In this episode I host a dialogue between Daniel Ingram and Delson Armstrong.
Daniel Ingram is an independent Buddhist writer, author of ‘Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha’, and co-founder of the Emergent Phenomenology Research Consortium (EPRC).
Delson Armstrong is a spiritual teacher, author of ’A Mind Without Craving’, and the star student of Bhante Vimalaramsi.
Daniel and Delson discuss the similarities and differences between their doctrinal positions and personal experiences of the 4-path model of Buddhist enlightenment, which ranges from stream entry to arhatship.
In this collegial yet rigorous dialogue, Daniel and Delson engage in detailed debate on the differences in their positions and draw on personal experience, scriptural examples, and issues of scientific verification.
They also discuss the effect of enlightenment on psychopathy and other personality disorders, reflect on which meditation methods best fit different personality types, and conduct in-depth analysis of the phenomenon of ‘nirodha samapatti’.
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Video version at: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep136-meeting-of-the-dharmas-daniel-ingram-delson-armstrong
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
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Topics Include:
00:00 - Intro
01:49 - Daniel on stream entry
05:03 - Delson on stream entry
08:08 - Afterglow of stream entry and dependent origination
14:34 - 3 fetters discussion
24:24 - Does stream entry result in moral improvement?
28:49 - Can you retrain a sociopath with loving kindness meditation?
30:51 - Does stream entry make sociopaths and psychopaths more dangerous?
35:18 - Saints & psychopaths - how can we differentiate?
41:03 - 2nd path and the reduction of craving and aversion
47:30 - 2nd path vs stream entry - which is more profound?
53:13 - Daniel on 3rd path
56:18 - Delson on 3rd path
59:23 - Daniel’s critique of the traditional 3rd path position
01:03:05 - Delson and Daniel dialogue about 3rd path
01:10:40 - Is it possible to completely eradicate craving and aversion?
01:16:00 - Scientific testing and Bikkhu Analayo’s critique
01:23:39 - Delson on TWIM the importance of method
01:26:18 - What is nirodha samapatti?
01:28:08 - Comparing Daniel and Delson’s abilities
01:29:33 - How to train for nirodha samapatti
01:32:25 - Different personalities and jhana aptitude
01:36:43 - Resolution training and balancing enlightenment factors
01:38:18 - Steve on Delson’s yoga training and the three humours
01:43:40 - More on matching personality types to meditation methods
01:53:58 - Arhatship and agency
01:56:20 - Agency vs conceit
02:00:21 - Disagreement between Daniel and Delson about outcomes of arhatship
02:08:30 - Compassion vs suffering
02:13:01 - Suicide and arhatship
02:21:17- The dusty end of the path
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Daniel Ingram Episode Playlist
- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlkzlKFgdkny_MJSecHyvKHPpvxTskBAC
Delson Armstrong Episode Playlist:
- https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlkzlKFgdknxiWzbRXNY29pSwlAcDYF_r
To find out more about Daniel, visit:
- https://theeprc.org/
- integrateddaniel.info
To find out more about Delson Armstrong, visit:
- https://www.suttavada.foundation/our-teachers/
- https://www.dhammasukha.org/
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For more interviews, videos, and more visit:
- www.guruviking.com
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Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James
