Steve James Interviewed on the Gabi Koyenov Podcast

Jun 9, 2025

In a thought-provoking discussion, Gabi Koyenov interviews Steve James, also known as Guru Viking, who shares fascinating stories from his life on a narrow boat and his spiritual journeys. He dives into the influence of martial arts on personal growth and explores the complexities of emotional exploration, meditation, and modern spirituality. Steve highlights the teachings of Bruce Lee, discusses the concept of self and enlightenment, and introduces his Movement Koan Method. Listeners are treated to a rich blend of ancient wisdom and contemporary challenges.

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ANECDOTE

Life on a UK Narrowboat

Steve James lives on a narrowboat, a houseboat on the UK's canal system, sometimes moored and sometimes moving.
This lifestyle connects him deeply to history and a unique way of living tied to British waterways.

ANECDOTE

Early Religious and Martial Foundations

Steve James's personal religious journey started with being a Catholic altar boy and discovering martial arts early on.
This combination sparked an enduring curiosity about embodied practices and spiritual traditions worldwide.

ADVICE

Clarify Your Deep Motivation

To build discipline, clarify your deep emotional 'why' by listing benefits, consequences, and reasons you can succeed.
This aligns motivation powerfully for persistent practice or new habits.

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I was recently interviewed by ⁨@gabikoyenov⁩ about a wide range of topics for his podcast. ... Gabi's shownotes: In this enlightening episode, I'm joined by Steve James, known as Guru Viking, who delves into his unique life experiences and the genesis of his intriguing persona. Steve shares insights from living on a boat, his personal religious exploration, and the profound impact of martial arts on his approach to discipline and personal growth. He highlights key influences in his life, including the significant impact of Bruce Lee. Additionally he explains his movement the Movement Koan Method, which helps in navigating emotional and physical tensions through joint nourishing movements. Throughout our discussion, Steve explores the deeper layers of emotional pain, the risks of forced emotional exploration, and the benefits of an inquiry-based approach to meditation. He offers a critical look at the limits of meditation, the potential dangers of psychedelics, and the current state of spirituality in the Western world, providing historical perspectives and personal reflections on navigating modern challenges with ancient wisdom. The episode concludes with Steve's thoughts on the concept of self and enlightenment, describing spiritual experiences as moments of 'sacred ordinariness.' This conversation is packed with insights for anyone interested in the intersections of spirituality, personal development, and modern life challenges. Tune in for a thought-provoking journey with Guru Viking on The Gabi Koyenov Podcast. 00:00 Introduction to Steve James 00:24 Podcast Purpose and Audience Engagement 00:51 The Origin of Guru Viking 03:19 Living on a Boat 04:51 Insights from Memorable Guests 06:32 Steve's Personal Religious Journey 11:35 Influence of Martial Arts 17:14 Impactful Books and Wisdom Literature 24:13 Developing Discipline and Motivation 29:02 Bruce Lee's Influence 33:55 Movement Koan Method 44:09 Understanding Habitual Tension and Stress 44:21 The Deeper Layers of Emotional Pain 44:47 The Risks of Forced Emotional Exploration 45:29 Inquiry-Based Approach to Meditation 47:08 The Limits of Meditation and Need for Professional Help 47:29 Modern Spirituality and Healing 48:02 The Dangers of Psychedelics 48:42 Exploring the State of Spirituality in the Western World 49:04 Historical Perspectives and Personal Reflections 59:18 The Concept of Self and Enlightenment 01:15:21 Spiritual Experiences and Sacred Ordinariness 01:24:31 Podcast Reflections and Future Plans