Guru Viking Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Ep86: Bliss, Enlightenment, & Fristonian Physics - Shinzen, Chelsey Fasano, & Dr Jay Sanguinetti Mar 19, 2021

Show notes

In this episode I host part 4 of an ongoing dialogue between Shinzen Young, meditation teacher and neuroscience research consultant, and Chelsey Fasano, a Columbia University neuroscience student. But now the dialogue has become a trialogue as we have the great pleasure of being joined by Dr Jay Sanguinetti, Assistant Director for the Center for Consciousness Studies and Research Assistant Professor at the University of New Mexico where he directs the NICE Lab (Non-Invasive Cognitive Enhancement Lab) and SEMA, the Sonication Enhanced Mindful Awareness Lab in collaboration with Shinzen. In this episode we discuss topics such as what is pleasure?, enlightenment as Fristonian free-energy, the relationship between predictive coding and the nature of suffering, bliss and orgasm, Shinzen’s daily mystical experiences, and more. … https://www.guruviking.com/ep86-bliss-enlightenment-fristonian-physics-feat-chelsey-fasano-shinzen-young-dr-jay-sanguinetti/ Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Stitcher – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 0:00 - Intro 0:58 - Bliss and the symmetry valence hypothesis 4:18 - What is pleasure? 9:47 - What is the Quaila Research Institute? 11:41 - Symmetry and facial attractiveness 14:51 - Averaging, integration, and prediction 15:40 - Continuous orgasm, Sensory saturation, turning towards 20:33 - Harmonics, gamma, and global processing 31:07 - Trained improvement vs primordial completeness 34:56 - Shinzen’s experience when walking 39:29 - Jay’s experience after a 15 week meditation course 46:03 - Approach motivation without negative valence 47:37 - The birth of the pleasure god, Kama, and learned helplessness 50:38 - Shinzen’s Fristonian free-energy pleasure hypothesis 59:56 - Could predictive coding theory explain the nature of suffering? 1:03:42 - Jay analyses Shinzen’s experience 1:05:06 - Is enlightenment free-energy? 1:06:33 - What the brain expects influences what the eye sees 1:09:49 - Shinzen’s experience after meditation and ultrasound experiments 1:13:09 -Chelsey reflects on her enjoyment of Shinzen 1:14:44 - Enlightenment as stabilising dynamic states vs fixed states 1:18:02 - Spiritual integration as pleasure-mode transfer and reconfiguring of top-down processing 1:19:53 - Changing the geometry of conscious experience 1:21:55 - Jay’s intuition about the big questions in contemplative brain science 1:23:57 - Shinzen’s take on Fristonian physics 1:27:55 - Jay’s advice and comments on the philosophy of science 1:29:40 - What Chelsey loves about scientists 1:31:19 - More on Jay’s philosophy of science 1:32:45 - Shinzen on American math education 1:35:03 - Applying higher dimensional abstract algebra to Fristonian physics 1:36:52 - The cliffhanger of the Hegelian taco ... Previous episodes with Shinzen and Chelsey: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep72-shinzen-young-and-chelsey-fasano-tantra-neuroscience-and-true-enlightenment/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep76-shinzen-young-chelsey-fasano-2-the-science-of-enlightenment/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep81-shinzen-young-chelsey-fasano-3-orgasm-epilepsy-mystical-experience/ Previous Interview with Shinzen Young: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep37-shinzen-young-pandemic-edition-guru-viking-podcast/ ... To find out more about Shinzen, visit: - www.shinzen.org To find out more about Chelsey, visit: - www.chelseyfasano.com 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

Ep85: Finding Our Sons’ Reincarnations - Wendy and Ronnie Barry Mar 12, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, I am joined by Wendy and Ronnie Barry who discuss their quest to find the reincarnations of their two sons who, in 1997, died in a car crash. Upon learning of the deaths of their sons, Andy and Bobby, the Barrys immediately turned to the Tibetan Book of the Dead, and entered the world of the supernatural as they followed the instructions within to guide their sons through the after-death realms. The Barrys then vowed to find their sons next lives. Embarking on an international search and recruiting the aid and support of high Lamas, tulkus, seers, channellers and more. Wendy and Ronnie also reveal their plan for their next lives, and discuss their history as prominent members of the Brotherhood of the Eternal Love. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep85-wendy-and-ronnie-barry-finding-our-sons-reincarnations/ Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … 0:00 - Intro 0:53 - Brotherhood of the Eternal Love 08:28 - LSD and the bardos 16:49 - The deaths of Bobby and Andy, Wendy and Ronnie’s sons 21:25 - Visiting the scene of the crash 26:15 - Using the Tibetan Book of the Dead to help their sons 30:06 - A special family connection and the boys’ personalities 35:10 - Resolving to find the reincarnations of Bobby and Andy 36:51 - Friends’ dreams of Bobby and Andy 39:06 - Was there criticism of Wendy and Ronnie’s search? 42:11 - Experiences reading the Bardo Thodol for the 49 days of the boys’ bardo 45:38 - Beginning the search and consulting psychics, seers, and channellers 48:57 - Encountering a corrupt Tibetan Lama 55:09 - Meeting Khamtrul Rinpoche and falling in love with Tibetan Buddhism 1:00:49 - Joining Rigpa and deepening study 1:05:14 - Receiving a divination from Tulku Sang-ngag Rinpoche 1:09:09 - Beginning a significant relationship with Lama Samten 1:10:33 - Receiving a divination from Lama Dawa 1:12:16 - Finding Bobby’s reincarnation, Kelsey 1:19:36 - Kelsey’s parents’ reaction 1:23:09 - Interest in Tibetan culture 1:24:54 - Support from and friendship with Lama Samten 1:27:13 - Meeting Drubwang Konchok Norbu Rinpoche 1:30:09 - Landing in India and meeting their guide, Jangchub 1:34:40 - The importance of discretion in the search 1:36:06 - Receiving Vajrasattva empowerment to clear obscurations 1:37:38 - Unsuccessful first trip and meeting Ringu Tulku 1:41:54 - Another divination from Lama Dawa and a second India trip 1:44:11 - Powerful Vajrasattva experience of spiders, scorpions, and wasps 1:51:26 - Ronnie’s dream of divination 1:54:27 - Finding Tenpa 02:04:57 - India and meeting karma 02:06:48 - How did Kelsey and Tenpa view things are they grew up? 02:16:15 - Wendy and Ronnie’s plan for their next lives 02:19:47 - How to get the book and European book distribution … To find out more about Wendy and Ronnie Barry, visit: - https://reincarnationstory.website/index.html  For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Ep84: Hitchhiking in Samsara - Lama David Curtis Mar 05, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, I am joined by David Curtis, a Lama in the Shangpa-Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism and founder of the Tibetan Language Institute. David reveals how a radically transformative experience of LSD led to his leaving a career in military intelligence to dedicate himself to spiritual exploration We discuss David’s love for classical languages, the Western canon, and why conversion to Buddhism often includes a rejection of Western civilisation. David tells of hitchhiking across Europe, entering a 3-year retreat under the direction of famous meditation master Kalu Rinpoche, and recounts his powerful experiences there practicing the 6 Yogas of Naropa. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep84-lama-david-curtis-hitchhiking-in-samsara/ Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … 0:00 - Intro 0:46 - Studying philosophy and meeting the Dalai Lama 8:55 - Vietnam, military intelligence, and a transformative experience with LSD 14:44 - David’s extensive LSD explorations 20:09 - What would David’s life have been like without LSD? 21:47 - Falling in love with the Greek Classics 25:02 - Why many American Buddhist converts rejected Western civilisation 30:39 - Beat Zen, Square Zen and religious conversion 39:09 - David’s advice for reading the Western canon 42:00 - ‘Hitchhiking in Samsara’, David’s way of life 58:00 - Stories from David’s 3-year retreat 1:11:49 - Love, wisdom, and power 1:16:10 - Archetypes and reification 1:28:27 - David’s significant intuitive and dream experiences 1:38:51 - Powerful experiences with the 6 Yogas of Naropa 1:44:50 - Out of body experiences with illusory body yoga 1:47:46 - The value of experiences on the spiritual path 1:55:12 - Final anecdote about entering the 3-year retreat … To find out more about Lama David Curtis, visit: - http://www.bigskymindmontana.org/ - http://www.tibetanlanguage.org/  For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Ep83: Is There Magic In The Dharma? - Daniel Ingram and Dhammarato Feb 26, 2021

Show notes

In this episode I host a dialogue between Daniel Ingram and Dhammarato on the question ‘Is there magic in the Dharma?’. Daniel Ingram is a contemporary Buddhist author who controversially declared himself to be an Arhat, one of the highest spiritual attainments in Buddhism, challenging cultural taboos against disclosing one’s enlightenment. Dhammarato is a lineage teacher in the Thai Buddhist tradition, a student of the famous meditation master Bikkhu Buddhadasa, and is known for his unique, 1-1 teaching style conducted over Skype. In this episode Daniel and Dhammarato discuss the pros and cons of magical experiences, how to develop siddhis and their dangers, and whether these topics should even be discussed in public. They debate the differences between their own teaching approaches, as well as the approaches of the Burmese and Thai meditation methods, and the importance of a close relationship with a teacher. Daniel and Dhammarato also acknowledge each other, decrypt the ways in which they signal recognition of others’ spiritual attainments, and explain how to recognise enlightened teachers. … www.guruviking.com Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 0:00 - Intro 1:44 - Structure of the episode 2:09 - Daniel’s opening address 12:34 - Dharmmarato’s opening address 26:56 - The pros and cons of magical experiences 35:15 - Anapanasati and developing sukkha 38:39 - Slow and hard path or fast and easy path? 43:30 - Different paths to enlightenment 48:41 - Does magic exist? 52:56 - Is there any value in cultivating siddhis? 58:26 - Should we talk about siddhis and magic? 1:12:43 - Moving from Right Dhamma to Supramundane Dhamma 1:18:50 - Misconceptions about the Mahasi method 1:23:30 - How to recognise Noble Ones and the dangers of siddhis 1:36:32 - The cat is out of the bag 1:39:50 - Mage vs sage 1:47:26 - Close relationship with a teacher 1:52:41 - Mass teaching vs 1-1 teaching 1:55:55 - A mature spiritual culture and the dynamics of Asian temples 2:19:24 - Daniel and Dhammarato recognise each other 2:22:04 - Ajahn Po the arhat 2:30:00 - Gender equality in the sangha and Thai culture 2:44:48 - Dhammarato’s closing address 2:47:06 - Daniel’s closing address … Daniel Ingram Episode Playlist - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlkzlKFgdkny_MJSecHyvKHPpvxTskBAC Dhammarato Episode Playlist - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlkzlKFgdknyGISEfksirYaYpsrXdf8va … To find out more about Daniel, visit: - integrateddaniel.info - firekasina.org - https://theeprc.org/ 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

Steve James Interviewed by Anna Rova Feb 21, 2021

Show notes

In late 2019 I was interviewed by Anna Rova of www.girlskill.com about various topics to do with relationships and more. From Anna's episode description: Join us for a conversation about navigating modern gender roles, embracing who we truly are and exploring intimacy as the constantly changing and challenging realm of relationships. Here are the details of our conversation: - What does Steve find attractive in a woman? - Fear as the state of readiness in the face of the unknown - What is masculinity? - The changing terrain of modern gender roles - How mating strategies influence our behavior - Navigating modern relationship needs and intimacy - Feminine/masculine identities as roles we’re playing - What real intimacy is and why it’s a tremendous threat to our roles and strategies www.guruviking.com

Ep82: Magical Thinking In Buddhism - Dhammarato Feb 19, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, I am once again joined by Dhammarato – a lineage teacher in the Thai Buddhist tradition who is known for his unique, 1-1 teaching style conducted over Skype. This interview was recorded in the lead up to a dialogue I will be hosting between Dhammarato and Daniel Ingram on the question ‘Is there magic in the dharma?’. In this episode, Dhammarato explores the Mahātanhāsankhaya Sutta, and draws out themes of magical thinking, continuation of consciousness, and dependent origination. Later Dhammarato gives his take on the Buddhist doctrines of rebirth and making merit, the Mahasi meditation method, the tulku system, and the Dalai Lama’s claims of reincarnation. We also discuss if the 8-fold path inevitably leads to individual renunciation and societal collapse, and what it means to ‘leave the fight’. … Video version at: https://www.guruviking.com/ep82-dhammarato-magical-thinking-in-buddhism/ Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. ... 0:00 - Intro 0:54 - Dhammarato gives a summary of magical thinking and the Mahātanhāsankhaya Sutta 20:08 - The two levels of Dhammarato’s analysis 21:16 - How is it possible to read magical thinking into a sutta that refutes magical thinking? 25:51 - Placebo, causation, and useful ignorance 29:39 - Relationship of understanding of cause and effect to suffering 33:42 - Craving, perception, and the 4 Modes of Clinging 50:10 - Repetition and understanding how the mind works 53:46 - How to see through the Self 57:08 - Critique of the Mahasi Method and Thai vs Burmese meditation 1:00:44 - Who or what realises the No-Self? 1:05:58 - Reincarnation is irrelevent 1:07:21 - The problem with the doctrine of reincarnation 1:10:30 - Is the doctrine of making merit magical thinking? 1:19:36 - Uppaya and useful ignorance 1:20:21 - Society is built on magical thinking 1:23:01 - Renunciation is the inevitable outcome of the 8-fold noble path 1:25:57 - Is the Hinayana self-terminating? 1:26:38 - A historical example of Buddhism destroying a society 1:28:22 - Is Buddhism inviable on a societal level? 1:35:32 - The tension between individual liberation and societal collapse 1:36:43 - Dhammarato reflects on the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation claims 1:38:23 - Is the tulku system a scam? 1:41:45 - Magical beliefs prevent progress 1:45:23 - Ideal society: Benign dictatorship vs democracy 1:47:41 - Leaving the fight 1:49:41 - Dhammarato’s radical position of renunciation in the face of death   …  Previous Episodes with Dhammarato: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep20-dhammarato/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep29-dhammarato-guru-viking-podcast-pandemic-edition/ 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

Ep81: Orgasm, Epilepsy, & Mystical experience - Shinzen Young & Chelsey Fasano 3 Feb 12, 2021

Show notes

In this episode I host part 3 of a dialogue between Shinzen Young, meditation teacher and neuroscience research consultant, and Chelsey Fasano, a Columbia University neuroscience student. We discuss oneness vs emptiness experiences, gamma brain activity and binding, Posner’s model of attention networks, and more. Chelsey explores the surprising similarities between mystical experience, epilepsy, and orgasm; while Shinzen reveals the profound challenge of integrating esoteric states into practical life. … Video version at https://www.guruviking.com/ep81-shinzen-young-chelsey-fasano-3-orgasm-epilepsy-mystical-experience/  Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Stitcher – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.  … Topics Include: 0:00 - Intro 1:28 - A model for the process of change that contemplative practice causes 3:07 - Chelsey’s epiphany about gamma and theta in advanced meditators 7:31 - Oneness vs emptiness as meditation experiences 10:36 - Reduction in suffering as increase in nervous system processing efficiency 23:01 - Integration and annihilation, and flow causing integration 28:06 - Gamma binding and the weakness of today’s meditation studies 35:54 - Hypothesising about gamma and binding 41:05 - Attention studies and gamma binding 52:03 - Posner’s model of attentional networks 1:00:26 - Limitations of current neuroimaging technologies 1:02:47 - Further hypothesising about gamma and binding 1:06:42 - Orgasm, epilepsy, and mystical experience 1:17:10 - The enormous challenge of integrating esoteric states into practical life 1:19:45 - When integration of the esoteric goes wrong 1:22:38 - Dr Jay Sanguinetti and part 4 cliffhanger … #ShinzenYoung #ChelseyFasano #ChelseyLeeFasano #GuruViking #neuroscience #jaySanguinetti Previous episodes with Shinzen and Chelsey: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep72-shinzen-young-and-chelsey-fasano-tantra-neuroscience-and-true-enlightenment/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep76-shinzen-young-chelsey-fasano-2-the-science-of-enlightenment/ Previous Interview with Shinzen Young: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep37-shinzen-young-pandemic-edition-guru-viking-podcast/ To find out more about Shinzen, visit: - 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

Ep80: Healing Collective Trauma - Thomas Hübl Feb 02, 2021

Show notes

In this episode I am joined by Thomas Hübl, spiritual teacher, author, and international facilitator whose work integrates the core insights of mysticism with the discoveries of science. When Thomas’ team contacted me to interview Thomas about his new book, Healing Collective Trauma, I was very interested to read Thomas’ thoughts on this emerging area. In this interview Thomas shares his spiritual biography, including his time in Vienna training as a medical doctor, and his four-year meditation retreat in the Czech Republic. Thomas goes into detail about his intellectual influences, his spiritual insights, and his twenty years of group facilitation work. Thomas also discusses the challenges of combining evidence based scientific work in the field of trauma and psychology with the subjective authority of the mystic’s personal experience. … Video version: Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … 0:00 - Intro 0:52 - Why did Thomas write this book? 3:11 - Early influence of the work of Ken Wilber and Wilhelm Reich, and which books and workshops influenced Thomas? 9:38 - Why did Wilhelm Reich so resonate with Thomas? 12:20 - Kriya yoga, Sri Aurobindo, and Thomas on time 15:30 - Rewriting history and integrated ancestry 21:45 - Thomas’ personal resonance with Jewish spirituality, Tibetan Buddhism, and Daoism 25:15 - What does Thomas specifically like about Tibetan Buddhism and has he met any masters of that tradition? 27:26 - How Thomas began to access higher dimensions of consciousness 36:00 - Mixing spiritual language with scientific and psychological language 40:31 - Spirituality or science as the over-arching narrative? 42:07 - Why doesn’t Thomas reference specific wisdom traditions in his book? 50:03 - What is the source of authority for Thomas’ spiritual claims? 51:18 - Thomas as his own authority 51:43 - Why does Thomas’ consider it necessary to include his spiritual material alongside his psychological group process work? 1:00:57 - Why no clinical or anecdotal outcomes included in the book? 1:06:42 - Thomas’ critique of encounter groups 1:11:50 - Work being done to verify the efficacy of the CTIP process 1:13:38 - The impact of trauma on the systemic and societal level 1:15:37 - Thomas’ positive vision for what society could be 1:20:19 - Thomas’ websites and NGO ... Buy Thomas’ book here: https://www.collectivetraumabook.com/ To learn more about Thomas’: www.thomashuebl.com www.pocketproject.org For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - http://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Ep79: Agony Into Bliss, Facing Covid With Dzogchen - Dr Ian Wickramasekera Jan 29, 2021

Show notes

In this episode I am once again joined by Dr. Ian Wickramasekera as he recounts his dramatic nervous system collapse and near-death experience as a consequence of COVID-19. Dr Wickramasekera is a Bön Buddhist practitioner and associate professor of Mindfulness Based Transpersonal Counselling at Naropa University. On the 19th of March Ian woke up with a headache, dizziness, and fatigue - he had contracted COVID-19. While symptoms initially receded, and it seemed like this might be a light case, events soon took a devastating turn for the worse. What followed brought Ian to the very brink of death and forced him to draw on all his decades of advanced meditation and hypnosis training. Ian recounts how, his life hanging by a thread, he experienced the dissolution of his bodily elements, slipping into the between-lives realm of the Bardo, and the emergence of the clear light of the nature of mind. We learn how, while fighting for every breath and subject to painful experimental medicines, Ian’s practice of Tummo transformed his bodily agony into spiritual bliss. Ian also reveals the life changing consequences of this near-death experience, and the radical change it has effected in his being. … https://www.guruviking.com/ep79-dr-ian-wickramasekera-agony-into-bliss-facing-covid-with-dzogchen/ Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include 0:00 - Intro 1:08 - Exposure 3:50 - Beginning of symptoms 6:35 - Symptoms worsen and Ian has a stroke 11:30 - Was Ian afraid? 13:02 - Fever induced hallucinations 15:33 - Neurological breakdown, accusations of opioid overdose, and rushed to hospital 24:42 - Arrival at hospital and diagnoses of Epstein-Barr and Guillain-Barre 28:16 - Ian draws on his hypnosis and meditation training as his breathing begins to fail 30:55 - Psychic experiences entering the Bardo 33:33 - ‘Prepare for death’ - advice from Ian’s teachers 37:45 - A dire prognosis 39:51 - Dissolving of bodily energies and emergence of the nature of mind 45:43 - Time travel in the Bardo and practicing Tonglen for the dying 50:42 - Experimental medicine and using Tummo to transfer the agony into bliss 56:57 - Surviving and the helpful insights from psychedelics 1:04:10 - Lasting insights from Ian’s near-death experience 1:08:31 - Ian enters intensive rehab to recover the use of his body 1:19:39 - Impact on the subtle body and wisdom energies as the body’s energies dissolved 1:29:45 - What was Ian’s death plan? 1:35:16 - Tummo and connecting with bliss 1:42:09 - The responsibility to share the teachings that comes with spiritual insight 1:47:08 - Learning through loving 1:50:09 - Ian’s teachers and how others can learn these practices … Previous episodes with Ian: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep61-dr-ian-wickramasekera-devolving-the-self/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep67-dr-ian-wickramasekera-tummo-hypnosis-realising-rigpa/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep74-dr-ian-wickramasekera-gurus-hypnosis-toxic-devotion/ To find our more about Ian, visit: - https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ian_Wickramasekera2 - https://www.naropa.edu/faculty/ian-wickramasekera.php … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - http://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Ep78: Denounced In The Dharma - Culadasa Jan 19, 2021

Show notes

In this episode I am joined by John Yates, PhD, aka Culadasa. On the 19th of August 2019, the board of Culadasa’s organisation Dharma Treasure released a public letter which denounced Culadasa for the Buddhist moral failings of sexual misconduct, wrong speech, and taking what is not freely given. Culadasa issued two short statements at that time and then recently, on January 13th of 2021, released a 33-page account of the years leading up to the board’s letter. In this interview Culadasa discusses his account, which disputes the board’s accusations, and reveals the circumstances that led to his public denouncement. Culadasa also discusses the professional and personal consequences of the letter, and reflects on the psychological and spiritual lessons he has learned. Topics include: 0:00 - Intro 0:54 - The accusations 10:11 - Summarising Culadasa’s 33 page account 12:29 - Why did Culadasa keep his and Nancy’s separation private and delay divorce proceedings? 18:45 - Why didn’t Culadasa tell the board about the separation during the initial meetings? 21:28 - What did Culadasa think the board was doing when they questioned him? 24:54 - Why did Culadasa admit to adultery in his initial response if he was in fact separated? 29:30 - Why did Culadasa recently release a 33-page account? 32:09 - Why did Nancy go to the board with accusations of adultery? 53:23 - What did the board stand to gain from Culadasa’s demise? 1:03:03 - What is Culadasa’s current financial situation? 1:10:06 - Psychological blindspots and spiritual plateaus 1:11:34 - Culadasa’s personal reaction to the destruction of his reputation 1:16:21 - Lessons learned from this situation and Culadasa’s current practice 1:26:40 - What’s next for Culadasa? 1:29:32 - Further comments about the structure of the board’s letter … Resources: - Dharma Treasure Board letter, 19/08/2019: https://mailchi.mp/dharmatreasure/new-teacher-training-course-other-happenings-at-dharma-treasure-3007417?e=693097afaa - Culadasa’s initial response, 23/08/2019: https://www.reddit.com/r/TheMindIlluminated/comments/cu5lz0/this_is_not_an_appropriate_time_for_me_to_respond/ - Culadasa’s 33-page account 13/01/2021: https://www.guruviking.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/A-Message-from-Culadasa-01-12-21.pdf To find out more about Culadasa, visit: - http://culadasa.com/about/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

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