Michael Taft is a meditation teacher, author, and host of the ‘Deconstructing Yourself’ podcast. 

In this episode, Michael reveals why he dislikes maps of meditation, and why he believes the Progress of Insight, a widely taught meditation map in Theravada Buddhism, causes more problems than it solves. 

Michael also discusses his points of agreement and disagreement with the Buddhist four path model, how he defines and teaches stream entry, the common traps on the way to enlightenment, how to cut through spiritual ego, and why Michael questions if becoming an arhat is actually good for anybody.

Michael goes on to explain his own meditation map, based on the teachings of Shinzen Young, and shares his takes on emptiness, jhana, fire kasina, and how life changes after awakening. 
 
…

Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep167-maps-to-enlightenment-michael-taft-2

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

Topics include:

00:00 - Intro
00:57 - Cons of meditation maps
06:06 - Why the Progress of Insight map causes more problems than it solves 
09:50 - Disagreement with Daniel Ingram 
10:37 - Controversy of claiming Arhatship 
14:15 - Teaching towards stream entry 
15:06 - Defining stream entry
18:16 - Do meditators really want stream entry? 
20:17 - Where Michael diverges from the 4-path model 
22:42 - different approaches to spiritual practice
23:24 - What changes after enlightenment?
29:01 - Stress tolerance of enlightenment 
30:09 - Michael’s perceptive 
31:16 - Dangers on the way to stream entry 
36:29 - Post-stream entry pitfalls
37:54 - Spiritual ego trips 
38:35 - How Michael slices through spiritual ego 
39:39 - Michael’s own map of vipassana 
45:35 - The failure mode of high concentration 
48:05 - Differences between low concentration and insight into emptiness
51:05 - The problem with cessation  
52:47 - Emptiness of self and other 
54:37 - Pointing to the self
56:02 - When Michael’s students achieve stream entry  
57:02 - Welcome to the club 
57:41 - Sutra vs Mahamudra 
58:53 - Running the map backwards 
01:01:21 - Emptiness and form 
01:05:07 - The big temptation of emptiness and bliss
01:08:35 - Why leave emptiness?
01:13:10 - Vipassana vs vipasyana 
01:15:41 - Quick fire round
01:16:13 - Wet of dry vipassana?
01:16:39 - Hard or soft jhana?
01:17:22 - Breath or fire kasina?
01:18:21 - BIT or SHF?
01:19:09 - Shinzen Young’s evolution 

…

Previous episode with Michael Taft:
- https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep149-deconstructing-yourself-michael-taft 

To find out more about Michael Taft, visit:
- https://deconstructingyourself.com/

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


Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Ep167: Maps to Enlightenment - Michael Taft 2

In this episode, filmed on location in Kathmandu, Nepal, I am joined by Buddhist nun Guruma Dhamma Vijaya.

Guruma recalls her childhood in Kathmandu Valley, the religious life of her Newar Vajrayāna family, and why she turned to Theravāda Buddhism and took ordination as a nun.

Guruma recounts her extensive training in Mahasi and Goenka meditation styles, compares tantric techniques to ānāpānassati, and offers her understanding of the essence of Buddhist teaching.

Guruma details her educational journey, describes her life-changing encounter with feminism while studying in the USA, and tells the story of obtaining a PhD on the subject of Buddhist Feminism. 


…

Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep344-nepali-buddhist-nun-guruma-dhamma-vijaya

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

Topics include: 


00:00 - Intro
00:50 - Homage to Buddha, Dhamma, Saṅgha
01:54 - Blessing and welcome
02:33 - Question etiquette in different cultures
03:17 - Guruma’s Newar childhood in Kathmandu Valley
06:11 - Guruma’s education pathway to PhD
06:36 - Family dynamics 
07:30 - First meeting with Buddhist nuns
09:46 - From Vajrayāna to Theravāda
11:12 - Desire to be a nun
12:48 - Attending a teaching by the Dalai Lama in Bodhgaya
13:54 - The loss of the bhikkhunī ordination lineage
14:28 - Becoming a nun  
17:54 - 4 years of study in Taiwan
19:20 - Meditation and further studies in Burma and India
20:02 - Studying meditation under Mahasi Sayadaw and S.N. Goenka
26:37 - Mahasi vs Goenka
27:37 - 4 points of Goenka meditation
29:10 - Ānāpānassati meditation is the Buddha’s teaching
29:55 - Guruma’s practie
30:51 - Vajrayāna vs Theravāda 
36:27 - Body mantras and Vajrayāna threats
39:15 - Choosing Ānāpānassati over Vajrayāna
43:23 - Freedom from suffering
45:38 - The essence of Buddhist teaching
47:25 - Encountering feminism
54:58 - Messy status of nuns in Nepal
01:03:02 - Theravāda revival
01:05:39 - Tragic reason why Guruma’s teacher became a nun
01:08:14 - Buddhist pilgrimage sites
01:08:54 - Life is precious and exhortation to practice
01:1341 - Dedication prayer and blessing

…

Kathmandu Interviews playlist:
- https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlkzlKFgdknwvU82dU487LhF_mF4AkGek&si=4U8rRVEHKA4Z28oF 

Find out more about Guruma here:
- http://tartaruspress.com/russell-rampa.html
- https://www.arthurmachen.org.uk/ 

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

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Ep344: Nepali Buddhist Nun - Guruma Dhamma Vijaya

In this episode I am joined by British occultists, authors, and creative collaborators Alan Chapman and Duncan Barford.

Alan and Duncan reflect on their decades of shared magickal practice and creative collaboration. They recall their first meeting at the secret society the “Illuminates of Thanateros” and muse on the gatekeeping and status games of the Chaos magick scene. They explain why they feel their emphasis on awakening and association with Buddhist writer and self-proclaimed arhat Daniel Ingram has contributed to their being shunned by leading figures in British occultism.

Alan and Duncan take a deep dive into their controversial new understanding of Aleister Crowley, address criticism levelled at them, and reveal the idealogical mistake that drove Alan to withdraw one of his biggest public projects.

Alan and Duncan also share their current practices, detail how to develop visionary capability, give their best understanding about how magick really works, and offer their advice for those who wish to enter the path of Western occultism. 


…

Video: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep345-magick-awakening-crowley-alan-chapman-duncan-barford

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

…

Topics include:

00:00 - Intro
01:13 - Meeting at an occult secret society
06:29 - Formative experiences of group magick
07:36 - Should you join the IoT?
07:53 - The importance of group magick
08:19 - Timidity in magickal practice
10:20 - What does magick have to do with enlightenment?
12:03 - Jealousy in spiritual circles
14:38 - Peter Carroll vs Neoplatonism
17:11 - Alan and Duncan’s contribution to Chaos Magick
19:07 - Feuds between religionists
20:33 - What kind of person is drawn to Chaos Magick?
22:25 - Gatekeeping and status games
23:10 - The best thing about Chaos Magicians
25:45 - Bad uses of Chaos Magick
28:38 - Being ignored by the magickal community
29:24 - Why were Alan and Duncan ignored?
30:!4 - Controversial association with Daniel Ingram
31:54 - Why did Peter Carroll dislike Alan and Duncan?
33:01 - How to understand magickal results and synchronicities
36:46 - How Duncan’s practice has changed over time
40:13- Awakening and the structure of things
43:16 - Alan’s current practice
43:57 - The everyday as a basis
45:07 - How to get started in magick
52:35 - Permission and confidence
53:41 - Developing visionary capability
54:55 - Alan’s understanding of the path
01:00:32 - Pinnacle of practical magick
01:01:46 - Duncan’s Goddess vision
01:03:14 - The basis of the path
01:07:50 - How magick works
01:09:00 - Criticism of Alan abandoning projects
01:16:14 - Sigmund Freud
01:16:57 - Why do people criticise Alan?
01:18:56 - One thing that really annoys Alan
01:20:53 - Resentment and psychological shadow
01:22:43 - Malevolence and denying enlightenment 
01:29:26 - A dark occult conference experience
01:31:20 - Envy and counter-initiation 
01:33:51 - Creative journey
01:35:49 - The toxic belief in cultural progress
01:39:38 - Ken Wilber’s Integral Theory 
01:41:10 - Daniel Ingram’s pivot to science
01:42:19 - The spirit of the times
01:44:08 - Realising cultural chauvinism
01:49:53 - Desire to do something else
01:51:30 - Source of many problems 
01:53:23 - The Crowley project
02:01:15 - Alan’s academic approach
02:03:53 - Legal challenges
02:06:34 - Crowley on Chinese wisdom
02:09:05 - Dao De Jing
02:17:24 - Misunderstandings about the Dao De Jing
02:19:03 - Jung’s (mis?)undersanding of Asian classics
02:21:06 - Western alchemy and spirit writing
02:23:19 - Two kinds of researchers
02:290:02 - Life of Aleister Crowley
02:31:28 - The Inner Church
02:33:28 - The Bornless Rite 
02:35:18 - The Book of the Law
02:45:24 - Crossing the abyss
02:47:39 - Mad or enlightened?
02:52:20 - Liber 31
02:53:53 - Crowley’s failures
02:55:57 - Jung and Philip K Dick 
02:56:41 - Controversial take on Crowley
03:00:48 - Why follow Crowley’s path?

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Ep345: Against the Stream Magick, Awakening, & Crowley -  Alan Chapman & Duncan Barford

In this episode, I am joined by Dr Christopher “Hareesh” Wallis, a Sanskritist and scholar-practitioner of Classical Tantra.

Christopher recounts his unusual upbringing, early meetings with Osho and Muktananda, early shaktipat experiences, and powerful spiritual awakenings.

Christopher traces his educational journey under professors such as Douglas Brooks and Alexis G. J. S. Sanderson, offers his opinions about optimal pedagogy for Sanskrit language study, and questions lineage claims made in Tibetan Buddhism.

Christopher also considers the tension between religious faith and academic skepticism, explains why he thinks it is possible to receive spiritual benefit from corrupt gurus, and descries why he believes spiritual awakening leads to a deep trust in the unfolding of life.

…

Video version: www.guruviking.com

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

…

Topics include:

00:00 - Intro
00:57 - An unusual family of origin 
03:28 - Mother’s conversion to Hinduism 
03:50 - Meeting Osho and Swami Muktananda
05:17 - Awakening experience at 16 years old
05:55 - Attraction to Tantric Shaivism
07:35 - Academic training and intellectual infatuation
09:00 - Multiple teachers
10:13 - Seeing through intellectual ego
12:57 - Teenage rebellion and psychedelics
14:44 - Love of sci fi and fantasy
17:05 - Siddha yoga shaktipat 
18:33 - Gurumayi Chidvilasananda
20:33 - Heart opening shaktipat
24:01 - Saint or psychopath?
28:26 - The guru’s shadow
30:18 - Transmission from a disgraced guru
32:25 - No single objective reality  
35:32 - No doubts despite guru’s flaws
38:18 - Has Christopher missed the point?
39:53 - Parsing subjective certainty
41:55 - A belief but not really
43:21 - Innate intelligence and trusting the unfolding of life
46:50 - Harmonising with the pattern
50:17 - Don’t pretend to be more enlightened that you are
51:56 - The same awakening as the Buddha’s
54:22 - Waking up out of your tradition
55:32 - Agnosticism about reincarnation
57:29 - BA at Rochester
01:00:53 - Alexis G. J. S. Sanderson 
01:05:40 - Great professors at Rochester
01:08:22 - Learning Sanskrit 
01:11:12 - Art of translation
01:13:27 - Sanskrit pedagogy
01:16:42 - Christopher’s approach to teaching Sanskrit
01:21:19 - Why learn Sanskrit?
01:24:10 - Parallel primer method
01:26:06 - Does academia ruin religious faith?
01:30:39 - Mantra disillusionment
01:34:40 - Disillusionment with saints and siddhas
01:38:10 - Religious professors
01:39:13 - Debunking tantric lineage claims
01:42:05 - Did Tibetan Buddhists fabricated their lineages?
01:43:10 - Tantric Shaivism as a living tradition 
01:46:16 - Is Christopher a lineage holder?
01:48:04 - Critique of lineage holders and lamas 
 
…

To find our more about Dr Wallis visit:
- https://hareesh.org/ 

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

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Ep346: Tantric Scholar-Practitioner - Christopher “Hareesh” Wallis

In this episode I host a dialogue between Buddhist teacher and doctor of Tibetan Medicine Dr Nida Chenagtsang and adult psychiatrist and family and systemic psychotherapist Dr Caroline Van Damme.

Drs Nida and Caroline reflect on a half decade of collaboration in which they have explored the meeting of Western psychology and psychiatry with Tibetan medical and Buddhist models.   

They discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each others’ systems, consider placebo as an explanatory mechanism for traditional health systems, question the benefits of an over-therapised culture, and contrast Tibetan and European approaches to knowledge. 

Drs Nida and Caroline also discuss the role of traditional ideas of spirit possession in today’s clinical contexts, share anecdotes of exorcisms and psychosis, and offer their best insights and techniques to truly nurture the mind.

…

Link in bio.

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

…

Topics include:

00:00 - Intro 
01:04 - How did their collaboration begin?
02:38 - Dr Nida’s long standing interest in Western Psychology
06:38 - Meeting Dr Caroline
08:30 - Sowa Rigpa Counsellor Course
13:23 - The power of individualised therapy
16:14 - Reflections on Buddhist psychology and Sowa Rigpa
22:23 - Trauma and childhood conditioning
23:52 - Tibetan vs European ways of thinking
28:50 - Industrial revolution, scientism, and mind-body dualism
30:43 - Open-mindedness when working with psychotic patients
33:04 - Family therapy 
36:57 - Weaknesses of Tibetan medicine
42:59 - Traditional medicine leans into placebo
45:46 - Do malevolent spirits cause psychological illnesses?
46:54 - African cultural ideas about spirits and black magic
47:40 - Do exorcisms cause further trauma?
53:12- Dr Nida reflects on the strengths of Western Psychology
57:05 - Too much digging for trauma
58:49 - European Garden vs Tibetan Forest 
01:03:23 - Psychological illness from a spirit-influence perspective
01:05:04 - Exorcism rituals as a psychological tool
01:08:01 - Machig Labdron and the greatest evil spirit
01:08:40 - Using spirit-beliefs to encourage personal hygiene
01:09:23 - Exposure therapy
01:11:53 - A Canadian account of possession 
01:14:32 - Dr Nida’s African patients
01:15:33 - A ghost story case study
01:21:04 - Duty of care
01:23:00 - The importance of sleep
01:27:54 - Nurturing the mind
01:33:42 - Blaming parents 
01:36:55 - Compassion vs positivity
01:39:30 - Attributing everything to childhood trauma
01:42:09 - “Nurturing the Mind” online course

…

To find out more about “Nurturing the Mind: A Dialogue between a Psychiatrist & a Yogi“, visit:
- https://www.sowarigpainstitute.org/course/nurturing-the-mind 
	
…

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

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

…

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Ep347: Nurturing the Mind - Dr Nida Chenagtsang & Dr Caroline Van Damme

In this episode, I am joined by Jensen Martin, a scholar-practitioner and PhD student at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California.

Jensen recalls how his childhood experiences playing the World of Warcraft and reading fantasy books awakened a deep longing for real experiences of magick and shamanism, how reading spiritual biographies inspired him become a live-in member of the Self Realisation Fellowship, and how trips in India drew him to the practice of bhakti.

Jensen recounts powerful visions of Narasiṃha and Egyptian gods, transformative darśanas with Indian gurus such as Amma the Hugging Saint, and experiments with the power of mantra recitation.

Jensen also describes his deep dive into psychedelic use, reveals his extensive experience with ayahuasca, and details his journey to a full-scholarship PhD at the Graduate Theological Union.

	 
…

Video version: www.guruviking.com

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

…

Topics include:

00:00 - Intro
01:07 - Narasiṃha
01:52 - Jensen’s childhood 
02:50 - Drawn to shamanism through World of Warcraft 
04:41 - Reading about shamanism and pagan religion
06:17 - Inspired by fantasy and World of Warcraft
09:48 - Lucid dreaming practice and animal totems
12:42 - Reading “Autobiography of a Yogi”
14:35 - Move to Humboldt county to pursue samadhi in nature
15:45 - Experimenting with substances
16:48 - Living at the Self Realisation Fellowship and time in India
20:55 - Masters degree in Yoga Studies
21:36 - Thirst for magickal experiences
 27:50 - Living hand to mouth
29:33 - Jensen’s practice regime
32:00 - Hassidic Judaism, Orthodox Christianity, and Amma Sri Mātā Amritānandamayī Devi 
35:35 - Academic studies
37:09 - Powerful darśana from Amma Sri Karunamayi
40:38 - Further trips to India and practicing bhakti 
42:36 - Encounter with Narasimha
46:38 - Attending the 2019 Kumbh Mela 
50:00 - Dream of Egyptian Narasimha connections
54:41 - Extreme sickness and vision of Narasimha
01:02:52 - Meeting Dhruva Gorrick 
01:04:37 - Powerful encounter with Amma the hugging saint
01:08:52 - Why not to share significant spiritual experiences
01:10:00 - Going deep with ayahuasca and other psychedelics
01:23:18 - Mantras coming alive 
01:24:54 - High frequency of psychedelic trips
01:25:58 - Work as park ranger
01:26:54 - Negative ayahuasca experiences and magickal attack
01:39:47 - Encountering Narasimha on ayahuasca
01:49:37 - A new theme for Jensen’s ayahuasca ceremonies
01:57:02 - Lineage spirits commanded Jensen to stop ayahuasca 
01:57:38 - Further visions  
01:59:05 - Encountering Vishnu and further pleas to stop taking ayahuasca 
02:07:27 - Return to Amma and Narasimha initiation
02:08: 42 - Receiving a PhD scholarship to study Narasimha 
02:15:41 - Still drinking ayahuasca 
02:19:52 - Uniqueness of the human body
02:21:02 - Borrowing psychic power and astral contracts
02:29:46 - Why does Jensen keep using ayahuasca despite warnings?
 
…

To find our more about Jensen Martin visit:
- https://www.instagram.com/jensen_sudarshan/ 

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

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Ep348: Visions of the Lion-Headed Avatar - Jensen Martin

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

Alex takes a deep dive into the world of magick to compare esoteric systems from around the world including Western Occultism, Tibetan Buddhism, Indian Tantric and Goddess systems, Santeria and more. 

Alex gives a history of the development of Western Occultism, exploring the Egyptian mysteries, Neoplatonism, Catholic mysticism, Kabbalah, Shi’ism, Wicca, the Golden Dawn, Thelema, Chaos Magic and beyond.

Alex discusses esoteric techniques such spellcraft, opening the psychic senses, working with entities, mantra, yantra, alchemy, astrology, and divination. He considers the tension between natural talent and practiced skill, reviews strategies for protection against curses and entity oppression, and recounts his own path as a practitioner of the occult.

…

Full episode: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep349-deep-dive-into-magick-alex-w

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

Topics include: 


00:00 - Intro
01:09 - History of magick
06:08 - Christianity as a reinterpretation of Egyptian mysteries of Osiris
06:40 - Syncretism of the Golden Dawn
08:48 - Thelema 
09:50 - English vs French magick
11:10 - Wicca
12:55 - Chaos Magic 
16:04 - Belief and manifestation
19:26 - Theory vs practice
20:52 - Neoplatonism 
22:54 - Kabbalah
29:09 - Shi’ism, Sufism, and the Church fathers
30:42 - Renaissance 
32:36 - Not superstition?
33:53 - Alex’s magick path
35:32 - Training under Alan Chapman
38:21 - Scrying and the Holy Guardian Angel
40:10 - What is the HGA?
46:04 - The real initiation of Western Occultism
47:37 - Santeria and spirits
51:16- Exploring the Renaissance grimoires
54:56 - Catholic mysticism, angels, and saints
56:25 - Spellcraft
57:25 - Hinduism and Buddhist magick
01:03:33 - Mantra  
01:07:29 - Yantras and Indo-European astrology
01:10:15 - Tantra as a ritual process to effect change and invoke spirits 
01:11:34 - Ramnath Aghori Baba 
01:12:51 - How Goddess traditions work
01:19:13 - Initiated by Kālī and the Dark Feminine
01:25:21 - Opening the psychic senses
01:27:19 - Kālī, Chinnamastā, and the Dark Feminine
01:30:41 - Hecate 
01:33:10 - Dark spirits, ḍākinīs, and the 64 yogis
01:37:19 - Network of friends 
01:41:06 - Past lives
01:42:38 - Astrology
01:46:12 - Which practice is right for you?
01:47:42 - Alchemy
01:48:46 - Why practice magick?
01:53:14 - Divination and protection against curses
01:54:28 - 3 magickal self defence methods 
02:02:10 - How common are curses?
02:05:26 - Why seek the Western Tradition?
02:12:08 - Indian vs Tibetan tantra 
02:15:29 - Is magick well understood?  
02:20:34 - Talent, lineage, and technique
02:22:44 - Crowley’s birthchart
02:27:32 - Alan & Duncan’s relationship
02:29:08 - Dangers
02:35:089 - Spiritual psychosis
02:37:50 - Devotion 

…

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

Ep349: Deep Dive Into Magick - Alex W

In this episode I am once again joined by Victor Shiryaev a teacher of Buddhist and modern meditation and somatic practices.

Victor traces a contemplative history of modern Russia from the days of the esotericism and Orientalism of the Russian Empire, through the religious restrictions of the Soviet Union, the New Age spiritual fervour of the 1990s, and the Westernisation of recent times. 

Victor considers whether Russia was a mission field for spiritual groups such as the Diamond Way, details the different Buddhist sects active in the country, describes how meditation is viewed in Russian culture today, and reflects on the relationship between globalist Buddhist sects and heritage Buddhist groups of the region.

…

Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep350-contemplative-history-of-modern-russia-victor-shiryaev-2

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

Topics include: 

00:00 - Intro
00:49 - Why a contemplative history of modern Russia?
05:49 - Russian interest in the East and esotericism 
07:54 - Buddhist regions of Russia
08:39 - Catherine the Great and empire
10:08 - Persecution of religion under the Soviet Union 
11:14 - New Age and spiritual revival in the 1990s
15:22 - Current scene
16:30 - Westernised spirituality in Russia
21:58 - The self publishing movement
23:32 - How the scene became Westernised
27:12 - Shambala and post-Soviet Russia as a mission field
36:21 - Tibetan Buddhism in Russia today
39:40 - Other Buddhist and mindfulness groups in Russia
41:43 - Vipassana and the lack of a retreat scene 
45:41 - Heritage Buddhists vs the new Buddhists
56:21 - Russian esotericism and the Soviet Union
01:04:41 - How is meditation viewed in Russia today?
01:12:06 - Modern mindfulness in Russia
01:13:00 - Russian Orthodox Christianity and the future of Buddhism in Russia

Previous episode with Victor Shiryaev:
- https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=shiryaev 

To find out more about Victor Shiryaev, visit:
- https://victorshiryaev.co/ 

…

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

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Ep350: Contemplative History of Modern Russia - Victor Shiryaev 2

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

Alana recalls her spiritual apprenticeship, initial failed attempts to work as a psychic, and what it takes to make it as a new age entrepreneur.

Alana describes the tension between following one’s intuition and getting things done, why even spiritual teachers need to work when they don’t feel like it, and how she deals with negative feedback. 

Alana also discusses her love of myth, a return to matriarchy, and her deep connection with Kālī Mā and the Dark Feminine.

…

Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep351-psychic-entrepreneur-alana-fairchild

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

…

Topics Include:

00:00 - Intro
00:45 - Apprenticeship under a psychic 
03:00 - Initial work as a psychic
04:21 - Early challenges
05:31 - Spiritual intuition vs getting things done
09:06 - Business success in spirituality sector
09:36 - Alana’s creative and business process
13:04 - Intuition vs whim when getting things done  
17:41 - Working even when you don’t feel like it
19:37 - Trope of the ”full body yes”
20:06 - Divine masculine and feminine
25:27 - Dealing with negative feedback
26:09 - Triggered by masculine energy
27:06 - Polarised by Mother Mary 
30:51 - Myth and anthropology
31:45 - Return to matriarchy
33:48 - Which myths resonate with Alana?
35:33 - Alana’s mother complex
38:05 - Alana’s masculine energy
39:38 - Failed attempts to become a professional psychic 
42:08 - Overcoming the fear of financial insecurity
44:!4 - Career success as a psychic, spiritual teacher, and author
46:05 - Commodification of spirituality 
50:35 - Connection with Kālī Mā and the Dark Feminine 
01:02:55 - How Alana communicates with Kālī Mā 
01:07:18 - Concluding remarks 

…

Previous episode with Alana Fairchild:
- https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=fairchild 

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

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

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Ep351: Psychic Entrepreneur - Alana Fairchild

In this interview, filmed at Oxford University, I am once again joined by Prajwal Ratna Vajracharya, a 35th generation tantric priest in a centuries old Newar Buddhist family lineage and master of the religious dance tradition of Charya Nritya.

Prajwal explains the use of mudrā and movement to embody enlightenment and teaches a full sequence of movement and mantra to use in daily practice when taking refuge. 

Prajwal explains the four levels of Mahāmudrā in Newar Buddhism, offers methods to build compassion in community, and gives his advice on how to practice well.

Prajwal also shares Jātaka tales for every day wisdom and reveals the role of magic in Newar Buddhism. 

…

Video versions: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep352-mahmudr-of-newar-buddhism-prajwal-ratna-vajracharya 

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

…

Topics include:

00:00 - Intro
00:51 - Newar Buddhism and what Prajwal has been doing at Oxford University
03:03 - Dancing and singing for enlightenment
04:33 - Embodying enlightenment
08:02 - Methods of enlightenment
09:04 - Mahāmudrā in Newar Buddhism	
23:25 - 4 levels of Mahāmudrā
25:45 - Body as mudrā
31:55 - Integrated mudrā
32:37 - Mudrā in the Buddha’s life
35:30 - How to practice well
40:10 - Compassion is built in community
43:49 - Prajwal explains the mudrā sequence used in taking refuge
52:21 - Demonstration of refuge mudrā and chant practice 
54:14 - 5 emotions 
55:04 - Further reflections on mudrā and Mahāmudrā
57:07 - Jātaka tale + everything is a mudrā
01:00:58 - Encouragement to practice 
01:03:13 - Newar magick 
01:05:27 - Anuttarayogatantra

…

Previous episodes with Prajwal Ratna Vajracharya:
- https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=prajwal 


To find out more about Prajwal Ratna Vajracharya, visit: 
- https://www.dancemandal.com/ 

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

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Ep352: Mahāmudrā of Newar Buddhism - Prajwal Ratna Vajracharya

In this episode I am once again joined by Rebekah Sturgill, mother, school teacher, and convert to Orthodox Christianity.

Rebekah discusses the contemplative methods of Orthodox Christianity; shares one of the tradition’s core practices, the Jesus Prayer; and discusses the importance of the liturgical year.

Rebekah explorex the phenomenology of a felt sense of Christ, explains the ideal of theosis, and reveals why the imagination is discouraged in Orthodox practice.

Rebekah also details the Orthodox view on demons, compares it to popular depictions in books and films, and offers her own experience of the supernatural dimensions of the spiritual war for the human will.

…

Video version: www.guruviking.com

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

…

Topics include:
 
00:00 - Intro
00:48 - Practice of Orthodox Christianity
03:37 - Time, community, and individual practice 
10:51 - Learning how to be an Orthodox Christian
13:50 - The Jesus Prayer
16:11  - Against the imaginal
17:11 - Breathing practice in the Jesus Prayer
18:51 - Focusing on Christ
22:17 - A felt sense of Christ
24:38 - Phenomenology of meditation
26:49 - False vision and dangers of the imagination
29:50 - Warnings and special experiences
32:29 - Community as a check on spiritual pride
33:52 - Theosis and the goal of Orthodox Christian practice
38:36 - The heat of God
40:42 - Ethics and positive behavioural change
44:57 - The ethical ideal of Christ
47:18 - Angels, demons, and supernatural entities
51:08 - Screwtape Letters and the ontology of demons
53:59 - Theories of demonology
55:35 - War for the human will
58:56 - Levels of understanding
01:01:41 - How much should catechumens be taught about demons?
01:06:00 - Orthodoxy is in vogue
  …

Previous episode with Rebekah Sturgill:
- https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=sturgill 

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

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Ep353: Mysticism and Demonology in Orthodox Christianity - Rebekah Sturgill

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.

Ep167: Maps to Enlightenment - Michael Taft 2

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