The Origins of the OTO

John Myrdhin Reynolds, also known as Lama Vajranatha, is a writer, teacher, translator, and scholar/practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism. In this episode I am once again joined by John Myrdhin Reynolds, also known as Lama Vajranatha: writer, teacher, translator, and scholar/practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism.  John explains his own involvement with Western occult systems, including ordination into the OTO and as a Wiccan priest, and traces the history of the Western Esoteric tradition from the Italian Renaissance to the present day. John describes how to accumulate magickal power, explains the workings of the spirit world from the perspectives of both Western occultism and Himalayan shamanism, and comments on subjects such as Aleister Crowley, John Dee, Enochian magick, and more. John also gives a detailed step-by-step description of tantric guardian spirit pujas, compares them to the spirit invocation rituals of Western esoteric systems, and warns against the dangers of working with occult forces without proper protection. … Video version: 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 01:08 - Early Christian experiences 04:14 - Zen vs Tibetan Buddhism 05:24 - The power of Catholic ceremony and ritual 06:24 - Childhood encounters with nature spirits 10:07 - Pagan symbolism and Greek mythology 12:45 - Fascination with science fiction 14:53 - Columbia University and an interest in Asia 16:01 - Meeting esoteric groups in California and India 20:14 - Return to USA and association with various Tibetan lamas 23:08 - Initiation into Wicca and the OTO 27:00 - History of Wicca in the USA 32:17 - History of Western Esotericism from the Renaissance to the present day 39:22 - John Dee and Enochian Magick 43:03 - Magickal workings with spirits 47:34 - Comments on Aleister Crowley 49:18 - How to develop magickal capacity in Vajrayana Buddhism 52:42 - Comparing Western magick invocations to tantric spirit pujas 55:02 - Essential steps in tantric guardian spirit rituals 01:15:42 - Inside the sacred space of the mandala 01:17:29 - Invocation vs channelling 01:25:43 - Propitiating local spirits 01:27:23 - The tantric feast 01:32:00 - Signs of psychic and magickal capacity 01:38:59 - The psychic power of the 16th Karmapa 01:40:11 - Developing siddhi … Previous episode with John Myrdhin Reynolds visit: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep200-lama-vajranatha-professor-john-myrdhin-reynolds To find our more about John Myrdhin Reynolds visit: - https://vajranatha.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James