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In this episode I am once again joined by Dr Evan Thompson: 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.
 Dr Thompson discusses his 2014 book ‘Waking, Dreaming, Being’ and takes a deep dive into the self from the point of view of the world’s contemplative traditions as well as neuroscience and philosophy of mind. Dr Thompson shares his life-long fasciation with the way in which consciousness and the sense of self change across different phases of the wake-sleep cycle, and challenges claims that insight into the self is a means to eliminate suffering and attain enlightenment. Dr Thompson reveals his own deep practice of meditation, lucid dreaming, Tai Chi and Chinese energy arts, and explains how he, as both a trained skeptical philosopher and as a dedicated practitioner, approaches the religious framing of practice and related concepts such as ‘chi’ and ‘enlightenment’. Dr Thompson also answers Youtube comments about our previous interview, including a clarification of his critique of Buddhist exceptionalism and a response to Buddhists who feel his work threatens their religious affiliation. …

 Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep193-waking-dreaming-being-dr-evan-thompson 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:30 - Answering Youtube comments 02:14 - ‘Why I Am Not A Buddhist’ and Bertrand Russel 04:59 - What would Bertrand Russel target today? 06:18 - The non-aligned mystic 08:15 - Does Evan meditate? 10:13 - Evan’s extensive daily qigong and tai chi practice 11:55 - Retreat practice and states of high concentration 13:00 - Why does Evan practice so diligently? 13:15 - How does Evan think about ‘chi’? 17:35 - Traps in understanding of chi 18:24 - Why does Evan still meditate if he is not a Buddhist? 20:11 - Evan’s critiques of the doctrinal framing of practices 22:25 - Response to Buddhists who are threatened by Evan’s work 25:43 - Waking, Dreaming, Being 27:28 - Fascination with how consciousness alters across the sleep-wake cycle 28:11 - Evan reflects on ‘Waking, Dreaming, Being’ 29:58 - How Evan’s views on practice have evolved 31:12 - The sense of self and the experience of consciousness 32:20 - Awareness, contents of awareness, and sense of self 34:21 - Self construction in imagination, memory, and lucid dreaming 37:03 - 1st person vs 3rd person memory 38:23 - View/field dreams vs outside dreams 39:11 - The self experience in lucid dreaming and OBE’s 41:12 - Evan’s lucid dreaming practice 42:38 - Meeting the Dalai Lama and beginning to lucid dream 44:50 - The curriculum of lucid dreaming in Tibetan Buddhism 46:09 - Meditating in the dream state and Alan Wallace’s advice 48:37 - Walking through walls and transforming the dream 49:39 - Evan’s powerful tai chi dreams 50:06 - Variation in lucid dreaming talent 51:07 - What constitutes the sense of self? 52:51 - How does the self complex arise? 54:56 - Metacognition 55:33 - Mindfulness rides on social cognitive capacities 56:40 - Self understanding and claims of liberation 59:10 - The value of the Buddhist view of self 01:01:54 - The claim that insight into self reduces suffering is naive 01:04:12 - How to make the world a better place 01:04:49 - Social is crucial 01:05:57 - Hermit is a social category 01:06:31 - Recognising the value of meditation in a social context 01:09:27 - Vasubandu vs Candrakirti and Metzinger vs Thompson 01:12:32 - Evan’s upcoming projects 01:14:22 - Dying, our ultimate transformation … Previous episode with Evan Thompson: - www.guruviking.com/podcast/158-why-i-am-not-a-buddhist-evan-thompson … 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

In this episode I am once again joined by Tara Springett, a Buddhist psychotherapist who specialises in treating Kundalini Syndrome. Tara takes a deep dive into the supernatural and reveals why it is so common for those undergoing a kundalini awakening to have paranormal experiences. Tara lists the paranormal abilities and siddhi powers that are available, explains in detail about how to develop them, and sheds light on topics such as remote influence, exorcisms, and astral sex. Tara also offers criteria for differentiating between kundalini awakening and psychosis, reveals her own experiences of ghosts and exorcisms, and explains how to defend against hostile magickal attacks. … Video version: www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep192-kundalini-the-paranormal-tara-springett 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … #TaraSpringett #Kundalini #KundaliniAwakening #GarchenRinpoche #Kundalinicrisis #psychosis … Topics Include:
 00:00 - Intro 00:55 - 4 modes of consciousness expansion of kundalini 03:31 - Paranormal experiences after kundalini awakening 05:12 - Creativity and the kundalini test 06:02 - Are paranormal experiences inevitable? 06:57- Intuition and clairvoyance 09:52 - Psychosis vs kundalini experience 14:10 - Welcome and unwelcome paranormal experiences 15:47 - Further differential diagnosis between psychosis and kundalini 18:20 - List of possible paranormal experiences 20:14 - Entity attachment 21:24 - Subject-object division does not apply in the paranormal 23:19 - Entities vs sub-personalities 25:55 - Pros and cons of exorcisms 27:56 - Tara’s encounter with a ghost 30:59 - Advice for those who wish to experience the paranormal 32:42 - How to practice paranormal abilities 33:22 - Siddhi powers 34:34 - Paranormal influence of others 36:32 - Black and white magick 37:57 - Astral sex 38:42 - Defending against black magick attack 40:28 - Padmasambhava pacifying demons 43:09 - Book recommendations 43:58 - How to cultivate siddhi powers 48:34 - Spiritual healing 49:22 - The role of practice 52:48 - Powering up the kundalini energy 55:14 - How difficult is it to develop siddhi? 59:03 - Tara’s training in spiritual healing and spiritualism 01:00:06 - Making money from siddhi 01:03:35 - Paying your bad karmic debts 01:08:22 - Tara’s advice … Previous episodes with Tara Springett: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep137-kundalini-awakening-tara-springett - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep172-kundalini-therapist-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 interview I am once again joined by Martin Faulks: author, hermeticist, meditation adept, and memory expert. Martin takes us through a journey of the remarkable people he has encountered in his life as an occultist and meditation practitioner. Including his close inner circle of adepts, a famous American Ninja, Bohemian occult masters, Freemason private detectives, nature mystics, and more. Martin also discusses his own career as a teacher, how he deals with online haters and stalkers, and why it is that so many students fall out from their teachers. … Video version: www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep191-sojourns-in-the-occult-martin-faulks-2 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:42 - Martin’s powerful group of friends 05:20 - Martin’s two disclaimers 07:41 - Two significant observations about practice and instructions 15:38 - Consistency in the Zen temple 18:31 - Small virtues and the celebration of champions 21:20 - Martin’s unusual upbringing and his clairvoyant grandmother 25:20 - Deep friendship with Swami Atmagyanam 34:17 - Bo Ou Mander the acupuncturist and internal arts master 42:42 - The transformative influence of Martin’s partner Kindra Jones 54:01 - Is Stephen K Hayes the ninja the real deal? 01:02:32 - A remarkable Japanese Zen nun 01:11:44 - Duncan the Freemason private detective 01:22:14 - The spiritual aristocrat and other honourable mentions 01:24:42 - Practicing Franz Bardon brought Martin everything he ever wanted 01:25:34 - How to really practice Franz Bardon’s system 01:36:45 - Training with a reclusive nature mystic 01:43:30 - Martin’s occult students 01:49:08 - Learning from all sources 01:51:41 - Working with Martin and advice for practitioners 01:55:53 - Dealing with conflicts and haters 02:01:40 - Martin’s female stalkers 02:04:38 - Does Martin have a nemesis? 02:15:33 - Falling out with your teacher … Previous episode with Martin Faulks: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/162-the-hermeticist-martin-faulks 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 episode I am joined by Naomi Levine, author, under her birth name Norma Levine, of multiple books including ‘The Miraculous 16th Karmapa’, ‘A Quest For The Hidden Lands’, and ‘Chronicles of Love and Death: My Years With The Lost Spiritual King of Bhutan’. Naomi recalls why she dropped out of academia to pursue an alternative lifestyle, and through a series of life-changing encounters with Tibetan gurus such as Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, 16th Karmapa, and Tai Situpa, converted to Buddhism and moved to India to pursue a life of yogic practice. Naomi describes her close discipleship under Tai Situpa, and recounts her initial meeting, and subsequent multi-year relationship, with the Shabdrung - a highly revered Bhutanese tulku said to possess potent magical abilities. Naomi also discusses the difficulty of differentiating between crazy wisdom and abusive behaviour, reflects her own naivety about what the practice of Vajrayana really entails, and describes the signs of enlightenment after the death of great beings. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep190-love-death-in-the-himalayas-naomi-levine Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 01:14 - Naomi’s recent autobiographical writings 04:58 - The last free generation 09:53 - How the world and culture changed and became less open 11:51 - Post war culture and music’s effect on culture 12:50 - Naomi’s PhD thesis on the English playwright Arnold Wesker and moving to England 14:37 - The extraordinary village of Hay-on-Wye 16:05 - Naomi’s family of origin and upbringing 17:48 - A powerful Saturn return 19:34 - Meeting Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche at Samye Ling 21:46 - Impressions of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche 25:19 - Life changing meeting with the 16th Karmapa 26:30 - Becoming a disciple of Tai Situ Rinpoche 27:48 - Conversion to Buddhism 30:18 - Naivety about the realities of Vajrayana practice 33:23 - The Guru is not your best friend 34:20 - Not ready for Tantra 37:17 - What’s really required for Vajrayana practice 40:24 - Vajrayana cannot be taught in today’s culture 45:11 - Meeting the Shabdrung for the first time 49:06 - Falling in love with the Shabdrung and beginning a relationship 51:16 - The remarkable story of the previous Shabdrung incarnations 53:02 - Great beings can still experience trauma 55:08 - Crazy wisdom or just crazy? 01:01:13 - Impressions of Bhutan 01:03:49 - Supernatural experiences around the Shabdrung 01:05:58 - The death of the Shabdrung and revealing realisation 01:08:31 - Shabdrung’s opinion of other lamas 01:10:14 - How Naomi’s book was received 01:13:14 - Not a great Khandro … To find out more about Naomi Levine, visit: - https://www.facebook.com/naomilevine111 - https://www.amazon.com/stores/Norma-Levine/author/B001K86LZ4?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true … 
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 Dean Sluyter: meditation teacher and best-selling author of several books including ‘Cinema Nirvana: Enlightenment Lessons from the Movies’. Dean explores the distinction between the art and craft of meditation, what it means to rest in effortlessness, and critiques much meditation practice is egoic aggrandisement and fetishisation. Dean discusses the edifying effect of finding religious themes in literature and cinema, and discusses the approach he takes in his books to analyse both the Western Canon and the great movies of the past. Dean also recounts stories of his time studying with Ngak’chang Rinpoche of the Aro gTer Buddhist group, draws parallels between jazz and enlightenment, and weighs in on the direction of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep189-effortless-awakening-dean-sluyter-2 

Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:59 - Stories about Ngak’chang Rinpoche of the Aro gTer 06:48 - The living edge of practice 08:43 - Craft in art 09:54 - Creativity and the secret of improvisation 11:21 - The vocabulary of jazz 11:47 - Work to play 13:01 - Meditation does not require work 15:38 - Resting in effortlessness 17:43 - Egoic meditation heroics 18:23 - Dean guides contacting effortlessness 20:45 - Dealing with being caught up with thoughts 23:19 - Meditation on-ramp 26:59 - Dean’s favourite mantras 28:23 - Fetishising meditation 29:42 - Dean’s free meditation classes 30:19 - Facsimiles of true meditation 30:43 - Mood making and intellectualisation 33:59 - Spontaneous openings to awakening 37:40 - Practice vs effort 43:14 - What is the ultimate practice? 43:49 - The moment of enlightenment 46:28 - Evaluating results of practice 49:34 - Emily Dickinson and the watershed moment 51:55 - Finding dharma in literature 52:45 - Finding dharma in cinema 53:19 - Interpreting art 57:46 - Dean’s interpretive approach 01:00:51 - Spreading dharma in the dialect of the people 01:03:53 - Addiction to intensity and the Marvel Cinematic Universe … Previous episode with Dean Sluyter: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/163-dharma-bums-guide-to-western-literature-dean-sluyter Interview with Ngak’chang Rinpoche: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep16-ngapka-chogyam-and-khandro-dechen-guru-viking-interviews 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 am once again 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 recounts his training as a Taoist priest in an ancient secret society, including psychic training, sexual training, spiritual training, and more. Bruce discusses his training in Taoist exorcism, recalls the first exorcism he witnessed, and tells stories about exorcising trapped spirits in concentration camps and other sites of historical suffering. Bruce goes into depth about his training with Liu Hung Cheh, the Taoist immortal who would become Bruce’s most significant master, and shares impressions and memories from that time including Liu Hung Cheh’s last great miracle. Bruce also reflects on personal enlightenment, astral projection, the business of religion, compares Buddhism with Taoism, and considers his own legacy as a Taoist master. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep188-esoteric-taoism-bruce-frantzis-2 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 01:09 - Wang Shu Jin and Taoist priesthood 03:01 - China’s history of secret societies 04:39 - Inducted into a secret society 08:36 - Branches of learning 09:39 - Witnessing an exorcism 10:50 -Bruce’s Taoist sex education 11:55 - Secret psychic training 14:16 - Problem with modern presentations of Buddhism, Taoism, and Christianity 16:23 - The role of a Taoist priest 17:16 - Sexual tests 19:39 - Learning qigong tui na 20:45 - Feeling chi and releasing trauma 26:14 - Varieties of enlightenment 29:42 - Personality development and the human condition 34:31 - Becoming aware of what’s inside and clearing out trauma 38:39 - Bruce’s teachers’ extreme methods 42:50 - Enlightenment and the 10,000 identities 47:53 - Internal alchemy after enlightenment 48:23 - Seeing beyond this life 51:33 - Astral body journeys to other planets 53:28 - The life of Bruce’s master, Liu Hung Cheh 57:06 - Bruce reflects on Liu Hung Cheh 59:27 - Life with Liu Hung Cheh 01:03:55 - The death of Liu Hung Cheh and leaving China 01:09:36 - Kalu Rinpoche and mystical visions 01:15:49 - Compassion and Bruce’s tonglen practice 01:22:00 - Bruce’s greatest gift 01:22:04 - The cultural revolution 01:23:26 - Beginning to teach meditation 01:25:03 - Clearing out trapped spirits in concentration camps and comments on Kabbalah 01:27:53 - Comments on Scientology 01:31:18 - Miraculous physical feats of Liu Hung Cheh 01:32:31 - Liu Hung Cheh’s final miracle 01:36:39 - Taoist exorcism 01:38:57 - Sex with 1000 women 01:40:37 - Full effort with no force 01:44:44 - Dzogchen vs Taoism 01:47:53 - The martial and spiritual potentials of Tai Chi 01:52:26 - Buddhism vs Taoism 01:54:54 - Beyond happiness 01:53:44 - Difficulties teaching Taoism in the West 01:56:44 - Bruce’s legacy 01:57:40 - Taoism is practical … Previous episode with Bruce Frantzis: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep171-taoist-master-bruce-frantzis 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 once again joined by Dr K.A Shakoor: spiritual life coach, doctor of traditional Chinese medicine, and author of several books such as ‘Ghetto Sutras’ and ‘Maahaah Yoga’. Dr Shakoor discusses his own meditation practice, including periods of extreme mantra recitation, and recounts his struggles to reconcile the Bodhisattva ideal with corporate culture and for-profit medicine. Dr Shakoor shares his experiences teaching energy and meditation techniques to the mentally ill, and discusses the discipline needed to acquire mastery of such techniques. Dr Shakoor also recounts his own encounters with evil, including anecdotes of exorcisms, sorcery, and occult attacks, as well as magickal self defence advice for healers and spiritual practitioners. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep187-the-bodhisattva-occult-self-defence-dr-ka-shakoor-2 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:54 - Training in Sufism 04:04 - Extreme Buddhist mantra practice 04:58 - Expressing the Bodhisattva ideal 05:36 - Disillusionment with corporate culture and racial politics 10:24 - Work as a social worker and counsellor 11:31 - The business of medicine 14:34 - The art of leadership 18:35 - Struggles navigating the healthcare industry 23:33 - Teaching energetic practices to the mentally ill 25:14 - Fake teachers of energy arts 27:05 - Discipline in personal practice 27:50 - 1-1 instruction is vital 30:05 - Direct teaching and Dr Nida Chenagtsang 31:27 - Facing challenges in practice 36:09 - Novelty seeking vs persistence and follow-through 38:23 - Old school teaching methods 39:03 - Wrong Tummo meditation and damaging chi 41:13 - Encountering evil 43:01 - Sorcery and ritual trauma 44:56 - Magick is easy to do, but difficult to fix 45:57 - Tools to help victims of magick 48:16 - Influence of Chagdud Rinpoche 49:28 - Exorcisms and spiritual healing 50:10 - Dr Shakoor’s first exorcism 52:58 - Possession vs psychological imbalances 53:30 - The importance of buy-in 54:29 - Occult attacks on Dr Shakoor 57:37 - Why healers and spiritual practitioners come under occult attack 01:00:35 - Psychic self defense advice 01:05:31 - Psychic recoil 01:06:39 - The basics are most important Previous episode with Dr K.A. Shakoor: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/164-dr-ka-shakoor-ghetto-sutras 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 am joined by Camille Maurine, meditation mentor, dancer, and author of ‘Meditation Secrets For Women’ written with her husband Dr Lorin Roche. Camille describes her turbulent upbringing and how her discovery of practices of mediation and embodiment saw her embark on over 50 years of adventure and exploration. Camille recalls her performance career in dance and theatre, how she used movement to learn to feel her emotions, and the practices she uses to process strong feeling. Camille recounts meeting Lorin Roche at a time when she had rejected romantic relationships, and how she drew on inner processes and practices to open into relationship with him. Camille also discusses meditation secrets for women, why one should not fear the depths, how to honour one’s rhythms, and reflects on the limitations of male-oriented religious and spiritual systems. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep186-meditation-secrets-for-women-camille-maurine 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 01:04 - Camille’s upbringing 05:32 - Discovering dance at the time of her mother’s death 06:40 - The path of spirituality, creativity, and love 10:16 - Studying philosophy and looking for the essence in all 12:51 - Marriage to Lorin Roche 15:09 - Learning how to feel emotion 19:00 - Calling the inner beloved 20:32 - Camille leads a drinking practice 22:26 - Meeting Lorin Roche 28:13 - Empowerment and vulnerability 30:14 - From inner marriage to relationship with Lorin 36:25 - When love feels like dying 38:49 - Connection and awe 40:12 - Practices for working with strong emotion and deep patterns 45:16 - Primal, primary, and primordial creativity 52:39 - Meditation Secrets For Women 57:10 - Do not fear the depths 01:01:08 - Honouring your rhythms and hormonal cycles 01:05:02 - Male-oriented religions and spiritual traditions 01:09:37 - Tragic misunderstanding about meditation 01:13:02 - Camille’s contribution to Lorin’s ‘Radiance Sutras’ rendering of the Vijnana Bhairava Tantra 01:19:40 - Training meditation teachers 01:26:30 - Concluding remarks … Previous episodes with Lorin here: - https://www.guruviking.com/the-guru-viking-interviews-ep1-lorin-roche-phd/ - https://www.guruviking.com/guru-viking-interviews-ep6-lorin-roche-phd/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep30-lorin-roche-pandemic-edition-guru-viking-podcast/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep55-lorin-roche-instinctive-meditation/ 
 To find out more about Camille visit:
- https://www.camillemaurine.com/ - www.meditationtt.com 
- www.radiancesutras.com 
 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 Lorin Roche PhD, meditation teacher and author of ‘The Radiance Sutras’. Lorin describes meditation as an affair with life force itself, explores the role of sleep and rest, and explains the discipline of following the cosmic impulse in one’s practice. In the context of this meditative view and drawing from his experience of 40 years of marriage, Loren reflects on intimate relationship, including his own journey in understanding intimacy, meditation keys to a thriving relationship, and how to use meditation to keep love alive. Lorin also discusses tantric sex, including the difference between technique and art, common errors and misunderstandings, and the redemptive power of spiritual union. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep185-meditation-and-tantric-sex-lorin-roche-phd 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:54 - Meditation as an affair with life force 04:19 - How to thrive in a long term relationship 07:39 - Psychedelic origins of meditation traditions 08:55 - Childhood in 1950’s Malibu 12:14 - Teenage schooling in Santa Monica and summer hunting in Kenya 15:48 - Meditating with the Vijñāna Bhairava Tantra and discovering Tantric Sex 19:57 - Seeking a romantic relationship between equals 22:46 - How to use meditation to keep love alive 25:09 - Spontaneous meditation and healing trauma 30:37 - Psychedelic intensity of reality 35:32 - Celebration of thinking in meditation 38:35 - What is tantric sex? 41:32 - Technique and the art of touch 43:53 - Errors in tantric sex 46:54 - Prerequisites to practicing tantric sex 49:40 - Patanjali’s 8 Limbs and the yogic lifestyle 51:59 - Sleep and deep rest 55:52 - Following the cosmic impulse 56:46 - Beyond solo meditation into union with a partner 58:51 - Yogic science of the senses and sound 01:02:32 - The power of craving for fullness of being 01:07:39 - Redemptive power of spiritual sex 01:14:31 - Meditation in the modern world 01:18:02 - Attending to the electricity of sensation 01:20:18 - Lorin’s meditation teacher training program 01:24:30 - How Lorin teaches meditation 01:26:30 - The power of deep listening … Previous episodes with Lorin here: - https://www.guruviking.com/the-guru-viking-interviews-ep1-lorin-roche-phd/ - https://www.guruviking.com/guru-viking-interviews-ep6-lorin-roche-phd/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep30-lorin-roche-pandemic-edition-guru-viking-podcast/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep55-lorin-roche-instinctive-meditation/ 
 To find out more about Lorin visit:
- www.lorinroche.com 
- www.radiancesutras.com 
- www.meditationtt.com For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com/ Music 'Deva Dasi' by Steve James

In this episode I host a dialogue between doctor of Tibetan Medicine and Buddhist spiritual teacher Dr Nida Chenagtsang and Dr Ian A. Baker, author, scholar, and initiate of Buddhist, Taoist, and Hindu Tantric lineages. Drs Nida and Ian explore the theme of Vajrayana in the 21st century, including issues such as tradition and innovation, mass empowerments vs 1-1 discipleship, and what is essential for successful practice. Drs Nida and Ian discuss common mistakes in practicing the 6 Yogas of Naropa, religious syncretism, and dark triad traits of narcissism, psychopathy, and machiavellianism in spiritual teachers. Drs Nida and Ian also discuss the role of religious institutions in the history of Vajrayana and explore the tensions between the critical historical approach of academia with traditional views often held by religious teachers and practicing Buddhists.
 … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep184-the-vajra-path-dr-nida-chenagtsang-dr-ian-a-baker 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:05 - The Vajra Path 03:42 - Tradition and innovation 08:25 - Mass empowerments 10:24 - 84 Mahasiddhas and individualised practice 13:14 - Vajrayana is experiential 14:52 - Correcting misunderstandings 16:53 - What is essential for Vajrayana to be effective? 19:11 - The role of empowerment 21:00 - Listen, study, meditate 23:19 - The power of place 25:03 - Discerning effective methods for contemporary audiences 28:23 - Secrecy and education 32:18 - How much practice is needed for Varjayana? 36:30 - Struggles with dream yoga and tummo 40:14 - Working with your talents 42:34 - 6 Yogas study mistakes 44:05 - Misguided attitudes to ngondro, preliminary practices 47:06 - Spiritual cocktails and narcissism 49:02 - How to relate to other traditions 50:49 - Syncretism the critical historical perspective 54:51 - Fundamental values 58:12 - Dark triad traits in spiritual practitioners and teachers 01:02:12 - Vajrayana and institutions 01:03:35 - Distilling the essence or taking out of context? 01:05:00 - Dr Nida’s vision of Vajrayana institutions 01:06:38 - Cultural trappings vs the essence of Buddhism 01:12:49 - Dr Ian on religious institutions and the evolution of Vajrayana 01:16:41 - Essence of Vajrayana 01:20:45 - Who does Vajrayana belong to? 01:22:25 - Critical historical vs traditional perspectives 01:26:39 - Dr Nida reflects on the power of simplicity 01:30:09 - Friendship and collaboration 01:31:33 - Hijacking of Buddhism 01:34:47 - Deelaboration and the beautiful adventure 01:36:40 - Future trips, courses, and activities … Previous episodes with Dr Nida Chenagtsang: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=nida 
 Previous episodes with Dr Ian A. Baker: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=baker … To find out more about The Vajra Path, visit: - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088040336775 - https://www.instagram.com/thevajrapath/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com/ Music 'Deva Dasi' by Steve James

In this interview I am joined by Dr Caroline Van Damme, an adult psychiatrist and family and systemic psychotherapist specialising in chronic psychotic disorders, and co-teacher of Buddhist guru and Sowa Rigpa doctor Nida Chenagtsang.  Dr Caroline draws on her extensive clinical experience as a psychiatrist, as well as her personal meditation practice, to explore the adverse effects of meditation, including psychosis, depersonalisation/derealisation, and spiritual bypass. Dr Caroline considers the pros and cons of sleep deprivation as a spiritual training tool, visualisation practices of Buddhist Vajrayana, and shares stories of extended meditation retreats gone wrong. Dr Caroline gives recommendations for those who wish to practice intensively, including dangers signs to watch for, the markers of high-risk individuals, and the importance of a a strong psychology and deep foundation in preliminary practice. Dr Caroline also details her own success in using meditation with her patients in clinical settings, including with populations typically considered to be at high risk, and recounts her patient reports about the significant benefits of their practice. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep183-adverse-effects-of-meditation-dr-caroline-van-damme 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:21 - Adverse effects of meditation 05:13 - Meditation and psychosis 08:42 - Matthieu Ricard’s advice 10:37 - Meditation success with schizophrenia 16:25 - Willoughby Britton’s work on adverse effects 18:39 - Caroline reflects on her own meditation practice 20:52 - Dangers of visualisation meditation 23:04 - Traumatic meditation retreats 27:42 - Modulating intensity and pre-practice warnings 30:57 - Spiritual bypass and tantric Buddhist practice 32:00 - Sleep deprivation as a sign of enlightenment 33:32 - When to push through hell 38:20 - Caroline’s monk patient who developed schizophrenia 41:17 - Sleep deprivation as a training tool 48:30 - Recommendations for those who wish to engage in intense practice 51:53 - The Dalai Lama’s sleep schedule 52:45 - Delusions of special powers 53:58 - Insomnia 55:36 - Cannabis and meditation 57:07 - Profile of a high risk person 57:43 - Enlightenment vs depersonalisation / derealisation 01:02:39 - Dream yoga and derealisation 01:07:50 - Caroline’s clinical experience teaching meditation to her patients 01:20:19 - Mechanism of benefit in meditation 01:24:50 - Impulse control and inner peace 01:29:03 - The stigma of mental illness … Previous episode with Dr Van Damme: - www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep143-dr-caroline-van-damme-psychiatry-religious-experience
 To find out more about Dr Van Damme, visit: - https://www.sowarigpainstitute.org/dr-caroline-van-damme 

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

In this interview I am joined by Adam Mizner, internationally renowned tai chi practitioner and meditation teacher. Adam recounts how a troubled childhood saw him begin martial arts and meditation training, and he reflects on his childhood psychic visionary experiences. Adam discusses the nature of internal cultivation, the role of standing practice, and provides a detailed analysis of the remarkable abilities and attainments of his teacher, the Thai Buddhist Arahant, Luang Por Jamnian. Adam also shares his current understanding about the true path of meditation, criticises visualisation practices found in Vajrayana Buddhism, questions the efficacy of tummo meditation, and elaborates on the mechanics of his famous push hands abilities. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep182-meditation-maverick-adam-mizner 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:53 - Difficult childhood & psychic visions 03:13 - Are psychic powers actually an ailment 04:26 - Pros and cons of psychic openness 06:10 - Beginning Tai Chi and meditation 08:09 - Hard training 08:54 - Internal cultivation is not gentle 10:37 - Becoming a Tai Chi creature 15:38 - Adam’s early training 18:20 - The power of standing practice 21:21 - Harnessing obsessive qualities for practice 23:15 - Leaving fight training 24:24 - Adam’s teachers 26:05 - Aversion to lineage 26:48 - Meeting the arhat Luang Por Jamnian 30:34 - The remarkable spiritual feats of Luang Por Jamnian 33:44 - The life and training of Luang Por Jamnian 36:39 - Beyond mind and body 38:28 - How to transcend mind and body 44:29 - Attained people vs charismatic talkers 47:42 - Different types of enlightened people 52:59 - The true path of meditation 58:41 - Cultivate stillness 01:02:42 - Learning to sit still, even with injuries 01:08:27 - Realising your limits 01:10:29 - Acclimatisation vs transcendence 01:14:46 - Adam on morality 01:18:51 - Imaginary enlightenment 01:19:46 - Critique of visualisation practices of Vajrayana 01:24:39 - The secret of metta cultivation 01:28:08 - Adam on the mirage of tummo 01:31:01 - Can authentic tummo be restored? 01:33:44 - Real transformation 01:42:44 - Practice techniques as sectarian conditioning 01:45:11 - Adam on sex and sexual practice 01:49:47 - Ejaculation and orthorexia 01:52:57 - Men vs women on the path 01:54:46 - Men’s hormonal tendencies 01:56:26 - Secret to Adam’s Fajing and push hands skills 02:07:07 - Advice for the seeker … To find our more about Adam Mizner, visit: - https://heavenmanearth.com/en/adam-mizner - https://discovertaiji.com/en - https://discovermind.com/en … 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 Dr Thomas Clough Daffern philosopher, educator, peace activist, and peace officer for the Council of British Druid Orders. In this episode, Thomas shares his lifetime of research into the druid tradition of the British Isles and Europe, including his historical research and personal contact with druids today. Thomas reveals why most modern day druid groups are reconstructionists, and probes the possibility of a living druid lineage in certain areas of Ireland. Thomas explains why he believes Jesus was an initiate of the mystery schools of his day, discusses the connections between Celtic culture and mystical Christianity, and shares his current research into the Gnostic Gospels and the Gospel of Mary Magdalene. Thomas also considers the guru disciple relationship, what ‘enlightenment’ means in different traditions, the dangers of prematurely declaring one’s enlightenment, and offers warning signs for recognising guru and cult figures. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep181-druidic-enlightenment-and-european-mysticism 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 01:10 - Discovering the druids 02:06 - Researching the occultist Dr John Dee 03:07 - Meeting a druid 04:28 - Advocacy for access to British sacred sites 09:42 - Druid spread across Europe 12:08 - History of the druids 16:26 - Was Jesus Christ an initiate of the mysteries? 18:54 - Gnostic gospels and the inner disciples 20:56 - Love and wisdom confronting false power and ignorance 22:06 - Celtic-Christian connections 23:42 - Thomas’ current research into the Gospel of Mary Magdalene 25:55 - Are current druid groups reconstructions or part of a living lineage? 31:44 - Advocacy for Irish culture 32:37 - Druidry should be taught in schools 33:36 - Druids and enlightenment 37:32 - Buddhism vs the druid path 42:16 - What is enlightenment? 42:59 - Common root of Vedic, Kabbalist, and Druid teachings 49:31 - Druid revolutionaries 54:27 - The Judas mystery 58:47 - Great teachers and bad disciples 01:00:47 - Keats’ school for souls 01:01:24 - Planetary enlightenment or bust 01:03:31 - Golden Gate Project 01:04:47 - The Eastern gate of Jerusalem 01:08:51 - Transcending revenge consciousness … Previous episodes with Dr Daffern: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=daffern … To find our more about Dr Daffern, visit: - http://www.educationaid.net/ - https://www.lulu.com/spotlight/iipsgp - https://interfaithpeacetreaty.wordpress.com/ … 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 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