Intro

In this interview I am once again joined by Guo Gu, Chan Buddhist teacher, author, and scholar of Buddhism. Guo Gu describes how ongoing bullying and violent confrontations as a teenager led him to form influential music groups Death Before Dishonor and Judge. Guo Gu reveals why a feeling of hypocrisy as a monk led him to study social work and eventually obtain a PhD from Princeton University's Department of Religion on self-inflicted violence in Chinese religions Guo Gu also reveals why he became Straight Edge, considers the role of religious asceticism and the body in today’s world, and comments on what others have called a meaning crisis in today’s society. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep144-hardcore-and-body-in-spiritual-practice-guo-gu 

Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
 … Topics include:
 
00:00 - Intro 00:43 - Bullied as an adolescent 08:53 - Meeting Mike Ferraro and getting good at fighting 14:29 - Imprint of his violent past 21:30 - Death Before Dishonor and heavy metal influences 23:26 - Becoming Straight edge 33:05 - Guo Gu’s PhD on religious asceticism 33:47 - A feeling of hypocrisy as a monk 44:30 - Reflecting on religious asceticism 47:43 - Bodily aptitude in spiritual practice 50:52 - Meaning crisis in society 54:12 - New book on the Gateless Barrier 59:31 - The practice of silent illumination 01:13:02 - Apophatic and cataphatic practice … Previous episode with Guo Gu: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep127-chan-master-guo-gu To find out more about Guo Gu, visit: - https://guogulaoshi.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James