Class, Identity, and Spiritual Journeys

In this episode I am joined by Alan Chapman, British writer, occultist, and spiritual teacher. Alan recalls his troubled childhood in the impoverished North of England, reflects on the British class system, and shares his first encounter with Aleister Crowley. Alan recounts his occult adventures with long time collaborator Duncan Barford, shares his spiritual biography of awakenings and mystical experiences, and considers the power and pitfalls of spiritual transmission. Alan also compares gurus Papaji, and Andrew Cohen, and Adi Da; reveals why he considers Stephen Batchelor and Sam Harris to be Black Brothers; and discusses the role of the Dark Goddess on the path of awakening. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep323-british-occultist-alan-chapman Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:55 - Duncan Barford and Alex W 03:07 - Impoverished upbringing in the North of England 05:05 - Early reaction to Christ 05:56 - First encounter with Aleister Crowley 11:17 - Chaos magic and meeting Duncan Barford 12:00 - What kind of boy was Alan? 14:28 - Class consciousness 15:44 - Sensitive boy in a cruel environment 19:20 - Regret about violence 20:58 - One’s own nature 22:25 - Alan questions Steve’s questions 22:45 - British class system 27:21 - Liminal identity 29:50 - Working vs middle vs upper class 31:18 - Anti-aspiration 33:18 - Growing out of musical aspirations 37:36 - Shedding Feathers and fulfilment on the path 41:41 - Crowley book and facing challenges 47:37 - Path myth in The Book of the Law 54:56 - True path vs the New Age 58:08 - Following the Silent Knowing 01:05:10 - Facing darkness 01:10:36 - Black Brothers like Stephen Batchelor and Sam Harris 01:19:48 - Stephen Batchelor’s crisis of faith 01:22:49 - Warning about spiritual teachers 01:23:48 - Stereotypes of culture and awakening 01:27:54 - Papaji and the nondual car crash 01:31:33 - Adi Da and guru yoga 01:35:45 - Papaji vs Adi Da 01:41:24 - Invoking the Holy Guardian Angel 01:47:30 - Andrew Cohen 01:52:16 - Great White Brotherhood 01:54:34 - Enlightened in India 01:57:26 - Ancestors appear 01:59:11 - Practicing with Adi Da 02:01:01 - Transmission traps 02:05:02 - Confronted by Adi Da disciple 02:06:51 - Solid, vital, peculiar 02:09:12 - Cutting truth and Adyashanti 02:10:43 - Reflections on Adi Da’s trajectory 02:11:52 - Further awakening at 33 02:19:52 - Receiving the Magia teaching 02:33:58 - The Dark Goddess 02:36:15 - Accommodating yourself to the Damned 02:37:25 - Finding Sophia 02:40:28 - Crowley and Jung 02:42:14 - Myth of Sophia 02:47:42 - Sequel plans 02:48:58 - Alan’s perspective on near death experiences 03:00:31 - Purpose of life and awakening … To find our more about Alan Chapman visit: - https://barbarouswords.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James