235. Daniel Ingram

Daniel Ingram is the author of Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha: An Unusually Hardcore Dharma Book, is one of the founders of the Dharma Overground, has been a speaker and interviewee on Buddhist Geeks, and practices Emergency Medicine as a physician. He is highly influenced by the practices of Mahasi Sayadaw, but his interest in the dharma is much more pragmatic than dogmatic and draws on a wide range of sources. Longer, more tongue-in-cheek bio: Daniel is an extroverted Gen X intellectual. He is known for his pronounced enthusiasm, lip-flapping, grandiosity, eccentricity, and calling people on their stuff and shadow sides regardless of whether or not this is helpful or even accurate. He is an arahant and has a solid mastery of the basic concentration states from the first jhana to Nirodha Samapatti, including the Pure Land Jhanas. He also has a solid knowledge of Buddhist theory and the texts, and because of these three areas of expertise considers himself a qualified teacher. He was also authorized and encouraged to teach by a lineaged abbot of the Mahasi Sayadaw tradition. Website: The Dharma Overground Summary and transcript of this interview. Interview recorded 6/7/2014 YouTube Video Chapters: 00:00:00 - Introduction to Daniel Ingram and his book 00:05:53 - Different Models of Awakening and Enlightenment 00:11:49 - The Importance of Being Present in all Aspects of Life 00:17:08 - The Serts Paradox and the Emptiness/Fullness Debate 00:22:33 - Vedic Tradition and Different Cognitive Abilities 00:28:02 - The Potential for Misdiagnosis and the Importance of Maps and Teachers 00:33:41 - The Danger of Diagnosing Friends and Family 00:39:30 - The Nature of Reality and Intuition 00:46:45 - The Importance of a Spiritual Renaissance 00:54:21 - The Power of Subtle Changes in Society and Technology 01:02:49 - Integrating Meditation into Religious Traditions 01:11:15 - Finding Balance and Wellness 01:15:35 - The Deepening Interest in Spirituality 01:19:48 - The Problem of Psychopaths and Power 01:24:54 - Selling Spirituality: The Challenges of Advertising Meditation 01:29:16 - Balancing Honesty and Salesmanship in the Spiritual Community 01:33:40 - The Persecution of Mystics 01:38:02 - Profound Experiences in Catholic Churches 01:42:25 - Perceiving Different Realms and Beings 01:45:54 - Enhancing Function and Mental States 01:48:33 - Luminous, intelligent entities 01:51:42 - Pragmatic and Experiential Perspectives on Supernatural Experiences 01:54:24 - Exploring stages of development and awakenings 01:57:57 - The Stages of Awakening 02:01:04 - Transformation and the Elimination of Rites and Rituals 02:05:20 - Dissolving the Sense of Self 02:10:00 - Questioning Enlightenment 02:13:55 - Embracing the Richness and Freshness of Life 02:18:02 - The Incredible Intelligence in the Universe 02:22:15 - The Wonder of Creation and Manifestation 02:25:26 - How to Support the Channel