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

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

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

In this interview I am once again joined by Jack Haubner, ex-Zen Monk and prize winning author of the memoirs Zen Confidential: Confessions of a Wayward Monk; and Single White Monk: Tales of Death, Failure, and Bad Sex. In this interview Jack reveals the interaction between his creative process and his Zen journey, from his screenwriting days in Hollywood, to journalling as a Zen monk, to penning his award winning spiritual memoirs. Jack also considers the role of self-disclosure and comedy in his writing, reflects on why Sasaki Roshi did not emphasise art in his spiritual training, and recounts stories of fellow Zen student and renowned singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen. Jack also discusses how even senior Zen monks can become complacent during intense retreat, how to break through stagnancy in practice, and what it means to make spiritually resonant art. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep180-zen-and-the-art-of-being-funny-jack-haubner Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 
 00:00 - Intro 01:01 - The Book of Questions 03:31 - Moving to LA and failing as a screenwriter 05:08 - Jack’s influences as a writer 05:58 - Stories of ‘dog eat dog’ Hollywood life 12:21 - Rupert Spira vs Henry Shukman 15:05 - Creativity vs becoming a Zen monk 19:47 - Zen Confidential 20:22 - The role of art in Zen and Japanese culture 22:32 - Zen is the direct path 23:25 - Harada Roshi’s enso 23:59 - Sasaki Roshi did not emphasise art at all 25:09 - Complacent Zen practitioners 28:32 - Sweet spot of great art 30:06 - Passivity in advanced Zen students of Sasaki Roshi 35:45 - Prostate problems during sesshin 38:25 - Strife with other monks as training 42:55 - How Jack found his voice as a writer 48:03 - Moral superiority vs self deprecation 49:32 - - Jack’s ‘why’ 51:36 - Escaping the nihilism trap of low motivation 58:30 - Jack’s Zen friendship with Leonard Cohen 01:00:23 - Cohen’s love songs to God 01:02:52 - More about Leonard Cohen 01:03:48 - Jack on humour 01:05:25 - Jack on taking risks as a writer 01:06:51 - Making art out of Sasaki Roshi’s sex scandal 01:08:10 - Criticism of Jack’s books 01:11:19 - Edgy humour, cruelty, and cultural changes 01:16:29 - Current writing projects 01:18:40 - Jack’s Youtube channel 01:20:42 - Artists must finish … Previous episode with Jack Haubner: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep126-zen-scandal-jack-haubner/
 To find out more about Jack Haubner, visit: - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt9Q74t3o7AUCJ_bKTc5CgA 

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

In this episode I am joined by Dr Yannis Toussulis, Sufi lineage holder, psychotherapist, and author of ‘Sufism and the Way of Blame’. Dr Toussulis recounts his upbringing in Manhattan, New York and how a childhood vision of Jesus Chris changed his life forever. Dr Toussulis recalls several profound mystical experiences and traces his life of travel and study with gurus and sheiks, including his time at the Esalen Institute, close studies with Tibetan Lama Khenchen Palden Sherab, experiments in psychedelic assisted therapy, travel to India, personal time with Osho, and more. Dr Toussulis also critiques new age presentations of Sufism, including modern interpretations of Rumia and early 20th century ideas of the Sarmoung Brotherhood, and considers the case of Idries Shah and the collusion between teachers and disciples to create exaggerated origin myths. … Video version: www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep179-adventures-of-a-sufi-mystic-dr-yannis-toussulis 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 01:01 - Upbringing in Manhattan 03:04 - Inspired to attend church after a vision of Jesus Christ 04:30 - First encounter with Sufism 07:17 - Meeting first Sheikhs 08:43 - Close study with Khenchen Palden Sherab 09:32 - Return to Sufism 12:42 - A vision of Jesus Christ 15:52 - Interpreting mystical experiences 17:15 - More visionary experiences 21:55 - Realising that God is everywhere 24:09 - Psychedelic experimentation 27:16 - Psychedelic therapy in Vancouver 31:04 - Carlos Castaneda 31:39 - Travel to India and studies with Osho 39:26 - Final conversation with Osho 44:35 - What is enlightenment? 50:23 - Meeting gurus 53:15 - Meeting his Lama in a lucid dream 01:04:40 - ’Nyingthik Drak’ and learning Buddhist tantra 01:08:46 - Sarmoung Brotherhood and misconceptions about Sufism 01:13:57 - What is Sufism? 01:18:25 - Origin myths and the naive audience of the early 1900s 01:22:17 - Collusion and mystification 01:25:39 - The modern inversion of Rumi … To find our more about Dr Yannis Toussulis, visit: - http://www.itlaqfoundation.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I host a dialogue between Dr Ian Wickramasekera, Bön Buddhist practitioner and professor at Naropa University, and Julia Shannon, trainee clinical psychotherapist and researcher. In the first part of this interview, Dr Ian discusses his current thinking on what the traditions of Dzogchen and Western hypnosis can learn from each other, challenges Herbert Benson’s relaxation response theory of meditation, and questions dualistic frameworks in science and experimental psychology. Then, Dr Ian and Julia dialogue about the prevalence of mental illness and regressive coping in Buddhist meditators, the personality types of religious mystics, and Julia’s own experience using hypnosis to cure her phone addiction Dr Ian and Julia also consider the implications of teaching advanced Buddhist meditation methods in a clinical setting, including ethical issues and concerns about violating sacred vows, and they discuss their experiences of personal identity and professional life as biracial adults in America. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep178-buddhist-meditation-hypnosis-dzogchen-dr-ian-wickramasekera-julia-shannon 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … 01:26 - Dzogchen and hypnosis 05:37 - Going beyond dualism in science 06:19 - Crisis in clinical psychology 09:37 - Suffering & serotonin 20:01 - Dzogchen philosophy in clinical hypnosis 22:14 - Invalidating Herbert Benson’s relaxation response theory of meditation 29:08 - What really brings cessation of suffering 30:14 - Aestheticism is needed in science 32:05 - Specific Dzogchen practices and hypnotic hallucinations 36:31 - A daily practice of hypnosis 40:01 - What science can offer Dzogchen 46:45 - Julia’s background 49:05 - Overcoming phone addiction via hypnosis 52:08 - Hypnotic trance vs meditative states 53:46 - Stigmata of hypnosis and meditation 57:56 - High hypnotisable people and the prevalence to mystical experience 01:01:10 - Ronald J. Pekal’s Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory (PCI) 01:03:15 - Myth of meditation brain states such as alpha 01:07:23 - Bringing Buddhist practice into clinical practice 01:08:53 - Mental illness in religious practitioners 01:10:44 - Repressive coping in tummo meditators 01:23:02 - Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche and finding one’s innate experience 01:25:06 - Presenting completion stage practices in a secular context 01:29:20 - Trekchod and togyal vs post-hypnotic suggestion 01:31:23 - Which Buddhist practices Dr Ian gives to his patients 01:33:32 - Experimental vs clinical psychology 01:34:41 - Does teaching Buddhist practice to non-Buddhists break Samaya? 01:38:03 - Hypnotising Dzogchen practitioners 01:39:49 - Counselling dissatisfied Buddhists 01:41:33 - Nervousness about teaching Dzogchen and Vajrayana 01:43:02 - The importance of devotion 01:45:08 - Training clinicians and counsellors 01:50:38 - Dr Ian asks Julia about her experience being hypnotised 01:54:14 - Catharsis, clinging, and the battle of addiction 01:56:19 - Executive ego and skepticism 01:57:19 - Pointing out instructions and polypsychic therapy 02:01:32 - Rapid behaviour change and eschatological pressure 02:03:15 - Race, empathy, and therapeutic efficacy 02:10:33 - Integrating dualistic racial identities 02:12:08 - Identity dimensions of the therapist 02:16:22 - Chogyam Trungpa and reconciling racial identity 02:24:23 - Role-taking theory and hallucinated intensity 02:29:26 - Myths of hypnosis and the role of expectancy … Previous episodes with Dr Ian Wickramasekera: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=wickramasekera To find our more about Dr Ian Wickramasekera, visit: - https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ian_Wickramasekera2 - https://www.naropa.edu/faculty/ian-wickramasekera.php For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this interview I am once again joined by Amoda Maa, spiritual teacher and author of books such as ‘Embodied Enlightenment’ and ‘Falling Open in a World Falling Apart’. Amoda Maa shares her experience of falling into the abyss of emptines and the consequences that followed. She describes the dark night of the soul that preceded this experience, and how its aftermath healed her childhood abandonment trauma. Amoda Maa also talks about the life of a spiritual teacher, how she went from living an ascetic life of anonymity in the English countryside to moving to America to become a well known teacher, and shares her observations of the boys’ club dynamic in the spiritual teaching scene. Amoda Maa also recounts relearning relationship after her enlightenment when she met her now husband, and discusses the feminine frequency of awakening and how that relates to the inner marriage. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep177-becoming-a-spiritual-teacher-amoda-maa Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
 … Topics include:

00:00 - Intro 00:56 - Falling into the abyss of emptiness 03:56 - After awakening, living from the unknown 08:07 - Purification of relationship with mother 11:53 - Dark night of the soul, abandoned by God 19:20 - Recognising avoidance, the moment of enlightenment 24:11 - Healing of abandonment 26:05 - Changes in relationship with others 28:02 - Spiritual openness vs learning to say ‘no’ to others 34:15 - Meeting a new partner, and a new way of relationship 37:58 - Thoughts and narratives 41:35 - Being in relationship with an enlightened person 45:05 - Abiding goodness 49:52 - First book publishing period 55:19 - Invited to speak and purifying self-consciousness 57:06 - Learning to speak from enlightenment, not about it 59:41 - Change your life, change your world 01:02:28 - Living like an ascetic for 12 years 01:08:37 - Encountering the term ‘non duality’ 01:12:31 - Teaching career launched on BATGAP and at SAND 01:18:04 - The American non-duality scene 01:22:29. Feminine face of awakening vs the boys’ club of spiritual teachers 01:25:41 - The feminine frequency of awakening 01:27:22 - The patriarchy is over 01:28:56 - Inner marriage 01:29:35 - The boys club and suppression of women 01:33:28 - The flow of life … Previous episode with Amoda Maa: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep147-falling-open-amoda-maa To find out more about Amoda Maa, visit: - https://www.amodamaa.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com

In this episode I am joined by Morgan O Smith, teacher of non-duality, and under the stage name ‘Mista Mo’, was a stand-up comedian and host of the Gemini award winning television show ‘Buzz’. Morgan recalls his painful childhood of trauma growing up in what he describes as a Christian cult, and discusses how the damaging consequences of that environment affected him into adulthood. Morgan recounts how, even at the height of his professional success in television and comedy, he felt spiritually unfulfilled and began searching for answers in hypnotherapy and Holosync meditation. Morgan shares his subsequent spiritual journey of deep meditation, powerful psychedelic experimentation, contact with gurus and spirit guides, kundalini activation, and profound spiritual awakenings. Morgan also discusses the lasting effects of his awakenings, his prolific creative projects, and shares his insights on enlightenment, the personality, and more. ... Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep176-the-awakening-of-mista-mo 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:55 - Morgan’s support for the podcast 01:59 -Morgan’s painful upbringing 03:19 - First memories 04:17 - Memories of church 05:48 - Abuse in a Christian cult 08:42 - Anger and other effects of childhood trauma 11:14 - Beginning a healing journey 12:44 - Clash with Morgan’s father 15:00 - Unfulfilled by comedy and TV success 17:41 - Psychedelic experimentation 19:49 - Hypnotherapy for audition nerves and creative breakthrough 23:10 - Holosync meditation and purging repressed subconscious material 28:28 - Leaving TV and taking 2 years off 30:56 - Combining Holosync meditation with psychedelics for 5 years 33:48 - Meeting spirit guides and other experiences 36:08 - An experience of enlightenment 40:19 - After stream entry 43:40 - Further spiritual breakthroughs 45:13 - Powerful DMT journey 50:39 - LSD experiments and turiya 53:33 - Ayahuasca and 5-MeO-DMT 58:48 - Kundalini activation 01:02:25 - Receiving darshan from Paramahamsa Vishwananda 01:04:17 - Full realisation 01:12:51 - Paramahamsa Vishwananda returns 01:13:31 - Lasting changes 01:14:32 - Sexual changes 01:16:30 - Even temper 01:17:08 - Facing pain and challenges 01:19:23 - Final or is there more to come? 01:22:00 - Traumatised by in a good way 01:22:44 - Noticing divinity 01:24:48 - PTSD from awakening 01:26:18 - Morgan’s writing and videos 01:28:55 - Morgan’s upcoming books 01:32:05 - Personality types of awakening 01:37:26 - Personality disorders and enlightenment 01:43:16 - Advice to those seeking awakening … To find out more about Morgan O Smith, visit: - https://www.instagram.com/morgano.smith/ - https://linktr.ee/morganosmith For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

I was recently interviewed by Artem Zen for his 'Elevating Consciousness' podcast. Video version: www.guruviking.com/podcast/steve-james-interviewed-on-the-elevating-conciousness-podcast [Artem's Show notes] 0:00 - Introduction 1:00 - Steve speaks about his early experiences with martial arts, meditation, and contemplation 5:55 - The downside of organized religion 8:45 - Steve’s interest in both western and eastern religious traditions 13:47 - The benefit and challenge of extreme outdoor survival 26:23 - If you don’t come to the dragon it will come to you 29:17 - Why embracing discomfort is key to learning 34:04 - Psychedelics 38:32 - Using the Grinberg Method for healing 41:34 - Steve unpacks his somatic practice “The Movement Koan Method” 46:53- Steve speaks about dealing with a serious illness and having a near-death experience 1:05:31 - How the near-death experience transformed Steve 1:10:08 - Was that an Awakening? 1:12:09 - Artem speaks on integrating his 5-me0-DMT experience 1:15:58 - Letting go of mystical and spiritual experiences 1:24:08 - Models of Awakening 1:26:17 - Deconstructing the Guru Viking Podcast 1:37:49 - The genius and impact of Shinzen Young 1:46:42 - Other spiritual teachers that greatly impacted Steve Elevating Consciousness Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCieDzvmBXXZX9VuKa9MvHqQ Other times I have been interviewed: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/category/Steve+Interviewed www.guruviking.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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