Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

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