Guru Viking Podcast

Lorin Roche PhD, meditation teacher and author of ‘The Radiance Sutras’, is my featured guest in this episode of the Guru Viking Podcast: Pandemic Series. 

 I'd love to know what you think about the episodes, and please feel free to share them among those who might find them helpful. 
... Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep30-lorin-roche-pandemic-edition-guru-viking-podcast/ Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Stitcher – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … I am producing a special series of the Guru Viking Podcast to support those affected by the pandemic. 

I'll be asking my guests questions like how to work with anxiety, fear, and panic? How to work with isolation? How to work with sickness and death? And how to help others having those experiences? Fear, sickness, death are perennial human experiences, and so my hope is that these episodes will be of use not only to those who are being affected now in this situation, but also of use to others beyond it. … 0:55 - Guidance for those who are afraid or panicked. 14:18 - Guidance for those who are sick.
19:48 - Guidance for helping those who are sick or dying. 21:21 - Guidance for those who are dying. 27:43 - Guidance for those in isolation. 33:13 - Concluding comments. … Check out my other interviews with Lorin here: - https://www.guruviking.com/the-guru-viking-interviews-ep1-lorin-roche-phd/ - https://www.guruviking.com/guru-viking-interviews-ep6-lorin-roche-phd/
 To find out more about Lorin visit:
- www.lorinroche.com
- www.radiancesutras.com
- www.meditationtt.com For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode, I talk with Dhammarato – a lineage teacher in the Thai Buddhist tradition who has gained an enthusiastic internet following for his unique, 1-1 teaching style conducted over Skype.  Video version here: https://www.guruviking.com/ep29-dhammarato-guru-viking-podcast-pandemic-edition/ Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Stitcher – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … At the time of writing, the world is in the midst of a viral pandemic. Many people are afraid and many people are in isolation. Some people are sick or will become sick, and some people are dying. In this special series of the Guru Viking Podcast, I ask my guests the questions like how to work with anxiety, fear, and panic? How to work with isolation? How to work with sickness and death? And how to help others having those experiences? Neither I nor my guests are medical professionals, and this podcast is not medical advice. Fear, sickness, and death are perennial human experiences, and so my hope is that these episodes will be of use not only to those who are being affected now in this situation, but also of use to others beyond it. … 0:58 - Guidance for those who are afraid or panicked. 12:04 - Guidance for those who are sick. 24:28 - Guidance for those who are dying. 35:31 - Guidance for helping those who are sick or dying. 38:35 - Guidance for those in isolation. 39:40 - Concluding comments. To find out more about Dhammarato, visit: - https://dhammaratoblog.wordpress.com/ - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjxg5GJFsRqnS-YLTzyrjLQ 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I talk with Tibetologist, translator, and Tantric Buddhist meditation teacher Glenn Mullin about the fascinating subject of dream yoga. We begin by discussing Glenn’s own training in the 6 Yogas of Naropa, with specific detail about his own solo retreats -including a special dream yoga retreat in which Glenn remained upright for weeks - never lying down - to deeply penetrate the world of dreams. We also talk about how to unlock the historically suppressed human inheritance of deep states of consciousnes and extra-ordinary abilities such as dream travel and ancestral communication. Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep28-glenn-mullin-dream-yoga-solo-retreat-guide-and-unlocking-the-human-potential/ Topics Include: 00:46 - Differences between Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya, and Gelugpa training methods 04:00 - Glenn's training in the 6 Yogas of Naropa and solo retreat history 10:01- A typical retreat day schedule 11:45 - Individual variations on a daily schedule 15:10 - The best ages to do retreat practice 17:04 - Group retreat vs solo retreat 20:48 - Integration difficulties after extended retreat 24:00 - Choosing what to practice on retreat 25:04 - Why Glenn never became a hermit or monk 28:23 - Relating to a Lama 32:07 - The 4 practices of Chöd 34:00 - Yogic lucid dream practice 37:50 - Special dream yoga retreat format 41:19 - Attainment in dream yoga 42:20- First stage of dream yoga 46:50 - Illusory body yoga 49:00 - Further stages of dream yoga 51:27 - Stories of dream travel 56:58 - Dreaming of ancestors 58:56 - Unlocking the human inheritance of the deep mind 1:02:10 - Witch hunts and the plastic society Audio version of this podcast available on iTunes and Stitcher – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. 

Previous Glenn Mullin episodes: * https://www.guruviking.com/guru-viking-interviews-ep9-glenn-mullin/ * https://www.guruviking.com/ep19-glenn-mullin-guru-viking-interviews/ * https://www.guruviking.com/ep26-glenn-mullin-illusory-body-yoga-of-waking-sleep-and-death/ To find our more about Glenn, visit: * https://www.runawayjourneys.com/ * http://www.glennmullin.com/ * https://www.facebook.com/Maitripa.Glenn For more interviews, videos, and more visit: * http://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I talk with Lama Palden, author and Lama in both the Shangpa and Karma Kagyu lineages of Tibetan Buddhism. We learn about Lama Palden’s childhood memories of past reincarnations, and how a spontaneous experience of Jesus healed her of early trauma. We hear stories of powerful personal encounters with some of 20th century’s most renowned lamas, including Kalu Rinpoche, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, and the 16th Karmapa. We also explore details of Lama Palden’s 3 year retreat under the guidance of her guru Kalu Rinpoche, and explore dire warnings from Tibetan masters about the future of humanity and what we can do to help. *Video version at: https://www.guruviking.com/ep27-lama-palden-mystic-of-sukkhasiddhi-guru-viking-interviews/ *Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Stitcher – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.* Topics include: 0:00 - About Lama Palden 0:44 - Childhood mystical experiences 05:36 - Past life memories 09:23 - Why did Lama Palden incarnate in this life? 11:24 - How a spontaneous experience of Jesus healed childhood trauma 19:17 - Healing trauma through meditation 22:40 - Dealing with peoples’ negative energy 25:58 - Was Jesus a mahasiddha? 31:01 - Collective karma and the Buddha Maitreya 33:49 - Meeting Kalu Rinpoche 41:12 - Is 3 year retreat enough to be called a ‘Lama’? 44:18 - Personal memories of Kalu Rinpoche 51:04 - Common misconceptions about spirituality 57:04 - Kalu Rinpoche’s yogic mastery and vitality 59:00 - The effects of the 6 Yogas on the physical body 1:01:28 - Meeting Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche 1:02:14 - The powerful presence of the 16th Karmapa 1:12:43 - How Lama Palden works with students 1:15::14 - Seeing the shadow side of students and personality disorders 1:20:32 - Subtle body transmission of the 16th Karmapa 1:25:37 - The curriculum of Lama Palden’s 3 year retreat 1:33:12 - Leaving her 10 year old son to go on retreat 1:37:20 - Daily retreat schedule and the details of the yidam practice 1:46:30 - Dire predictions from Tibetan masters about the future of humanity 1:49:07 - How to help humanity 1:54:29 - Studying with Lama Palden To find our more about Lama Palden, visit: - www.lamapalden.org For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - http://www.guruviking.com Music 'Deva Dasi' by Steve James

In this episode I talk to Glenn Mullin, returning for a third appearance and let me tell you this one is a goldmine. Glenn is a Tibetologist, translator, and Tantric Buddhist meditation teacher, who studied for many years in Dharmsala with the Dalai Lama’s own gurus. Continuing on from our previous discussions on the 6 Yogas of Naropa, we move beyond tummo into the illusory body yogas - including the illusory nature of appearances, the yogas of dream and sleep sleep, and bardo yoga. Glenn lays out how to practice tantra in all aspects of life, explores the differences between the tantra and sutra application of emptiness, addressees imbalances between the male and female energies and how to remedy them, and reveals the difference between tantric dream yoga vs modern lucid dreaming techniques. Topics Include: 00:58 - The death process and the five signs of tummo accomplishment 21:07 - Practicing tantra in all aspects of ordinary life 29:46 - Glenn’s sleep yoga practice 30:46 - Illusory nature of reality 42:08 - Emptiness in tantra vs sutra 52:34 - Illusory body yogas of sleep and bardo 54:13- Tantric visualisation in daily life 1:00:56 - Imbalances in the male and female energies 1:06:32 - Modern lucid dreaming vs Tantric Dream Yoga Audio version of this podcast also on iTunes, Stitcher, and Soundcloud at: https://www.guruviking.com/ep26-glenn-mullin-illusory-body-yoga-of-waking-sleep-and-death/ 

 Previous Glenn Mullin episodes: - https://www.guruviking.com/guru-viking-interviews-ep9-glenn-mullin/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep19-glenn-mullin-guru-viking-interviews/ To find our more about Glenn, visit: - https://www.runawayjourneys.com/ - http://www.glennmullin.com/ - https://www.facebook.com/Maitripa.Glenn For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - http://www.guruviking.com Music 'Deva Dasi' by Steve James

In this interview I talk with Paul Cavel, author and Taoist teacher in the Water Tradition of Lao Tse. For video version, visit: https://www.guruviking.com/ep25-paul-cavel-taoist-energy-arts-guru-viking-interviews/ We discuss how a serious motor cycle accident left Paul in chronic pain. Searching for a solution, Paul met the man who would go on to become his teacher in the energy arts, Bruce Frantzis, lineage holder of the Taoist Water Tradition. Living full time in Bruce’s home, in a year they successfully healed Paul’s body and so began a lifetime of study. We go on to discuss the power of Taoist energy arts in terms of martial arts, healing, and spirituality - as well as the extraordinary effects of studying closely with a true master of that tradition. We explore the function of lineage, mind-to-mind transmission, the 8 energy bodies, and how to release physical trauma, emotional blockages, and even knots in the karmic body itself. Topics include: 0:00 - About Paul 0:56 - Early interest in martial arts 03:53 - Paul’s major motorcycle accident and discovering Tai Chi 08:17 - Healing physical trauma and rejuvenating the body 14:15 - Releasing nervous system shock 18:34 - Meeting Taoist Master Bruce Frantzis 27:05 - The art of relating to a master 29:52 - Paul’s practice schedule 33:24 - Working with the 8 energy bodies 37:29 - Releasing karmic knots 47:25 - What is a psychic knot? 50:27 - The importance of lineage in Taoism 1:00:21 - The dangers of mixing different systems 1:11:51 - Embodying the teachings 1:20:33 - Mind-to-mind transmission vs energetic manipulation 1:33:24 - Moral repercussions of energy manipulation 1:42:07 - Where to start with Taoist practice? 1:48:18 - Studying with Paul 1:49:42 - Drawn to lineage To find out more about Paul, visit:
 - https://www.paulcavel.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com/ Music 'Deva Dasi' by Steve James

I was recently interviewed by Wim Hof instructor, men's group leader (and much more) Asher Packman for his 'Warrior Within Podcast' about all kinds of topics including embodiment, extreme outdoor survival, leadership, the Me Too movement, meditation, the practice of practice, and my near death experience (NDE). Topics Include: 0:00 - About Steve 03:38 - Steve on Embodiment 11:12 - Pleasure / pain calculation 13:30 - Extreme outdoor survival 18:50 - Men’s work and leadership 21:15 - ‘What does being a man in 2020 look like to you?’ 25:35 - The Me Too Movement and Toxic Masculinity 37:52 - Relationship and the burden of being 42:28 - Death and death practices 58:58 - Meditation and the ‘practice of practice’ 1:00:00 - Steve’s near death experience (NDE) 1:13:54 - Sudden vs gradual awakening 1:21:52 - Divorce and system errors To find out more about Asher Packman, visit: - https://www.t5d.com.au/asher For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com/

Stephen Snyder, a meditation teacher and author who mastered the Pa Auk Sayadaw system, shares his remarkable journey. He reflects on his childhood meditation practices, vivid past life memories, and the profound awakening he experienced at 28. When a serious stroke struck in 2018, Stephen encountered what he calls the Vajra body, leading to transformative realizations about consciousness. He emphasizes the importance of integrating psychological work with spiritual practices and discusses recognizing awakened qualities in others.

In this episode I talk with Ian A. Baker, author of 7 books and an initiate of Buddhist, Taoist, and Hindu Tantric lineages. Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep23-ian-a-baker-the-secret-yogas-of-tibet-guru-viking-interviews/ Ian is an international fellow of the Explorers Club and the Royal Geographic Society and was joint curator of the 2016 exhibition “Tibet’s Secret Temple” at the Wellcome Collection, London. In this interview we discuss Ian’s 25 years living in India and Nepal, seeking out the ‘beyul’, the mystical hidden lands of the Himalayas whilst simultaneously pursuing academic studies at Oxford and Columbia Universities. We discuss the history of the illustrious 6 Yogas of Naropa, and hear about Ian’s research into the monastic re-interpretation (and perhaps even distortion) of these Tantric techniques of India. We also examine the remarkable overlap between Tibetan completion stage practices, the practices of Shakta Shaivism, and Taoism - including stories about Ian’s own training in these esoteric disciplines. Topics Include: 0:00 - Intro 1:00 - Initial fasciation with the art and landscape of the Himalayas 04:36 - Ian’s quest for the ‘beyul’, the mystical hidden lands of the Himalayas 07:54 - Remote retreats under the guidance of Chatral Rinpoche 10:12 - Leaving Columbia University to pursue fieldwork in Nepal 14:00 - The integration of academic and spiritual training 19:56 - How to integrate ancient wisdom traditions into modern day life 21:17 - The Dalai Lama’s Secret Temple 23:27 - The unusual story of the 6th Dalai Lama 30:06 - The esoteric murals of the Secret Temple 34:10 - Why were the 6 Yogas of Naropa kept secret? 36:58 - The sanitisation of the Vajrayana by the monastic institutions 40:49 - Commonalities with the Shaiva tantric traditions 42:55 - Heresy or innovation? And the history of the 6 Yogas 1:01:46 - Ian’s extraordinary training in the esoteric Kaula sect 1:09:54 - Falling in love with his consort, Uma Devi 1:13:10 - Is tantric practice dangerous? 1:23:35 - Reactions to Ian’s views in the academic and religious establishments 1:32:29 - Taoist influence on Indian Tantra 1:35:52 - Ian’s training with the Magos of Java, Taoist Master John Chang 1:44:38 - Stories of Kunzang Dorje Rinpoche, Dzogchen and Tsa Lung Master 1:50:51 - Ian’s upcoming projects To find out more about Ian A Baker, visit: - http://ianbaker.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music 'Deva Dasi' by Steve James

In this episode I talk with Tina Rasmussen Ph.D, a meditation teacher and author who is best known as being the first Western woman to master the virtuoso-level shamata meditation system of Pa Auk Sayadaw. In this interview we learn about Tina’s life-defining quest for enlightenment which inspired her 1-year solo retreat in which her practice of Dzogchen triggered not only massive energetic phenomena but also a profound spiritual awakening. We hear all about Tina’s training and authorisation under the notoriously rigorous Pa Auk Sayadaw, culminating in mastery of all 8 jhanas, with all ten kasinas, and much more. We also discuss issues such as integration of awakening in professional life, romantic relationship after enlightenment, and s3xual scandal among meditation teachers. Topics Include 0:00 - Intro 00:53 - Learning meditation at 13 years old 03:19 - Rediscovering the spiritual path after divorce 07:10 - Discovering a natural faculty for deep meditation experiences 10:31 - Straddling deep practice and high end business consulting 14:11 - Why Tina outed herself as a meditator in her professional life 18:36 - Effects of Tina’s spiritual practice on her romantic relationships, and meeting Stephen Snyder 24:10 - Rewired romantic life after enlightenment and Tibetan Tantra 29:20 - Tina’s 1 year solo retreat 40:55 - Extreme energetic experiences and DIY Tummo 44:21 - Tsoknyi Rinpoche and subtle body trauma 50:38 - The challenges of working with very popular teachers 55:33 - Finding mentors as an advanced practitioner 58:52 - Tina’s dream yoga practice and 24hr meditation 1:02:31 - Tsoknyi Rinpoche and Mingyur Rinpoche 1:03:24 - Tina’s Dzogchen practice 1:06:53 - Mastering shamata meditation under Pa Auk Sayadaw’s instruction 1:20:14 - Which is more difficult, shamata or awakening? 1:22:06 - The consequences of jhana mastery 1:27:14 - Scandals among spiritual teachers, levels of awakening, and personality material 1:33:21 - Defining ‘Do No Harm’ and the need for psychological understanding 1:43:20 - Working with Tina To find out more about Tina Rasmussen Ph.D, visit: - http://www.awakeningdharma.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music 'Deva Dasi' by Steve James