Next Level Soul Podcast with Alex Ferrari

FLASHBACK FRIDAYS: Special Ops GREEN BERET: Most UNBELIEVABLE Near-Death Soul Journey You'll EVER HEAR with Tu Lam (Ronin)

Jul 11, 2025

Tu Lam, a spiritual warrior and former Special Forces Green Beret, shares his incredible journey from war-torn Vietnam to inner peace. He outlines his harrowing escape from communism, the struggles with identity and trauma, and the profound impact of military life on mental health. Tu discusses the philosophy of Bushido and how it shaped his warrior ethos, emphasizing the importance of forgiveness and healing through meditation and psychedelics. His transformative experiences highlight the resilience of the human spirit in overcoming adversity.

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ANECDOTE

Miraculous Refugee Escape

Tu Lam survived a harrowing escape from communist Vietnam on a fishing boat, facing pirates, storms, and starvation.
They were rescued by a Russian ship after drifting for nearly 30 days at sea, a miracle that saved their lives.

ANECDOTE

Early Introduction to Bushido

As a child, Tu Lam was introduced to Bushido, the way of the samurai, including virtues like honor and loyalty.
This early exposure shaped his warrior path, blending martial discipline with inner ethics.

ADVICE

Daily Meditation Routine Advice

Build a disciplined daily meditation routine, ideally early morning to access slower brain waves.
Combine meditation with practices like cold plunges and deep breathing to enhance mental clarity and healing.

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In the intricate dance of life, sometimes we find ourselves drawn to stories that stir our souls, tales of profound resilience and deep spiritual awakening. Today’s episode brings such a story to our ears as we welcome Tu Lam, a spiritual warrior whose journey from war-torn Vietnam to the disciplined world of Special Forces unveils the essence of the human spirit and the transformative power of inner peace.

Tu Lam’s life began amidst the chaos of the Vietnam War, a tumultuous start that would shape his destiny in ways unimaginable. His early years were marked by survival, escaping the horrors of war on a fishing boat with his mother, facing pirates, storms, and near starvation.

Yet, this early exposure to adversity planted the seeds of resilience and an unyielding will to overcome.As a young refugee in America, Tu faced the harsh realities of racism and poverty. These challenges, however, only strengthened his resolve. Guided by the warrior ethos of the samurai, he delved into the teachings of Bushido, finding solace and purpose in its ancient virtues of honor, duty, and compassion. It was during these formative years that he began to forge the path of a modern-day warrior, one who fights not just physical battles, but also the inner conflicts that shape our lives.

Tu’s journey into the military was a natural progression. At the age of 18, he joined the Army, and by 21, he was a Special Forces Green Beret, living the warrior’s path he had admired since childhood. His military career took him to the most volatile regions of the world, where he fought for the oppressed and protected the innocent.

Yet, amidst the valor and the victories, he carried with him the heavy burdens of war, trauma, and the relentless quest for meaning.In this profound conversation, Tu Lam shares, “Purpose, there was a higher purpose. I didn't know it at the time.” His reflections reveal a deep understanding of the karmic and dharmic roles we play in the universe. As a warrior, he protected, fought, and survived, embodying the very essence of his dharma. But it wasn’t until he began his spiritual journey, much later in life, that he truly understood the higher purpose guiding him.

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