Guru Viking Podcast

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Ep132: Student of the Mysteries - Dr Thomas Clough Daffern Jan 28, 2022

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In this interview I am joined by Dr Thomas Clough Daffern, poet, historian, philosopher, educator, and peace officer for the Council of British Druid Orders. Thomas recounts an unusual upbringing, a love affair with classics and poetry, and dropping out of school at 15 to pursue philosophical enquiry. We learn of Thomas’ immersion in study of the world’s religious and mystical traditions, and his early tantric and druidic initiations. Thomas discusses the Ancient Greek mystery schools, the cultural consequences of their closure, and what it would take to revive them in the world today. Thomas reflects his time as a celibate, why every student of the mysteries should have a brahmacharya phase, and why a sense of duty and civic responsibility eventually saw him marry and start a family. Thomas also talks about reconciling the schools of Islam, compares Eastern and Western enlightenments, and reveals the inspiration behind his relentless intellectual curiosity. … Video version at https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep132-student-of-the-mysteries-dr-thomas-clough-daffern  Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 01:07 - Dr Daffern’s family and educational background 03:51 - Discovering classics and poetry 05:50 - Dropping out of school at 15, discovering philosophy, and first love 09:34 - LSD, first druid initiation, and intensive self-study of world religions 15:08 - Psychedelic experiences as a mystery tradition 18:17 - About the Ancient Greek mystery schools 21:51 - Eastern and Western enlightenments 23:33 - What are the essential ingredients of a mystery school? 26:24 - Music and the mysteries 29:53 - Kabbalah and verbal fluency 30:56 - The importance of a brahmacharya phase 33:02 - Thomas’ philosophical enlightenment 35:10 - The consequences of the closing of the Greek mystery schools 39:21 - The Delphic games 40:50 - The influence of Thomas’ mother 51:16 - Baháʼí and interfaith activities 54:42 - Reconciling the schools of Islam 57:24 - Relentless intellectual curiosity 01:01:53 - Writing a sequel to Newton’s ‘Principia Mathematica’ 01:06:39 - The secrets of Thomas’ prodigious work ethic 01:09:50 - Enlightenments, the book of Enoch, and Comparative Diabology … To find our more about Dr Daffern, visit: - http://www.educationaid.net/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Ep131: Art & Spirituality - Rupert Spira & Henry Shukman Jan 21, 2022

Show notes

A 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. Well known as influential spiritual teachers, both men have also had prestigious careers in the arts, and in this episode they discuss the intersection of art and spirituality. Rupert and Henry consider such issues as the true purpose of art, narrative as a healing device, art as interruption of the subject object distinction, the darshan of Rembrandt, and how Chekov relates to the Vedantic witness. Rupert and Henry also reflect on their own artistic careers, including the importance of mentors, finding one’s unique voice, and the relationship between discipline and spontaneity. … Video version at: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep131-art-spirituality-rupert-spira-henry-shukman  Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:56 - Art and awakening 02:34 - Rupert Spira as a ceramic artist 03:03 - Henry Shukman as a poet and author 03:40 - Differences between Spira and Shukman 06:09 - The purpose of art 11:06 - What Henry discovered in poetry 19:07 - Intimacy and collapsing the subject-object distinction through art 25:40 - Tang Dynasty poetry and interrupting linearity 27:37 - Imagination vs conceptualisation 30:57 - Using concepts to point to the pre-conceptual 33:36 - Art as interruption and portal 35:53 - Narrative as a healing device 36:33 - The disinterested affection of great art 42:44 - Rembrandt’s darshan 44:24 - Irony and sympathy of the vedantic witness 47:00 - The most real and essential thing in life 50:14 - The power of apprenticeship in Rupert’s life 55:00 - Liberation from the teacher and finding your own voice 58:37 - Henry’s poetry apprenticeship 01:00:58 - Discipline and spontaneity 01:02:38 - Finding a teacher 01:05:20 - The death of Zen 01:07:20 - The real lineage 01:14:55 - The artistic process 01:17:26 - What makes effective art and an effective artist? 01:18:14 - The master’s eye view … 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://originallove.org/ …  For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Ep130 - Awakened Scientist - Dr Jay Sanguinetti 2 Jan 14, 2022

Show notes

In this interview I am once again joined by Dr Jay Sanguinetti, Research Professor at the University of Arizona, Assistant Director at the Center for Consciousness Studies, and co-director of the SEMA Lab with Shinzen Young. In this episode, Dr Sanguinetti reveals his personal secrets for optimal brain function and cognitive high performance that enable him to perform at his intellectual best. Jay also gives us deep dive phenomenological reports of accessing boundary-less states of meditation, experiencing the unraveling of his self identification, and how self-administered brain stimulation in tandem with Dr Jeffrey Martin’s Finder’s Course and close 1-1 coaching with Shinzen Young radically expedited these processes. Jay also shares how his spiritual epiphanies have transformed his communication strategies with his staff and mentees, and explains the power of vulnerability in optimising decision making. … Video version at: www.guruviking.com  Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 01:44 - How Jay optimises his mental function 05:25 - Jay’s current meditation approach 08:59 - Working 1-1 with Shinzen 09:53 - A state without boundaries and Jay’s jhana practice 12:15 - Dr Jeffrey A Martin and the ‘Finder’s Course’ 19:18 - Jay’s transformative experience on the Finder’s Course 20:33 - Falling into the void 23:11 - Using brain stimulation on himself 27:52 - Fear of dissolution 29:44 - Jay’s changing practice motivations from is 20s to 30s 31:40 - Identifying with enlightenment 38:06 - Unravelling the self-identification process 43:47 - The exponential happiness curve and further ultrasound 48:55 - Transformed relationships 49:54 - Shinzen’s ongoing coaching and correspondences to traditional maps 53:37 - Jay’s key spiritual insight 01:00:13 - Defining ‘equanimity’ and is ‘vulnerability’ a weakness? 01:06:50 - - Equanimity and optimised decision making 01:10:12 - Suffering is essential for growth 01:13:00 - Jay’s mentoring approach of vulnerability 01:18:03 - ‘Defining vulnerability’ 01:30:37 - Vulnerability in conflict situations 01:31:46 - The emerging science of compassion … Previous episodes with Dr Sanguinetti: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=sanguinetti … To find our more about Dr Sanguinetti, visit: - https://www.jaysanguinetti.com/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Ep129: Chan Master - Guo Gu Jan 07, 2022

Show notes

In this interview I am joined by Guo Gu, Chan Buddhist teacher, author, and scholar of Buddhism. Guo Gu shares stories of his early training under the mysterious hermit Gūang Qìn, who’s siddhi powers were sought after by locals for healing and divination. Guo Gu also details his decades as the attendee and disciple monk of Chan Master Sheng Yen, including examples of Master Sheng Yen’s unusual and sometimes painful teaching methods, and shares how a powerful practice brought about Guo Gu’s stream entry in a moment of profound repentance. Guo Gu compares the powerful spiritual presences of his teachers, reflects on the means of acquiring siddhi and why Chan Buddhism deemphasises such powers, and shares the power of humility as a path to enlightenment. … www.guruviking.com Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.  … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:55 - Childhood training under the hermit Master Gūang Qìn 11:15 - Meeting Master Sheng Yen and other masters 17:03 - The powerful presences of great masters 21:16 - A wrathful display 23:26 - Intense training under Master Sheng Yen 26:30 - How did Master Gūang Qìn acquire his siddhi powers? 29:10 - Further tales of clairvoyance 31:55 - How to acquire siddhi powers vs Chan’s emphasis 37:10 - The motivation behind Master Gūang Qìn’s ascetic lifestyle 43:16 - Exposing Guo Gu’s self-involvement 54:10 - Public pointing out as a teaching tool 57:33 - The practice of repentance 59:15 - The spiritual power of humility 01:07:07 - Kensho via humility 01:14:26 - An experience of clarity without a reference point 01:17:38 - Master Sheng Yen confirms Guo Gu’s stream entry 01:21:36 - Guo Gu’s most powerful awakening experience 01:38:24 The death of Master Sheng Yen … 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

Steve James on the 'ManTalks' Podcast w/ Connor Beaton Jan 02, 2022

Show notes

Had an enjoyable and wide-ranging conversation with Connor Beaton of the popular 'ManTalks' podcast: From Connor's shownotes: 'This was one hell of a conversation. Steve and I cover wide ground, but the central hub of our talk is the state of modern masculinity. What are men asking about? What are they rejecting? What are they loving, losing, and leaving behind? What are men choosing? So yeah. Only light questions in this episode. Listen in for some brilliant insight from a brilliant guest.' 00:00 - ‘Tell us a story about a defining moment in your life’ 07:34 - ‘What is the state of men today?’ 11:25 - Sweeping statements 15:07 - What men think about 18:02 - Why are men questioning relationship? 27:24 - Navigating choice and finding your way 36:15 - Grief and praise 38:45 - Death and the self-contraction 40:58 - How to get out of the head and into the body Find Conor at: https://www.youtube.com/c/ManTalks Find Steve at: www.guruviking.com

Ep128: Pioneering Science - Dr Jud Brewer, Shinzen Young, Chelsey Fasano, & Dr Sanguinetti Dec 31, 2021

Show notes

In this episode special guest Dr Jud Brewer - pioneering psychiatrist, neurosciencist, and New York Times best-selling author - joins the ongoing conversation featuring:   - Shinzen Young, meditation teacher and neuroscience research consultant  - Chelsey Fasano, a Columbia University neuroscience student  - Dr Jay Sanguinetti, Assistant Director for the Center for Consciousness Studies and Research Professor at the University of New Mexico In this episode Dr Brewer gives a fascinating summary of his ground-breaking work, and shares his wildest secret dream for the future of neuroscience and humanity at large. Dr Sanguinetti and Shinzen reveal the latest science in their lab, and dialogue with Dr Brewer about pseudo-arhats and the power of conditioning. The panel also map the 4 noble truths using the latest neuroscience theories, debate the pros and cons of including subjective experience in serious research, explore how to translate academic language into common parlance, and raise serious concerns about healthy integration of altered states. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep128-pioneering-science-dr-jud-brewer-shinzen-young-chelsey-fasano-dr-sanguinetti/ Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.  … 00:00 - Intro 01:29 - Dr Jud Brewer summarises his pioneering work 18:41 - Jud’s vision for the future of the field 29:19 - Hope for the future 37:31 - Shinzen’s meta comment 40:08 - Jud’s wildest secret dream 44:58 - Dr Jay Sanguinetti tells the story of his work 49:51 - Jay’s collaboration with Shinzen Young 54:11 - Jay and Shinzen go deeper into the science 59:24 - Mapping the 4 Noble Truths with the neuroscience 01:06:19 - Pseudo-arhats and interruption of conditioning 01:08:13 - Getting unstuck and inducing equanimity 01:13:24 - Exciting developments at SEMA Lab 01:16:44 - Discussing different areas of the PCC 01:20:19 - Pros and cons of integrating first person subjective experience 01:24:54 - Next steps at SEMA Lab and integrating mindfulness training 01:26:19 - Jud reflects on the pragmatic public health implications 01:28:59 - Crucial considerations around integrating altered states 01:34:32 - Jud’s latest work on integration 01:36:48 - Shinzen on academic vs street language 01:44:41 - Chelsey’s reflections … Previous episodes in this series: - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlkzlKFgdknxjhwG5wmXRVfrkeGczVPVI  … To find out more about Dr Brewer, visit: - https://drjud.com/ - https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Judson-Brewer 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 To find our more about Dr Sanguinetti, visit: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep102-dr-jay-sanguinetti-cults-science-the-dalai-lama/ - https://www.jaysanguinetti.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Ep127: Siddha Tales - Delson Armstrong 2 Dec 24, 2021

Show notes

In this episode I am once again joined by Delson Armstrong, spiritual teacher and star student of Bhante Vimalaramsi. In this interview, Delson recalls tales of unusual spiritual mentors, including an Indian cobbler who taught Delson to read peoples’ karma, unlocking the ability to see not only others’ past lives, but also their future fate. Delson engages in a detailed discussion of how to acquire, refine, and master siddhi, aka special powers, discusses his own encounters with entities while on dark retreat, reveals his experience with the yogas of dream and sleep, and offers advice on dealing with periods of karmic reckoning. Delson also describes the 31 planes of existence, from the Brahma Lokas to the Hell Realms, and shares his opinion on figures such as Mara, Patanjali, and Jesus Christ. …   Video version at: https://www.guruviking.com/ep127-siddha-tales-delson-armstrong-2/  Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:56 - The Indian cobbler who taught Delson to read peoples’ karma 09:24 - Delson’s powerful precognitive experiences 10:41 - How to unlock precognition 15:33 - Acquiring, refining, and mastering Siddhi (aka special powers) 20:54 - Delson’s mentor Greg Halpern who had 13 near-death experiences 30:53 - Delson on psychedelics and anti-aging herbs taken during dark retreat 32:41 - Visions of entities on dark retreat 35:39 - Delson’s yogic experience of sleep 39:05 - How Delson can operate without sleep 42:40 - Delson on dream yoga 47:23 - Periods of intense karmic purification 53:58 - How to relate skilfully to karmic reckonings 56:40 - 31 Planes of Existence 01:00:47 - Who is Mara? 01:02:56 - Brahma Lokas and Hell Realms 01:06:27 - The Formless Realms 01:11:57 - Do this before interacting with entities 01:22:30 - Can entities influence our lives? + Nagas and reptilian entities 01:26:22 - Was Patanjali a Naga? 01:26:55 - What did the ancient Naga teach humans? 01:27:45 - Delson on astral travel 01:32:48 - Contacting deceased masters and alien teachers 01:36:29 - How Delson perceives Jesus 01:39:31 - Dependent origination and future episodes … Previous episode with Delson Armstrong: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep120-meditation-virtuoso-delson-armstrong/ Previous episode with Bhante Vimalaramsi: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep112-bhante-vimalaramsi-relaxing-into-nibbana/ 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

Ep126: Zen Confidential - Jack Haubner Dec 17, 2021

Show notes

In this interview I am joined by Jack Haubner, 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 shares his early spiritual openings, his strict Catholic upbringing, subsequent break from Christianity, and discovery of Buddhism. Jack reveals his complex relationship with his first Zen mentor, describes the development of his personal meditation practice, and recounts his initial meetings with renowned and latterly infamous spiritual teacher Joshu Sasaki Roshi. Jack went on to become the head monk of Sasaki’s monastery, a role which he occupied during the widely publicised sexual misconduct allegations made against the aged abbot, who was then in his hundreds. Jack reflects on the decades long open secret of Sasaki’s conduct within the Zen community, and discusses the widespread and complex fallout of a charismatic religious leader’s fall from grace. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep126-zen-scandal-jack-haubner/ Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include:   00:00 - Intro 01:03 - Catholic childhood and early spiritual opening 05:03 - Explaining the opening in Zen terms 08:05 - Leaving Catholicism 11:59 - Steve’s Catholicism 14:35 - European vs American Catholicism 18:07 - Encountering Lama Ole Nydahl and Shambala Buddhism 22:59 - Why Zen? 25:56 - Jack’s Zen mentor 28:07 - The evolution of Jack’s meditation practice 31:20 - ‘Finally learning to sit’ 35:43 - The Rinzai style of training 37:17 - How to express No-Self in a Los Angeles bar 39:24 - Sexually propositioned by his mentor 45:23 - Meeting Joshu Sasaki Roshi 46:25 - First impressions of Joshu Sasaki 48:28 - Who was Joshu Sasaki? 51:59 - How much persona did JS have? 53:16 - JS’s daily routine 55:36 - Does Jack still orient to JS? 56:53 - JS’s sexual scandal 01:01:54 - The open secret of JS’s sexual misconduct in the Zen community 01:10:50 - Being Head Monk during the scandal 01:17:50 - The legacy of JS’s scandal 01:24:23 - Does Jack teach Zen today? 01:26:15 - Joshu Sasaki’s death 01:32:28 - Where does Zen lead? … 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

Ep125: The Mahasi Debate - Dhammarato & Daniel Ingram Dec 10, 2021

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In this episode I host a third dialogue between Dhammarato and Daniel Ingram, this time on the vipassana meditation method of the highly influential Burmese monk Mahasi Sayadaw. While Daniel’s own path has been deeply informed by the Mahasi Method, Dhammarato has critiqued it as incomplete - particularly as it has been applied by the American Vipassana movements that it influenced. In this episode Daniel and Dhammarato share their own experiences of the method, reflect on its changes from Mahasi to U Pandita to America, and reveal rarely seen teachings from Mahasi’s own writings. Daniel and Dhammarato also debate different approaches to working with meditation hinderances, compare the results of Mahasi practitioners to those of fire kasina meditation and Culadasa’s ‘Mind Illuminated’ school, and address topics such as the Dark Night, Stream Entry, and perennialism. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep125-the-mahasi-debate-dhammarato-daniel-ingram/  Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:58 - Dhammarato vs Daniel on the internet 03:55 - Daniel’s practice history with the Mahasi Method 12:47 - Who was Mahasi Sayadaw and what was his emphasis? 16:16 - Dhammarato’s experiences with the U Pandita and the Mahasi method 18:52 - ‘U Pandita was not the nicest of people’ 19:20 - What was lost in the translation of Mahasi’s method to America? 29:46 - Dry vs wet vipassana 31:08 - Daniel on rare and surprising Mahasi teachings 32:52 - U Pandita’s stern personality 34:45 - The joyful vibe at the Malaysian Buddhist Meditation Centre 37:53 - Open discussion of attainments 38:47 - Does Mahasi noting dwell on hinderances and cause Dark Nights of the Soul? 39:57 - Do different people need different meditation methods? 46:16 - How to deal with hinderances 49:52 - Comparing Mahasi, TMI, and Fire Kasina 01:00:21 - Is there a good side to hindarances? 01:07:03 - Is the Dark Night inevitable or a sign of practice gone wrong? 01:23:42 - Dhammarato’s rock bottom and investigation vs noting 01:29:03 - The richness of the full Buddhist tradition 01:30:28 - Different definitions of stream entry and Daniel’s personal experience 01:35:47 - Perspective on practice 01:40:33 - Daniel’s concluding reflections on the varieties of insight experiences 01:42:59 - Has Daniel nuanced his perennialsm? ..  Dhammarato Episode Playlist - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlkzlKFgdknyGISEfksirYaYpsrXdf8va Daniel Ingram Episode Playlist - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlkzlKFgdkny_MJSecHyvKHPpvxTskBAC … To find out more about Dhammarato, visit: - https://dhammaratoblog.wordpress.com/ - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjxg5GJFsRqnS-YLTzyrjLQ To find out more about Daniel, visit: - https://theeprc.org/ - integrateddaniel.info …  For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Ep124: Art of Awakening - Rupert Spira Dec 03, 2021

Show notes

In this interview I am joined by Rupert Spira: a teacher of the direct path method of Advaita, and an internationally acclaimed ceramic artist. In this episode Rupert discusses his childhood in British boarding school, his disenchantment with science, and his discovery of spirituality. Rupert explains how his decision to pursue a career in pottery caused a rift with his father, and reveals the profound significance of their subsequent reconciliation many years later. Rupert recounts his intensive apprenticeship with the Zen Master-like British studio potter Michaela Cardew, and shares the essence of his artistic process as it expresses both in ceramics and in his work as a teacher of nonduality. Rupert also discusses personality cults in the arts and spirituality, the seductiveness of adulation as a spiritual teacher, the apparent conflict between beauty and truth, and why awakening so often still the artistic impulse but can also liberate it. … https://www.guruviking.com/ep124-art-of-awakening-rupert-spira/ Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include:   00:00 - Intro 01:11 - Rupert’s upbringing and education at boarding school 05:25 - Disenchantment with science 08:00 - Discovery of spirituality and the arts 10:32 - Rupert’s parents’ mixed response to his career in the arts 10:58 - Estrangement and powerful reconciliation with Rupert’s Father 15:31 - Apprenticeship under the Zen-like master potter Michael Ambrose Cardew CBE 23:04 - The education of a master artist 27:37 - Spiritual interests kept secret from Michael Cardew 30:57 - The essence and process of Rupert’s internationally acclaimed 30 year career as a ceramic artist 35:35 - Transitioning from pottery to spiritual teaching 36:58 - Similarities between Rupert’s arc as a potter and as a spiritual teacher 38:00 - Leaving the master and the emergence of the artist’s own voice 42:36 - Rupert’s art in every aspect of teaching 50:14 - Personality cults in the arts and spirituality 55:06 - Navigating student’s projections 57:06 - The seductiveness of adulation 01:04:48 - Resolving the conflict between beauty and truth 01:11:00 - The liberation of Rupert’s art 01:17:19 - Why awakening can kill art, and why it didn’t kill Rupert’s art … To find out more about Rupert Spira, visit: - https://rupertspira.com/   For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

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