Guru Viking Podcast

In this episode I am joined by David Johnson, a meditation teacher and author of ‘A Path to Nibbana’, a complete meditation guide to TWIM. David shares details about the life of his recently deceased teacher, Bhante Vimalaramsi, including their first meetings in the 1970s meditation scene, the last days of Bhante Vimalaramsi’s life, and the consequences of his death for the religious organisation he left behind. David recounts his own life story, including twenty years of meditation in the Vipassana movement and a detailed description of how he achieved its version of stream entry. David explains how practicing Bhante Vimalaramsi’s teachings showed to him that the stream entry achieved through Vipassana meditation is merely a mental blackout, and explains how to achieve true awakening through the practice of TWIM. David also defines enlightenment, discusses psychic siddhi powers, and questions the enlightenment of figures such as Dipa Ma, suggesting their attainments were much less than widely believed. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep212-path-to-nibbna-david-johnson 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 03:12 - Death of Bhante Vimalaramsi 09:12 - Meeting Bhante Vimalaramsi in 1975 11:42 - Disco killed meditation 12:24 - Becoming a millionaire and going to India 16:52 - David’s work as librarian of Bhante Vimalaramsi’s teachings 18:42 - Filming Dipa Ma and other famous teachers 21:22 - What’s next after Bhante Vimalaramsi’s death? 25:56 - David’s middle class upbringing in the USA 27:17 - Teenage interest in hypnosis 27:58 - Talking about guitars and music 30:29 - Attending Evergreen College, LSD, and Carlos Castaneda 33:04 - Bouncing between colleges 36:06 - Extensive experience in vipassana meditation 38:22 - David details passing through the progress of insight stages 45:54 - Did David achieve stream entry? 47:08 - Discovering the real stream entry 50:18 - Real stream entry vs vipassana black-outs 55:35 - The practice story of the Buddha 01:02:00 - The importance of tranquillising the mental formations 01:07:02 - The dangers of meditation and psychedelics 01:10:56 - Secularising meditation 01:13:50 - David asks Steve, ‘What is enlightenment?’ 01:16:01 - David accuses Steve of eel-wriggling 01:17:11 - David defines enlightenment in terms of the 4 noble truths 01:22:19 - Dipa Ma was not as enlightened as she thought she was 01:29:29 - Dipa Ma’s mastery of psychic powers 01:34:16 - Going to hell after suppressing the mind with concentration 01:36:58 - How to evaluate your enlightenment level 01:48:04 - Why did Buddhism go wrong? … Previous episodes with Delson Armstrong and Bhante Vimalaramsi visit: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=delson - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep112-bhante-vimalaramsi-relaxing-into-nibbana To find our more about David Johnson visit: - https://www.dhammasukha.org/david-johnson For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

John Myrdhin Reynolds, also known as Lama Vajranatha, is a writer, teacher, translator, and scholar/practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism. In this episode I am once again joined by John Myrdhin Reynolds, also known as Lama Vajranatha: writer, teacher, translator, and scholar/practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism.  John explains his own involvement with Western occult systems, including ordination into the OTO and as a Wiccan priest, and traces the history of the Western Esoteric tradition from the Italian Renaissance to the present day. John describes how to accumulate magickal power, explains the workings of the spirit world from the perspectives of both Western occultism and Himalayan shamanism, and comments on subjects such as Aleister Crowley, John Dee, Enochian magick, and more. John also gives a detailed step-by-step description of tantric guardian spirit pujas, compares them to the spirit invocation rituals of Western esoteric systems, and warns against the dangers of working with occult forces without proper protection. … Video version: 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 01:08 - Early Christian experiences 04:14 - Zen vs Tibetan Buddhism 05:24 - The power of Catholic ceremony and ritual 06:24 - Childhood encounters with nature spirits 10:07 - Pagan symbolism and Greek mythology 12:45 - Fascination with science fiction 14:53 - Columbia University and an interest in Asia 16:01 - Meeting esoteric groups in California and India 20:14 - Return to USA and association with various Tibetan lamas 23:08 - Initiation into Wicca and the OTO 27:00 - History of Wicca in the USA 32:17 - History of Western Esotericism from the Renaissance to the present day 39:22 - John Dee and Enochian Magick 43:03 - Magickal workings with spirits 47:34 - Comments on Aleister Crowley 49:18 - How to develop magickal capacity in Vajrayana Buddhism 52:42 - Comparing Western magick invocations to tantric spirit pujas 55:02 - Essential steps in tantric guardian spirit rituals 01:15:42 - Inside the sacred space of the mandala 01:17:29 - Invocation vs channelling 01:25:43 - Propitiating local spirits 01:27:23 - The tantric feast 01:32:00 - Signs of psychic and magickal capacity 01:38:59 - The psychic power of the 16th Karmapa 01:40:11 - Developing siddhi … Previous episode with John Myrdhin Reynolds visit: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep200-lama-vajranatha-professor-john-myrdhin-reynolds To find our more about John Myrdhin Reynolds visit: - https://vajranatha.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am joined by Charlie Morley, lucid dreaming teacher and best-selling author, and Dr Garret Yount, a scientist at the Institute of Noetic Sciences. Charlie and Garret discuss their recent pilot study entitled ‘Decreased Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms Following a Lucid Dream Healing Workshop’, published in the May 2023 issue of Traumatology, and explain why their initial results may show great promise for the use of lucid dreaming techniques in the treatment of PTSD. Charlie and Garret lay out the study’s design, the participant recruitment process, the lucid dreaming techniques taught to the subjects, and reveal what they consider to be the most effective techniques for relief of PTSD symptoms. Garret responds to criticisms of the study design, including that limiting the participants to individuals with prior experience of lucid dreaming may have biased the findings, and that the significant psychotherapeutic aspects of the intervention prevent any conclusions being drawn about the efficacy of the lucid dreaming component for PTSD relief. Charlie also discusses how his religious beliefs as a Buddhist influence his work, and reflects on the flowering of the altruistic motivation known as Bodhicitta in his own life and practice. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep210-science-of-lucid-dream-healing-charlie-morley-dr-garret-yount 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 01:29 - How the study came to be 06:12 - Securing private funding 08:22 - Charlie’s predictions for the study 10:23 - Anxiety about possible lack of lucid dreams in subjects 17:02 - Garret explains the results of the study 20:05 - The study design and participant selection 26:14 - Charlie’s workshop design 31:21 - Dream planning and Charlie reads participant reports 38:53 - Charlie praises the scientists 40:14 - Saliva sample collection 43:33 - Follow up study with a control group 48:13 - Was the participant selection biased? 54:15 - Why the psychological aspects of the workshop prevent conclusions being drawn about lucid dreaming efficacy 01:00:23 - Charlie on Keith McKenzie 01:01:33 - Hope vs false hope 01:05:35 - The importance of reframing nightmares 01:10:23 - Has the follow-up study broadened the selection criteria? 01:12:28 - Charlie’s speculations about the mechanism of effect 01:18:16 - Charlie’s altruistic motivation 01:22:05 - The flowering of Charlie’s bodhicitta 01:27:24 - Religious doubts and struggles in practice 01:30:33 - Charlie assesses his own religious practice … Previous episode with Charlie Morley: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/guru-viking-interviews-ep2-charlie-morley-2 - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep148-wake-up-to-sleep-charlie-morley-2 To read the paper: - https://www.researchgate.net/publication/371051446_Decreased_posttraumatic_stress_disorder_symptoms_following_a_lucid_dream_healing_workshop To find out more about Charlie and Garret, visit: - http://www.charliemorley.com/ - https://noetic.org/profile/garret-yount/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am joined by Lionel Snell, a contemporary English magician, publisher, and, under various pen names such as Ramsey Dukes, a renowned author on magic and philosophy. Lionel shares his life’s journey with magick, explores his years reading mathematics at Cambridge University, immersing in the work of British occultists Aleister Crowley and Austin Spare, and how an experimental group ritual had unexpected and tragic implications. Lionel discusses the true meaning of initiation, the serious dangers of becoming involved in magick, and his time in the OTO alongside figures such as Gerald Suster. Lionel also considers subjects such as the importance of magical thinking, the tension between structure and freedom, the role of banishing rituals, and the cycles of a person’s life. … Video version: www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep209-the-english-magician-ramsay-dukes 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:59 - Childhood interest in magick 04:12 - The mystery of alchemy 06:04 - Exploring Aleister Crowley’s writings while at Cambridge University 07:26 - Meeting Gerald York and discovering Austin Spare 08:37 - The Zen of Western Magick 10:39 - Writing books about magick 13:00 - Joining the Ordo Templi Orientis (OTO) 14:38 - The Kindred of the Kibbo Kift 19:31 - From maths to magick 25:11 - Education as a ritual of initial 29:24 -The true meaning of initiation 32:25 - Initiation in British and American culture 36:38 - Experiments in practicing the occult 40:52 - The role of psychedelics in the 60s occult revival 42:06 - Lionel’s life changing experience with psychedelics 50:37 - Meditation and practicing the occult 55:06 - The Yang form of Tai Chi 56:17 - Gerald Suster and transforming experience through magick 01:02:24 - Lionel’s talent for ritual magick 01:05:04 - Crowley on ritual 01:06:19 - Lionel’s occult ritual at Emmanuel College with unexpected results 01:13:21 - The dangers of practicing magick 01:17:47 - Beyond occult power 01:20:48 - Strength vs power 01:24:37 - Structure and freedom - a secret to magick 01:29:25 - Banishing rituals and self protection 01:31:54 - A profound dream and making one’s magickal implements 01:35:43 - About cycles 01:40:44 - Magical thinking and the cyclical phases of life … To find out more about Ramsey Dukes, visit: - https://ramseydukes.co.uk/ - https://www.youtube.com/@RamseyDukes For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am once again joined by Naomi Levine, author, under her birth name Norma Levine, of multiple books including ‘The Miraculous 16th Karmapa’, ‘A Quest For The Hidden Lands’, and ‘Chronicles of Love and Death: My Years With The Last Spiritual King of Bhutan’. Naomi discusses her various publications about the Karmapas, focusing in particular on the lives and activities of the 16th and 17th of that line. Naomi describes the magical powers and spiritual aura of the 16th Karmapa, recounts her own and others’ experiences of his supernatural potency, and recalls the process of compiling stories of his miraculous activities. Naomi explores the controversies around the 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje, including his recognition, escape from Tibet, interactions with the Tibetan government in exile, and various accusations in the media. Naomi also speculates about the futures of both the Tibetan political cause and the Tibetan religious institutions after the death of the Dalai Lama. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep208-karmapa-tales-naomi-levine-2 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 01:12 - 16th Karmapa’s miraculous powers 02:51 - Meeting the 16th Karmapa in England 05:08 - Apolitical 06:51 - Political intrigue and persecution of the Karmapas 09:02 - The 16th Karmapa’s freedom 10:13 - The controversy of the 17th Karmapas 11:50 - Escaping from Tibet but captured in Dharamsala 22:35 - Politics and Dharma 24:03 - The unravelling of the Tibet cause 26:23 - The future of Tibetan religion 28:56 - Did the Tibetan government In exile block the 17th Karma’s activities? 31:41 - The 17th Karmapa Ogyen Trinley Dorje’s current situation 34:11 - Compiling satires for ‘the book’ 36:15 - A black hat ceremony story 43:18 - How did the Karmapa become so supernaturally powerful? 48:22 - Allegations against the 17th Karmapa 57:05 - The role of the 17th Karmapa in discovering the Shabdrung’s yangsi 01:07:54 - Separating personal religious practice from religious politics … Previous episode with Naomi Levine: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep190-love-death-in-the-himalayas-naomi-levine To find out more about Naomi Levine, visit: - https://www.facebook.com/naomilevine111 - https://www.amazon.com/stores/Norma-Levine/author/B001K86LZ4?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Dr. Alexander Arguelles, a renowned polyglot, discusses his experiences learning Arabic in Lebanon amidst war, teaching at various universities, and proposes reforms in education. He shares insights on learning multiple languages simultaneously, collaborating with linguists, and reflects on the future of academia.

In this episode I am once again joined by Dean Sluyter: meditation teacher and best-selling author of several books including ‘The Dharma Bum’s Guide to Western Literature: Finding Nirvana in the Classics’. In this episode Dean challenges unexamined assumptions about meditation, reveals how to teach meditation well, how to communicate technique and spiritual ideas in plain language, when and how to effectively use Sanskrit or Tibetan terms, and considers whether or not meditation teachers need to know where the paths they teach lead. Dean also shares his passion for language and literature, lists his favourite authors, recalls his time teaching English at the illustrious Pingry School, and gives his top tips for how to write well. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep206-art-of-teaching-meditation-dean-sluyter-3 

Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:49 - Harry Potter and the Summer Solstice 04:13 - Dean’s life and work 05:34 - The beginning of Dean’s love for literature 10:12 - Fascination with etymology 10:56 - The meaning of names 12:19 - Dean’s name and background 15:12 - Knowing stuff is fun 15:59 - 1066 and the rich English vocabulary 17:22 - How to write in a post-Hemingway world 19:52 - Monetise your neuroses 20:22 - Dean’s psychedelic sadhu period 22:32 - Getting hired at the Pingry School 23:59 - Inspiring teenagers to read classics 25:30 - Curriculum vs mission 27:07 - The importance of writing well 27:49 - The Pingry Manual of Style 30:05 - Style and writing well 34:11 - Steve and Charles Dickens 37:25 - Dean on Joyce, Nabokov, 41:29 - Did Hemingway have a near death experience? 43:37 - Dharma Bum’s Guide to Western Literature 45:55 - How to teach meditation 47:26 - Precision in language when teaching meditation 50:24 - Using Sanskrit and Tibetan terms 52:04 - Bad translations of śamatha and vipaśyanā 53:03 - Unexamined assumptions about meditation 55:58 - This is it 56:34 - Teaching meditation is simple 58:18 - Do meditation teachers need to have meditation experience? 01:00:17 - Do meditation teachers need to be enlightened? 01:00:41 - How Transcendental Meditation works 01:04:27 - Mindfulness in schools 01:06:46 - Teaching from experience 01:09:36 - The death of Dean’s first wife 01:12:18 - Imitate, assimilate, innovate … Previous episodes with Dean Sluyter: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/163-dharma-bums-guide-to-western-literature-dean-sluyter - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep189-effortless-awakening-dean-sluyter-2 To find out more about Dean Sluyter, visit: - https://deansluyter.com/ … 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am once joined by Justin Von Bujdoss, American Buddhist teacher, chaplain, and author of ‘Modern Tantric Buddhism’. Justin describes his powerfully transformative dark retreat practice in which he embarked on multiple 7-day and 49-day meditation retreats in complete darkness under the guidance of Dr Nida Chenagtsang. Justin recalls his life-changing encounter with the rarefied religious experience of rigpa, and details his visions of spiritual beings, animals, elements, and Bardo deities. Justin recounts his first meeting with Dr Nida, how he became his student, and explains the significance of Dr Nida’s endorsement of Justin as both a Dzogchen teacher and dark retreat guide. Justin also reveals the daily routine and practice instructions for dark retreat, and reflects on current trends within Buddhism and nonduality in America today. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep205-my-49-day-dark-retreat-justin-von-bujdoss-2 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 01:07 - Justin’s personal practice revolution 02:27 - Meeting Dr Nida Chenagtsang and showing him a secret text 06:10 - Dr Nida’s qualities as a teacher 08:00 - Justin’s 25 years of Mahamudra practice 08:18 - Preparing to enter dark retreat 08:56 - The impact of multiple 7 and 49-day retreats 13:35 - 7-day preparatory dark retreat 15:03 - Intense visionary experiences and risk of psychosis 18:38 - Dr Nida’s dark retreat terma 20:48 - Justin’s previous experience with dream yoga and visions 22:57 - Dark retreat instructions and opening visionary capacity 27:48 - Undermining the visual system binary 24:37 - Justin’s visions of the Bardo deities 27:46 - Contradictions in Mahamudra and forcing it 31:38 - Daily routine and practice schedule in dark retreat 36:38 - No contact with Dr Nida during the retreat 38:45 - Visions of the purified elements 42:00 - Visions of animals and dead people 42:59 - Visions of beings who offered gifts to Justin 43:30 - Did Justin relive his traumas? 45:22 - Quitting prison chaplaincy 47:50 - How chaplaincy falls short of resting in rigpa 50:56 - Profound healing opportunity of dark retreat 54:50 - Rigpa supersedes Justin’s ordination 56:18 - The totality of everything occurs right here 59:54 - Endorsed by Dr Nida to teach Dzogchen 01:04:10 - Justin’s special karmic connection with Dr Nida and other tulkus 01:07:00 - Justin’s loss of social functionality post-awakening 01:09:25 - How Justin’s teacher punctured his ego 01:12:54 - Struggles with students who are fixated on tantra 01:16:42 - Student retention and abusive teaching methods 01:18:18 - Where is Buddhism going in America? 01:19:13 - Is Tibetan Buddhism trendy? 01:23:08 - Dark retreat as liberating psychotherapy 01:25:45 - Dark retreat as the ultimate experience product for psychonauts 01:27:30 - Assessing those who wish to embark upon dark retreat 01:31:22 - Where to find out more … Previous episode with Justin Von Bujdoss: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep196-modern-tantric-buddhism-justin-von-bujdoss Previous episodes with Dr Nida Chenagtsang: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=nida To find our more about Justin Von Bujdoss, visit: - https://justinvonbujdoss.com/ - https://www.yangtiyoga.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

I was recently interviewed by Louis Mayhew for his ‘Fundamental ‘Frequency podcast about kundalini awakening, mystical visions, embodiment, and more. 00:00 - Intro 00:37 - About the Guru Viking Podcast 02:52 - Adverse side effects of kundalini awakening 04:00 - Louis’ kundalini crisis 12:21 - What Louis has learned about kundalini 13:56 - Paranormal visions 17:20 - Louis’ sleep patterns 18:01 - Practices that trigger a kundalini 20:47 - Massage and acupuncture 22:35 - Managing arousal states 23:00 - Vision of a loving deity 25:07 - Diet and lifestyle considerations 27:35 - Work with Tara Springett 31:01 - Louis reflects on his kundalini journey 32:14 - Louis’ kundalini goals 34:42 - Tara Springett, Mary Shutan, and other resources 39:23 - Are there advanced kundalini teachings in the spiritual traditions? 45:10 - What triggers kundalini awakening? 47:50 - Feldenkrais Method 49:13 - Intimate understanding of the body-mind system 50:28 - Early influences on Steve’s journey 55:05 - Louis’ childhood blissful experiences 57:15- Michaela Boehm and Non-Linear Movement Method® 01:03:21 - Dependency on a teacher 01:05:10 - Louis’ release experience doing NLMM® 01:06:49 - The wisdom of the body 01:12:45 - Kundalini and trauma 01:14:14 - Guru Viking Podcast & Meditation Club Video version: Fundamental Frequency Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-fundamental-frequency-podcast-with-louis-parker/id1667140531 Other times I have been interviewed: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/category/Steve+Interviewed https://www.guruviking.com

In this episode I am joined by Erik Jampa Andersson, a Sowa Rigpa healing practitioner, student of Tibetan Buddhism, meditation instructor, and author of ‘Unseen Beings: How We Forgot The World Is More Than Human’. Erik discusses how he came to write ‘Unseen Beings’ and why he changed its theme from the spirit ontologies of Tibetan culture to the themes of climate change and animism. Taking climate change as his starting premise, Erik follows a traditional 4-part medical model to make a diagnosis, and goes on to present his views on the causes and conditions, prognosis, and treatment. Erik also grapples with moral and cultural dilemmas, compares animal testing in a medical context to hunting practices and animal sacrifices in a traditional context, and challenges the anthropocentrism of both modern culture and the environmentalist movement. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep204-unseen-beings-erik-jampa-andersson Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:02 - Celebrating Erik’s first book 02:15 - Unexpected praise 04:09 - Charlie Morley’s author advice 05:49 - 4-part medical model 06:48 - How the book changed direction from spirit ontology to climate change 10:36 - The inspiration of the pandemic 12:44 - Summarising Erik’s argument 13:36 - Rinpoches performing rituals to appease the spirits who sent the pandemic 15:24 - Animism vs materialism 20:21 - A scientific materialist challenge to animism 29:59 - Tolkien on gods and fairy tales 32:58 - Ian McGilchrist and harmonising vs polarisation 37:26 - Should we abandon modernity? 39:19 - Generalisation vs individuality 41:20 - Disenchanting ontologies 43:00 - The danger of sweeping generalisations 44:27 - The lived experience of mice 46:45 - Alienation from nature 51:21 - Moral nuance and confused views 55:46 - Erik considers hunting in animistic societies 58:19 - The trolley problem and perceived consent in hunting 01:00:15 - Is animal sacrifice justified within certain cultural contexts? 01:05:57 - Stewarding the resources of the world 01:08:43 - Anthropocentrism vs animism 01:10:41 - Erik on the climate crisis 01:13:09 - The bloody history of Tibet and other nations … Previous episode with Erik Jampa Andersson: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep108-erik-jampa-andersson-from-tolkien-to-tibet/
 To find out more about Erik Jampa Andersson, visit: - https://www.shrimala.com/ 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James