-roche-phd/ - https://www.guruviking.com/guru-viking-interviews-ep6-lorin-roche-phd/ To find out more about Lorin visit: - www.lorinroche.com - www.radiancesutras.com - www.meditationtt.com For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode, I talk with Dhammarato – a lineage teacher in the Thai Buddhist tradition who has gained an enthusiastic internet following for his unique, 1-1 teaching style conducted over Skype. Video version here: https://www.guruviking.com/ep29-dhammarato-guru-viking-podcast-pandemic-edition/ Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Stitcher – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … At the time of writing, the world is in the midst of a viral pandemic. Many people are afraid and many people are in isolation. Some people are sick or will become sick, and some people are dying. In this special series of the Guru Viking Podcast, I ask my guests the questions like how to work with anxiety, fear, and panic? How to work with isolation? How to work with sickness and death? And how to help others having those experiences? Neither I nor my guests are medical professionals, and this podcast is not medical advice. Fear, sickness, and death are perennial human experiences, and so my hope is that these episodes will be of use not only to those who are being affected now in this situation, but also of use to others beyond it. … 0:58 - Guidance for those who are afraid or panicked. 12:04 - Guidance for those who are sick. 24:28 - Guidance for those who are dying. 35:31 - Guidance for helping those who are sick or dying. 38:35 - Guidance for those in isolation. 39:40 - Concluding comments. To find out more about Dhammarato, visit: - https://dhammaratoblog.wordpress.com/ - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjxg5GJFsRqnS-YLTzyrjLQ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I talk with Tibetologist, translator, and Tantric Buddhist meditation teacher Glenn Mullin about the fascinating subject of dream yoga. We begin by discussing Glenn’s own training in the 6 Yogas of Naropa, with specific detail about his own solo retreats -including a special dream yoga retreat in which Glenn remained upright for weeks - never lying down - to deeply penetrate the world of dreams. We also talk about how to unlock the historically suppressed human inheritance of deep states of consciousnes and extra-ordinary abilities such as dream travel and ancestral communication. Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep28-glenn-mullin-dream-yoga-solo-retreat-guide-and-unlocking-the-human-potential/ Topics Include: 00:46 - Differences between Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya, and Gelugpa training methods 04:00 - Glenn's training in the 6 Yogas of Naropa and solo retreat history 10:01- A typical retreat day schedule 11:45 - Individual variations on a daily schedule 15:10 - The best ages to do retreat practice 17:04 - Group retreat vs solo retreat 20:48 - Integration difficulties after extended retreat 24:00 - Choosing what to practice on retreat 25:04 - Why Glenn never became a hermit or monk 28:23 - Relating to a Lama 32:07 - The 4 practices of Chöd 34:00 - Yogic lucid dream practice 37:50 - Special dream yoga retreat format 41:19 - Attainment in dream yoga 42:20- First stage of dream yoga 46:50 - Illusory body yoga 49:00 - Further stages of dream yoga 51:27 - Stories of dream travel 56:58 - Dreaming of ancestors 58:56 - Unlocking the human inheritance of the deep mind 1:02:10 - Witch hunts and the plastic society Audio version of this podcast available on iTunes and Stitcher – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. Previous Glenn Mullin episodes: * https://www.guruviking.com/guru-viking-interviews-ep9-glenn-mullin/ * https://www.guruviking.com/ep19-glenn-mullin-guru-viking-interviews/ * https://www.guruviking.com/ep26-glenn-mullin-illusory-body-yoga-of-waking-sleep-and-death/ To find our more about Glenn, visit: * https://www.runawayjourneys.com/ * http://www.glennmullin.com/ * https://www.facebook.com/Maitripa.Glenn For more interviews, videos, and more visit: * http://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I talk with Lama Palden, author and Lama in both the Shangpa and Karma Kagyu lineages of Tibetan Buddhism. We learn about Lama Palden’s childhood memories of past reincarnations, and how a spontaneous experience of Jesus healed her of early trauma. We hear stories of powerful personal encounters with some of 20th century’s most renowned lamas, including Kalu Rinpoche, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, and the 16th Karmapa. We also explore details of Lama Palden’s 3 year retreat under the guidance of her guru Kalu Rinpoche, and explore dire warnings from Tibetan masters about the future of humanity and what we can do to help. *Video version at: https://www.guruviking.com/ep27-lama-palden-mystic-of-sukkhasiddhi-guru-viking-interviews/ *Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Stitcher – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.* Topics include: 0:00 - About Lama Palden 0:44 - Childhood mystical experiences 05:36 - Past life memories 09:23 - Why did Lama Palden incarnate in this life? 11:24 - How a spontaneous experience of Jesus healed childhood trauma 19:17 - Healing trauma through meditation 22:40 - Dealing with peoples’ negative energy 25:58 - Was Jesus a mahasiddha? 31:01 - Collective karma and the Buddha Maitreya 33:49 - Meeting Kalu Rinpoche 41:12 - Is 3 year retreat enough to be called a ‘Lama’? 44:18 - Personal memories of Kalu Rinpoche 51:04 - Common misconceptions about spirituality 57:04 - Kalu Rinpoche’s yogic mastery and vitality 59:00 - The effects of the 6 Yogas on the physical body 1:01:28 - Meeting Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche 1:02:14 - The powerful presence of the 16th Karmapa 1:12:43 - How Lama Palden works with students 1:15::14 - Seeing the shadow side of students and personality disorders 1:20:32 - Subtle body transmission of the 16th Karmapa 1:25:37 - The curriculum of Lama Palden’s 3 year retreat 1:33:12 - Leaving her 10 year old son to go on retreat 1:37:20 - Daily retreat schedule and the details of the yidam practice 1:46:30 - Dire predictions from Tibetan masters about the future of humanity 1:49:07 - How to help humanity 1:54:29 - Studying with Lama Palden To find our more about Lama Palden, visit: - www.lamapalden.org For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - http://www.guruviking.com Music 'Deva Dasi' by Steve James

In this episode I talk to Glenn Mullin, returning for a third appearance and let me tell you this one is a goldmine. Glenn is a Tibetologist, translator, and Tantric Buddhist meditation teacher, who studied for many years in Dharmsala with the Dalai Lama’s own gurus. Continuing on from our previous discussions on the 6 Yogas of Naropa, we move beyond tummo into the illusory body yogas - including the illusory nature of appearances, the yogas of dream and sleep sleep, and bardo yoga. Glenn lays out how to practice tantra in all aspects of life, explores the differences between the tantra and sutra application of emptiness, addressees imbalances between the male and female energies and how to remedy them, and reveals the difference between tantric dream yoga vs modern lucid dreaming techniques. Topics Include: 00:58 - The death process and the five signs of tummo accomplishment 21:07 - Practicing tantra in all aspects of ordinary life 29:46 - Glenn’s sleep yoga practice 30:46 - Illusory nature of reality 42:08 - Emptiness in tantra vs sutra 52:34 - Illusory body yogas of sleep and bardo 54:13- Tantric visualisation in daily life 1:00:56 - Imbalances in the male and female energies 1:06:32 - Modern lucid dreaming vs Tantric Dream Yoga Audio version of this podcast also on iTunes, Stitcher, and Soundcloud at: https://www.guruviking.com/ep26-glenn-mullin-illusory-body-yoga-of-waking-sleep-and-death/ Previous Glenn Mullin episodes: - https://www.guruviking.com/guru-viking-interviews-ep9-glenn-mullin/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep19-glenn-mullin-guru-viking-interviews/ To find our more about Glenn, visit: - https://www.runawayjourneys.com/ - http://www.glennmullin.com/ - https://www.facebook.com/Maitripa.Glenn For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - http://www.guruviking.com Music 'Deva Dasi' by Steve James

In this interview I talk with Paul Cavel, author and Taoist teacher in the Water Tradition of Lao Tse. For video version, visit: https://www.guruviking.com/ep25-paul-cavel-taoist-energy-arts-guru-viking-interviews/ We discuss how a serious motor cycle accident left Paul in chronic pain. Searching for a solution, Paul met the man who would go on to become his teacher in the energy arts, Bruce Frantzis, lineage holder of the Taoist Water Tradition. Living full time in Bruce’s home, in a year they successfully healed Paul’s body and so began a lifetime of study. We go on to discuss the power of Taoist energy arts in terms of martial arts, healing, and spirituality - as well as the extraordinary effects of studying closely with a true master of that tradition. We explore the function of lineage, mind-to-mind transmission, the 8 energy bodies, and how to release physical trauma, emotional blockages, and even knots in the karmic body itself. Topics include: 0:00 - About Paul 0:56 - Early interest in martial arts 03:53 - Paul’s major motorcycle accident and discovering Tai Chi 08:17 - Healing physical trauma and rejuvenating the body 14:15 - Releasing nervous system shock 18:34 - Meeting Taoist Master Bruce Frantzis 27:05 - The art of relating to a master 29:52 - Paul’s practice schedule 33:24 - Working with the 8 energy bodies 37:29 - Releasing karmic knots 47:25 - What is a psychic knot? 50:27 - The importance of lineage in Taoism 1:00:21 - The dangers of mixing different systems 1:11:51 - Embodying the teachings 1:20:33 - Mind-to-mind transmission vs energetic manipulation 1:33:24 - Moral repercussions of energy manipulation 1:42:07 - Where to start with Taoist practice? 1:48:18 - Studying with Paul 1:49:42 - Drawn to lineage To find out more about Paul, visit: - https://www.paulcavel.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com/ Music 'Deva Dasi' by Steve James

I was recently interviewed by Wim Hof instructor, men's group leader (and much more) Asher Packman for his 'Warrior Within Podcast' about all kinds of topics including embodiment, extreme outdoor survival, leadership, the Me Too movement, meditation, the practice of practice, and my near death experience (NDE). Topics Include: 0:00 - About Steve 03:38 - Steve on Embodiment 11:12 - Pleasure / pain calculation 13:30 - Extreme outdoor survival 18:50 - Men’s work and leadership 21:15 - ‘What does being a man in 2020 look like to you?’ 25:35 - The Me Too Movement and Toxic Masculinity 37:52 - Relationship and the burden of being 42:28 - Death and death practices 58:58 - Meditation and the ‘practice of practice’ 1:00:00 - Steve’s near death experience (NDE) 1:13:54 - Sudden vs gradual awakening 1:21:52 - Divorce and system errors To find out more about Asher Packman, visit: - https://www.t5d.com.au/asher For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com/

In this episode I talk with Stephen Snyder, meditation teacher and author who is perhaps best known as being the first non-monastic Western man to master the virtuoso-level shamata meditation system of Pa Auk Sayadaw. Video version here: https://www.guruviking.com/ep24-stephen-snyder-a-stroke-of-realisation-guru-viking-interviews/ In this interview we learn about Stephen’s early fascination with meditation, teaching himself Zen practice from books for years before attending his first traditional sesshin. We also explore Stephen’s vivid past life memories in detail. At 28 Stephen had a radical spiritual awakening, went on to develop unique processes to integrate that awakening and improve his behaviours. We also discuss how Stephen’s professional role as a lawyer to various Zen masters revealed to him the importance of combining psychological work with spiritual practice. In 2018 Stephen had a serious stroke, during which he was thrust into a profound experience of what he calls the Vajra Body. In the last part of the interview Stephen recounts this incident and details the realisations that followed. Topics include: 01:00 - Childhood meditation experiences 03:30 - Learning Zen practice from books 05:04 - Encountering Zen monks at 3 years old 06:55 - Stephen’s past life experiences 12:56 - Siddhis and special powers that can arise from concentration practice 16:26 - Choosing the right practice 19:10 - Stephen’s first Zen retreat 21:18 - Learning to sit through pain 23:14 - Radical awakening at age 28 28:00 - Stephen’s strategies for working with the personality material after awakening 39:30 - Recognising awakened people 41:09 - Integrating spiritual experience in work and daily life 46:33 - Working with recurring interpersonal conflict 48:00 - When to stay in conflict and when to walk away 51:44 - Lessons learned lawyering for Zen Masters 56:20 - Meeting Tina Rasmussen and a mutual recognition 1:00:53- Mastering the jhanas with Pa Auk Sayadaw 1:08:03 - Meditations to train disgust towards the body 1:13:04 - Current book projects 1:14:58 - Stephen’s stroke in 2018 and experience of the Vajra Body 1:23:54 - Cultivating the Vajra Body 1:28:40 - How to contact Stephen To contact Stephen Snyder, please email: - [email protected] For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com/ Music 'Deva Dasi' by Steve James

In this episode I talk with Ian A. Baker, author of 7 books and an initiate of Buddhist, Taoist, and Hindu Tantric lineages. Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep23-ian-a-baker-the-secret-yogas-of-tibet-guru-viking-interviews/ Ian is an international fellow of the Explorers Club and the Royal Geographic Society and was joint curator of the 2016 exhibition “Tibet’s Secret Temple” at the Wellcome Collection, London. In this interview we discuss Ian’s 25 years living in India and Nepal, seeking out the ‘beyul’, the mystical hidden lands of the Himalayas whilst simultaneously pursuing academic studies at Oxford and Columbia Universities. We discuss the history of the illustrious 6 Yogas of Naropa, and hear about Ian’s research into the monastic re-interpretation (and perhaps even distortion) of these Tantric techniques of India. We also examine the remarkable overlap between Tibetan completion stage practices, the practices of Shakta Shaivism, and Taoism - including stories about Ian’s own training in these esoteric disciplines. Topics Include: 0:00 - Intro 1:00 - Initial fasciation with the art and landscape of the Himalayas 04:36 - Ian’s quest for the ‘beyul’, the mystical hidden lands of the Himalayas 07:54 - Remote retreats under the guidance of Chatral Rinpoche 10:12 - Leaving Columbia University to pursue fieldwork in Nepal 14:00 - The integration of academic and spiritual training 19:56 - How to integrate ancient wisdom traditions into modern day life 21:17 - The Dalai Lama’s Secret Temple 23:27 - The unusual story of the 6th Dalai Lama 30:06 - The esoteric murals of the Secret Temple 34:10 - Why were the 6 Yogas of Naropa kept secret? 36:58 - The sanitisation of the Vajrayana by the monastic institutions 40:49 - Commonalities with the Shaiva tantric traditions 42:55 - Heresy or innovation? And the history of the 6 Yogas 1:01:46 - Ian’s extraordinary training in the esoteric Kaula sect 1:09:54 - Falling in love with his consort, Uma Devi 1:13:10 - Is tantric practice dangerous? 1:23:35 - Reactions to Ian’s views in the academic and religious establishments 1:32:29 - Taoist influence on Indian Tantra 1:35:52 - Ian’s training with the Magos of Java, Taoist Master John Chang 1:44:38 - Stories of Kunzang Dorje Rinpoche, Dzogchen and Tsa Lung Master 1:50:51 - Ian’s upcoming projects To find out more about Ian A Baker, visit: - http://ianbaker.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music 'Deva Dasi' by Steve James

In this episode I talk with Tina Rasmussen Ph.D, a meditation teacher and author who is best known as being the first Western woman to master the virtuoso-level shamata meditation system of Pa Auk Sayadaw. In this interview we learn about Tina’s life-defining quest for enlightenment which inspired her 1-year solo retreat in which her practice of Dzogchen triggered not only massive energetic phenomena but also a profound spiritual awakening. We hear all about Tina’s training and authorisation under the notoriously rigorous Pa Auk Sayadaw, culminating in mastery of all 8 jhanas, with all ten kasinas, and much more. We also discuss issues such as integration of awakening in professional life, romantic relationship after enlightenment, and s3xual scandal among meditation teachers. Topics Include 0:00 - Intro 00:53 - Learning meditation at 13 years old 03:19 - Rediscovering the spiritual path after divorce 07:10 - Discovering a natural faculty for deep meditation experiences 10:31 - Straddling deep practice and high end business consulting 14:11 - Why Tina outed herself as a meditator in her professional life 18:36 - Effects of Tina’s spiritual practice on her romantic relationships, and meeting Stephen Snyder 24:10 - Rewired romantic life after enlightenment and Tibetan Tantra 29:20 - Tina’s 1 year solo retreat 40:55 - Extreme energetic experiences and DIY Tummo 44:21 - Tsoknyi Rinpoche and subtle body trauma 50:38 - The challenges of working with very popular teachers 55:33 - Finding mentors as an advanced practitioner 58:52 - Tina’s dream yoga practice and 24hr meditation 1:02:31 - Tsoknyi Rinpoche and Mingyur Rinpoche 1:03:24 - Tina’s Dzogchen practice 1:06:53 - Mastering shamata meditation under Pa Auk Sayadaw’s instruction 1:20:14 - Which is more difficult, shamata or awakening? 1:22:06 - The consequences of jhana mastery 1:27:14 - Scandals among spiritual teachers, levels of awakening, and personality material 1:33:21 - Defining ‘Do No Harm’ and the need for psychological understanding 1:43:20 - Working with Tina To find out more about Tina Rasmussen Ph.D, visit: - http://www.awakeningdharma.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music 'Deva Dasi' by Steve James

In this episode I talk with Bar-ché Dorje, a Dutch Lama in the Aro gTer tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. We discuss Bar-ché Dorje’s early interest in kebatinan, an Javanese esoteric tradition, that saw him plunge his hands into boiling oil and deflect strikes from poisonous machetes. We find out how Bar-ché Dorje first made contact with Ngakchang Rinpoche, who was to become his tantric guru for over 25 years. We hear stories of the infamous wrahthful teaching style of the wandering ngakpa Kunzang Dorje Rinpoche, with whom Bar-ché Dorje spend a great deal of time in Nepal. Video version available at: https://www.guruviking.com/ep21-bar-che-dorje-guru-viking-interviews/ Topics Include: - 00:00 - Intro - 00:38 - Cast of characters - 01:40 - Early experiences in Catholicism and martial arts - 04:00 - Exploring the esoteric Javanese tradition of Kebatinan - 08:33 - the dark side of Kebatinan - 10:00 - Encountering Tibetan Buddhism and Ngak’chang Rinpoche - 15:22 - About Ngak’chang Rinpoche - 18:16 - How Ngak’chang Rinpoche worked with Bar-ché Dorje - 21:15 - Kunzang Dorje Rinpoche’s opinion of Ngak’chang Rinpoche - 22:50 - The point of the teacher-student relationship - 27:45 - Bar-ché Dorje’s personal practice - 28:30 - The Ling Gesar Terma of warriorship - 39:29 - Stories about the wrathful teaching style of Kunzang Dorje Rinpoche - 56:48 - Western Buddhists in the East who miss the point - 1:02:30 - Becoming ordained as a Lama and receiving a Terma - 1:11:13 - Bar-ché Dorje’s opinion on himself as a Lama - 1:16:21 - How to contact Bar-ché Dorje ... To find out more about Bar-ché Dorje, visit: - https://www.facebook.com/barche.dorje - http://arobuddhism.org/lamas/lamas-bar-che-dorje-and-me-sel.html For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music 'Deva Dasi' by Steve James

In this episode, I talk with Dhammarato - a lineage teacher in the Thai Buddhist tradition who has gained an enthusiastic internet following for his unique, 1-1 teaching style conducted over Skype. We discuss Dhammarato’s adventures throughout India studying in search of magic and meditation; his encounters with gurus such as Muktananda, Sai Baba, and Osho; why meeting famed meditation master Buddhadasa turned his search for magic upside down and saw him ordain as a Buddhist monk in the Thai Tradition. We discuss what Dhammarato calls the ‘supra-mundane Dhamma’; hear his take on the failings of Western Buddhism; learn why he believes Visuddhimagga author Buddhaghosa was either a charlatan or a fool; and discover Dhammarato’s surprisingly simple advice on correct practice. For the video version of this interview, visit: https://www.guruviking.com/ep20-dhammarato/ Topics include: 00:50 - Dhammarato’s professional background and search for magic in India 04:42 - A challenging 10-day retreat with U Upandita 05:47 - Time with Muktananda and the practices of Siddha Yoga 07:55 - Buddha magical vs Buddha reality 09:50 - The Magicians of India 12:48 - Meeting the meditation master Buddhadasa 17:32 - The story of Bikkhu Buddhadasa 19:24 - The real teachings of the Buddha 24:06 - The trial of Bikkhu Buddhadasa 29:09 - Life at the monastery 31:14 - What is correct practice? 33:12 - How to be free of the five hindrances 36:25 - Gathering the jhana factors 37:59 - The flaws of the Visuddhimagga and critique of Buddhaghosa 52:48 - What is an arhat? 57:52 - The Pragmatic Dharma movement, the 4 Path Model, and Stream Entry 1:02:22 - Why students need teachers and not just books 1:03:41 - Teaching on Skype and Dhammarato’s internet popularity 1:06:35 - The results of Dhammarato’s personal practice 1:10:07 - The problem with words like ‘arhat’ and ‘enlightenment’ 1:15:10 - How to find 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

This episode of the Guru Viking Podcast sees the return of one of my absolute favourite guests, Glenn Mullin. Glenn is a Tibetologist, translator, and Tantric Buddhist meditation teacher, who studied for many years in Dharmsala with the Dalai Lama’s own gurus. In our last conversation, way back in Episode 9, we talked all about this fascinating period of Glenn’s life. We ended that podcast just beginning to touch on the inner yogas of Tantric Buddhism. In this episode we dive deeper into the completion stage practices as we discuss tummo (tsa lung tigle), the balancing of the male and female energies, clear light yoga, and we enter the realms of karmamudra, or ‘Tantric sex’, as it is presented in the Six Yogas of Naropa. Video version of this podcast: https://www.guruviking.com/ep19-glenn-mullin-guru-viking-interviews/ …. Topics include: - Producing heat with tummo practices - Tests of tummo practice in old Tibet - Demonstrations of energy control - The three qualities of inner bliss - The real purpose of tummo practice - Samayamudra, karmamudra, mahamudra, and dharmamudra - Esoteric nutrition practices of chu len - Magic pill, stone, and starlight - the 3 types of chu len practice - Solo vs group retreat in Tibetan Buddhism - Glenn’s training in chu len - 21 Day Flower Essence Fast - Magic pill recipe of the 2nd Dalai Lama - The effect of past life karma on practice - Are retreats necessary? - The teacher-student relationship in Tantra - The role of Guru Yoga in the 6 Yogas - Glenn’s spiritual friendship with Ling Rinpoche - Balancing the male and female energies in the body - Glenn’s Korean Zen student - The eternal radiance of the soul - Natural encounters with the mother clear light mind - The death process - Death yoga and assisting the dying - Tummo as a death simulation process - The 4 mudras - Karmamudra controversies - Problematic attitudes towards sex in the West - Comments on Dzogchen and Mahamudra - Consequences of balancing the male and female energies - Tantra and the office supplies salesman - Expressing Buddha nature in daily life - The Yoga of the Playful Deity - Dangers in tummo practice - Tantric love-making in the Tibetan tradition - Secrecy in tantric practice - How widespread is genuine karmamudra today? - The meaning of monastic vows of celibacy - The forbidden nature of eroticism - Glenn’s training in karmamudra - The superiority of the female body in tantra - Is monogamy preferable? - Male dominated cultural trends - Semen retention techniques in the 6 Yogas of Naropa - Do both partners need to be trained? - 3 different types of karmamudra partner - Problems with bringing Tibetan Buddhism to the West - ‘One lama, one student’ - Manifesting from the natural radiance of your stream of being … Previous Glenn Mullin episode: https://www.guruviking.com/guru-viking-interviews-ep9-glenn-mullin/ To find our more about Glenn, visit: http://www.glennmullin.com/ https://www.runawayjourneys.com/ https://www.facebook.com/Maitripa.Glenn For more interviews, videos, and more visit: www.guruviking.com Music 'Deva Dasi' by Steve James

Ep18: Leigh Brasington - Guru Viking Interviews In this episode I am joined by Leigh Brasington, Buddhist meditation teacher and author of ‘Right Concentration, A Practical Guide to the Jhanas’. Leigh talked about how he transformed from a self described pot-head to a serious meditation practitioner in his very first retreat. We learn how learning the jhanas - 8 altered states of consciousness, brought on by deep meditative concentration - from meditation master Ayya Khema radically changed his life’s direction. We discuss stream entry for non-monastics, why most people underestimate their meditation potential, Leigh’s controversial take on Western Dharma teachers who claim full awakening, and why the Siddhis, or supernormal powers, are so associated with the practice of jhanas. Let me know what you think in the comments section below! 00:21 - How Leigh first became interested in meditation 00:57 - Chögyam Trungpa, Ayya Khema, and Leigh’s first meditation retreat 02:20 - Pot head to yogi - giving up heavy pot use after the retreat 03:01 - Buddhist practice vs Buddhist religion 04:25 - How Leigh quit pot 05:05 - Ayya Khema, Leigh’s first teacher 06:48 - The importance of following instructions closely 09:03 - Discovering the first jhana in Thailand with Ajahn Buddhadasa 11:16 - Further studies and learning all 8 jhanas from Ayya Khema 12:46 - Insight training with Ayya Khema 15:25 - Did Ayya Khema use the 4 Path Model? 20:00 - Leigh on Stream Entry and gradual vs sudden awakening 23:46 - Is awakening achievable by non-monastics? 25:38 - Leigh’s controversial take on Western Dharma teachers who claim full awakening 27:52 - Sutta criteria for an arhat 30:45 - Did Ayya Khema become an arhat before her death? 32:45 - Learning Rigpa practice from Tsoknyi Rinpoche 37:19 - How Leigh uses the rigpa state in his own practice 40:51 - Comparisons between Tummo and the Jhana practices 44:14 - What are the jhanas and how are they practiced? 51:23 - Are the jhanas necessary for insight practice? 54:33 - Surprising obstacles to learning the jhanas and the role of talent. 1:01:16 - Why most people underestimate their concentration potential. 1:03:01 - The role of lifestyle and sexuality in meditation success 1:08:10 - Leigh’s take on the Siddhis, supernormal powers, achieved through concentration practice 1:16:16 - Considering anecdotes about the siddhis of teachers like Guru Ma and 16th Karmapa 1:18:45 - The current frontiers of Leigh’s personal practice 1:25:41 - The Buddha’s most important teaching 1:27:51 - Nagajuna and the Suttas Video version of this interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9xP28pzQAA To find out more about Leigh, visit: http://leighb.com For Leigh’s book, ‘Right Concentration’, visit: http://rc.leighb.com/index.html For more interviews, videos, and more visit: www.guruviking.com Music: ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I talk with Stephen K Hayes, martial arts master and ex security advisor to the Dalai Lama. We discuss Stephen’s early interest in the martial arts and his journey to Japan in search of the Ninja. We learn about his training and relationship with the iconoclastic sensei Masaaki Hatsui, and how it was the Stephen first met the Dalai Lama. Stephen then gives a detailed analysis of the Dalai Lama’s skill in social engagements, as well as the lessons learned serving in the close protection field. Topics Include: 0:00 - Steve’s Intro 0:30 - A childhood interest in martial arts 03:42 - Stephen’s early spiritual leanings 06:03 - Disillusionment with Episcopal Christianity 07:44 - Stephen’s take on reincarnation 11:34 - University experiences studying theatre and speech at Miami University 14:24 - Learning Tang Su Do and opening his first school 16:30 - Stephen’s incongruence with the 70s American martial arts scene 18:06 - Why Stephen describes himself as an oddball guy 20:46 - Travelling to Japan and searching for the Ninja 27:50 - Meeting Masaaki Hatsumi 34:18 - Fame and fortune as a martial arts author 37:43 - Hatsumi’s dojo schedule and curriculum 39:28 - The essence of what Stephen learned from Hatsumi 43:16 - Travelling to Tibet in search of the dob-dob fighting monks 47:28 - Meeting the Dalai Lama in New Dehli 50:01 - Intelligence and spiritual transmission 53:43 - The Dalai Lama’s emotional impact on Stephen 57:29 - Stephen’s role as a security advisor to the Dalai Lama 59:56 - The Dalai Lama’s skill in social engagements 1:06:32 - Western attitudes vs pre-invasion Tibet 1:09:23 - What Stephen learned from the Dalai Lama 1:13:58 - Final words of advice To find more about Stephen, visit: http://www.stephenkhayes.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: www.guruviking.com Music 'Deva Dasi' by Steve James

In this episode I travel to the deepest Wales to meet Ngakpa Chögyam and Khandro Déchen, English Lamas and lineage holders in a non-celibate Tantric Buddhist order. For the video version of this Episode, click here: https://www.guruviking.com/ep16-ngapka-chogyam-and-khandro-dechen-guru-viking-interviews/ I interviewed Ngakpa Chögyam about his early life and training with Kunzang Dorje Rinpoche way back in Episode 8, which was one of the most discussed and downloaded of the series so far. Here, we gain an intimate glimpse into their lives as they open their home, shrine room, and writing space. Ngakpa Chögyam reveals the art and practice of clothing and we learn why the Fender Telecaster is a doorway to compassion. The Lamas talk candidly about the skepticism of their authenticity, we hear stories about Mahasiddhas and Crazy Wisdom masters, and we discover Ngakpa Chögyam’s second religion in a live blues jam! Topics: 0:00 - Steve’s intro 0:01:20 - The house tour 0:01:43 - Tour of the shrine room and sacred objects 0:06:43 - Tsa lung energy practices, Tummo, and Phowa 0:11:12 - Retreat practice for non-monastics 0:14:13 - The art and practice of clothing 0:22:07 - Becoming an individual 0:26:42 - Ngakpa Chögyam’s 1850s revolvers 0:32:33 - Thinking for yourself 0:37:27 - Appreciation and the Fender Telecaster 0:38:38 - The coach house 0:39:26 - ‘The 84 Mahasiddhas’ and the Mahasiddha principle 0:51:41 - Working 1-1 with students 0:54:10 - Appreciation, compassion, and Vajra Romance 1:10:22 - ‘Come back ego, all is forgiven’ 1:13:36 - Romance and selflessness 1:22:25 - Bringing a student to a realisation of emptiness 1:23:23 - The practice of silent sitting 1:27:23 - Stories about studying with Chi’imed Rinpoche 1:39:54 - Crazy wisdom and abuse 1:44:52 - Stories about Chi’imed Rinpoche’s crazy wisdom behaviour 1:51:51 - The effect of being around a crazy wisdom master / becoming a professional human being 1:58:26 - Stories about Drukpa Kunley 2:03:59 - Sogyal Lakar vs Drukpa Kunley 2:07:34 - The previous incarnations of Ngakpa Chögyam and Khandro Déchen 2:11:42 - Receiving the Aro gTér lineage in a mystical experience 2:15:52 - Childhood visions and dreams of Aro Lingma 2:22:03 - Skepticism about Ngakpa Chögyam’s authenticity 2:30:54 - Dudjom Rinpoche’s request 2:33:21 - The future of Buddhism 2:35:26 - Singing the blues for Dudjom Rinpoche 2:38:44 - An education in blues music from Mr Love 2:41:12 - Ngakpa Chögyam and Steve play the blues Click here to listen to my first interview with Ngakpa Chögyam: - https://www.guruviking.com/guru-viking-interviews-ep8-ngakpa-chogyam/ To find out more about Ngakpa Chögyam:- arobuddhism.org/- www.instagram.com/doctor_togden/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit:- www.guruviking.com

In this episode I interview Godfrey Devereux, yoga and meditation teacher of over 45 years experience, and author of several books - including ‘Dynamic Yoga’ and ‘Yoga Unveiled’, a translation and commentary of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. In this fascinating conversation we discuss how watching his uncle, an Anglican minster, pray in tree-pose sparked an overwhelming sense of reverence, how Godfrey’s teenage attempts at learning from books produced surprising results, why meeting his Indian yoga guru heroes left him unimpressed, and how the rigorous discipline of Zen - and the insight of a particular Zen Roshi - changed Godfrey’s life forever. This interview was particularly enjoyable for me because Godfrey is the man who trained me in the practice and teaching of yoga in my mid-twenties. Topics include: - Godfrey’s first encounter with yoga - The power of reverence - Early days learning from books - Meeting an Iyengar yoga teacher - Yoga in England in the 70s - Travelling to Italy and training as a Montessori teacher - Clashes with the school management - Experimentation with vast amounts of LSD - Insights gained from psychedelics - Moving to America and working in the natural food movement - Encountering Ashtanga vinyasa yoga in Hawaii - Contacting a deep internal awareness - Testing what you’re taught; does it work, is it valid? - Are some people more suited to self enquiry? - Realising yoga wasn’t really working - Travelling to India - Disappointment when meeting the great yoga gurus - Activation of anandamayakosha, the bliss body - India’s special geology and culture - Was BKS Iyengar a sadomasochist? - Meeting the advaita teacher Ramesh Balsekar - Turning to Zen - Godfrey’s first sesshin - Sitting in full lotus - Why does it have to hurt so much?! - Becoming one with pain - Studying with Genpo Roshi - Koan study - Commenting on Genpo Roshi’s sexual scandal - A guru-chela relationship with Kali - Godfrey’s tantric encounters - Self improvement vs self enquiry - 4 most common mistakes in yoga - Effortless yoga posture practice - The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali - Godfrey’s take on the 5 Yamas - Godfrey’s experiments with pranayama - Medieval pranayama vs Patanjali’s approach - What is spiritual practice? - The issue of authority - Knowledge vs experience - Steve’s training with Godfrey - Why Godfrey has decided to stop training yoga teachers - Advice for those facing catastrophe To find our more about Godfrey, visit: www.dynamicyoga.com Godfrey on Yogavinyasakrama: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkU5k03runI For more interviews, videos, and more visit: www.guruviking.com Music 'Deva Dasi' by Steve James

New episode! In this interview I am joined by meditation teacher and author Daniel Ingram. Daniel sparked great controversy when in 2008 he published his first book ‘Mastering The Core Teachings Of The Buddha: An Unusual Hardcore Dharma Book’, signing it as the Arahant Daniel Ingram. Naming himself an arahant, which is one of the highest attainments in Buddhism, flew in the face of cultural taboos against disclosing one’s enlightenment. In this fascinating conversation we delve into Daniel’s childhood mystical experiences and how he overcame a lack of meditational talent to embark upon a life of intense retreat and practice. We discuss his meditation challenges and accomplishments, and lay out the stages of awakening and how to traverse them. At the end, Daniel turns the tables on *me* and questions my own experience and motivations! I hope you enjoy this one! - Daniel’s childhood mystical experiences - Crossing the arising and passing away in a dream - Daniel’s first retreat and overcoming a lack of meditation talent - ‘Learning to feel my feet’ - Travelling to India - Coming face to face with sickness and poverty in the slums of Calcutta - Learning a powerful meditation technique in Malaysia that changed everything - How an old Burmese monk introduced Daniel to a map of insight - How to find the right meditation path for you - Lead through strength but don’t get stuck - How Daniel used personal pride as an aid on the path - Dark Night of the Soul and the Dhukka Nanas - A summary of the cycle of insight - Daniel’s dark night - Achieving stream entry - The God-Gerbil - Aftershocks of awakening - Why Daniel believes in disclosing attainments - Rapid fire practice guide - I want to attain stream entry, what do I do? - I have attained stream entry and I want to attain 2nd, what do I do? - I have attained 2nd path and I want to attain 3rd, what do I do? - I have attained 3rd path and I want to attain 4th, what do I do? - I am an arrant - now what? - Daniel turns the tables on Steve - Where do Steve’s questions come from? - What is his experience of map theory? - How does Steve use maps when teaching meditation? For the video version of this interview visit: https://www.facebook.com/guruviking/videos/386877215223610/ To find our more about Daniel, visit: http://integrateddaniel.info For more interviews, videos, and more visit: www.guruviking.com Music 'Deva Dasi' by Steve James

In this episode I am joined by John Yates, PhD, aka Culadasa. Culadasa is a meditation master with more than four decades of experience in the Tibetan and Theravadin Buddhist traditions. A former professor, he taught physiology and neuroscience for many years, and later worked in the field of complementary and alternative medicine. His book ‘The Mind Illuminated’ has been described as ‘a rare and valuable treasure’ and has been enormously popular among dedicated meditators for it’s incredible clarity and usability even to very advanced stages of practice. In this interview we talk about how Culdasa’s traumatic upbringing led to him to being homeless on the streets at 15 years old and why even years in Catholic seminary didn’t provide the answers he was looking for. We discuss his initially frustrated attempts at meditation practice, the colourful cast of characters of his teachers, and the one key discovery changed everything. - Culadasa’s traumatic upbringing - Running away from home at 15 and the search for truth - Entering Catholic seminary in search of the truth - Experiments with psychedelics in the 60s - Early attempts at meditation and learning Transcendental Meditation - Discovering Buddhism - What was lacking in the seminary - Doctrinal disagreements with Catholicism - Virtuoso Buddhism vs village Buddhism - Living on the streets and recovering from a traumatic childhood - Achieving a PhD with no high school education - Glimpses of emptiness - Meeting Upasaka Kema Ananda in Winnipeg, Manitoba - Encountering Namgyal Rinpoche (aka George Dawson) - Blending Kagyu and Theravadan practice - Struggles with the Mahasi meditation technique - Introduction to shamata (calm-abiding) practice - Common misunderstandings about shamata - Key distinctions about attention and awareness - Revisiting Mahasi-style meditation - Stages of samadhi - Culadasa’s personal journey of insight - How Culadasa attained stream entry - Falling away from meditation and taking up shamanism - Further path attainments - Second path practice and meditation on mind states - Craving and dissatisfaction - Mara I have seen you! - The mechanics of path attainments - The two edged sword of the human mind - Developing compassion - Waking up, cleaning up, and growing up - Implications of facing death For the video version of this interview visit: https://youtu.be/roTWZ9GcBMY To find our more about Culadasa, visit: https://dharmatreasure.org/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: www.guruviking.com Music 'Deva Dasi' by Steve James

37-year old Bhante Jason is an Australian monk who left a career in law to wander the countryside as an aescetic Buddhist monk. Ordained in the Theravanda tradition in Sri Lanka over eight years ago, he lives outdoors without possessions except for his robes and begging bowl. Seeing hypocrisy in much of modern Buddhism's approach, Bhante Jason describes his approach to Buddhist practice as 'Classic' and chooses to live as closely as he can to the strict monastic rules of the historical Buddha. For the video version of this interview, including footage of Bhante's retreat caves, please click here: https://youtu.be/B9W4SUepWOQ I travel out to his rain season retreat cave in the Blue Mountains to meet this unusual and charismatic wanderer. - A tour of Bhante Jason's meditation caves - The 8 Precepts that allow lay people to temporarily practice as a monk - Bhante Jason's early interest in Buddhism and his teenage preoccupation with the problem of suffering - Disillusionment with Zen practice in New York - The influence Bikkhu Bodhi's translations of the early Suttas - How reconnecting with the historical Buddha ignited Bhante's inspiration to become a homeless monk - Travelling to Sri Lanka for ordination and training - The hypocrisy of later Buddhist doctrinal developments - Abuse of authority by Buddhist leaders - The safety mechanism of asceticism - The moral authority of purity - Bhante's first experiences in Sri Lanka and his love for the culture - Novice initiation, monastic camaraderie, and getting painted in tumeric - Bhante's monastic vows - Going beyond the monastic training to become a wandering monk - Early lessons in surviving outdoors, finding water, and avoiding mosquitos - Bhante's training in meditation and his unique personal approach - Meditation vs walking your dog - Bhante's 2-step meditation instruction - Training your body to become stronger in the face of negative emotion - Using posture, breath, and thoughts to train the body - The dangers of Darth Vader meditation - Living as a homeless monk in Australia - Surviving long journeys through the bush - Choosing his meditation cave - Bhante's daily practice routine - Sexuality and celibacy on the monastic path - Bhante's poem about sexual energy For more interviews, videos, and visit www.guruviking.com. For the video version of this interview, including footage of Bhante's retreat caves, please click here: https://youtu.be/B9W4SUepWOQ Music 'Deva Dasi' by Steve James

In this interview I talk with Robert Beer, an internationally renowned artist who has dedicated his life to both the study of Indo-Tibetan sacred art and to experiential contact with the afterlife. Robert is the author and illustrator of the The Encyclopedia of Tibetan Symbols and Motif, and The Handbook of Tibetan Buddhist Symbol, as well as having his work featured in countless publications and websites. In our discussion we delve into Robert's childhood mystical experiences, his psychedelically induced psychosis and kundalini crisis, the runaway Carmelite nun, years spent in India studying with Tibet’s greatest living master artist, astral encounters with long-dead Indian gurus, and Robert’s extensive research into parapsychology and the spirit world. - The afterlife experience at 14 years old that catalysed Robert’s spiritual search - The death of Robert’s sister and an afterlife dream - How Robert became homeless at 16, sleeping rough in the blood bank where he worked - Being rejected from art school and meeting the eccentric artist John F.B. Miles - The story of John’s mother the runaway Carmelite nun - John’s prodigious ability to reproduce any script instantly - Robert’s psychedelic explorations in his early twenties - How an attempt to practice Tibetan phowa on LSD triggered a devastating psychosis and kundalini crisis - The severe and debilitating effects of Robert’s kundalini crisis - Travelling to India and Robert’s 7 year journey to reintegrate his nervous system - Sacred art and music as therapy and medicine - The practice of stillness and concentration in art - Learning Tibetan thangka painting with Tibet’s master artist Jampa Tseten - Understanding mystic traditions through sacred art - Robert’s aboriginal encounter with Buddhist Dharma - Robert’s unpublished manual of the deities of the Karma Kagyu tradition - The challenges of obtaining funding and support in Robert’s career - The physical and psychological demands of creating extremely intricately detailed images - Robert’s incompatibility with traditional Buddhist practice - Encountering the physical emanation of the long deceased Shirdi Sai Baba - Ongoing psychic contact and teaching from Shirdi Sai Baba - How the tragic death of Robert’s daughter radically changed his life trajectory - Encounters with channellers and mediums - Robert’s profound experience with Dr. Michael Newton’s ‘Life Between Life’ hypnosis method - Research into Near Death Experiences and deathbed visions - The limitations of the Tibetan bardo and after-death teachings - The ineffectiveness of religious practice compared to near death experiences - Ani Tenzin Palmo’s near death experience - The karmic implications of past life regression - Robert’s opinion on the tulku system - Dudjom Lingpa’s anomalous reincarnation process - The blindly dogmatic approach to reincarnation of most Western Buddhist teachers - Robert’s approach to counselling the bereaved To find our more about Robert, visit: http://www.tibetanart.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: www.guruviking.com Music 'Deva Dasi' by Steve James

Glenn H. Mullin is a Tibetologist, Buddhist writer, translator of classical Tibetan literature, and teacher of Tantric Buddhist meditation. He divides his time between writing, teaching, meditating, and leading tour groups to the power places of Nepal and Tibet. In this interview we discuss Glenn’s early fascination with Tibet, his decades of rigorous study in India with the Dalai Lama’s two personal gurus, Glenn’s life-changing meditation experiences, enlightenment and orgasm, and we delve into the 6 Yogas of Naropa - a tantric system full of fascinating techniques such as Deity Yoga, Tummo, dream work, and more… Topics include: - The British fascination with Tibet - Glenn’s early family influences - Spending 12 years in India at the Dalai Lama’s school for Westerners - Glenn’s personal experiences with the Dalai Lama - What Tibetans and the Irish have in common - Popular vs unpopular enlightenment - Qualities of a spiritual master - The process of lineage authorisation in Tibetan Buddhism - The varying standards of Lama qualification across the various Tibetan sects - How to assess a teacher - Glenn’s early training regime in Dharmsala - The main challenge in the early stages of meditation - The difference between compassion and wisdom meditations - Was Jesus a Buddhist monk? - The ‘earthquake experience’ of insight into the nature of the self - Glenn’s ‘earthquake experience’ on retreat - The challenges of integrating profound spiritual experience into everyday life - Direct, non-processed experience and the metaphor of orgasm - The 6 Yogas of Naropa and the lazy man’s way to enlightenment - Glenn’s background in the 6 Yogas of Naropa - Differences in the ways the tantras were practiced over the centuries - The linguistic code of the hidden tantras - The 5 stages of tantra - The practice of seeing the world as a tantric theatre - The essential prerequisites of practicing tantra - True practice vs fantasy and delusion - Applications of tantric practice in relationship and business - The expression of the personality - The 4 faces of compassionate engagement To find our more about Glenn, visit: http://www.glennmullin.com/ https://www.runawayjourneys.com/ https://www.facebook.com/Maitripa.Glenn For more interviews, videos, and more visit: www.guruviking.com Music 'Deva Dasi' by Steve James

In this interview I am joined by Ngakpa Chögyam a blues loving, horse riding Ngakpa, who with his wife Khandro Déchen, is the Lineage Lama (principal teacher) of the Aro tradition, a tantric Buddhist house holder tradition. Ngakpa Chögyam is the author of many books and today we discuss Wisdom Eccentrics. It is ‘a rare account of remarkable lamas in the final years of a lost era’ …which chronicles his education with Kunzang Dorje Rinpoche, ‘a highly reclusive master known for mercurial wrath and facility with Dzogchen’. In the book we follow this 19-year old Englishman in 1971 into the heart of the Himalayas to seek the highest teachings from a notoriously wrathful and elusive Lama. In this fascinating and candid conversation we delve into the themes of the book, including the culture clash of Dharmsala in the 70s, the true face of Crazy Wisdom and it’s abuses, how to access the realised state through the emotions themselves, and why Ngakpa Chögyam sees the crossover between the arts and Vajrayana as vitally important. Topics include: - Ngakpa Chögyam’s childhood fascination with Buddhism and Tibet - Parallels between the Viking religions and Tibetan Buddhism - Travelling to India at 19 in 1971 - An instant rapport with the Tibetan people - Fundamental clashes with the other Western students - Meeting the nomadic yogi Kunzang Dorje - How Dudjom Rinpoche trapped Kunzang Dorje - Tackling Ngakap Chögyam’s chronic politeness - Stories and interrogation as teaching tools - Tibetan culture vs Western culture - The sophistication and limitation of the Western mind - Principle and Form as the key to understanding Buddhism - Emptiness and Form applied to shiné and lhaktong meditation - The evening when Chögyam received the transmission of the nature of mind - How the nature of mind transmission works - The difference between a realised master and a well-educated scholar - Art an the Varjayana - How Chögam uses the Doc Togden instagram account - Wrathful lamas and Crazy Wisdom - Wrathful Compassion and Crazy Wisdom as an excuse for abuse - The genuine use of Wrath and Crazy Wisdom - The prerequisites to using Wrathful Compassion - Kunzang Dorje’s wrath in action - Why Ngakpa Chögyam is not a wrathful teacher - Chogyam’s occasional use of wrathful means - Psychopathic spiritual teachers and sexual exploitation - Crazy Wisdom as disintegration of religious pattern - Stories of Crazy Wisdom in action - Chi’imed Rinpoche’s expression of yeshe chölwa - The use of the full spectrum of emotions in Tantra - Accessing the realised state through the emotions - How to use powerful negative emotions in spiritual practice - The role of the personality display in teaching Tantra - The teacher student relationship in the Vajrayana - Is the teacher student relationship a professional or personal one? - The importance of two-way respect between teacher and student - Blind devotion vs informed devotion - Informed devotion vs romantic infatuation - Ngakpa Chögyam’s parting words and why everyone is an artist To find out more about Ngakpa Chögyam: -http://arobuddhism.org/ -https://www.instagram.com/doctor_togden/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music 'Deva Dasi' by Steve James

Today I’m joined by my co-teacher Michaela Boehm for a special interview about facing adversity. Michaela's house was destroyed in the Thomas fire, the largest wild fire in California state history. We discuss the story of what happened, how Michaela used her extensive training and lifetime of practice to face this crisis, and the surprisingly inspiring themes of determination and community. Disasters of any kind are something we all hope to avoid but that can happen to any of us at any time. There are many useful lessons and takeaways in Michaela's story for facing adversity and for supporting others who are in times of crisis. Topics include: - Michaela’s house destroyed by Thomas Fire, the largest wildfire in California State history - 50ft fire walls sweeping across the landscape at the speed of an acre a minute - The race from Europe to California and entering a disaster zone - How different people coped with the shock and trauma - Fight, flight, and freeze responses - Michaela’s game plan and personal shock-prevention strategies - How to use the fight or flight response without being overwhelmed by it - Working with trauma after the initial event - Working productively in a stressful situation - Body movement as the key to unlocking freeze and trauma - Why Michaela prioritises beautifying her environment and the positive effects of ordering your environment - The practice of Vastu and the practical tips on organising your surroundings - Stepping down from daily activity to nighttime rest - Using water to de-stress and cleanse - Michaela’s favourite meditation approach to relax and open the body - Journalling and Jungian dream work as tools of psychological integration - Self-care in times of adversity - Epigenetics and archetypal work around loss and fire - Unusual conversations with the insurance adjuster - The inspiring resilience of human beings in the face of adversity - How to effectively support others in a crisis (and not make things worse) - Unexpected acts of kindness - The strength of community in a crisis - Final thoughts For more interviews, audio, and articles check out: www.guruviking.com Find out more about Michaela and the workshops we teach at: www.michaelaboehm.com https://soundcloud.com/michaela-boehm Find out more about The Non-Linear Movement Method at: www.thenonlinearmovementmethod.com

In this episode I'm joined once again by meditation teacher and Sanskrit translator Lorin Roche PhD. Our last interview was so popular, with so many requests for more, that Lorin agreed to another one! In this conversation we dive into Lorin's unique approach to meditation, look at why the way meditation is usually taught is actually damaging for most people, why monasteries psychologically castrate monks and what that means for their non-monastic students, and how to meditate in a way that embraces all of your life energies. Topics include: -Lorin’s unusual definition of meditation -The origins of meditation -What we can learn from the lives of the saints -The spiritual geniuses and daredevil monastics of the past -The male pioneers of meditation and their legacy -Enlightenment or bust -Adapting meditation to your needs and lifestyle -The sexual side of monasticism -Celibacy for the 1% -Living the life of all of your chakras -The high art of living all of your life energies -Sexuality as part of spirituality -Lorin’s radical meditation pursuits -Lorin’s early training and first spiritual breakthroughs -Lorin’s mission to serve meditators -What happens when a person starts to meditate? -Why meditation gets credit for something people should get credit for -Why most meditation techniques are a bad fit -Why the deep effect of certain techniques don’t show themselves for a couple of years -Why many people’s meditation starts beneficially but becomes more harmful as time goes on -Meditation with a monastic-oriented control structure -Why long term meditation can de-vitalise people -Ayahuasca as the party drug of pious Californian yoga teachers -What interviewing thousands of successful meditators taught Lorin about what works -What’s unique about Lorin’s approach to meditation -Common misunderstandings about meditation -Why a lot of people approach meditation like they’re sitting in church -The human mind’s activity as an expression of the universal life force -The genius of the human body -Psychologically castrating monks for administrative reasons in the monastery -Meditation should be a place people should go to be free, not disciplined -Actively encouraging wildness and cherishing of life in meditation -The parallels between meditation and eating disorders in teenage girls -The shadowy allure of discipline -Lorin’s best advice to a new meditator -Meditation as a way of being in love with life Check out Lorin's first interview here: https://soundcloud.com/guruviking/guru-viking-interviews-ep1-lorin-roche-phd To find out more about Lorin visit: lorinroche.com radiancesutras.com meditationtt.com Visit www.guruviking.com for more interviews, audios, and articles. Music 'Deva Dasi' by Steve James

Today I’m talking with Traver Boehm. I first met Traver on his fortieth birthday in the aftermath of having lost his marriage and business in a single day. Devastated by these events he had embarked on a Year to Live, inspired by the Stephen Levine book of the same title, whereby he lived an entire year as if it was his last. This conversation is very touching and insightful - we discuss the realities of divorce, find out how Traver found meaning and put his life back together through service, what it means to return to dating and relationships and to be guided by the gut instinct - something Traver calls his 'God of the Gut' - and how he advises the divorced men he works with today. We also learn about Traver’s Year to Live where he worked with the elderly dying in the public hospice system, spent a month in a pitch black meditation cell in Guatemala, and more. He’s a very inspiring and heartfelt man and I think you’ll really enjoy this one. Topics include: - The single day in which Traver lost his marriage and business in the aftermath of a miscarriage - Some of the bad advice Traver received - How profound loss led to his Year To Live experiment - The reality of divorce for men - Traver’s hellish divorce experience - Why divorce robs people of meaning and direction - How men avoid feeling the pain of divorce and what it costs them - Traver’s work with divorced men - Straight talk about divorce - The surprising ways in which divorce has radically changed the way - - Traver dates and does relationship - Traver’s ‘God of the Gut’ and being guided by gut instinct and bodily wisdom - How Traver drowned out his painful feelings during his marriage with substances and overwork - Traver’s daily practice that accesses his gut instinct - Planning his Year To Live and the meaning of the experiment - Asking ’What would I really do if this was the last year of my life?’ - Traver’s time volunteering in hospices in New Mexico - Lessons learned from the dying - The little things that afford a dying person dignity and comfort - Why every person should volunteer to care for the elderly - How to volunteer for hospice work in the USA - Traver’s month meditation retreat in a pitch black cell in Guatemala - Gambling with his sanity in the pitch blackness - Where to find Traver’s blog and writings Find out more about Traver here: - http://www.traverboehm.com - http://www.traverboehm.com/year-live-project-blindfolds-maserati/ Visit www.guruviking.com for more interviews, audios, and articles. Music 'Deva Dasi' by Steve James

In this interview I’m joined by musicians and artists Michael Cuming and Silvana van Dijk from the Australian musical duo Visions of a Nomad. I’ve known them for a couple of years now and they’re really fascinating. In the interview we dive into the ancient wisdom of Australia including dreamtime stories, how to read nature signs, and dream interpretation. We discuss how Michael and Silvana met, why Silvana left an international modelling career and Michael his own touring musical project to disappear for months into the Australian bush with a spear and a 4x4. We discuss Michael’s death experience in a hang gliding accident that radically changed his life, his time living as the personal secretary to an Indian guru with supernatural powers, and their deep connection to the indigenous people of Australia. Topics include: -The beginnings of Visions of A Nomad -Why Michael left his nationally touring band to live in the desert with just a spear and his instincts -The story of love at first sight between Michael and Silvana -Why Silvana gave up an international modelling career to go with Michael to live with the indigenous people of Australia -Living together with Aboriginals -How the indigenous spiritual blueprint pervades the land of Australia -The unique spiritual energy and traditions of Australia -The old Dreaming Paths of Australia How to tune into nature and read natural signs -The specific meanings of certain animal signs -Personal experiences with warnings from the kuru bird -The ancient knowledge in the Aboriginal dreamtime stories The differences between the energetic information of Europe and Australia -Learning to read the language of nature -Why Michael’s left school to become a stockman in the outback -How Michael’s connection with the indigenous people of Australia began -What Michael learned working with mentally challenged children at a Rudolf -Steiner School -How dying in a hang gliding accident radically changed the direction of Michael’s life -What Michael learned from his spiritual experience when he was dead -The extreme spiritual seeking of Michael’s early twenties that brought him to a crisis point -How a dream brought Michael to meet his Indian guru Swami Krishna -Living and studying Hatha yoga and Tantric meditation with the guru -Swami Krishna’s history learning Tibetan tantra and travelling through India as a colleague of Osho -Michael’s final profound spiritual experience with Swami Krishna -How attachment to concepts and paradigms can block spiritual experiences -When Michael realised he was getting hooked on blissing out -Why Michael stopped meditation and applied his spiritual lessons towards living life of creativity and excellence -Why living a full life is important and how the body can teach us to work with strong energies -Where Michael’s drive for artistic excellence comes from -How Swami Krishna taught his students and worked with his solo -High level practice as a spiritual commando -Why Michael would never be a spiritual teacher -Dream interpretation -The links between the Vedas and the Aboriginals -Why the Aboriginals represent an unbroken line of ancient understanding stretching back through time -The intersection of culture, art, and spirituality -How Michael builds bridges between communities with his music and ceremony work -Why everyone is indigenous -What does the term Aboriginal mean -Michael’s work with the Aboriginal people -Music, art, and traditional ceremony -Are Michael and Silvana shamans? -Michael’s morning ritual Find out more about Michael and Silvana here: - https://www.visionsofanomad.com/ - http://www.arcdreamingaboriginaldancetheatre.com/ - https://visionsofanomad1.bandcamp.com/ Visit www.guruviking.com for more interviews, audios, and articles. Music 'Grassy Spirit' performed live by Visions of a Nomad

I was recently interviewed by Dan Doty on the Evryman Podcast and we had a really great conversation. We talked about my childhood on a remote Scottish Island, extreme outdoor survival, mystical experiences, and a bunch of other interesting things. Enjoy! More about me: www.guruviking.com More about Dan: https://www.evryman.co/dan/

In this interview I talk with Keith McKenzie. Keith is a meditation teacher and Buddhist chaplain for the British Armed Forces and works extensively with veterans in retreats and ongoing community projects. We discuss Keith’s career as an elite soldier in the Parachute Regiment of the British army, and how severe PTSD ended Keith’s 22 years in the fire service and led to heavy substance abuse and years of suffering. We learn how a profound spiritual experience altered the direction of Keith’s life and saw him immerse in meditation and Buddhism, discovering tools to stabilise his mind and heal his trauma - tools that he now shares in his work with veterans through his charity Sadaya. ... Keith passed away peacefully on November 11th 2021 surrounded by friends and family. ... Topics include: - The importance of credibility and life experience - Keith’s time as a hippy in Holland in the 70s before joining the army - The urge to search and Keith’s childhood experiences of religion - How early childhood challenges influenced Keith’s desire to be the best and prove he wasn’t weak - Keith’s career in the elite Parachute Regiment Pathfinders of the British Army - SAS selection and being shot - How 22 years in the fire service was vastly more traumatic than his time in the army and led to severe PTSD - Complex PTSD and how initial trauma can set a pattern of recurring retraumatisation - Karma and character formation - How the negative consequences of one’s mistakes are actually an opportunity to repair karma - Nightmares are dreams trying to tell us something - Why it’s useful to see challenges in life as an opportunity to pay off negative karma - How Keith’s view of karma sets him free from blaming others and blaming himself - Meditation as a tool for use in daily life - Why meditation is like going to the gym, but application in real life is the main event - How Keith uses mindful awareness to deal with difficult experiences - Mistaken ideas about karma and why it isn’t about self blame - How Keith teaches forgiveness through debate and not meditation techniques - Why being a human being is a great opportunity but can lead to difficulties - How severe PTSD ended Keith’s time in the fire service and saw him spend time in a psychiatric ward - The limits of therapy as a cure and why Keith turned to heavy drinking and drugs - How a powerful spiritual experience radically changed the course of Keith’s life - Quitting drinking, drugs, and smoking all in one day - Keith’s jumps into meditation with 8+ hours of intensive practice a day in a Buddhist monastery - The importance of personal practice and why Keith still meditates for 3 hours every day - Meeting Lama Yeshe, the abbot of Samye Ling Monastery, and experiencing his presence and intuitive power - Lama Yeshe’s surprising advice to Keith - Meditation retreats vs real life service - Why Keith longs to go on extended retreat but chooses to serve veterans instead - Does mediation lead to a muted, dull emotional life? - Keith’s personal meditation practice - Practical techniques to relieve pain and suffering - Keith’s work with veterans and those suffering with PTSD - What happens on Keith’s retreats and the unique needs of veterans - Keith’s passion to give veterans tools to stabilise their minds so they can reclaim their lives - Why Keith isn’t interested in converting people and instead supports people to find their own sense of meaning - Working with Keith The Veterans Community Cafe in Edinburgh: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1184591528228376/ Keith is happy to receive emails at: [email protected] Visit www.guruviking.com for more interviews, audios, and articles. Music 'Deva Dasi' by Steve James

In this candid interview I talk with lucid dreaming teacher and Hay House author Charlie Morley. We delve into the mysteries of lucid dreaming and and how we can use the practices of dream yoga to harness the third of our lives we spend sleeping as an inner laboratory of exploration, adventure, and even healing. We also discover how a book by the Dalai Lama radically changed Charlie's path from a life of gang violence and drugs to a passion for Buddhism, Charlie’s devotional relationship with his guru Lama Yeshe, and why the guru-disciple model is so often fraught with controversy. Topic include: - Lucid dreaming defined - How lucid dreaming can be used for fun, spiritual practice, and psychological healing - Why Charlie adds modern scientific and psychological applications to traditional dream yoga techniques - The real heart of dream yoga - Shadow work in the dream state - Charlie’s early childhood lucid dreaming experiences - Surprising signs that a child is a lucid dreamer - How Charlie can have 3-4 lucid dreams a night despite not being a natural - Dream work in other traditions and why Tibetan Buddhism doesn’t have a monopoly on dream yoga - How reading a book by the Dalai Lama radically changed Charlie’s life path from drugs and gang violence to Buddhism - Why a lust for partying and excess can actually be a strong indicator of spiritual potential - Was Charlie a dream yogi in a past life? - Charlie’s motto for the spiritual path and living a meaningful life - The guru disciple relationship and Charlie’s devotion to his guru Lama Yeshe - Disempowering the ego to empower the Buddha Nature - The golden shadow and how we often deny our divine nature - The guru disciple relationship as a skilful means of working with psychological projection - Why Charlie was initially unimpressed with Lama Yeshe - Lama Yeshe’s spiritual attainments - Charlie’s advice for how to wisely choose a teacher - Charlie on the controversy at Rigpa and the dangers of the corrupting influence of power - Crazy wisdom and learning from scandal - Charlie’s motivation to help connect people to their spiritual path - Why Lama Yeshe calls Charlie his joyful ambassador - How Charlie became officially authorised to teach by the Karma Kagyu lineage - The safety net of lineage - Why dream yoga gives you keys to the labratory of your mind every night - Charlie’s top tips for maximising lucid dreaming Find out more about Charlie at www.charliemorley.com. Visit www.guruviking.com for more interviews, audios, and articles. Music 'Deva Dasi' by Steve James

In this interview I had the pleasure of talking with my good friend Lorin Roche. Lorin is an author, a translator, and has been teaching meditation since 1968. In our discussion we cover the multi-dimensional meanings of Sanskrit, Lorin’s early years as a renegade meditation teacher in the 60s, the possibilities and dangers of meditation, the oppressed spiritual genius of women, and why each individual has a unique, personal doorway to the meditative state. Topics Include: - Lorin’s philosophy of translation - The many dimensions of meaning and the music of the Sanskrit language - The range of possible meanings of the word ‘Yoga’ - The 112 doorways to meditation offered by the Vijnana Bhairava Tantra - Meditation as a natural state - How to find your personal doorway to meditation - Why so much meditation practice is an unknowing echo of childhood relationship patterns - How the inner critic disguises itself as spiritual teaching - The dangers of meditation - Lorin’s early years as a renegade meditation teacher in the 60s and 70s - Why very few meditation teachers actually listen to their students - How Lorin learned to meditate - Why a lot of people are doing the wrong kind of meditation for them - Teaching meditation vs practicing meditation - The pros and cons of the ancient lineage model - Structures of authority and the open space of live teaching - Lorin’s filters for evaluating the ancient traditions and their techniques - The renunciate’s contempt of householders - The problems of householders adopting monk and nun teachings - Living out the path of desire as a spiritual path - Why monastic teachings harm young people - Meditation as a celebration of a life of fullness - The spiritual genius of women - Traditional doctrines of the inferiority of women - How to filter out the oppressive elements of the ancient traditions - The many natural gateways to meditation - How to build your own approach to meditation - Working with Lorin To find out more about Lorin visit: lorinroche.com radiancesutras.com meditationtt.com Visit www.guruviking.com for more interviews, audios, and articles. Music 'Deva Dasi' by Steve James