Guru Viking Podcast

In this episode I am joined by Henry Shukman, award-winning poet, Zen teacher, and author of ‘One Blade of Grass, a Zen memoir’. In this interview Henry discusses his upbringing in Oxford, as the son of a don and a graduate of the illustrious Dragon School, and how in poetry he found the liberating aspect of literary life. Henry reveals his first awakening experience, the breakdown that occurred thereafter, and how finding meditation saw him begin a quest to deepen his spiritual life. Henry discusses the importance of finding a teacher, how he overcome a childhood-learned distrust of men to do so, and why his Zen practice brought an end to his professional writing career. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep101-henry-shukman-one-blade-of-grass/ 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:47 - Henry’s learned upbringing in Oxford 06:30 - An award-winning career as a poet and author ended by Zen 09:13 - Henry’s education at the illustrious Dragon School, Oxford 15:12 - Poetry as the liberating aspect of literary life 17:17 - Henry as a poet and ‘is poetry high-brow’? 22:56 - First awakening experience 28:11 - Post-awakening breakdown and despair 30:26 - Discovering meditation and unwinding the nervous system 35:00 - Distrust of men and finding a spiritual teacher 43:49 - Inside the teacher-student relationship 51:31 - Did Zen kill Henry’s writing process? To find out more about Henry Shukman, visit: - https://www.mountaincloud.org/about/henry-shukman/ 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am once again joined by Dr Ian A. Baker, international fellow of the Explorers Club and the Royal Geographic Society, author of 7 books, and an initiate of Buddhist, Taoist, and Hindu Tantric lineages. In this interview Ian recounts a life-changing encounter with a Shakta tantric Siddha in Nepal, who healed Ian of severe climbing injuries and initiated him into the Kaula Tantric order. Ian compares the hitherto secret practices of this sect - such as pranayama, asana, and kundalini techniques - with their Tibetan Tantric equivalents. Ian reveals the surprising reactions of his Tibetan teachers to his initiations into Kaula Tantra, including Chatral Rinpoche and Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, and shares a drinking practice taught to him by his Kaula guru. Ian also discusses Himalayan Beyul, the thin places of the Scottish Highlands, and how a trip to the Isle of Skye brought him into living contact with local Faerie lore. ... Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep100-ian-baker-emancipated-passion-of-kaula-tantra/ 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:02 - Recent research into esoteric Burmese spiritual elixirs and the Soma tradition 09:55. Exploring the thin places of the Scottish Highlands 15:15 - Encountering the human the faerie tradition of the Isle of Skye 18:21 - Psychoactive substances in Buddhism 22:32 - Tantric Buddhism in Burma 28:38 - Ian on Mike Crowley’s book ’The Secret Drugs of Buddhism’ 34:12 - Initial interest in Kaula Tantra 39:59 - Padmasambhava and the Nyingma Sects of Tibetan Buddhism 41:41 - Love vs renunciation and the Indian roots of Tibetan Tantra 47:18 - Emancipated passion, Yab Yum, and Maithuna 52:14 - Touring the sacred Shakta sites of Kamakya, Assam with Sakya Trinzin 59:29 - Ian’s first Kaula Tantric initiation 1:03:05 - Meeting a Shakta master and experiencing Siddhis (paranormal powers) 1:05:06 - Extensive physical healing by the Shakta master after Ian’s climbing accident 1:16:05 - Ian’s second Kaula Tantric initiation and Maithuna practice 1:20:11 - Tulku Urgyen and Chatral Rinpoche’s responses to his Kaula experiences 1:23:50 - Ian demonstrates a pranayama drinking practice 1:29:58 - Criticisms of mulabhanda and visualisation practice 1:35:08 - Comparison of Shakta and Tibetan pranayama practices 1:37:46 - Integration of Sahaja and the core practices of Dzogchen 1:41:32 - Comparison of approaches to the pelvic floor in the esoteric traditions 1:49:04 - Female masters and the overlooked roots of Tantric practice 1:52:14 - Ian recommends some recent scholarship ... To find out more about Dr Ian A Baker, visit: - https://www.ianbaker.com/ 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode, I am once again joined by David Curtis, a Lama in the Shangpa-Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism and founder of the Tibetan Language Institute. In this interview, we pick up David’s story as he emerges from 3 years of closed retreat as a fully qualified Lama, and see his return to America to teach both the Tibetan language and the Buddhist religion. David also recounts many unexpected meetings and powerful mystical experiences with Buddhist masters including Mindrolling Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche, Anam Thubten Rinpoche, Thinley Norbu Rinpoche, Lama Tharchin, and more. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep99-lama-david-curtis-2-making-of-a-tantric-lama/ Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:45 - Becoming a Lama in the Kagyu tradition 05:12 - Finishing the 3 year retreat and studying Tibetan medicine 09:40 - Meeting Dzogchen master Nyoshul Khen 11:38 - A powerful encounter with Mindrolling Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche and Vajrayogini 17:53 - Shaktipat & mystical experiences with Mindrolling Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche 25:55 - Return to America and beginning to teach the Tibetan language 32:58 - Collaborations with Anam Thubten Rinpoche and Professor Sarah Harding 36:48 - Encounters with Lama Tharchin and Thinley Norbu Rinpoche 43:23 - Divination and encouragement from Mindrolling Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche 49:11 - Endorsed to teach by Anam Thubten Rinpoche 53:33 - David’s approach to teaching Buddhism 1:00:31 - Founding the Big Sky Mind sangha Previous interviews with Lama David Curtis: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep84-lama-david-curtis-hitchhiking-in-samsara/ To find out more about Lama David Curtis, visit: - http://www.bigskymindmontana.org/ - http://www.tibetanlanguage.org/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this interview I am joined by Meido Roshi, Rinzai Zen Abbot of Korinji Monastery, Wisconsin, and author of ‘Hidden Zen: Practices for Sudden Awakening and Embodied Realisation’. In this episode we discuss how childhood existential panic set Meido Roshi on a quest for spiritual meaning, travelling Asia to meet famous meditation masters such as Shri Munindra, Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, & Sheng Yen before finally finding a home in the practice of Zen. Meido Roshi details his years of rigorous training, his subsequent awakening, and critiques the shortcomings of today’s American Zen lineages. Meido Roshi reveals the Rinzai Zen principle of ‘Ba’, how to cultivate spiritual charisma and use it to impact others, and offers a comparison of the different flavours of spiritual charisma possessed by the masters that he has met. … https://www.guruviking.com/ep98-meido-roshi-hidden-zen/ 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:56 - Childhood existential panic and religious personality 05:42 - Attraction to the Catholic priesthood 07:27 - Encounters with Anagarika Shri Munindra, Chokyi Nyima, Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, & Sheng Yen 10:29 - Meeting Tenzan Toyoda Rokoji, Meido’s first teacher 12:19 - Comparing the spiritual charisma of various enlightened masters 15:37 - Meido Roshi’s view on perennialism 17:46 - Deficiencies and shortcomings of Western Zen 26:18 - Conflation of Zen and psychotherapy 27:48 - What can be changed in Zen? 32:40 - Is Meido Roshi’s critique of American Zen inconsistent with his own modifications to the tradition? 38:00 - Why have the techniques in ‘Hidden Zen’ been unknown by scholars and practitioners? 41:18 - 7 years of intense apprenticeship with Tenzan Toyoda Rokoji 44:02 - How Tenzan Toyoda Rokoji burned through Meido’s cloudiness 47:11 - Acknowledged by Tenzan Toyoda Rokoji 48:27 - Hard training or abuse? 51:42 - Traditional martial arts training 54:19 - 15 years with Hosokawa Roshi 57:05 - Training with So'zan Miller Roshi 59:10 - The progression of the Zen path towards and beyond Kensho 1:04:08 - Profound states of Samadhi + shattering vs distraction 1:07:41 - Prerequisites and obstacles to profound Samadhi 1:10:29 - Individualism and bad habits in meditators 1:14:08 - Spiritual charisma as a teaching tool 1:20:22 - How to train spiritual charisma in Rinzai Zen 1:23:55 - How Meido Roshi uses spiritual charisma with students 1:25:57 - Developing Siddhi and special powers 1:31:23 - Siddhi in Meido Roshi’s teachers 1:34:59 - Meido Roshi’s own Kensho experiences … To find our more about Meido Roshi, visit: - https://www.korinji.org/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am once again joined by Tibetologist, author, and Tantric Buddhist Lama Glenn Mullin. Glenn explains the 4 Classes of Buddhist Tantra - Kriya, Charya, Yoga, and Anuttarayoga - including their history and development, and what distinguishes them from each other in practice and view. Glenn reveals the structures of each level of Tantra, compares their creation and completion stage practices, and discusses the possible Persian origin of the Bön and Nyingma schools and their classification systems. Glenn also guides a walk-through of the Kriya Tantra practice of Avalokiteshvara, using his own translation of the 3rd Dalai Lama’s practice text to illuminate each step. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep97-glenn-mullin-from-the-heart-of-chenrezig/ Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:48 - Life update and current projects 06:29 - The history and development of the 4 Classes of Tantra 18:18 - The classic metaphor for explaining the 4 Class classification system 21:45 -The secret code language of the Hidden Meaning Tantras 24:04 - The structures of the different classes of Tantra 26:24 - Generation stage and the three Kayas 31:54 - Each Tantra is a living lineage 34:31 - Bön influence on the Nyingma School’s Tantric classification 40:54 - Ati Yoga and Dzogchen 43:43 - Prerequisites for practicing Tantra 44:22 - Persian influence on the Bön and Nyingma codification 49:54 - Differences in the khyerim practices of the 4 Classes of Tantra 54:08 - Detailed Kriya Tantra practice walkthrough 1:10:47 - Chenrezig, Majushri, Tara, and Amitayus Kriya Tantras 1:13:10 - Kriya Yoga dzogrim practices 1:14:37 - How to practice multiple Tantras 1:17:24 - 3rd Dalai Lama on the 7 Stages of Chenrezig Kriya Tantra … Previous Glenn Mullin episodes: - https://www.guruviking.com/?s=glenn+mullin Buy ‘The Dalai Lamas on Tantra’: - https://www.shambhala.com/from-the-heart-of-chenrezig-2783.html To find our more about Glenn, visit: - http://www.glennmullin.com/ - https://www.facebook.com/Maitripa.Glenn … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this interview I am joined by Gregory Blann: mystic, artist, author, and initiate of the Inayati and Halveti-Jerrahi orders of Sufism. Gregory reveals the rich history and practices of Sufism, including meditation techniques, Zikr, and the dream practices of the Halveti-Jerrahi. Gregory also recounts his own spiritual journey from Evangelical Christianity to Gurdjieff to encounters with great Sheiks of the 20th century such as Pir Vilayat Khan, Sheik Nur, and Muzaffer Efendi. Gregory also explains the 4 Levels of Religion, connections between Sufism and Kabbalah, and discusses the possibility of an allegorical reading of the Gospels. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep96-gregory-blann-the-garden-of-mystic-love/ 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:45 - The history and context of Sufism 12:41 - The 4 levels of religion 17:14 - The ‘Verse of the Sword’ and the inner path 27:34 - Inclusiveness of Sufism 32:44 - Are there connections between Sufism and Indic Tantric thought? 38:58 - Zikr practice of Sufism 48:57 - Gregory’s spiritual journey 53:29 - Gurdjieff’s work and encountering Sufism 1:02:35 - Initiating into the Inayati Order of the West with Pir Vilayat Khan 1:05:25 - About Pir Vilayat Khan 1:10:32 - About Lex Hixon aka Sheik Nur 1:20:07 - Initiation into the Halveti-Jerrahi Order with Sheik Nur 1:20:49 - Granted permissions of the Sheik by the Grand Sheik Muzaffer Efendi in Istanbul 1:21:24 -Retreat practice and the history of the Halveti-Jerrahi Order of Sufism 1:30:12 - Muzaffer Efendi and the transmission of Turkish Sufism to the West 1:36:34 - Levels of initiation as a Sufi Sheik 1:42:45 - Dream practices of the Halveti-Jerrahi Order 1:44:51 - Sufism and Kabbalah 1:47:20 - Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi and Jewish Renewal 1:51:31 - Reading the Gospels on an allegorical level … To find out more about Gregory, visit: - https://blanng.wixsite.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am once again joined by Dr Ben Joffe, anthropologist and scholar practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism. In this interview Ben takes us on a deep dive into the theory, practice, and scholarship of coitus reservatus as a Tantric religious practice. Ben compares these practices within various Buddhist lineages, as well as exploring the similarities and differences between Shaiva Tantra, Western Occultism, and modern Neo-Tantric approaches. Ben also discusses the various applications of this practice - including spiritual, medical, and magickal - how to choose a consort, and draws on religious texts to discuss previously secret catheter practices. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep95-dr-ben-joffe-4-coitus-reservatus/ This podcast is also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 0:42 - Ben’s move to South Africa and work with Dr Nida Chenagtsang 04:10 - Ben’s line-by-line ngondro translation class 06:59 - About ngondro practice 11:27 - Why is Dr Nida going on extended retreat? 15:10 - Coitus reservatus in popular culture 23:00 - A summary of academic and popular views on Karmamudra 33:04 - An overview of ejaculation control and orgasm in Vajrayana 45:53 - Shaiva Tantra and Western S3x Magick 1:16:30 - The female experience and further considerations 1:33:10 - Medical and magickal use of s3xual fluids in Tibetan texts 1:52:13 - Thoughts about the origins of Tantric practice formulations 1:57:55 - Choosing a consort 02:12:31 - The ‘Self’ and identity in Tantra 02:28:33 - The diversity of Tantric practices 02:34:35 - Vajrolīmudra and urethral catheter practices 02:39:44 - Methods of ejaculatory control 03:03:26 - Similarities between traditional and Neo-Tantric practices 03:08:44 - Everything is Karmamudra … Ngakpa series with Dr Ben Joffe: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep44-dr-ben-joffe-ngakpa-the-occult-and-anthropology/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep48-dr-ben-joffe-2-siddhi-samaya-and-duels-of-magick/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep52-dr-ben-joffe-3-dakinis-consorts-beyond-heteronormativity/ Ben’s PhD dissertation: - https://pqdtopen.proquest.com/doc/2335180529.html?FMT=ABS&fbclid=IwAR3bXYiUmC6YcOgR09-GuSiC_UwwXYuTcLJ-kce_tI3-8e-smZS99wy1HMY To find out more about Ben, visit: - https://perfumedskull.com/ - http://www.skypressbooks.com/ - https://www.sowarigpaonline.org/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I host part 5 of an ongoing trialogue between Shinzen Young, meditation teacher and neuroscience research consultant, Chelsey Fasano, a Columbia University neuroscience student, and Dr Jay Sanguinetti, Assistant Director for the Center for Consciousness Studies and Research Assistant Professor at the University of New Mexico. In this episode we discuss topics such as is there an enlightenment button and is it enough, extracting the essence of religious approaches, multi-dimensional integration after enlightenment, a deep dive on trauma and the no-self, and more. … https://www.guruviking.com/ep94-the-enlightenment-button-feat-shinzen-young-chelsey-fasano-dr-jay-sanguinetti/ This podcast is also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:41 - Is there an enlightenment button and is it enough? 03:46 - The scope of the enlightenment button 09:01 - How deep can a state level change go? 11:24 - Spontaneous awakening trends 14:21 - Extracting the essence 17:18 - Operationalising enlightenment and the context of awakening 20:53 - Embodied interdependent cognition and integration 24:43 - Wilber’s ‘clean up, grow up, wake up’ 27:16 - Shinzen comments on Wilber’s formulation 29:42 - Shinzen responds to criticisms of modern mindfulness 34:43 - Embedding the practice 38:30 - Can no-self reinforce trauma? 41:00 - Harnessing reward systems for meditation 42:29 - Defining no-self 44:09 - Multi-dimensional self alteration 47:29 - Shinzen on trauma and the dying process 58:30 - The Christian religious experience 1:00:12 - Pattern completion and changing relationship to trauma 1:08:55 - After enlightenment, why heal? … Previous episodes with Shinzen and Chelsey: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep72-shinzen-young-and-chelsey-fasano-tantra-neuroscience-and-true-enlightenment/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep76-shinzen-young-chelsey-fasano-2-the-science-of-enlightenment/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep81-shinzen-young-chelsey-fasano-3-orgasm-epilepsy-mystical-experience/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep86-bliss-enlightenment-fristonian-physics-feat-chelsey-fasano-shinzen-young-dr-jay-sanguinetti/ Previous Interview with Shinzen Young: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep37-shinzen-young-pandemic-edition-guru-viking-podcast/ To find out more about Shinzen, visit: - www.shinzen.org To find out more about Chelsey, visit: - www.chelseyfasano.com To find our more about Dr Sanguinetti, visit: - https://www.jaysanguinetti.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am joined by Amalia Rubin - internationally known singer, Buddhist practitioner, 8 language polyglot, and scholar currently conducing her PhD research on ‘Gesar as an ongoing mode of reality in the lives of modern Tibetan youths in Eastern Tibet’ at the University of Leeds. In this interview, Amalia reveals her unusual upbringing and subsequent life of adventure, intensive language immersion, life and work throughout Asia, and encounters with high Lamas including an ongoing friendship of the 17th Karmapa. We learn about Amalia’s research interests, including the shamanic healing practices of the Steppes, the babdrung trance-bards of the Gesar tradition, and the similarities between the modern revivals of traditional shamanism in Mongolia and the Gesar Ling traditions of Eastern Tibet,. Amalia also discusses her special relationship with Tana monastery, and how she became an internationally renowned singer and performer. … https://www.guruviking.com/ep93-amalia-rubin-the-epic-of-king-gesar/ Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 0:00 - Intro 00:57 - ‘I come from a weird family’ 05:00 - Intersection of Judaism and Buddhism 10:25 - Childhood meetings with high Lamas of Tibetan Buddhism 13:33 - Beginning formal Tibetan language study 15:21 - Asian Studies at University of Buffalo 17:11 - Intensive language study at Sarah College 18:40 - Advice for students pursuing higher education 19:35 - Travel to Mongolia and completing a masters at University of Washington 22:37 - Shamanic migraine healing 23:44 - 3 years in India and spiritual relationship with the 17th Karmapa 27:44 - Personal stories about the 17th Karmapa 32:52 - Parallels between Tibetan Gesar and Mongolian Shamanic revivals 34:26 - The babdrung trance-bards of the Gesar tradition 36:32 - Involuntary tradition revivals 37:33 - How do the babdrung enter trance? 39:26 - Are the babdrung chanellings philologically consistent? 42:04 - Pop culture expressions of the Gesar revival 46:00 - Eschatalogical aspects of the Gesar myth 47:33 - Who was Gesar and what is his cultural significance? 52:10 - Origin of the name ‘Gesar’ 53:26 - Amalia’s Gesar practice and connection with Tana monastery 58:28 - Further details on Gesar practice 1:01:45 - Amalia’s academic work on Gesar 1:03:21 - Sacred artefacts of Tana monastery 1:11:30 - How Amalia was invited to begin her PhD 1:15:38 - Hospitalised in Tibet 1:17:50 - Research during the pandemic 1:18:45 -Recovering from COVID 1:19:40 - Amalia’s international singing career ... To find our more about Amalia Rubin, visit: - https://www.facebook.com/groups/708269639856653 - www.baganmongolian.com - https://www.instagram.com/thewildamalia/ - ahanarubin @ gmail [dot] com For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am joined by Alejandro Chaoul PhD, author, meditation teacher, Huffington Foundation Endowed Director of the Mind Body Spirit Institute at the Jung Center of Houston. Alejandro is an expert in tsa lung trulkhor, also known as Tibetan Yoga, and in this episode we discover the practices and encounters that kindled Alejandro’s fascination with this subject. We learn about Alejandro’s travels through India and encounters with gurus such as UG Krishnamurti, Namkhai Norbu, and the exorcist and weather maker Ngakpa Yeshe Dorje. Alejandro reveals the details of his path and practice, tells stories of his personal relationships with many great teachers, and his entry into academia. Alejandro also discusses the inner heat practice of tummo and I ask him about traditional dietary recommendations for yogis and the tantric practice of breath retention. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep92-dr-alejandro-chaoul-magical-movements-of-tibet/ 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
 … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:51 - Learning yantra yoga from Namkhai Norbu 03:55 - Studying trulkhor in Nepal 08:34 - The teacher-student relationship and what attracted Alejandro to the Bön religion 13:02 - Converting to Buddhism 14:14 - From Buddhism to Bön 17:08 - Being dismantled by UG Krishnamurti 21:15 - Studying with exorcist and weather maker Ngakpa Yeshe Dorje 30:55 - Stories of personal relationship with Namkhai Norbu 38:13 - Converting to Buddhism from Judaism 40:59 - Becoming a rug buyer 42:53 - Learning Tibetan and becoming an academic 46:01 - Studying Tibetan with Jeffrey Hopkins 49:07 - Alejandro’s pHD in Bön trulkor and joining academic study with practice 53:56 - The teacher-student relationship 58:20 - Interpersonal relationship with Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche 1:00:21 - The magical movements of Tibetan Yoga 1:03:19 - Tummo ‘inner heat’ yoga 1:04:33 - Kum Nye 1:06:23 - Upcoming book on Tibetan Yoga 1:07:46 - Diet and semen retention 1:08:53 - Diet recommendations for yogis 1:12:25 - S3xual practices and semen retention 1:14:02- Working with Alejandro ... To find our more about Alejandro Chaoul, visit: - www.alechaoul.com - www.ligmincha.org - www.mbsihouston.org For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James