Gilbert M Gutierrez, a Chan Buddhism teacher and a dharma heir of Master Sheng Yen, shares his remarkable journey, from childhood mystical experiences to deep meditation practices. He discusses the transformative encounter with Quan Yin and the life-altering challenges of a strict meditation retreat. The conversation dives into his experiences with energy manipulation and spiritual healing, revealing the balance of compassion and insight required for working with terminally ill patients. Gilbert's stories of martial arts and navigating the spiritual realm add layers to his fascinating perspective.
Gilbert Gutierrez shares how childhood mystical experiences and dreams of light shaped his spiritual exploration and understanding of the Bardo.
His extensive training in closed-door martial arts and nei gong showcases the transformative power of energy work in perceiving reality.
Gutierrez emphasizes compassion in healing practices, highlighting the transition from physical treatment to addressing emotional and spiritual suffering.
Deep dives
Mystical Beginnings and Early Experiences
Gilbert M. Gutierrez shares insights into his childhood, highlighting mystical experiences that shaped his spiritual journey. He recalls recurring dreams of a comforting light from a young age, which he later realized were glimpses of the Bardo, or transitional state. These early contemplations laid the groundwork for his later exploration of Chan Buddhism. His deep curiosity about life and spirituality began at an early age, setting the stage for a lifelong search for deeper meaning in various traditions.
Martial Arts and Qigong Training
Gutierrez delves into his extensive training in closed-door martial arts and Qigong, emphasizing the unique power these systems have to harness and manipulate energy. He recounts witnessing a powerful demonstration of chi manipulation, illustrating the profound effects of internal martial arts beyond the observable realm. His experiences in martial arts taught him valuable lessons about perception and reality, reinforcing the Chan Buddhist saying that what appears real may not be, and vice versa. This phase of his life cultivated a strong foundation in energy work that would later influence his healing practices.
The Transformative Encounter with Master Sheng Yen
A pivotal moment in Gutierrez's spiritual path was his encounter with Taiwanese Chan master Sheng Yen, which deepened his commitment to Chan practice. After attending a lecture by Master Sheng Yen, he felt an immediate resonance with the master's teachings and wisdom. This connection sparked Gutierrez's transition from Qigong to Chan, leading him to become an active practitioner and teacher of Buddhism. The encounter solidified his purpose in life, redirecting his focus toward alleviating suffering through compassion and understanding.
The Power of Compassion in Healing
Gutierrez emphasizes the importance of compassion as central to his practice, particularly in his experiences as a healer. He shares a poignant story about treating a terminally ill patient, which highlighted his transition from physical healing techniques to a more profound focus on alleviating emotional and spiritual suffering. This experience deepened his understanding of what it means to be a 'Chan doctor,' one who addresses the true essence of suffering rather than merely treating physical ailments. He highlights the necessity of cultivating compassion for all sentient beings, transcending conditional judgments in favor of unconditional care.
Exorcisms and the Nature of Spirits
Gutierrez addresses the topic of spiritual entities and the complexities involved in exorcism and spirit work. He explains that illnesses can stem from physical, karmic, or spiritual origins, advocating for a compassionate approach to helping both the afflicted and the vexing spirits. By inviting healing through love and understanding rather than confrontation, he emphasizes the need for respect in these interactions. This nuanced perspective reflects his commitment to achieving greater compassion and understanding in dealing with all forms of suffering.
In this episode I am joined by Gilbert M Gutierrez, Chan Buddhism teacher and a dharma heir of Master Sheng Yen.
Gilbert recounts his early childhood mystical and meditation experiences, his deep-dive into closed-door internal martial arts and nei gong systems, and the special abilities he both witnessed and unlocked.
Gilbert describes the unusual circumstances leading up to meeting Taiwanese Chan master Master Sheng Yen, and how an arduous meditation retreat and a powerful encounter with Quan Yin changed his life forever.
Gilbert also discusses exorcisms, ghosts, and vexing spirits, and tells stories of the pitfalls of using spiritual healing to sustain terminally ill patients.
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Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep267-american-chan-master-gilbertm-gutierrez
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
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Topics include:
00:00 - Intro
00:52 - Childhood bardo memories
03:28 - Early meditation experiences
06:05 - A “roaming” Catholic and asking questions
10:26 - Studies at UCLA
11:37 - Studying closed-door martial arts systems
12:44 - Chinese master vs Japanese karateka
15:23 - Things are not as they appear
17:45 - Visionary experiences across time
19:37 - Nāgārjuna’s refutation of time and space
20:32 - True meaning of “no thought”
24:27 - The first level of Chan practice
25:53 - Nei gong studies and building chi
29:07 - Developing Wu Nien and related abilities
33:13 - Demonstrating abilities
34:52 - Meeting a qigong master and becoming his successor
39:52 - Healing abilities of the master
42:32 - Meeting masters and cracking the code
44:15 - Asking why we practice
45:33 - The dangers of using entities to empower your practice
50:39 - Meeting Master Sheng Yen
54:01 - Master Sheng Yen psychically anticipates meet Gilbert
58:59 - Suffering at first retreat with Master Sheng Yen
01:02:44 - Prostrating to Quan Yin and finding life’s purpose
01:06:37 - Metta, Karuna, and Henry Shukman
01:08:44 - Unconditional compassion
01:11:21 - True meaning of the Heart Sutra
01:18:45 - Moving from qigong to Chan
01:25:57 - Exorcisms, ghosts, and vexing spirits
01:29:42 - Buddha-perception and seeing other realms
01:31:10 - How do the Buddhas see the world?
01:35:33 - A vision of Quan Yin
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To find our more about Gilbert M Gutierrez, visit:
- https://www.youtube.com/@chanmindwork/playlists
- https://mind-work.mn.co/
- https://riversidechan.org/
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For more interviews, videos, and more visit:
- https://www.guruviking.com
Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James
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