Guru Viking Podcast Ep335: How-to Guide for Awakening & Beyond - Alex W 3
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Nov 28, 2025 In a captivating discussion, Alex W, a seasoned teacher in Zen and Western occult traditions, presents his ideal curriculum for achieving awakening. He emphasizes the necessity of core skills, autonomy in spiritual practices, and the importance of daily meditation. Alex contrasts the benefits of Soto and Rinzai practices while sharing fascinating insights on energetic openings and the nuances of Daoist and Buddhist techniques. He warns against chasing experiences and advocates for a balanced, gradual approach to practice, encouraging self-reliance in the spiritual journey.
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Learn To Sit Daily
- Buy a proper meditation cushion and learn to sit with a straight spine to build a sustainable practice.
- Practice daily, starting 10–15 minutes and gradually increasing to 30–60 minutes for steady progress.
Cushion Advice From A Teacher
- Alex recounts Dr. Nida's insistence on a good cushion and recommends kapok or thick cotton zafus.
- He warns cheap hard cushions hurt the back and ruin sitting practice.
Anchor On Awareness Of Awareness
- Start with an awareness-of-awareness practice: observe thoughts without clinging and use the body as an anchor.
- Make awareness itself the anchor and ask "Am I aware?" to stabilise the witness state.
