Reflections on Failure and Enlightenment

In this episode I am once again joined by Gilbert M Gutierrez, Chan Buddhism teacher and dharma heir of Master Sheng Yen. Gilbert recalls his discipleship under renowned Chan Master Sheng Yen, shares stories of gruelling retreat, private 1-1 exchanges, profound spiritual insights, mystical visions, and supernatural powers. Gilbert gives an overview of Chan philosophy, emphasises the importance of both study and practice, and illuminates the Buddhist doctrine of emptiness. Gilbert also details his process of becoming a Dharma Heir, defends telling stories of spiritual experiences, and reflects on his difficulties as an American in being accepted as a genuine teacher of Chan Buddhism. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep284-adventures-of-a-chan-master-gilbertm-gutierrez-2 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:51 - Becoming a disciple of Master Sheng Yen 04:49 - Eat bitter in your practice 05:54 - Loss of faith 08:21 - Profound encounter with the bodhisattva Quan Yin 12:48 - A contract of the heart 13:39 - A private meetings with Master Sheng Yen 18:30 - Receiving inka transmission from Master Sheng Yen 19:47 - A real master is a chameleon 22:36 - Master Sheng Yen’s compassion and mission 25:49 - About Chan Buddhism and emptiness 29:19 - The Heart Sutra 33:07 - We awaken people 35:10 - Master Sheng Yen’s emphasis on study 36:42 - Study and practice 38:33 - A reading from Daoxin 39:37 - Meditation experiences and a humbling lesson 45:39 - It’s a joke and a sham 47:34 - Becoming a Dharma Heir 49:54 - Everything is mind 51:03 - Special experiences and transcending pain 53:10 - Hearing one’s heart beat 53:38 - A state of ultimate bliss 55:08 - A famous master, a loyal attendant, and Gilbert’s powerful realisation 01:01:03 - Catching the bug 01:06:26 - The bug whisperer 01:08:44 - Why share stories of spiritual experiences? 01:10:17 - Gilbert’s biggest realisation 01:16:22 - Communicating with animals and entities 01:19:58 - Seeing peoples’ past and future lives 01:20:36 - Working with ghosts 01:21:39 - How to calm down a ghost 01:22:54 - Dealing with heaven dwellers 01:24:30 - Concerns about being accepted as a dharma heir 01:28:45 - Anti-Western prejudice 01:30:31 - Growing acceptance from the Taiwanese sangha 01:32:55 - The death of Master Sheng Yen 01:37:07 - A final encounter with the master 
… Previous episode with Gilbert M Gutierrez: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=gilbert To find our more about Gilbert M Gutierrez, visit: - https://www.youtube.com/@chanmindwork/playlists  - https://mind-work.mn.co/   - https://riversidechan.org/    … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James