Guru Viking Podcast

In this interview I am joined by Adam Mizner, internationally renowned tai chi practitioner and meditation teacher. Adam recounts how a troubled childhood saw him begin martial arts and meditation training, and he reflects on his childhood psychic visionary experiences. Adam discusses the nature of internal cultivation, the role of standing practice, and provides a detailed analysis of the remarkable abilities and attainments of his teacher, the Thai Buddhist Arahant, Luang Por Jamnian. Adam also shares his current understanding about the true path of meditation, criticises visualisation practices found in Vajrayana Buddhism, questions the efficacy of tummo meditation, and elaborates on the mechanics of his famous push hands abilities. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep182-meditation-maverick-adam-mizner 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:53 - Difficult childhood & psychic visions 03:13 - Are psychic powers actually an ailment 04:26 - Pros and cons of psychic openness 06:10 - Beginning Tai Chi and meditation 08:09 - Hard training 08:54 - Internal cultivation is not gentle 10:37 - Becoming a Tai Chi creature 15:38 - Adam’s early training 18:20 - The power of standing practice 21:21 - Harnessing obsessive qualities for practice 23:15 - Leaving fight training 24:24 - Adam’s teachers 26:05 - Aversion to lineage 26:48 - Meeting the arhat Luang Por Jamnian 30:34 - The remarkable spiritual feats of Luang Por Jamnian 33:44 - The life and training of Luang Por Jamnian 36:39 - Beyond mind and body 38:28 - How to transcend mind and body 44:29 - Attained people vs charismatic talkers 47:42 - Different types of enlightened people 52:59 - The true path of meditation 58:41 - Cultivate stillness 01:02:42 - Learning to sit still, even with injuries 01:08:27 - Realising your limits 01:10:29 - Acclimatisation vs transcendence 01:14:46 - Adam on morality 01:18:51 - Imaginary enlightenment 01:19:46 - Critique of visualisation practices of Vajrayana 01:24:39 - The secret of metta cultivation 01:28:08 - Adam on the mirage of tummo 01:31:01 - Can authentic tummo be restored? 01:33:44 - Real transformation 01:42:44 - Practice techniques as sectarian conditioning 01:45:11 - Adam on sex and sexual practice 01:49:47 - Ejaculation and orthorexia 01:52:57 - Men vs women on the path 01:54:46 - Men’s hormonal tendencies 01:56:26 - Secret to Adam’s Fajing and push hands skills 02:07:07 - Advice for the seeker … To find our more about Adam Mizner, visit: - https://heavenmanearth.com/en/adam-mizner - https://discovertaiji.com/en - https://discovermind.com/en … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this interview I am once again joined by Dr Thomas Clough Daffern philosopher, educator, peace activist, and peace officer for the Council of British Druid Orders. In this episode, Thomas shares his lifetime of research into the druid tradition of the British Isles and Europe, including his historical research and personal contact with druids today. Thomas reveals why most modern day druid groups are reconstructionists, and probes the possibility of a living druid lineage in certain areas of Ireland. Thomas explains why he believes Jesus was an initiate of the mystery schools of his day, discusses the connections between Celtic culture and mystical Christianity, and shares his current research into the Gnostic Gospels and the Gospel of Mary Magdalene. Thomas also considers the guru disciple relationship, what ‘enlightenment’ means in different traditions, the dangers of prematurely declaring one’s enlightenment, and offers warning signs for recognising guru and cult figures. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep181-druidic-enlightenment-and-european-mysticism 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 01:10 - Discovering the druids 02:06 - Researching the occultist Dr John Dee 03:07 - Meeting a druid 04:28 - Advocacy for access to British sacred sites 09:42 - Druid spread across Europe 12:08 - History of the druids 16:26 - Was Jesus Christ an initiate of the mysteries? 18:54 - Gnostic gospels and the inner disciples 20:56 - Love and wisdom confronting false power and ignorance 22:06 - Celtic-Christian connections 23:42 - Thomas’ current research into the Gospel of Mary Magdalene 25:55 - Are current druid groups reconstructions or part of a living lineage? 31:44 - Advocacy for Irish culture 32:37 - Druidry should be taught in schools 33:36 - Druids and enlightenment 37:32 - Buddhism vs the druid path 42:16 - What is enlightenment? 42:59 - Common root of Vedic, Kabbalist, and Druid teachings 49:31 - Druid revolutionaries 54:27 - The Judas mystery 58:47 - Great teachers and bad disciples 01:00:47 - Keats’ school for souls 01:01:24 - Planetary enlightenment or bust 01:03:31 - Golden Gate Project 01:04:47 - The Eastern gate of Jerusalem 01:08:51 - Transcending revenge consciousness … Previous episodes with Dr Daffern: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=daffern … To find our more about Dr Daffern, visit: - http://www.educationaid.net/ - https://www.lulu.com/spotlight/iipsgp - https://interfaithpeacetreaty.wordpress.com/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this interview I am once again joined by Jack Haubner, ex-Zen Monk and prize winning author of the memoirs Zen Confidential: Confessions of a Wayward Monk; and Single White Monk: Tales of Death, Failure, and Bad Sex. In this interview Jack reveals the interaction between his creative process and his Zen journey, from his screenwriting days in Hollywood, to journalling as a Zen monk, to penning his award winning spiritual memoirs. Jack also considers the role of self-disclosure and comedy in his writing, reflects on why Sasaki Roshi did not emphasise art in his spiritual training, and recounts stories of fellow Zen student and renowned singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen. Jack also discusses how even senior Zen monks can become complacent during intense retreat, how to break through stagnancy in practice, and what it means to make spiritually resonant art. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep180-zen-and-the-art-of-being-funny-jack-haubner Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 
 00:00 - Intro 01:01 - The Book of Questions 03:31 - Moving to LA and failing as a screenwriter 05:08 - Jack’s influences as a writer 05:58 - Stories of ‘dog eat dog’ Hollywood life 12:21 - Rupert Spira vs Henry Shukman 15:05 - Creativity vs becoming a Zen monk 19:47 - Zen Confidential 20:22 - The role of art in Zen and Japanese culture 22:32 - Zen is the direct path 23:25 - Harada Roshi’s enso 23:59 - Sasaki Roshi did not emphasise art at all 25:09 - Complacent Zen practitioners 28:32 - Sweet spot of great art 30:06 - Passivity in advanced Zen students of Sasaki Roshi 35:45 - Prostate problems during sesshin 38:25 - Strife with other monks as training 42:55 - How Jack found his voice as a writer 48:03 - Moral superiority vs self deprecation 49:32 - - Jack’s ‘why’ 51:36 - Escaping the nihilism trap of low motivation 58:30 - Jack’s Zen friendship with Leonard Cohen 01:00:23 - Cohen’s love songs to God 01:02:52 - More about Leonard Cohen 01:03:48 - Jack on humour 01:05:25 - Jack on taking risks as a writer 01:06:51 - Making art out of Sasaki Roshi’s sex scandal 01:08:10 - Criticism of Jack’s books 01:11:19 - Edgy humour, cruelty, and cultural changes 01:16:29 - Current writing projects 01:18:40 - Jack’s Youtube channel 01:20:42 - Artists must finish … Previous episode with Jack Haubner: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep126-zen-scandal-jack-haubner/
 To find out more about Jack Haubner, visit: - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt9Q74t3o7AUCJ_bKTc5CgA 

For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am joined by Dr Yannis Toussulis, Sufi lineage holder, psychotherapist, and author of ‘Sufism and the Way of Blame’. Dr Toussulis recounts his upbringing in Manhattan, New York and how a childhood vision of Jesus Chris changed his life forever. Dr Toussulis recalls several profound mystical experiences and traces his life of travel and study with gurus and sheiks, including his time at the Esalen Institute, close studies with Tibetan Lama Khenchen Palden Sherab, experiments in psychedelic assisted therapy, travel to India, personal time with Osho, and more. Dr Toussulis also critiques new age presentations of Sufism, including modern interpretations of Rumia and early 20th century ideas of the Sarmoung Brotherhood, and considers the case of Idries Shah and the collusion between teachers and disciples to create exaggerated origin myths. … Video version: www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep179-adventures-of-a-sufi-mystic-dr-yannis-toussulis 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 01:01 - Upbringing in Manhattan 03:04 - Inspired to attend church after a vision of Jesus Christ 04:30 - First encounter with Sufism 07:17 - Meeting first Sheikhs 08:43 - Close study with Khenchen Palden Sherab 09:32 - Return to Sufism 12:42 - A vision of Jesus Christ 15:52 - Interpreting mystical experiences 17:15 - More visionary experiences 21:55 - Realising that God is everywhere 24:09 - Psychedelic experimentation 27:16 - Psychedelic therapy in Vancouver 31:04 - Carlos Castaneda 31:39 - Travel to India and studies with Osho 39:26 - Final conversation with Osho 44:35 - What is enlightenment? 50:23 - Meeting gurus 53:15 - Meeting his Lama in a lucid dream 01:04:40 - ’Nyingthik Drak’ and learning Buddhist tantra 01:08:46 - Sarmoung Brotherhood and misconceptions about Sufism 01:13:57 - What is Sufism? 01:18:25 - Origin myths and the naive audience of the early 1900s 01:22:17 - Collusion and mystification 01:25:39 - The modern inversion of Rumi … To find our more about Dr Yannis Toussulis, visit: - http://www.itlaqfoundation.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I host a dialogue between Dr Ian Wickramasekera, Bön Buddhist practitioner and professor at Naropa University, and Julia Shannon, trainee clinical psychotherapist and researcher. In the first part of this interview, Dr Ian discusses his current thinking on what the traditions of Dzogchen and Western hypnosis can learn from each other, challenges Herbert Benson’s relaxation response theory of meditation, and questions dualistic frameworks in science and experimental psychology. Then, Dr Ian and Julia dialogue about the prevalence of mental illness and regressive coping in Buddhist meditators, the personality types of religious mystics, and Julia’s own experience using hypnosis to cure her phone addiction Dr Ian and Julia also consider the implications of teaching advanced Buddhist meditation methods in a clinical setting, including ethical issues and concerns about violating sacred vows, and they discuss their experiences of personal identity and professional life as biracial adults in America. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep178-buddhist-meditation-hypnosis-dzogchen-dr-ian-wickramasekera-julia-shannon 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … 01:26 - Dzogchen and hypnosis 05:37 - Going beyond dualism in science 06:19 - Crisis in clinical psychology 09:37 - Suffering & serotonin 20:01 - Dzogchen philosophy in clinical hypnosis 22:14 - Invalidating Herbert Benson’s relaxation response theory of meditation 29:08 - What really brings cessation of suffering 30:14 - Aestheticism is needed in science 32:05 - Specific Dzogchen practices and hypnotic hallucinations 36:31 - A daily practice of hypnosis 40:01 - What science can offer Dzogchen 46:45 - Julia’s background 49:05 - Overcoming phone addiction via hypnosis 52:08 - Hypnotic trance vs meditative states 53:46 - Stigmata of hypnosis and meditation 57:56 - High hypnotisable people and the prevalence to mystical experience 01:01:10 - Ronald J. Pekal’s Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory (PCI) 01:03:15 - Myth of meditation brain states such as alpha 01:07:23 - Bringing Buddhist practice into clinical practice 01:08:53 - Mental illness in religious practitioners 01:10:44 - Repressive coping in tummo meditators 01:23:02 - Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche and finding one’s innate experience 01:25:06 - Presenting completion stage practices in a secular context 01:29:20 - Trekchod and togyal vs post-hypnotic suggestion 01:31:23 - Which Buddhist practices Dr Ian gives to his patients 01:33:32 - Experimental vs clinical psychology 01:34:41 - Does teaching Buddhist practice to non-Buddhists break Samaya? 01:38:03 - Hypnotising Dzogchen practitioners 01:39:49 - Counselling dissatisfied Buddhists 01:41:33 - Nervousness about teaching Dzogchen and Vajrayana 01:43:02 - The importance of devotion 01:45:08 - Training clinicians and counsellors 01:50:38 - Dr Ian asks Julia about her experience being hypnotised 01:54:14 - Catharsis, clinging, and the battle of addiction 01:56:19 - Executive ego and skepticism 01:57:19 - Pointing out instructions and polypsychic therapy 02:01:32 - Rapid behaviour change and eschatological pressure 02:03:15 - Race, empathy, and therapeutic efficacy 02:10:33 - Integrating dualistic racial identities 02:12:08 - Identity dimensions of the therapist 02:16:22 - Chogyam Trungpa and reconciling racial identity 02:24:23 - Role-taking theory and hallucinated intensity 02:29:26 - Myths of hypnosis and the role of expectancy … Previous episodes with Dr Ian Wickramasekera: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=wickramasekera To find our more about Dr Ian Wickramasekera, visit: - https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ian_Wickramasekera2 - https://www.naropa.edu/faculty/ian-wickramasekera.php For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this interview I am once again joined by Amoda Maa, spiritual teacher and author of books such as ‘Embodied Enlightenment’ and ‘Falling Open in a World Falling Apart’. Amoda Maa shares her experience of falling into the abyss of emptines and the consequences that followed. She describes the dark night of the soul that preceded this experience, and how its aftermath healed her childhood abandonment trauma. Amoda Maa also talks about the life of a spiritual teacher, how she went from living an ascetic life of anonymity in the English countryside to moving to America to become a well known teacher, and shares her observations of the boys’ club dynamic in the spiritual teaching scene. Amoda Maa also recounts relearning relationship after her enlightenment when she met her now husband, and discusses the feminine frequency of awakening and how that relates to the inner marriage. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep177-becoming-a-spiritual-teacher-amoda-maa Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
 … Topics include:

00:00 - Intro 00:56 - Falling into the abyss of emptiness 03:56 - After awakening, living from the unknown 08:07 - Purification of relationship with mother 11:53 - Dark night of the soul, abandoned by God 19:20 - Recognising avoidance, the moment of enlightenment 24:11 - Healing of abandonment 26:05 - Changes in relationship with others 28:02 - Spiritual openness vs learning to say ‘no’ to others 34:15 - Meeting a new partner, and a new way of relationship 37:58 - Thoughts and narratives 41:35 - Being in relationship with an enlightened person 45:05 - Abiding goodness 49:52 - First book publishing period 55:19 - Invited to speak and purifying self-consciousness 57:06 - Learning to speak from enlightenment, not about it 59:41 - Change your life, change your world 01:02:28 - Living like an ascetic for 12 years 01:08:37 - Encountering the term ‘non duality’ 01:12:31 - Teaching career launched on BATGAP and at SAND 01:18:04 - The American non-duality scene 01:22:29. Feminine face of awakening vs the boys’ club of spiritual teachers 01:25:41 - The feminine frequency of awakening 01:27:22 - The patriarchy is over 01:28:56 - Inner marriage 01:29:35 - The boys club and suppression of women 01:33:28 - The flow of life … Previous episode with Amoda Maa: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep147-falling-open-amoda-maa To find out more about Amoda Maa, visit: - https://www.amodamaa.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com

In this episode I am joined by Morgan O Smith, teacher of non-duality, and under the stage name ‘Mista Mo’, was a stand-up comedian and host of the Gemini award winning television show ‘Buzz’. Morgan recalls his painful childhood of trauma growing up in what he describes as a Christian cult, and discusses how the damaging consequences of that environment affected him into adulthood. Morgan recounts how, even at the height of his professional success in television and comedy, he felt spiritually unfulfilled and began searching for answers in hypnotherapy and Holosync meditation. Morgan shares his subsequent spiritual journey of deep meditation, powerful psychedelic experimentation, contact with gurus and spirit guides, kundalini activation, and profound spiritual awakenings. Morgan also discusses the lasting effects of his awakenings, his prolific creative projects, and shares his insights on enlightenment, the personality, and more. ... Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep176-the-awakening-of-mista-mo 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:55 - Morgan’s support for the podcast 01:59 -Morgan’s painful upbringing 03:19 - First memories 04:17 - Memories of church 05:48 - Abuse in a Christian cult 08:42 - Anger and other effects of childhood trauma 11:14 - Beginning a healing journey 12:44 - Clash with Morgan’s father 15:00 - Unfulfilled by comedy and TV success 17:41 - Psychedelic experimentation 19:49 - Hypnotherapy for audition nerves and creative breakthrough 23:10 - Holosync meditation and purging repressed subconscious material 28:28 - Leaving TV and taking 2 years off 30:56 - Combining Holosync meditation with psychedelics for 5 years 33:48 - Meeting spirit guides and other experiences 36:08 - An experience of enlightenment 40:19 - After stream entry 43:40 - Further spiritual breakthroughs 45:13 - Powerful DMT journey 50:39 - LSD experiments and turiya 53:33 - Ayahuasca and 5-MeO-DMT 58:48 - Kundalini activation 01:02:25 - Receiving darshan from Paramahamsa Vishwananda 01:04:17 - Full realisation 01:12:51 - Paramahamsa Vishwananda returns 01:13:31 - Lasting changes 01:14:32 - Sexual changes 01:16:30 - Even temper 01:17:08 - Facing pain and challenges 01:19:23 - Final or is there more to come? 01:22:00 - Traumatised by in a good way 01:22:44 - Noticing divinity 01:24:48 - PTSD from awakening 01:26:18 - Morgan’s writing and videos 01:28:55 - Morgan’s upcoming books 01:32:05 - Personality types of awakening 01:37:26 - Personality disorders and enlightenment 01:43:16 - Advice to those seeking awakening … To find out more about Morgan O Smith, visit: - https://www.instagram.com/morgano.smith/ - https://linktr.ee/morganosmith For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

I was recently interviewed by Artem Zen for his 'Elevating Consciousness' podcast. Video version: www.guruviking.com/podcast/steve-james-interviewed-on-the-elevating-conciousness-podcast [Artem's Show notes] 0:00 - Introduction 1:00 - Steve speaks about his early experiences with martial arts, meditation, and contemplation 5:55 - The downside of organized religion 8:45 - Steve’s interest in both western and eastern religious traditions 13:47 - The benefit and challenge of extreme outdoor survival 26:23 - If you don’t come to the dragon it will come to you 29:17 - Why embracing discomfort is key to learning 34:04 - Psychedelics 38:32 - Using the Grinberg Method for healing 41:34 - Steve unpacks his somatic practice “The Movement Koan Method” 46:53- Steve speaks about dealing with a serious illness and having a near-death experience 1:05:31 - How the near-death experience transformed Steve 1:10:08 - Was that an Awakening? 1:12:09 - Artem speaks on integrating his 5-me0-DMT experience 1:15:58 - Letting go of mystical and spiritual experiences 1:24:08 - Models of Awakening 1:26:17 - Deconstructing the Guru Viking Podcast 1:37:49 - The genius and impact of Shinzen Young 1:46:42 - Other spiritual teachers that greatly impacted Steve Elevating Consciousness Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCieDzvmBXXZX9VuKa9MvHqQ Other times I have been interviewed: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/category/Steve+Interviewed www.guruviking.com

In this episode I am joined by Adele Tomlin, Buddhist practitioner, writer, poet, independent scholar-translator of Tibetan Buddhist texts, and founder of the Dakini Translations website. Adele recalls her upbringing in England, training as a barrister, and work as a strategist in the city of London, before a chance meeting with the 17th Karmapa changed her life forever. Adele traces her beginnings in becoming a Buddhist, her studies of the Tibetan language in Nepal, and thriving in the academic rigour of Tibetology at the University of Hamburg. Adele discusses her published works, shares her research and translation process, and explores the implications of the shentong vs rangtong doctrines of emptiness. Adele also expresses her frustration with gate-keeping in academia, reveals the reasons behind her founding of DakiniTranslations.com, and shares her research into the forgotten female mystics of India and Tibet. …

 Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep175-dakini-translations-adele-tomlin 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:05 - Endorsed by scholars 02:53 - Miranda Shaw 03:48 - Adele’s upbringing 04:35 - Training as a barrister and entering the city of London 07:39 - Dissatisfaction with life and training in yoga and philosophy 08:53 - Life changing meeting with the 17th Karmapa 14:47 - Reaction of friends and family 15:33 - Learning Tibetan to be closer to the guru 17:33 - Studying Tibetan in India and Nepal 20:28 - Discovering a talent for the Tibetan language 21:46 - The power of past life connections 28:22 - Studying Tibetology at the University of Hamburg 30:08 - Adele adjusts to the academic rigour at Hamburg 32:29 - The importance of practice experience when translating Vajrayana texts 34:54 - Publishes her first critical edition translation 36:30 - Philological and philosophical challenges of translating Taranatha's commentary on the Heart Sutra  41:04 - Rangtong vs Shentong 48:13 - The implications of the shentong view for practice 54:11 - Taranatha’s shentong reading of the Heart Sutra 55:08 - Frustration with gatekeeping in academia and founding dakinitranslations dot com 01:00:25 - Making Buddhist translation and research accessible and relatable 01:03:16 - Ethics of profiting from dharma 01:04:23 - The secret of Adele’s prolific output 01:06:33 - How Adele chooses which texts to translate 01:11:14 - Research into forgotten female mystics and masters 01:15:39 - Humour in Vajrayana and pointing out all male panels 01:18:36 - Male dominated lineage trees 01:20:08 - ‘Dakini Translations’ and British humour … To find out more about Adele Tomlin, visit: - https://dakinitranslations.com/ - www.facebook.com/dakinitranslations For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

I was recently interviewed by Andres Valdivieso for his 'Innercraft' podcast. Topics include: 0:00 – Episode Intro 2:10 – The Guru Viking Podcast: origins and vision going forward 4:45 – Steve’s learnings from conducting The Guru Viking Podcast 13:30 – Steve’s current main priorities, activities and hobbies 24:51 – The intersection of music and meditation 37:00 – Steve’s background and how he got started in contemplative practices 51:50 – Steve’s goals and intentions regarding meditation/spirituality 58:44 – How formal sitting meditation impacts Steve’s life experience 01:07:55 – Meditation in daily activity 01:17:35 – Steve’s current daily meditation practice 01:23:29 – Relationship with daily activities that can be detrimental to meditation practice 01:35:00 – The intersection of movement, somatic practices and meditation 01:47:55 – The Movement Koan Method: nourishing the joints and bringing awareness to subtle body sensations. Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/steve-james-interviewed-on-the-innercraft-podcast Innercraft website: https://www.inner-craft.com/ Other times I have been interviewed: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/category/Steve+Interviewed www.guruviking.com