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

Ep253: The Buddhist Path - Leigh Brasington

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 reflects on the changes in the spiritual journey over a lifetime, whether or not the world is becoming more turbulent, and the effects of ageing on yogic practice and view.

Tulku Sherdor explains why mind training is superior to mystical experiences, emphasises the reality of impermanence, and shares the best tests of successful retreat and spiritual growth.

Tulku Sherdor also warns about the prognosis of tulkus who do not conduct extensive retreat; critiques the shortcomings of the 3-year retreat model as conducted in the West; and details the temptations for dharma teachers in pleasure, profit, praise, and popularity.


…

Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep304-crumbs-from-the-parrots-beak-tulku-sherdor 

Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.

…

Topics include:

00:00 - Intro 
01:04 - Crumbs from the Parrot’s Beak
02:43 - The spiritual journey and the phases of life
04:24 - Is the world becoming more turbulent?
05:56 - The effects of ageing on spiritual practice
07:53 - How to relate to physical limitations
09:56 - Ambition for enlightenment
12:26 - This is more fundamental than Bodhicitta
13:23 - Reality of impermanence
15:20 - The unique challenges of intensive practice and retreat
18:39 - Distinguishing appearance from substance 
19:41 - The title “lama” is not a guarantee of quality
21:12 - The best proof of progress
23:17 - The role of a demanding retreat schedule
26:24 - Mature practice
28:03 - Tulkus must conduct extensive retreat but sometimes don’t
30:28 - Prognosis for high lamas who don’t do extensive retreat 
32:30 - Hopes for corrections in the tulku system
34:58 - The Tibetan Buddhist tradition is unique and precious
35:41 - Signs of a successful retreat
38:01 - Completing a 3 year retreat is not a guarantee of quality
38:56 - Substandard Western 3 year retreats
40:49 - Pre-1950s Tibet and the renunciate yogi system
46:11 - Today’s economic challenges when practicing the dharma
49:47 - Mind training is superior to glimpses of the nature of mind
55:45 - The best test of success in practice 
57:00 - Does practice ever get easier?
01:01:28 - The 4 payoffs: pleasure, profit, praise, popularity
01:06:49 - Guru devotion and the guru relationship
01:12:31 - A story about Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche
01:14:41- Peace Prayer Gathering in June 2025 

…

Previous episode with Tulku Sherdor:
- https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep276-canadian-tulku-translator-tulku-sherab-dorje  


To find our more about Tulku Sherdor, visit:
-  https://blazingwisdom.org/tulku-sherab-dorje/ 
- https://dharmakayacenter.org/all-programs/2637/sadhana-practice-expanding-our-compassion-for-all-beings/?fbclid=IwY2xjawKAGaRleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFXZEJ2cmRmb0U3VTExUWpmAR729nsWXoI6VZEb9GkrzCeajdhS6ze_zGrQZUTvLpsphQJQHPSdJABxQ0brag_aem_dWMYHIGmMRk_dxeWxEuL7A 


For more interviews, videos, and more visit:
- https://www.guruviking.com 

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Ep304: Crumbs from the Parrot’s Beak - Tulku Sherdor

This trialogue is the first in a series exploring the latest interdisciplinary research into tantric completion stage practices such as yogas of dream, sleep, and death.

Dr Michael Sheehy is the Director of Research at the Contemplative Sciences Center in the Department of Religious Studies in the University of Virginia.

Dr Tawni Tidwell is a biocultural anthropologist and doctor of traditional Tibetan medicine. 

Dr Julian Schott is an Indologist, Tibetologist, and assistant professor at the University of Vienna. 

Dr Sheehy shares his cutting edge research into the tantric completion stage yogas of dream and sleep, reveals the implication of new directions in neuroscience and micro-phenomenology, and warns of the danger of esoteric practices becoming extinct.

Dr Sheehy proposes a two-way split in the future of religious practice, Dr Tidwell reflects on the decline in the number of spiritual masters, and Dr Schott considers the real meaning of secrecy in Tibetan tantra.

Video version: www.guruviking.com

Topics include: 

00:00 - Intro
01:22 - Current research about yogic practices of dream and sleep
02:46 - Overview of Tibet and Indian dream and sleep practices
04:15 - Michael’s scientific studies of yogic lucid dreaming practice
07:53 - Opening a 2-way channel of communication between dreamer and scientist
08:46 - Rigorous micro-phenomenology
10:04 - Comparisons with classic descriptions and prescriptions found in Tibetan dream manuals
11:34 - Dreams are unpredictable spaces
13:53 - Understanding lucidity 
16:27 - Psychological flexibility, imaginal simulation, and somatic awareness
22:28 - The impact of dream yoga on daily life 
23:59 - 6 similes of reality and dream yoga 
26:26 - Lucid waking practices & the illusory body 
29:45 - 2-fold practice curriculum of day and night
31:16 - A devastating pitfall
32:07 - New ways to amplify practice 
35:38 - Designing virtual reality simulations for dream yoga exercises
39:49 - Intersections with psychedelic research
42:16 - 2 ways to approach contemplative practice 
47:05 - Generating interdisciplinary hypotheses 
48:14 - Utilising VR meditations as practice supports
52:37 - Drawing on traditional expertise 
53:27 - Bringing traditional practice categories into neuroscience research
55:27 - Neuroscience as the next level of translation 
59:40 - Michael challenges ahistorical perspectives; Tibetan tradition has been highly experimental
01:02:32 - Community-based partnerships
01:05:02 - What does it mean that a practice is “secret”?
01:07:01 - The body in tantric traditions and secularising tantra 
01:09:33 - A 2-way split in the global culture of religious practice 
01:12:10 - Esoteric traditions are in danger
01:16:56 - Bold experimentation is historically consonant with the tradition
01:18:23 - Great masters are decreasing in number
01:23:17 - Esoteric practices have a coherent logic
01:26:22 - Traditional practices have undergone evolution and change
01:28:36 - Ethics of scholar-practitioners 

To find our more about the panel, visit:
- https://michaelrsheehy.com/
- https://centerhealthyminds.org/about/people/tawni-tidwell
- https://stb.univie.ac.at/en/about-us/team/julian-schott/user/schottj85/inum/1083/backpid/198178/ 

For more interviews, videos, and more visit:
- https://www.guruviking.com 

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Ep305: Neuroscience of Dream Yoga - Dr Michael Sheehy, Dr Tawni Tidwell, Dr Julian Schott

I was recently interviewed by  ⁨@gabikoyenov⁩ about a wide range of topics for his podcast. 
...

Gabi's shownotes:

In this enlightening episode, I'm joined by Steve James, known as Guru Viking, who delves into his unique life experiences and the genesis of his intriguing persona. Steve shares insights from living on a boat, his personal religious exploration, and the profound impact of martial arts on his approach to discipline and personal growth. He highlights key influences in his life, including the significant impact of Bruce Lee. Additionally he explains his movement the Movement Koan Method, which helps in navigating emotional and physical tensions through joint nourishing movements.

Throughout our discussion, Steve explores the deeper layers of emotional pain, the risks of forced emotional exploration, and the benefits of an inquiry-based approach to meditation. He offers a critical look at the limits of meditation, the potential dangers of psychedelics, and the current state of spirituality in the Western world, providing historical perspectives and personal reflections on navigating modern challenges with ancient wisdom.

The episode concludes with Steve's thoughts on the concept of self and enlightenment, describing spiritual experiences as moments of 'sacred ordinariness.' This conversation is packed with insights for anyone interested in the intersections of spirituality, personal development, and modern life challenges. Tune in for a thought-provoking journey with Guru Viking on The Gabi Koyenov Podcast.


00:00 Introduction to Steve James
00:24 Podcast Purpose and Audience Engagement
00:51 The Origin of Guru Viking
03:19 Living on a Boat
04:51 Insights from Memorable Guests
06:32 Steve's Personal Religious Journey
11:35 Influence of Martial Arts
17:14 Impactful Books and Wisdom Literature
24:13 Developing Discipline and Motivation
29:02 Bruce Lee's Influence
33:55 Movement Koan Method
44:09 Understanding Habitual Tension and Stress
44:21 The Deeper Layers of Emotional Pain
44:47 The Risks of Forced Emotional Exploration
45:29 Inquiry-Based Approach to Meditation
47:08 The Limits of Meditation and Need for Professional Help
47:29 Modern Spirituality and Healing
48:02 The Dangers of Psychedelics
48:42 Exploring the State of Spirituality in the Western World
49:04 Historical Perspectives and Personal Reflections
59:18 The Concept of Self and Enlightenment
01:15:21 Spiritual Experiences and Sacred Ordinariness
01:24:31 Podcast Reflections and Future Plans

Steve James Interviewed on the Gabi Koyenov Podcast

In this episode I host a dialogue between Dr Caroline van Damme and Lama Justin von Bujdoss.

Dr Caroline Van Damme is an adult psychiatrist and family and systemic psychotherapist specialising in chronic psychotic disorders, and co-teacher of Buddhist guru and Sowa Rigpa doctor Nida Chenagtsang. 

Lama Justin von Bujdoss is an American Buddhist teacher, dark retreat yogi, founder and spiritual director of Yangti Yoga Retreat Center in Buckland Massachusetts, and author of ‘Modern Tantric Buddhism’.

Caroline and Justin discuss the risk of psychosis during extreme religious practices, consider the rewards and dangers of dark retreat, and describe the different forms of hallucination.

Caroline and Justin warn about engaging in advanced practices too soon, consider the pros and cons of spiritual ambition, and offer a mental health checklist for those considering intensive practice.

Caroline and Justin also reflect on their own biographies, share challenges they have faced, and recount anecdotes of religious psychosis.

…

Video version: www.guruviking.com

Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.

…

Topics include:

00:00 - Intro 
01:08 - Justin explains the practice of dark retreat 
5:55 - What is the purpose of dark retreat?
06:50 - Obstacles during dark retreat 
09:39 - Distracted and disturbed by experience 
11:08 - Sensory deprivation induces psychosis and delusional ideation 
12:41 - Auditory or visual?
13:16 - Hallucinations in dark retreat vs in schizophrenia 
18:51 - Practice prerequisites to dark retreat
21:10 - The purpose of intensive practice contexts 
22:42 - Trekchod is the best antidote
23:38 - Justin laments the rush to do advanced retreats and practices 
24:35 - Lack of mental health crisis intervention skills in Buddhist sanghas
25:38 - The devastating consequences of psychosis 
27:09 - Sensory deprivation as torture and the “White Room”
29:01 - Tantric context of dark retreat and other challenging experiences 
31:34 - Gek sel literature and “set and setting”
34:24 - Disastrous outcomes of Vipassana and other group retreats
38:19 - Mystical delusions and the manic state
41:59 - Consent, context, and the need for a guide
46:17 - Practice slowly, arrive quickly
46:51 - Extreme sports practitioners and disregard for tradition
50:24 - - Social pressure to avoid boredom
54:48 - A menu of spiritual materialism
57:10 - Outer, inner, and secret yidam practice 
59:50 - Tilopa’s Six Nails 
01:00:47 - Śamatha and raw-dogging
01:02:33 - Lojong
01:03:21 - Dream yoga and illusory body practice
01:05:14 - Walking meditation
01:05:28 - Frequency, duration, and intensity
01:08:21 - Spiritual ambition and Justin’s own training
01:13:10 - Ngondro and building a good foundation
01:14:12 - Bodhicitta as context
01:15:44 - A story of temporary insanity
01:17:29 - Health checklist for extreme spiritual adventures
01:20:17 - Dr Caroline’s difficult intake experience
01:22:02 - Spiritual bypass and the role of the teacher
01:24:13 - Long term relationships with patients and students
01:25:40 - John Welwood’s advocacy for psychotherapy 
01:29:40 - Today’s lack of a long term relationship with the guru
01:35:22 - The power of relationship
01:40:00 - Justin’s concluding remarks
01:41:56 - Dr Caroline’s concluding remarks

…

Previous episodes with Lama Justin von Bujdoss:
- https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=bujdoss  
Previous episodes with Dr Caroline van Damme:
- https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=caroline 

…

Find out more about Lama Justin von Bujdoss:
- https://justinvonbujdoss.com/
- https://www.yangtiyoga.com/ 

Find out more about Dr Caroline van Damme:
- 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

Ep315: Religious Psychosis & Dark Retreat - Dr Caroline van Damme & Lama Justin von Bujdoss

In this episode I am joined by Alex W, long term practitioner of Zen, Pragmatic Dharma, and Western Occultism.

Alex describes his journey from elite upbringing in Geneva; through NeoPlatonism, Zen practice, and magick; to advanced states of spiritual attainment and insight.

Alex tells stories of his discipleships under pragmatic dharma teacher Kenneth Folk and renowned occultist Alan Chapman and details the lead up to, and attainment and after effects of his own experience of enlightenment.

Alex recounts his successful operation of the Abramelin Ritual, a powerful kundalini awakening, and his ongoing encounters with spiritual beings such as Kālī Mā and Hecate.

…

https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep316-dharma-the-goddess-alex-w

Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
…

Topics include: 

00:00 - Intro
00:55 - Elite upbringing in Geneva
03:50 - Religious experiences in America 
05:39 - Major surgery and turn towards spirituality
08:05 - Immersion in a Hindu religious group
10:25 - First spiritual experiences and power places
12:07 - Interest in philosophy and the Kyoto School
13:05 - Law school and studying mediaeval philosophy 
15:52 - Entering Zen Buddhist practice with Deshimaru Taisen
18:14 - Finding a real Zen master & understanding Zen in Japan
21:55 - Observations about Japanese religiosity
24:09 - 1996 financial crisis and internship in law firm
24:58 - Connecting with advanced practitioners online
26:53 - Interest in Chan Buddhism
30:08 - Japan vs Chinese and Korean monasticism
32:15 - Plateau after 15 years of Zen
33:01 - Daniel Ingram & Kenneth Folk
39:09 - No-self experience
39:54 - Become a student of occultist Alan Chapman
45:25 - Scrying the Enochian Æthyrs 
48:02 - Visions and esoteric Christianity 
50:09 - Abramelin Ritual w/ Alan Chapman
53:50 - Meeting the Holy Guardian Angel
56:32 - Approaching enlightenment 
01:02:38 - Achieving enlightenment
01:10:59 - Consequences of enlightenment 
01:14:45 - Confirmation by Stuart Lachs 
01:18:54 - Massive kundalini experience 
01:22:21 - Loss of interest in spirituality
01:23:21 - Spirit encounters in Santeria 
01:27:23 - Strategic presentations of Tibetan Buddhism
01:28:13 - Difficulties after awakening
01:29:52 - Post kundalini energetic development 
01:31:56 - Loss of fear of death
01:33:15 - Breathwork
01:34:54 - Opening of psychic senses
01:37:40 - Powerful encounters with Kālī Mā
01:45:03 - Meeting other Dark Goddesses
01:48:27 - Synchronicities and initiations
01:49:20 - Alan Chapman’s Magia
01:53:26 - Adventures in Bali 
02:03:14 - Chinese Internal Alchemy & Mattias Daly 
02:05:25 - Nan Huai-Chin
02:07:31 - Energy rewires for 12 years after awakening 
02:09:11 - Neoplatonist theurgy
02:12:31 - Reviving the Western spiritual tradition
02:12:53 - Instructed by Hecate to be interviewed
02:14:31 - Specialties of the Western tradition
02:17:00 - Sacred geography and local deities
02:20:27 - #1 problem in the West
02:23:11 - Karmic connections 
02:24:34 - Fall from grace after awakening
02:26:16 - Divine beings care about authenticity
02:28:15 - Sequel plans
02:29:57 - Praise for the Guru Viking Podcast

…

For more interviews, videos, and more visit:
- www.guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Ep316: Dharma & the Goddess - Alex W

In this episode I am joined by Ray Russell, founder of Tartarus Press and, as R.B. Russell, the author of the newly published T. Lobsang Rampa And Other Characters of Questionable Faith, the first definitive biography of T Lobsang Rampa. 

Ray shares the life story of Rampa, born Cyril Henry Hoskin in 1910, who claimed to have been possessed by the consciousness of a Tibetan Lama. Rampa’s books were best sellers in the mid 20th century and, though debunked by specialists at the time, are credited for bringing awareness to Tibetan Buddhism and serving as the initial inspiration for the careers of several notable Tibetologists. 

Ray reveals the truth of Rampa’s origins, his various assumed identities, his ascent to international fame, the consequences of his exposure by the press, and the surprising reasons for his ongoing popularity.  

Ray also reflects on the mystery of faith, the psychological payoffs from belief in hoaxes and conspiracy theories, and what motivates some authors to represent fiction as fact.

…

Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/p319-mystery-of-t-lobsang-rampa-rb-russell

Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. 
…

Topics include: 


00:00 - Intro
01:10 - A look at the book
02:32 - Childhood exposure to world religions
04:31 - The New Age and the question of faith
07:04 - Denying scientific facts
08:04 - Mystical experiences 
09:22 - Alan Moore and belief in magick
10:16 - Meaning and comfort from myths and religions
10:56 - Crowley
11:22 - Incredulity and fascination
13:04 - Suspension of disbelief and religious conversion
14:27 - Nutrients of meaning and comfort
15:39 - Facing death 
17:26 - Does everyone have faith in something?
19:01 - Secular religion?
19:55 - Encountering T Lobsang Rampa
21:04 - Discovering Rampa’s fraud
22:19 - Third Eye (1956)
23:13 - Possessed by the consciousness of a Tibetan Lama
24:42 - Erich von Däniken’s clever approach
26:47 - Becoming first Dr KuanSuo and then T Lobsang Rampa
31:09 - Never coming out of character 
34:28 - Inspiration for converts and scholars of Tibet Buddhism
36:00 - The Dalai Lama’s thanks to Rampa
36:45 - Liar, delusional, or the Son of God?
38:06 - Reactions among the inner circle
40:38 - Transmigration revealed too late
42:22 - Independent vs institutionally validated miracles
44:44 - Rampa’s theosophical ideas
46:52 - Mistakes in the Third Eye
47:53 - Nostalgia for childhood
49:24 - Which miracles to believe?
50:11 - Tibetologists on Rampa 
52:34 - Carlos Castaneda 
54:04 - Raynor Winn’s “The Salt Path” controversy 
55:45 - Anger at Rampa
57:35 - Crop circles 
59:29 - Tartarus Press and Arthur Machen
01:01:30 - Why “Tartarus"
01:03:09 - The Great God Pan and other Machen writing

…

Buy Ray’s book here:
- http://tartaruspress.com/russell-rampa.html

For more interviews, videos, and more visit:
- www.guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Ep319: Mystery of T Lobsang Rampa - R.B. Russell

In this interview I am once again joined by Dr Ben Joffe, anthropologist, occultist, and scholar practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism. 

Dr Joffe leads a deep dive into the topic of divination, explores its underlying mechanisms and practical methods, and compares different cultural understandings of the practice.

Dr Joffe details his understanding of the tarot as a scholar and reader, shares his advice for those who wish to learn the system, and reveals how to use tarot for information gathering, sorcery, and magickal workings.

Dr Joffe also reflects on his own journey as a tarot reader, addresses criticisms that tarot and other psychic methods are exploitative, and considers the uneasy relationship between divination and licensed counselling.

…

Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep320-divination-tarot-dr-ben-joffe

Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.

…

Topics include:

00:00 - Intro
02:12 - What is divination?
06:08 - Synchronicity and randomness
09:37 - Dependent origination
14:34 - Ben’s extensive study of divination 
22:13 - Mechanistic vs intuitive
29:17 - Scrying and establishing parameters
34:56 - Childhood divination
39:59 - What should divination mean for the client?
41:50 - Addiction to divination
43:50 - Cold reading and choosing a question
48:45 - Ben’s recounts his own history as a diviner 
01:20:43 - Structure of the tarot
01:27:16 - How to read tarot
01:48:38 - Tarot reading mistakes
01:53:46 - Tibetan butter lamp divination
01:57:11 - Collaboration vs cold reading
02:02:10 - Studying the history of tarot
02:06:58 - 6 reasons to engage with tarot
02:09:22 - Critique of modern, inclusive decks 
02:12:43 - Bad omens and gatekeeping
02:20:17 - Is tarot exploitative pseudo-counselling?
02:47:23 - Why not just become a counsellor?
02:54:19 - Is tarot over-psychologised?
02:55:25 - Ben reflects on his recurring clients
03:01:11 - The power of the right question	
03:07:39 - Shaman and tarot reader as therapy-adjacent
03:13:18 - Does clairvoyance actually have value?
03:16:16 - Caution about taking life advice from Buddhist lamas
03:21:44 - Wild West of Tiktok diviners
03:22:49 - Anti-divination laws
03:29:14 - Tibetan and Buddhist divination
 …

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

Ep320: Divination & Tarot - Dr Ben Joffe

In this episode I am once again joined by John Myrdhin Reynolds, also known as Lama Vajranatha: writer, teacher, translator, and scholar/practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism. 

John shares his own decades of contact with the Bon religion, reveals its doctrines and practices, and gives a detailed history of its transmission in the West. 

John traces the automythos of Bon, compares it to historical evidence and Buddhist accounts, and addresses the common critique that Bon is merely plagiarised Buddhism.

John also addresses misconceptions about the history of religion in Tibet, explains how to successfully practice multiple religious lineages, and reveals various means of attaining siddhi power through ritual and meditation.

…

Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep321-tibetan-bon-lama-vajranatha

Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.

…

Topics Include:

00:00 - Intro
00:53 - Bon vs Buddhism
01:35 - First contact with Bon and subsequent involvement
06:17 - Namkhai Norbu’s nationalism and promotion of Bon
06:44 - 2 authentic Dzogchen lineages
07:45 - Bon Dzogchen
09:10 - Later transmission period and folk religion syncretism
12:03 - Old Bon vs New Bon 
13:06 - Bon’s automythos
14:11 - Snellgrove’s “9 Ways of Bon”
16:37 - Bonpo refugee community in India 
18:08 - Reprinting of Bonpo texts in exile
19:31 - Gene Smith’s text preservation work
22:25 - Election of Lungtok Tenpai Nyima as the 33rd Menri Trizin 
24:35 - Dalai Lama’s recognition of Bon as the fifth Tibetan school
26:39 - Bon scriptures
28:38 - Are gter ma authentic?
32:17 - Personal contact post-1959 and T Lobsang Rampa
33:27 - Academic work on Bon
34:44 - Geshe Tenzin Wangyal comes to the West
40:03 - Lopon’s interest in translations and USA activities
43:46 - New Age sponsorship of Bon
45:31 - Further USA activities 
48:02 - Search for a Bon HQ in Europe + gtum mo studies
51:20 - Guinness sponsor a Bonpo HQ in Europe, blocked by aristocrats over Sogyal scandal
56:11 - Tenzin Wangyal’s USA activities and influx of Bon teachers 
58:48 - Geshe Wangyal, Jeffrey Hopkins, and Robert Thurman
59:32 - Jeffrey Hopkin’s influence on Buddhist Studies
01:02:38 - Popularity of podcasts
01:04:11 - Samten Karmay
01:05:27 - Bon vs Buddhism & the question of plagiarism 
01:07:34 - Bonpo one-upmanship?
01:12:44 - How to practice different lineages simultaneously
01:18:50 - Namkhai Norbu’s independent status
01:21:16 - Supernatural powers of Bonpo lamas and other spiritual beings
01:24:53 - Chatral Rinpoche’s siddhi powers and the possibility of miracles
01:27:24 - How to attain siddhi powers
01:30:32 - Tibetan vs gter ma in the rest of the world
01:33:06 - Accidental gter ma
01:35:39 - Misconceptions about the history of religion in Tibet
01:37:32 - Animal sacrifice and gtor ma
01:41:40 - Lithuanian’s unusual religious heritage
01:45:44 - Spiritual relations in India and Tibet

…

Previous episodes with John Myrdhin Reynolds:
- https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=vajranatha 

To find our more about John Myrdhin Reynolds visit:
- https://vajranatha.com/ 

For more interviews, videos, and more visit:
- https://www.guruviking.com 
	

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Ep321: Tibetan Bon - Lama Vajranatha

In this episode I am joined by Myriam Szabo, also known as Ngakma Yumma Mudra: dancer, producer, model, teacher of Tibetan Buddhism, and founder of the international Danza Duende Network.

Ngakma Yumma Mudra describes the path of the body, what it means to practice the Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta through movement, and how to contact the blissful nature of mind with dance.

Ngakma Yumma Mudra reveals how she guides students to transform habitual tendencies into new expressions, how to read others, and why it is so easy to become stuck in the 6 realms.

Ngakma Yumma Mudra also discusses dance as art, how to infuse technique with goodness, and reflects on what it takes to be a true artist.

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Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep322-dharma-of-dance-ngakma-yumma-mudra

Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.

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Topics Include:

00:00 - Intro
00:54 - Path of the body
02:28 - Dancing without choreography
04:40 - Mindfulness of the body and the Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta
07:25 - Empathy and reading others
13:11 - Art, technique, and the Path of the artist
16:15 - The Man Who Cried
20:53 - Structure and flow
22:27 - Working with students through dance
23:32 - Infuse technique with goodness 
24:08 - Transforming habitual tendencies 
26:06 - Bridging students’ technique into art 
30:56 - First thought, best thought
35:49 - Blissful nature of mind
37:22 - Expressing bodhicitta
40:55 - Opening a fan of possibilities
42:09 - Getting stuck in the 6 realms
49:32 - All true Buddhist masters are unique
51:17 - Cleansing technique
53:47 - Attracting mostly women
56:06 - Trajectory as a teacher
01:00:29 - Whirling
01:03:36 - Attracting students
01:06:53 - Sequel plans

…

To find our more about Ngakma Yumma Mudra visit:
- https://www.danzaduende.org/yumma-bio-en.htm

For more interviews, videos, and more visit:
- https://www.guruviking.com 
	

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Ep322: Dharma of Dance - Ngakma Yumma Mudra

In this episode I am joined by Alan Chapman, British writer, occultist, and spiritual teacher.

Alan recalls his troubled childhood in the impoverished North of England, reflects on the British class system, and shares his first encounter with Aleister Crowley.

Alan recounts his occult adventures with long time collaborator Duncan Barford, shares his spiritual biography of awakenings and mystical experiences, and considers the power and pitfalls of spiritual transmission.

Alan also compares gurus Papaji, and Andrew Cohen, and Adi Da; reveals why he considers Stephen Batchelor and Sam Harris to be Black Brothers; and discusses the role of the Dark Goddess on the path of awakening.

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Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep323-british-occultist-alan-chapman

Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.

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Topics Include:

00:00 - Intro
00:55 - Duncan Barford and Alex W
03:07 - Impoverished upbringing in the North of England
05:05 - Early reaction to Christ
05:56 - First encounter with Aleister Crowley 
11:17 - Chaos magic and meeting Duncan Barford
12:00 - What kind of boy was Alan?
14:28 - Class consciousness 
15:44 - Sensitive boy in a cruel environment
19:20 - Regret about violence
20:58 - One’s own nature
22:25 - Alan questions Steve’s questions
22:45 - British class system
27:21 - Liminal identity
29:50 - Working vs middle vs upper class
31:18 - Anti-aspiration
33:18 - Growing out of musical aspirations 
37:36 - Shedding Feathers and fulfilment on the path
41:41 - Crowley book and facing challenges
47:37 - Path myth in The Book of the Law
54:56 - True path vs the New Age
58:08 - Following the Silent Knowing
01:05:10 - Facing darkness
01:10:36 - Black Brothers like Stephen Batchelor and Sam Harris
01:19:48 - Stephen Batchelor’s crisis of faith
01:22:49 - Warning about spiritual teachers
01:23:48 - Stereotypes of culture and awakening
01:27:54 - Papaji and the nondual car crash
01:31:33 - Adi Da and guru yoga
01:35:45 - Papaji vs Adi Da
01:41:24 - Invoking the Holy Guardian Angel
01:47:30 - Andrew Cohen
01:52:16 - Great White Brotherhood
01:54:34 - Enlightened in India
01:57:26 - Ancestors appear
01:59:11 - Practicing with Adi Da
02:01:01 - Transmission traps
02:05:02 - Confronted by Adi Da disciple
02:06:51 - Solid, vital, peculiar
02:09:12 - Cutting truth and Adyashanti 
02:10:43 - Reflections on Adi Da’s trajectory
02:11:52 - Further awakening at 33 
02:19:52 - Receiving the Magia teaching
02:33:58 - The Dark Goddess
02:36:15 - Accommodating yourself to the Damned
02:37:25 - Finding Sophia 
02:40:28 - Crowley and Jung
02:42:14 - Myth of Sophia
02:47:42 - Sequel plans
02:48:58 - Alan’s perspective on near death experiences 
03:00:31 - Purpose of life and awakening

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To find our more about Alan Chapman visit:
- https://barbarouswords.com/ 

For more interviews, videos, and more visit:
- https://www.guruviking.com 
	

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Ep323: British Occultist - Alan Chapman

In this episode I am once again joined by Alex W, long term practitioner of Zen, Pragmatic Dharma, and Western Occultism.

Alex explains how to meditate after awakening; details the path to success in Zen, Mahāmudrā, and Dzogchen; and compares Taoist Inner Alchemy to cultivating the enjoyment body, Saṃbhogakāya.

Alex reflects on the biases of the Buddhist tradition, summarises the phases of his own meditation development, and differentiates constructive and deconstructive modes of practice.

Alex also reveals the purpose of the 6 Yogas of Naropa, warns about the dangers of advanced meditation techniques, and considers whether greater political engagement is a result of spiritual maturity.

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Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep324-how-to-practice-after-awakening-alex-w-2

Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. 

…

Topics include: 


00:00 - Intro
00:53 - Repercussions of first interview
03:20 - Changing practice priorities 
04:26 - Concern for younger generations 
07:04 - Constructive vs deconstructive practice
08:18 - Biases of the Buddhist tradition
13:47 - Crystallising the energy body
14:46 - Success in Zen, Mahāmudrā, and Dzogchen practices
17:02 - Why talk about spiritual experiences 
19:09 - Beyond nondual realisation 
23:04 - Post-awakening stages
26:41 - Rewiring the energy body
31:03 - Out of body experiences and the body of light
35:41 - Summoning spirits
37:36 - Building the Saṃbhogakāya
38:40 - Improving the self 
40:51 - Summarising the phases of Alex’s practice
41:42 - Cultural resonances and adopting foreign traditions 
45:36 - Inner alchemy 
49:01 - The big danger of energy practices
52:11 - Power of Now
55:21 - Consciousness and energy 
01:00:46 - Preparing for the afterlife
01:04:45 - The purpose of the 6 Yogas of Naropa
01:06:24 - The purpose of deity yoga 
01:08:25 - Taoist inner alchemy
01:10:21 - Rainbow body and Dzogchen attainments
01:13:53 - What is the point of post-awakening practices?
01:30:42 - Spirituality vs self improvement 
01:36:11 - Dangers of intense practices
01:40:43 - Wrong ideas about freedom from suffering
01:43:24 - Enlightened self interest
01:45:45 - Clarifying the term “ego”
01:51:17 - Cult leader manipulations
01:53:25 - Change of interest from spirituality to politics 
01:54:57 - Political concern related to age or spiritual development?
01:56:29 - Perks of aging
01:58:42 - Finding your purpose
02:01:27 - Service as a spiritual path
02:02:27 - Who Alex admires 
02:09:56 - Sequel plans

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For more interviews, videos, and more visit:
- www.guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Ep324: How To Practice After Awakening - Alex W 2

In this episode, I am once again joined by Lopon Yudron Wangmo, American teacher of Tibetan Buddhism and author of several books including, her most recent, “Clearing the Way to Awakening”.

Lopon Yudron Wangmo shares stories of her discipleships under various spiritual gurus such as Lama Tharchin, recalls her memories of the California Vajrayāna scene, and remarks on the qualities she has observed in realised masters. 

Lopon Yudron Wangmo reflects on her ADHD struggles with concentration in meditation, offers a critique of śamatha practice, and shares her own relationship to the dialectic between effort and rest.

Lopon Yudron Wangmo explains how Dzogchen works, shares her experiences in extended solo retreat, and warns about the possibility of psychological regression during Tibetan Buddhist 3-year retreat.

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Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep325-my-spiritual-journey-lopon-yudron-wangmo-3

Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.

…

Topics include:

00:00 - Intro 
00:58 - New audiobook of “Clearing the Way to Awakening”
06:34 - Text and oral cultures in Tibet
09:44 - Ngondro workbook 
11:58 - Discipleship under various Tibetan Lamas
15:09 - Attraction to Vajrayāna 
15:20 - Memories of Lama Tharchin 
22:53 - 3 year retreat 
25:28 - Solo retreats
26:09 - Longchen Nyingthig practice 
27:00 - Desire for practice and further retreats 
29:15 - Evidence of attainment
32:51 - The nature of mind and the 6 bardos
34:29 - Lama Tharchin’s spaciousness
36:26 - Dzogchen vs Mindfulness
39:28 - Critique of śamatha meditation
41:43 - Effortful practice vs Dzogchen
45:01 - Rewards of a life of practice
46:18 - Uncontrived resting
48:05 - How Dzogchen works
54:21 - Practicing in old age
56:05 - Production-line teaching style
58:21 - Regression to childlike state in 3 year retreat
59:00 - Peak experiences and being good enough
01:00:22 - The California Vajrayāna scene
01:03:52 - Encouragement to practice Vajrayāna

…

Previous episode with Lopon Yudron Wangmo:
- https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=yudron 

To find our more about Lopon Yudron Wangmo, visit:
- https://www.yudronwangmo.com/ 


For more interviews, videos, and more visit:
- https://www.guruviking.com 

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Ep325: My Spiritual Journey - Lopon Yudron Wangmo 3

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’.

In this episode we had planned to discuss Leigh’s latest book, entitled “On The Way To The Far Shore”. Instead Leigh spontaneously began to explore the theme of Buddhism and politics and so we decided to go deeper into his ideas. 

Leigh shares his take on the world situation and reveals the impact of his childhood upbringing and college education on the development of his own political views. 

Leigh discusses whether or not Buddhist spiritual development necessarily leads to left wing politics, reflects on the role of compassion and interdependence in the left-right divide, and considers whether or not past Buddhist masters who held different political views to his own lacked enlightenment. 

Leigh also warns about the dangers of clinging to fixed views, gives advice for how meditators should relate to politics, and explains why he believes political engagement is a natural result of the spiritual path.

This episode is a spontaneous exploration of Leigh’s ideas about Buddhism and politics in the spirit of open discourse and is not intended to represent my own views or the stance of this podcast.

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Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep326-enlightened-politics-leigh-brasington

Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.

…

Topics Include:

00:00 - Intro 
01:18 - Complexity and inequality
02:52 - Global warming
03:28 - Visiting mission fields in Mexico
05:13 - Overpopulation
06:02 - What motivates Leigh’s political engagement?
08:24 - Practice and politics 
11:03 - Should Buddhists be politically engaged?
16:49 - Dependent origination leads to politics 
22:21 - Diverse politics of past Buddhist masters
24:31 - Evolution of Leigh’s political views
28:40 - How Leigh relates to those who hold different political views
32:19 - Why did past Buddhist masters hold different views to Leigh’s?
35:21 - Spiritual insight leads to left wing positions
40:54 - How does Leigh explain past Buddhist masters who have held conservative views?
47:58 - Does it give Leigh pause to claim his political views are the most enlightened?
54:11 - Leigh comments on the awakening of past masters who held different political views to his own
56:34 - Leigh refines his position
57:44 - What if Leigh is wrong?
59:16 - Advice for how to relate to politics as a spiritual practitioner 
01:02:27 - New sutta index 
01:06:09 - Why discuss controversial topics?
01:08:43 - Concluding remarks

…

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

Ep326: Enlightened Politics - Leigh Brasington

In this episode I am joined by Dr Francisco José Luis, scholar of Indo-Iranian Studies and Comparative Religion trained at the Sorbonne, Paris and SOAS, London.

Francisco recalls his upbringing and education in Luxembourg; details his rigorous academic training in classical languages such as Latin, Greek, and Sanskrit; and laments what he sees as the rise of idealogical indoctrination in modern education

Francisco discusses his PhD in pre-reformist Sikhism, his years of field work living in the Punjab, and expresses his love of the German intellectual tradition.

Francisco reveals the influence of Neoplatonism in Islamic theology and mysticism, describes his own turn to Shiʿi Islam, and explains why he believes that even today there is a living lineage of Neoplatonism that stretches directly back to Plotinus. 

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Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep327-neoplatonic-mystic-dr-francisco-jos-luis

Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.

…

Topics include:

00:00 - Intro
01:01 - Upbringing in Luxembourg 
02:56 - Classical education
04:28 - Learning Latin, Greek, and Sanskrit
08:03 - Germanic intellectual tradition and WW2
12:37 - Advantages of an anti-American education
15:06 - Critical thinking and intellectual independence
17:04 - Boomer educators and idealogical indoctrination
20:59 - German literature
22:56 - Post WW2 culture shock and the boomer revolution
27:20 - Vatican II and loss of trust 
30:35 - Filling education gaps
32:06 - A deeply pagan Catholic
35:21 - Meditation practice and interest in Neo-Vedanta
37:52 - Studying two masters degrees simultaneously at the Sorbonne
39:57 - Rigorous training in Sanskrit
43:56 - MA theses in French literature and pre-reform Sikhism
45:20 - PhD at SOAS in pre-reformist Sikh monastic orders 
46:48 - Living among the Sikh community and learning Punjabi
49:54 - Young Sikh’s interest in pre-reformist religion
50:54 - Death threats from Sikhs
53:00 - Changes in Sikhism 
55:20 - Tradition religious music of Sikhism and other pre-reformist features
01:00:18 - Neo-traditionalist Sikh movements in the UK and India
01:03:59 - Falling in love with Shiʿi Islam
01:10:16 - Conversion to Islam?
01:11:45 - Shi’ism as a personal practice 
01:13:23 - Cultural barriers against European converts
01:16:12 - Neo-Platonic Vajrayanism 
01:17:43 - Mysticism perceived as a threat 
01:21:48 - Neoplatonic influence on Islam
01:27:28 - Surprising Neo-Platonic features of Islamic mysticism
01:33:30 - Metempsychosis in Islam 
01:37:16 - Francisco is a Neoplatonist
01:43:08 - Vajrayana and Shiʿi inner alchemy and dream yoga
01:50:43 - Islamic tummo

…

To find our more about Dr Francisco José Luis, visit:
- https://www.instagram.com/hludvig_tradicionalista 


For more interviews, videos, and more visit:
- https://www.guruviking.com 

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Ep327: Neoplatonic Mystic - Dr Francisco José Luis

In this interview I am once again joined by Dr Nida Chenagtsang, Buddhist teacher, doctor of Tibetan Medicine, and author of "Foundations of Vajrayana”.

Dr Nida discusses the foundations of tantric practice, shares the power of its intensive ngondro practices, and reveals how to face one’s emotions with Vajrayana methods.

Dr Nida also explains the nyingthig genre of heart drop teachings, differentiates true freedom from spiritual bypass, and shares an anecdote of a student who experienced a temporary awakening.

Dr Nida also probes me about the Buddhist doctrines of suffering and taking refuge, explains the difference between good and bad attachment, and reveals why Buddha Shakyamuni does not require respect.

…

Video version: 

Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.

…

Topics Include:

00:00 - Intro
00:55 - New books
02:40 - About the ngondro book
03:49 - Dr Nida’s history of ngondro practice
05:18 - Yuthok’s Nyingthig  
08:29 - The nyingthig genre of Tibetan spiritual texts
15:59 - 5th Dalai Lama’s mastery of Yuthok Nyingthig
17:52 - Tibetan medical and astrological training
20:09 - Jamgon Kongtrul’s Yuthok Nyingthig commentary
21:27 - Dr Nida’s experiences as a teacher 
23:47 - The importance of asking questions
27:25 - When Buddhism makes people more stressed
29:43 - Extreme freedom and spiritual bypass
30:50 - 2 types of realisation
33:38 - Importance of ngondro
38:53 - Prostrations are a perfect yoga
42:04 - The teacher must connect with students
46:40 - Good attachment vs bad attachment
48:53 - 4 Noble Truths 
49:35 - Making the ngondro personal to you
51:06 - Practice must begin where you are 
53:54 - Making practice truly personal 
58:45 - Buddhist gospel
59:53 - Spiritual bypass in Buddhism
01:00:22 - Anecdote about a temporary awakening
01:02:24 - Dr Nida probes Steve about taking refuge
01:06:09 - A new language of refuge
01:06:55 - Guru traumas
01:09:00 - You are a Buddha
01:10:42 - Final teaching of Dzogchen
01:12:09 - Buddha Shakymuni did not require respect
01:14:16 - Soothing emotional suffering
01:16:33 - Many methods of Vajrayana
01:17:25 - Facing your emotions

…

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:
    - https://www.guruviking.com 

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Ep328: Foundations of Vajrayana - Dr Nida Chenagtsang

In this episode I am once again joined by Alan Chapman, British writer, occultist, and spiritual teacher.

Alan reflects on his search for true awakening, compares the spiritual traditions of the West and the East, and questions the liberal ideal of the universal man.

Alan presents Merlin as the archetype of the Western adept, asserts theosis to be the true purpose of Christianity, and reveals the language of the birds.

Alan also offers advice for those who have had an awakening, discusses Gnosticism and Pragmatic Dharma, and critiques the idea that contemplative neuroscience is the Fourth Turning of Buddhism.

…

Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep329-the-western-path-alan-chapman-2

Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.

…

Topics Include:

00:00 - Intro
00:46 - Is Alan a book guy?
03:30 - Alan’s books
07:07 - Current writing project
10:02 - Insights on Crowley
11:17 - What Alan enjoys reading
13:53 - Eastern vs Western traditions
19:25 - In search of true awakening
21:05 - Cultural and ethnic inheritance 
21:57 - Western Buddhism and Sigalow’s “American JewBu”
27:04- The Christian revival and theosis
29:02 - Trauma for your own good
31:05 - Becoming a fit vessel
32:48 - The true Western tradition
36:50 - Western vs Eastern awakening
37:37 - Merlin 
41:23 - Language of the birds
44:33 - Entering the miraculous
45:56 - How Alan first encountered the language of the birds
54:01 - Transmission and birds as messengers
56:23 - Spirituality beyond states and stages
59:32 - The Liberal ideal of the universal human being
01:02:04 - The end of the WW2 cultural drama
01:03:03 - Perennialism, Traditionalism, and Magia
01:06:28 - Spiritual cultural exchange
01:09:07 - Denying difference
01:10:22 - Gnosticism, alchemy, and Merlin
01:14:09 - Beat Zen, Square Zen
01:15:46 - Misunderstanding foreign traditions
01:19:19 - Traditions fit their own cultures
01:20:29 - Scholasticism 
01:23:00 - Pragmatic Dharma
01:24:37 - A need to belong
01:26:08 - Morality and nondual realisation
01:27:07 - The real longing
01:29:51 - Follow the Silent Knowing
01:30:51 - Traditionalism and cultural chauvinism
01:32:28 - Problems with following foreign traditions 
01:37:44 - Fetishisation
01:40:35 - Post-awakening advice
01:41:48 - Basic Goodness and Chogyam Trungpa
01:42:58 - Syncretism vs divine inspiration
01:49:35 - Origins of Christianity
01:51:01 - History of ideas vs esoteric transmission
01:57:15 - 4th turning delusion 
01:59:24 - Critique of contemplative neuroscience  
02:02:13 - The winter of a civilisation

…

Previous episodes with Alan Chapman: 
- https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=chapman 

To find our more about Alan Chapman visit:
- https://barbarouswords.com/ 

For more interviews, videos, and more visit:
- https://www.guruviking.com 
	

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Ep329: The Western Path - Alan Chapman 2

This trialogue continues a series of discussions exploring the latest interdisciplinary research into tantric completion stage practices such as yogas of dream, sleep, and death.

Dr Tawni Tidwell is a biocultural anthropologist and doctor of traditional Tibetan medicine. 

Dr Michael Sheehy is the Director of Research at the Contemplative Sciences Center in the Department of Religious Studies in the University of Virginia.

Dr Julian Schott is an Indologist, Tibetologist, and assistant professor at the University of Vienna. 

In this episode, the panel explore the ethical and methodological challenges of the studying Buddhist tantra; consider the various agendas behind scientific research into meditation, gtummo, and dream yoga; and argue for the centring of human liberation alongside human wellness and profit motives. 

Dr Sheehy presents his working model for achieving contemplative fluency across a range of meditation styles, suggests that scientific study of meditation can be seen as a type of cultural translation, and considers the use of etic frameworks and methods to study religious and cultural forms.

Dr Tidwell argues for the validity of subjective experience, Dr Schott points out the tensions within religious traditions, and the panel consider if neuroscience might one day teach Buddhism something new about itself. 

…

Link in bio.

Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.

…

Topics include:

00:00 - Intro
02:11 - Why study tantra with science?
04:01 - Complexity of tantra 
05:10 - Skills and transformations
05:50 - Michael’s meditation model of “instances and styles“
08:48 - Multi-modular styles and ngondro 
11:17 - Contemplative fluency
13:58 - gTummo and overriding the autonomic nervous system
16:21 - 2 reasons why Vajrayāna is said to be the fast path
17:55 - Why is tantra so complex?
19:37 - Pushing to one’s limits is key to tantra
22:29 - 3 classic contemplative approaches in Buddhism
25:27 - Radical transformation and social transgression
27:56 - A tension within the tradition
29:03 - Changing practice along the path
31:04 - Sādhanā is not linear
34:25 - Critical challenges when studying tantra
35:41 - The importance of neurophenomenology 
39:44 - Scientific vs traditional explanatory frameworks
43:28 - Relative and the absolute
46:08 - Transmitted blessings
48:07 - Trust in the traditions
50:33 - Moving beyond the traditions with science
52:38 - A second order, cultural translation
54:58 - Paradox of the paradigm
56:26 - Defending the etic perspective 
58:06 - Multi-disciplinary teams
59:37 - The fundamental academic principle
01:01:58 - Pros and cons of the etic and emic
01:03:16- Will science improve the Buddhist tradition?
01:04:56 - Neuroplasticity and aging 
01:06:50 - Reshaping Buddhism is imperative
01:09:26  - A cultural-religious looping effect 
01:13:13 - Dream yoga training with VR
01:18:50 - Secular extraction approaches and making the traditions better
01:21:25 -MBSR and Healthy Minds
01:22:57 - Subjective experience is valid 
1:25:16 - Human freedom beyond the social and political
01:31:59 - Admitting the religious aspect
01:34:07 - Prioritising human freedom
01:35:48 - A reflexive process
01:37:09 - Is scientific study for the good?
01:38:30 - Future episode plans

Previous panel discussions:
- https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=sheehy 

Previous episodes with Dr Julian Schott:
- https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=schott 

To find our more about the panel, visit:
- https://michaelrsheehy.com/
- https://centerhealthyminds.org/about/people/tawni-tidwell
- https://stb.univie.ac.at/en/about-us/team/julian-schott/user/schottj85/inum/1083/backpid/198178/ 


For more interviews, videos, and more visit:
- https://www.guruviking.com 

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Ep330: Questioning the Scientific Study of Tantra  - Dr Tawni Tidwell, Dr Michael Sheehy, & Dr Julian Schott

In this episode I am joined by Alana Fairchild, spiritual teacher, psychic, and author of the best-selling Kuan Ying Oracle Deck.

Alana recalls her unusual childhood of Catholicism and folk spirituality, details her training as a psychic, and recounts her significant spiritual experiences.

Alana shares her journey of academic excellence through law school, explains her career-change to become a working psychic, and reveals how she created the bestselling Kuan Yin Oracle Deck.

Alana also reflects on the relationship between eros and spirituality, expresses her views on past lives, and describes her mysterious sense of connection to the Kālī Mā and the Indian tantric tradition.

…

https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep331-becoming-the-oracle-alana-fairchild

Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.

…

Topics Include:

00:00 - Intro
01:38 - Alana’s unusual childhood
03:22 - Early spiritual inclination
05:44 - Folk spirituality and an esteemed Catholic family
08:59 - Alana’s father
10:06 - Pros and cons of ancestor work 
13:34 - 2 dimensions of freedom
16:52 - Alana’s beliefs about past lives 
20:12 - Comparative religion and expanding the experience of God
23:24 - Eros and spirituality
34:45 - Sacred sexuality mistakes
28:36 - Imminence vs transcendence 
30:35 - Changing relationship with Buddhism
33:47 - Spiritual experience while getting a tattoo
36:11 - Overcoming lifelong existential terror
40:17 - Sense of connection to Tibet 
41:39 - Heart connection with Kuan Yin / Avalokiteśvara
44:45 - Connection to Kālī Mā at 6 years old
45:53 - Creating the bestselling Kuan Yin Oracle Deck 
48:18 - Developing a Buddhist tarot deck
49:35 - Training as a lawyer
53:02 - Meeting a mentor and becoming a psychic
55:50 - Psychic training
59:58 - Changing modalities of Alana’s psychic work
01:02:35 - Attending Catholic mass as a clairvoyant 
01:04:19 - How Alana receives psychic impressions 
01:06:24 - Sequel 

…

To find our more about Alana Fairchildvisit:
- https://www.alanafairchild.com/

For more interviews, videos, and more visit:
- https://www.guruviking.com 
	

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Ep331: Becoming the Oracle - Alana Fairchild

In this episode I join Charles Manson in Oxford, England to visit the Bodleian Library (Oxford University) where he is the specialist librarian for its Tibetan Collections. 

Charles leads us through the streets of Oxford to visit the old Bodleian Library, founded in 1602. Then we arrive at the Weston Library to explore its collection of Tibetan manuscripts.

Charles guides us through gold lettered texts about Lamdre and expiation, describes the process of textual revelation known as “terma”, and shares a warning based on his own experiences of dark retreat.

Charles explains the Tibetan doctrines of the afterlife while showing a rare copy of the Tibetan Book of the Dead, muses on Coleridge’s advice for visiting a library, and reflects on why he believes converts to Tibetan Buddhism should attempt to learn the Tibetan language.

Charles also details his working routine as a librarian and archivist, reflects on his own academic journey from SOAS to Harvard and Oxford, and considers the role his religious faith plays in his work with Tibetan texts.

…

Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep332-oxford-librarian-of-tibet-charles-manson

Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. 
…

Topics include:

00:00 - Intro
01:16 - The old Bodleian
03:25 - Entering the Weston Library
06:13 - Retrieving the texts
06:48 - The Driver collection
08:29 - Close look at a Lamdre text
12:33 - Features of a terma treasure text
13:14 - Mind vs earth termas 
15:15 - How termas are composed
15:51 - Charles’ terma experience
16:54 - 4 ways of changing the mind
17:30 - Expanding a terma
18:02 - The Driver collection
19:00 - Dakini script and images
20:52 - Manuscript care 
21:20 - Unwrapping a text, discovering a washing prayer
22:30 - More texts
24:50 - The Tibetan Book of the Dead 
26:03 - Bardo doctrine of 49 days between lives
26:24 - Opportunities for liberation at and after death
27:43 - How to use the Tibetan Book of the Dead 
28:39 - The process of rebirth
29:48 - Liberation upon hearing
30:18 - Phowa practice for the dead
33:16 - Dark retreat as preparation for death
34:11 - Dark retreat warnings
35:40 - Charles’ studies at SOAS, Harvard, and Oxford
38:45 - Beginning at the Bodleian Library
39:58 - Coleridge on libraries
41:15 - Work at the British Library
41:46 - Why Charles would like more time
43:06 - First days at the Bodleian Library
44:36 - Initial work on the collection
45:27 - The Library of Congress and other partnerships
50:59 - Range of acquisitions 
52:46 - Tibetan medical writing
53:41 - Access and the goals of Charles’ library acquisitions 
57:14 - What would Charles do with more funding
01:01:41 - Providing online access for the world
01:03:32 - Day in the life at the Bodleian Library
01:06:33 - Importance of specialist knowledge
01:09:19 - Charles’ religious devotion 
01:13:45 - Separation of religion and scholarship
01:14:53 - Why converts should learn the Tibetan language
01:16:43 - Scholar practitioners and the importance of study
01:18:17 - Teaching the Tibetan language
01:19:02 - Curation as religious service
01:19:17 - Charles’ invitation to viewers 

…

Previous episode with Charles Manson:
- https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep243-scholar-practitioner-charles-manson 

To find our more about Charles Manson, visit:
- https://www.shambhala.com/authors/the-second-karmapa-karma-pakshi.html
- https://uk.linkedin.com/in/charles-manson-07420911 
- charles.manson@bodleian.ox.ac.uk

…
 For more interviews, videos, and more visit:
 - www.guruviking.com 

…

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Ep332: Oxford Librarian of Tibet - Charles Manson

In this interview I am once again joined by Dr Nida Chenagtsang, Buddhist teacher, doctor of Tibetan Medicine, and author of “Tibetan Healing Massage”.

Dr Nida reveals the Tibetan art of massage, details its unique characteristics, and shows its links to theories of typology and subtle energy.

Dr Nida explains the Tibetan idea of “la” energy and how it is best guarded, details acupressure points and their proposed effects, and offers his perspective on rethinking health and spirituality.

Dr Nida also gives a live demonstration of Tibetan external therapies including massage, cupping, hot compress therapy, stick therapy, and more.

…

Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep333-tibetan-healing-massage-dr-nida-chenagtsang

Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.

…

Topics Include:

00:00 - Intro
00:49 - About the book
02:35 - The role of external therapies in Sowa Rigpa 
04:45 - Tibetan massage
07:17 - Unique characteristics of Tibetan massage 
 17:32 - “La” energy and the traditional Tibetan view of trauma
22:21 - How to learn Tibetan massage
23:40 - Typologies and trees
26:50 - Demonstration and explanation of Tibetan massage
34:38 - Acupressure points
36:07 - Horme method
38:57 - Tibetan cupping and stick therapies
42:33 - Benefits of Tibetan massage
44:37 - Powdered body rubbing 
47:25 - What can be healed with Tibetan massage?
49:10 - Rethinking health management
50:18 - Overcoming a sedentary lifestyle

…

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:
    - https://www.guruviking.com 

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Ep333: Tibetan Healing Massage - Dr Nida Chenagtsang

In this episode I am once again joined by Myriam Szabo, also known as Ngakma Yumma Mudra: dancer, producer, model, teacher of Tibetan Buddhism, and founder of the international Danza Duende Network.

Ngakma Yumma Mudra recounts the story of her life from a childhood of domestic abuse, intense discipleship under Russian dance teachers, and years of living on the streets.

Ngakma Yumma Mudra recalls her relationships, her mystical and psychic experiences, and her breakthrough to international fame as the model in a provocative marketing campaign.

Ngakma Yumma Mudra shares her conversion to Buddhism, how her devotion to Padmasambhava helped her confront her fear, and how a period of intensive retreat led her to rediscover dance as a spiritual practice.

…

Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep334-the-dakinis-journey-ngakma-yumma-mudra 

Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.

…

Topics Include:

00:00 - Intro
00:55 - An unusual conception
04:56 - Beginning classical dance training at 2 years old
06:42 - Mother beaten every day
08:19 - Fleeing to Paris 
10:21 - Dance as refuge
12:32 - Discipleship under two Russian dance gurus
19:58 - Studying music and classical guitar
20:35 - Living on the streets for 3 years
22:17 - An abusive relationship at 17 years old
24:20 - Karma and abuse
26:32 - LSD and a mystical awakening
30:16 - Living with artists and drug dealers 
32:45 - Attacked by rival drug gang
33:41 - Psychic abilities 
36:05 - Reading Chogyam Trungpa
38:01 - Travel to India to seek Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche
40:39 - Moving to Portugal 
42:11 - Modelling career in Paris 
46:06 - Devotion to Guru Padmasambhava and releasing fear
49:15 - Space and time
52:44 - Relationship with famous photographer Jean-François Jonvelle 
55:25 - Orgies, dharma, and rise to fame
58:36 - Modelling for the famous advertisement, “Demain j'enlève le bas”
01:02:15 - Further Buddhist training and 1 year retreat
01:05:07 - Return to dance 
01:07:58 - Discovering the feminine
01:09:08 - Dance as sādhanā
01:16:!6 - Performing without choreography
01:21:20 - Teaching and burning out 
01:25:21 - Dharma art 
01:29:16 - Relationship with Michel Raji 
01:36:28 - Breathwork and healing the inner masculine
01:38:08 - Dharma dance study programme

…

Previous episode with Ngakma Yumma Mudra:
- https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=yumma 

To find our more about Ngakma Yumma Mudra visit:
- https://www.danzaduende.org/yumma-bio-en.htm

For more interviews, videos, and more visit:
- https://www.guruviking.com 
	

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Ep334: The Dakini’s Journey - Ngakma Yumma Mudra

In this episode I am once again joined by Alex W, long term practitioner of Zen, Pragmatic Dharma, and Western Occultism.

Alex lays out his ideal curriculum of practices to achieve awakening including a full technique sequence, explanation of the signs of success at each stage, and the various post-awakening paths that are available. 

Alex details the energetic openings that occur after awakening and how to nurture them, contrasts Buddhist tummo to Daoist inner alchemy, and explains the process to open the psychic senses.

Alex challenges the meditation retreat model of practice which he sees as putting economic concerns over student benefit, offers his opinion on the amount of time one should spend in daily meditation, and emphasises the importance of retaining one’s autonomy in the spiritual market place. 

…

Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep335-how-to-guide-for-awakening-beyond-alex-w-3

Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. 
…

Topics include: 


00:00 - Intro
01:05 - What is the ideal curriculum for awakening?
02:55 - Alex’s teaching experience
03:30 - Core skills for all traditions
04:42 - Never surrender your autonomy
06:32 - You must learn to sit
08:56 - The first meditation technique
12:32 - Recommended traditions and books
16:11 - First signs of success 
19:45 - A major shift
23:39 - Should you pursue enlightenment?
24:51 - Soto vs Rinzai vs Dzogchen vs Mahāmudrā 
37:50 - The goal of Dzogchen and Mahāmudrā
39:54 - How to embody realisation
45:35 - Moving from abdomen to heart space 
47:04 - Saccidānanda 
48:17 - Result of awakening the three energy centres
53:04 - Gurdjieff and self-remembering
55:35 - Using stress to strengthen the energy body
01:00:37 - Tummo and inner alchemy
01:05:55 - Warning about energy practice
01:08:19 - A summary of Alex’s recommended path
01:09:54 - How long does the path take?
01:13:24 - The Chinese view of inner alchemy
01:17:32 - Opening the psychic senses
01:22:55 - How much should one practice? 
01:25:04 - The economic trap of meditation retreats 
01:34:50 - Solo retreats and the limitations of lay life
01:41:21 - Economic logic vs practice effectiveness
01:46:53 - How to relate to strong experiences?
01:49:20 - St John of the Cross
01:56:04 - Deconstructing the Self
02:04:57 - Recognising what is already here
02:07:26 - Closing remarks

…

Previous episodes with Alex W:
- https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=alex 

For more interviews, videos, and more visit:
- www.guruviking.com 

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Ep335: How-to Guide for Awakening & Beyond - Alex W 3

In this episode I am once again joined by Duncan Barford, occult practitioner, counsellor, and author of “Occult Experiments in the Home”.

Duncan begins with an analysis of the 2016 film, “A Dark Song”, which he believes is the most accurate depiction of occult practice in cinema. Duncan details the plot, breaks down its depictions of ritual, and shares his own emotional reaction to the film's climax.     

Duncan then shifts gear and gives a detailed explanation of the infamous Abramelin ritual, a multi-month ritual considered by many to be the most ambitious working a magician can attempt. Duncan gives a survey of the major written accounts of those who have attempted it including Aleister Crowley, Lionel Snell, and William Bloom; reveals why the ritual has such a high failure rate; and shares what he believes is the key to success. 

Duncan also analyses the esoteric structure of Coleridge’s poem “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” and interprets it as a description of the spiritual path, proposes an equivalency between success in the Abramelin and Buddhist stream entry, and reveals why he believes the study of history is an obstacle to magickal success.

…

Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep336-the-magick-of-abramelin-duncan-barford-3

Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.

…

Topics include:

00:00 - Intro
01:28 - The Magick of A Dark Song 
02:45 - The film
04:41 - The Abramelin Ritual
07:23 - Cinematic depictions of magick 
08:04 - Spoiler warnings and the plot 
08:24 - Hiring the magician 
10:03 - Sophia’s motive for the ritual 
11:36 - A deep understanding of how ritual works
14:40 - Describing the magickal working
17:04 - Meeting the Holy Guardian Angel
21:01 - The practitioner’s journey
25:58 - Characer arcs
30:03 - The key of devotion
33:02 - The esoteric structure of Coleridge’s “Rime of the Ancient Mariner”
33:34 - The cycle of insight 
38:37 - Crisis, breakthrough, ordeal, union
43:38 - Unsettling themes
44:12 - Interventus Caninus
44:57 - What next after absolution?
45:33 - What is the point of the Abramelin Ritual?
46:46 - Reflecting on the ending of the film
49:39 - Crowley, Snell, Bloom, and Katz - those who attempted the Abramelin
49:54 - Mysterious history of the Abramelin Ritual
52:39 - Recensions of the Abramelin
53:56 - Duncan describes the Abramelin text and ritual
01:00:20 - Why does the Abramelin ritual have such a high failure rate?
01:02:12 - Meeting Lionel Snell
01:04:51 - A tarot reading and why history is an obstacle to real magick
01:06:53 - Daniel Ingram’s revision of traditional fire kasina meditation
01:11:00 - Crowley’s attempts at the Abramelin ritual
01:14:37 - Other accounts
01:16:40 - William Bloom’s attempt
01:20:45 - Secret to success with the Abramelin Ritual 
01:24:13 - How to increase the success rate of rituals
01:29:18 - Are you ready to attempt the Abramelin?
01:31:52 - Stream entry and Abramelin
01:34:35 - Duncan reflects on his past claims to attainment
01:37:16 - Questioning pragmatic dharma assumptions and the vogue of stream entry
01:41:00 - Insider vs outsider views
01:42:13 - Does magick really work?
01:43:31 - A story of powerful magickal effects
 …

Watch previous episodes with Duncan Barford:
- https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=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

Ep336: The Magick of Abramelin - Duncan Barford 3

In this interview I am once again joined by Dr Ben Joffe, anthropologist, occultist, and scholar practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism. 

Ben reveals the industry convention of guru ghostwriting in which spiritual teachers employ one or a team of writers to produce their dharma books, explains his collaborative process with Nida Chenagtsang on their latest Vajrayana book, and sheds light on his own editorial process.

Ben discusses whether a scholar should have practice experience before translating religious texts, considers whether historical inaccuracies  debunk the spiritual value of Buddhist scriptures, and raises questions about the origin of terma treasure texts.

Ben also compares the Yuthok Nyinthig retreat format to the Abramelin Ritual of Western Occultism, details the signs of success in tantric practice, and shares Yuthok’s promise to appear in bodily form to practitioners with sufficient devotion and attainment.

…

Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep337-guru-ghostwriting-tantric-retreat-dr-ben-joffe


Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.

…

Topics include:

00:00 - Intro
01:12 - Ghostwriting for gurus
08:03 - Lamas often don’t write their books
10:24 - Ben’s editorial process
18:32 - Is guru ghostwriting a dirty secret?
19:17 - Vajrayana jargon vs a felt sense
29:56 - What is a scholar practitioner?
37:39 - Ben’s retreat experiences
41:13 - Did Yuthok the Elder really exist?
50:06 - Anachronisms and retroactive attribution in Tibetan historiography
51:57 - Origins of the Tibetan medical tantras (rgyud bzhi)
58:08 - Terma treasure texts: mystical revelation or an editorial process?
01:02:08 - Why have Western scholars been hesitant to question terma texts?
01:05:04 - Does critical scholarship debunk Buddhism?
01:10:55 - Medicine Buddha ex machina
01:12:45 - Referring out
01:13:24 - Encountering Yuthok vs the Holy Guardian Angel in the Abramelin Ritual
01:20:10 - Special 7-day Yuthok ngondro
01:24:10 - Is Yuthok Nyingthig the best tantric system?
01:28:27 - The power of aspiration prayers
01:30:53 - How long does it take to become fully enlightened?
01:33:51 - Practice according to number, time, or signs
01:34:54 - Mythic resonance of lineage
01:36:33 - Signs of spiritual progress
01:41:35 - Ben comments on the Abramelin Ritual
01:43:59 - Sumton’s Yeshe Zung’s devotional prayer 
01:46:50 - Yuthok as a Mighty Dead
01:48:47 - Do Yuthok’s promises cause ego inflation and delusion?
01:52:09 - Verifying dreams and spiritual signs 
01:58:26 - How to connect with spiritual blessings
02:05:09 - What are blessings?
02:06:32 - Spiritual signs in the Jesuit tradition
02:08:49 - Ngondro as a hazing 
02:10:55 - Do people expect to encounter Yuthok at Dr Nida’s retreats?
02:15:38 - Dr Nida’s approach vs traditional contexts
02:21:00 - Typical student profile and outcomes
02:29:28 - Permissive approach to tantric vows
02:32:37 - Pros and cons of laissez-faire tantric practice
02:33:28 - Charismatic founder stage  …

Previous episodes with Dr Ben Joffe: 
- https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=joffe 

Previous episodes with Dr Nida Chenagtsang: 
- https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=nida 
 …

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

Ep337: Guru Ghostwriting & Tantric Retreat - Dr Ben Joffe

In this episode, I am once again joined by Gerald Ilyas Klawatsch, Sufi musician, music therapist, and founder of the international musical ensemble Ak Pirim.

Ilyas presents the sacred music of Sufism, explains its various instruments and principles, and performs musical pieces live.

Ilyas tells stories of discipleship under his Sufi master, recounts profound moments of spiritual bliss, and reflects on the power of music for emotional healing.

Ilyas also explains the role of ecstatic trance in Sufism and reveals special breathing techniques to induce transcendent states.


…

Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep338-sacred-sufi-music-the-art-of-ecstasy-gerald-ilyas-klawatsch-2

Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. 

…

00:00 - Intro 
00:47 - Combining spiritual life with the arts 
04:46 - Beauty as a quality of the Divine
07:37 - Sacred calligraphy
11:36 - Music as the main spiritual art
13:!6 - A Sufi creation story
16:32 - How Ilyas learned Sufi music
22:52 - Mystical drunkenness 
26:59 - Ney, the Sufi flute
32:03 - Performance: Ney flute
32:52 - A story of a Ney master
35:03 - Music and poetry
36:44 - Arabian maqam
38:51 - About the Oud 
40:42 - Performance: Oud
42:25 - Zikr 
43:41 - About the Bendhir 
44:06 - Performance: Bendhir
44:29 - Performance: Oud 
45:37 - Trance, ecstasy, and hyperventilation 
50:22 - Awakening the heart
53:08 - Two personal stories of Ilyas’ spiritual and music master 
59:53 - About the Rebâb
01:02:34 - Performance: Rebâb
01:03:46 - Music therapy
01:05:28 - Healing and personal expression
01:10:06 - A story of Ilyas’ music master 
01:12:55 - Shamanism and music
01:14:13 - Performance: Bendhir Sufi song
01:15:25 - Performance: Bendhir shamanic song
01:17:05 - About the Qyl-Qobyz, a shamanic instrument
01:18:28 - About the Çeng harp
01:19:43 - Performance: Çeng harp
01:21:08 - Where to hear more of Ilyas’ music

…

Previous episode with Gerald Ilyas Klawatsch:
- https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=ilyas


To find out more about Gerald Ilyas Klawatsch, visit:
- https://bengusu.com/g-ilyas-klatsch/
- https://www.youtube.com/@akpirimensemble 

For more interviews, videos, and more visit:
- https://www.guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Ep338: Sacred Sufi Music & the Art of Ecstasy - Gerald Ilyas Klawatsch 2

In this interview I am joined by Dr Thomas Clough Daffern, philosopher, educator, peace activist, and peace officer for the Council of British Druid Orders.

Dr Daffern explains the meaning of Christmas and the Winter Solstice, reflects on cyclic time and indigenous wisdom, and shares his own recent reckonings with death and loss.

Dr Daffern reveals the esoteric and mythic symbolism of the Christmas tree, mistletoe, gift giving, and even Father Christmas himself.

Dr Daffern also shares his thoughts on the current world situation,  why he is an optimist about the future of civilisation, and why he believes it is the moral duty of those with knowledge and power to share it with the world.

…

Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep339-christmas-the-winter-solstice-dr-thomas-clough-daffern

Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.

…


Topics Include:

00:00 - Intro
00:50 - How Thomas spends this time of year
03:02 - The worst year of Thomas’ life
04:19 - Death of Thomas’ daughter
07:30 - Reckoning with death
10:14 - What the traditions say about the current world situation
12:14 - Druids and cyclical time
12:52 - Increasing wisdom in the world
13:18 - Sophia-phobia
15:11 - Why Thomas is an optimist about the future
18:07 - The meaning of Winter Solstice 
18:12 - Christmas and Mithraism 
19:34 - Megalithic civilisations and prehistorical religion
25:39 - The Golden Bough and indigenous European wisdom
26:54 - Death and rebirth 
29:21 - Rituals and symbols of Christmas 
31:23 - Symbolism of the Christmas tree
33:34 - The meaning of “Christmas”
34:31 - Symbolism of mistletoe 
35:40 - Symbolism of present giving
36:37 - Thomas comments on peace in the Middle East
37:59 - Is symbolism and the esoteric only for an elite minority?
41:29 - The aristocratic hippy and sharing wisdom
42:37 - The moral duty to share knowledge and power
44:52 - Symbolism of Father Christmas / Santa Claus
46:15 - Concluding thoughts 

…

Previous episodes with Dr Thomas Clough Daffern:
- https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=daffern 

…

To find our more about Dr Thomas Clough Daffern, visit:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-clough-daffern-phd-6a3463a 
- https://interfaithpeacetreaty.wordpress.com/ 

…

For more interviews, videos, and more visit:
- www.guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Ep339: Christmas & the Winter Solstice - Dr Thomas Clough Daffern

In this bonus episode, I share with you a Guru Viking remix video created by Zakery Mizell from the Youtube channel Zakery Mizell.

Zakery’s channel focuses on knowledge and beauty and he has made several videos commenting on and even remixing episodes of the Guru Viking podcast. When I came across his remixes, I enjoyed his approach very much and we agreed to share his work here.  

In this video, Zakery remixes my poetry interviews with poets John Brehm and Henry Shukman, rearranging the material and adding visual effects to create a new interpretation of that episode. 

I will also share another of his Guru Viking videos in which he records a five hour livestream sharing his perspectives on various episodes. So look out for that video on the Guru Viking channel too.

Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep340-poetry-and-the-sacred-remix-bonus-episode-john-brehm-and-henry-shukman 

...

Find out more about Zakery:
https://www.youtube.com/@ZakeryMizell


Watch the original Guru Viking episodes used in Zakery’s videos:
- https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep274-poetry-the-sacred-henry-shukman-john-brehm
- https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep230-the-dharma-of-poetry-john-brehm

For more interviews, videos, and more visit:
- www.guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Ep340: Poetry and the Sacred Remix [Bonus Episode] - John Brehm and Henry Shukman

In this bonus episode, I share with you a Guru Viking remix video created by Zakery Mizell from the Youtube channel Zakery Mizell.

Zakery’s channel focuses on knowledge and beauty and he has made several videos commenting on and even remixing episodes of the Guru Viking podcast. When I came across his remixes, I enjoyed his approach very much and we agreed to share his work here.  

In this video, Zakery records a five hour livestream sharing his perspectives on various Guru Viking poetry episodes.

I will also share another of his Guru Viking videos in which Zakery remixes my poetry interviews with poets John Brehm and Henry Shukman, rearranging the material and adding his own visual effects to create a new interpretation of that episode. So look out for that video on the Guru Viking channel too.


Find out more about Zakery:
- https://www.youtube.com/@ZakeryMizell

Watch the original Guru Viking episodes used in Zakery’s videos:
- https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep274-poetry-the-sacred-henry-shukman-john-brehm
- https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep230-the-dharma-of-poetry-john-brehm

For more interviews, videos, and more visit:
- www.guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James


Ep341: Guru Viking Poetry Stream [Bonus Episode] - John Brehm and Henry Shukman

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 conversations conducted with students online. 

Dhammarato guides us through the Ānāpānassatisutta, a much loved scripture which describes Buddhism’s famous breath meditation practice.

Dhammarato describes the technique in detail, challenges common misconceptions about this practice and the sutta, and explains how the whole Buddhist path is contained within it. 

Dhammarato also argues that loving kindness meditations and remembering past lives are not Buddhist practices, addresses jhana and other meditation practice mistakes, and reflects on the fruits of his own practice when faced with illness and physical pain. 

…

Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep342-npnassati-dhammarato

Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.

...

Topics Include:

00:00 - Intro
00:52 - Various breathing meditations
02:28 - MN 118: Ānāpānassatisutta - about the sutta
04:58 - 4 foundations of mindfulness
05:37 - Factors of Enlightenment
06:39 - Mistaken readings of the sutta
08:01 - Critique of loving kindness meditation
10:12 - Sitting meditation vs ānāpānassati
11:22 - Sati vs loving kindness meditation and recalling past lives
13:00 - Right noble looking
13:55 - Entering the first jhana and gladdening the mind
17:19 - Victim attitude 
19:31 - How to make the body comfortable 
22:36 - The skill of developing sukha, satisfaction
26:02 - Thoughts, feelings, and body are interrelated 
27:35 - Ānāpānassati is not a breathing meditation
28:42 - Pragmatic Dharma vs Engaged Buddhism
30:25 - How to apply ānāpānassati
33:27 - The first step of nobility
36:22 - A feeling of success
39:14 - Attaining knowledge and deliverance 
41:58 - Common jhana practice mistakes
46:52 - Loving kindness meditation mistakes 
51:50 - Metta is a consequence not a practice
53:06 - Vipassanā vs samatha 
57:10 - Explaining other Buddhist masters’ enlightenments 
59:23 - Comments on Ajahn Chah and correct practice
01:01:53 - Working with pain and sickness
01:03:06 - Cancer and meditation
01:05:31 - Dhammarato’s aging and health 
01:06:03 - Criticism of Goenka and sitting through pain   
01:07:11 - Magical thinking of sitting through pain
01:08:28 - Advice for approaching death
01:10:53 - Dhammarato reflects on the deaths of his loved ones
01:13:37 - How to die happy

 Dhammarato Episode Playlist
- https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=DHAMMARATO  

To find out more about Dhammarato, visit:
- Email: dhammaratog@gmail.com  
- Discord: https://discord.gg/epphTGY  
- https://dhammaratoblog.wordpress.com/ 
- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjxg5GJFsRqnS-YLTzyrjLQ 

Read the Ānāpānassatisutta:
- https://suttacentral.net/mn118/en/sujato?lang=en&layout=plain&reference=none&notes=asterisk&highlight=false&script=latin

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For more interviews, videos, and more visit.
- www.guruviking.com

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Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Ep342: Ānāpānassati - Dhammarato

The Guru Viking Podcast specializes in in-depth interviews with remarkable figures in the world of meditation, spirituality, and self development.

Steve travels internationally teaching somatic practices and meditation, and leads explorations in contemplative, mystic, & relational realms.

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