Guru Viking Podcast

In this episode I am once again joined by Stephen Snyder, a meditation teacher, author, and the first non-monastic Western man to master the virtuoso-level shamata meditation system of Pa Auk Sayadaw. In this interview we discuss Stephen’s new book ‘Buddha’s Heart’ a modern presentation of the Brahma Viharas, Buddhist heart meditations, from the perspective of Absolute Reality/ Awake Awareness. Stephen reveals how deficiencies in his early practice and the inaccessibility of his heart saw him engage these powerful heart practices derived from early Buddhism. Stephen discusses the damage done in the Americn Zen community by deeply enlightened masters with undeveloped hearts who abused students, embezzled money, and more. Stephen lays out the two routes to awakening, and how combining the brahma viharas with deep jhanic absorption can lead to profound spiritual insight. Stephen also talks about the counter-intuitive power of forgiveness, and his own journey in awakening the heart. ... Video version:

In this episode I’m joined by Dr Miles Neale Buddhist psychotherapist and author of Gradual Awakening. When Dr Neale contacted me to offering appear on the podcast, I was intrigued by his impressive list of mentors - including Columbia University’s Professor Robert Thurman and Geshe Tenzin Zopa. Miles recounts how an affluent but disturbed childhood with alcoholic parents and a narcissistic father drove him to self harm and dissatisfaction, and how he found solace and healing in religious practice and a series of influential mentors. Miles tells a remarkable story of a supernatural experience with a reincarnated child master, a ‘tulku’. Miles goes on to addresses the conflicts between the view of his Western therapeutic training, which prizes healthy parental attachment, and his religious affiliation with Tibetan Buddhism, in which specially chosen boys as young as three years old are removed from their homes to undergo rigorous training to become avatars of their lineage tradition. Miles discusses th

In this episode I am once again joined by Daniel Ingram, meditation teacher and author of ‘Mastering The Core Teachings Of The Buddha’. Daniel is best known for his controversial claim to arhatship, one of the highest levels of enlightenment in Buddhism. Less well known is Daniel’s lifetime of practice in magick and the occult. In this interview Daniel reveals his magical biography, and comments on various systems including Goetia, Enochian, Kabbalah, Castaneda, Buddhist Magick, and more. Daniel shares his encounters with demons, astral entities, mythical beings, and entering into magickal combat with angry magicians who had cursed him. Daniel also critiques the modern mindfulness movement for its suppression of information about the magickal aspects of its own tradition, and gives advice on ethics and the accumulation of psychic power. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep68-daniel-ingram-magick-the-occult-summoning-demons/ Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Spotify –

In this episode I am once again joined by Dr. Ian Wickramasekera, Bön Buddhist practitioner and associate professor of Mindfulness Based Transpersonal Counseling at Naropa University. We learn how a divination from a Tibetan master radically changed the direction of Ian’s life, and how he encountered the man who would later become his teacher, Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche. Ian recounts how, on an intense tummo meditation retreat, he attained to the Dzogchen spiritual realisation known as rigpa, and its profound consequences in his life. Ian also discusses how he uses energy practices such as tsa lung and Tibetan yoga in his clinical practice to treat personality problems, substance abuse, and more. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep67-dr-ian-wickramasekera-tummo-hypnosis-realising-rigpa/ Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include 0:00 - Intro 0:46 - Receiving a personal mirror divination from Lama Dawa 9:30 - Ian’s pre

In this episode I am once again joined by Tibetologist, author, and Tantric Buddhist Lama Glenn Mullin. We learn how a mystical vision at Tibet’s oracle lake Lhamo Latso directed Glenn to move to Mongolia for 10 years, where he would eventually receive the nation’s highest honour, the Mongolian Star. We discuss Glenn’s encounters and friendships with the great Shamans of the Steppes, Himalayan Oracles, and the last Princess of Mongolia. Glenn reveals the inner workings of Mongolian Shamanism including the training of apprentices, 99 Spirit channeling, ritual and trance practices, and more. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep66-glenn-mullin-the-great-shamans-of-mongolia/ Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include 0:00 - Intro 0:47 - How Glenn came to live in Mongolia 4:28 - Troubles in Nepal 6:18 - Mystical visions at Tibet’s oracle lake 11:58 - Traveling through China and Mongolia to seek the mountains seen in G

In this episode I am joined by Khandro Déchen, Lineage Lama, alongside her husband and teaching partner Ngak’chang Rinpoche, of the Aro gTér tantric house holder tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. We learn about Khandro Déchen’s upbringing and career in nursing, and how working with the sick and dying prepared her for her role as a spiritual teacher. Khandro Déchen recounts her first meeting and subsequent courtship with the man who would later become both her teacher and husband, Ngak’chang Rinpoche. We learn about Khandro Déchen’s practice in the hidden places of the Himalayas and her contact with great Lamas such as Kunzang Dorje Rinpoche . Khandro Déchen also discusses power differentials between teacher and student, females teachers and the patriarchy, her love of Kum-Nye physical practices, and more. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep65-khandro-dechen-english-ngakma/ Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include:

In this episode I am joined by Nathaniel Menninger, creator of the documentary film ‘The Porter’ which follows him on an 11-day trek to Everest base camp, living and working alongside the Tamang porters. When tourists climb Everest, they don’t carry their own equipment. That job is done by local porters who, in difficult conditions for minimal pay and out of the site of the clients, carry loads of up to 100kg each. We learn about Nathaniel’s experiences immersing himself in this world, carrying the same loads and living in the same conditions as the Tamang porters. We discover how Nathaniel, who speaks 6 languages, initially taught himself Nepali to study meditation in the Himalayas, and why his life of blending adventure and art made this project so personally significant. We learn about the physical and psychological challenges of the shooting process, as well as the profound identity crisis that Nathaniel suffered in its aftermath. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep64-nathaniel-menni

In this interview I am once again joined by Daizan Skinner, a British Zen Roshi trained in both the Soto and Rinzai schools. We learn why seeing so many senior monks become exhausted and ill sent Daizan on a search to Japan for the secret energy practices of Zen Master Hakuin. Daizan reveals why he left the Soto school to join controversial Rinzai Roshi Shinzan Miyamae, who’s motto was ‘First priority is kensho, second priority is kensho, third priority is kensho’. Daizan recounts stories of studying with Shinzan Roshi in Japan, practicing Koan on a mountain, and the chaotic lifestyle at Gyokuryuji temple. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep63-daizan-skinner-chaos-temple/ Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Stitcher – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 0:00 - Intro 1:18 - Why Daizan left the Soto school of Zen 1:47 - Energy practices to mitigate health problems of long-term Zen practice 19:11 - Meeting Shinzan Miyamae Roshi and joining Gyokuryuj

In this episode I am joined by Cinthia Font Zorilla - polyglot, translator, and chief Spanish interpreter for Mindrolling Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche. We learn about Cinthia’s remarkable upbringing as the daughter of a diplomat, raised a citizen of the world and becoming fluent in 7 languages. We discover how, when her father was stationed in India, an introduction to Lopon Tsechu Rinpoche by the King of Nepal would change Cinthia’s life forever. Cinthia recounts her close personal relationship with Lopon Tsechu Rinpoche, as well as the transformative effects of interpreting for her current guru, Mindrolling Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep62-cinthia-font-dharma-polyglot/ Audio version of this podcast available on iTunes, Spotify, and Stitcher – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include 0:00 - Intro 0:44 - Cinthia’s upbringing as the daughter of a diplomat 3:41 - Meeting her guru, Lopon Tsechu Rinpoche 5:09 - How many languages does Cinthia speak? 5:42 -

In this episode I am joined by Dr. Ian Wickramasekera, Bön Buddhist practitioner and associate professor of Mindfulness Based Transpersonal Counseling at Naropa University. We discuss how a violent, childhood near-death experience propelled Ian onto the path of meditative exploration, and how psychedelics played a part in unraveling deep seated racial conditioning. We learn how early encounters with Glenn Mullin and Robin Kornman profoundly shaped Ian’s contemplative and academic trajectories. Ian recounts his first meditation retreats with the Shambala organisation, his opinion of the Sakyong, and why he left that lineage. Ian also explores dualistic and non dualistic epistemologies, the intersection of psychology and religion, and his academic work in the field of hypnosis. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep61-dr-ian-wickramasekera-devolving-the-self/ Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Stitcher – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include 0:00 - Intro 0

In this episode I am joined by Taiwanese Youtube Fitness star Frank Yang who on May 25th 2020, declared himself to be an arhat - the highest level of enlightenment in Theravada Buddhism. Frank discusses his intense spiritual quest, from his early days as a bodybuilder struggling with sex addiction, to a multi-year deep dive into Buddhist meditation practice. We learn about Frank’s initial awakenings, kundalini phenomena, encounters with entities, and journeys to astral dimensions. Frank lifts the lid on his successful Youtube channel of over 160k subscribers, and shares his personal advice for all those who seek enlightenment. … https://www.guruviking.com/ep60-frank-yang-full-natty-arhat/ Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Stitcher – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 0:00 - Intro 0:46 - The collective dark night of the pandemic 1:46 - Bodybuilding, sex addiction, and beginning meditation 8:33 - Plato and the link between physical training and meditation 10

In this episode I am joined by Sang-gyé A-tsal, an ex-dancer, jazz club owner, and Brevet Lama in the Aro gTer lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. We discuss Sang-gyé’s personal journey through Santeria, Sufism, and Vedanta before meeting her future teacher, Ngak’chang Rinpoche. Sang-gyé discusses her transformative time spent in Nepal with Kunzang Dorje Rinpoche, and recounts her completion of the esoteric practice of phowa under the guidance of Jomo Sampel. We learn about how to practice Vajra Romance outside of a partnership, and explore Sang-gyé’s passion for the physical practices of Kum Nye. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep59-sang-gye-a-tsal-santeria-to-sang-gye/ Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Stitcher – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 0:00 - Intro 0:42 - Sang-gyé’s childhood meditation parties and explorations of spiritual traditions 3:47 - ‘Sleepy Shiné’ and learning to meditate 7:29 - Vedanta, Sufism, and Santeria 10:45 - Unusual exper

In this episode I am once again joined by Tibetologist, author, and Tantric Buddhist lama Glenn Mullin. We discuss a fascinating range of topics, including Theosophists Madame Blavatsky, Colonel Olcott, and Alice Bailey; and controversial American spiritual teacher Adi Da. We explore the line between mystical experience and psychotic delusion, and how mystics from various traditions have related to hearing voices and seeing visions. Glenn comments on the role of teachers and lineage in keeping mystics on track, reveals the 5 different ways to achieve clairvoyance, and discusses why the West produces so many self-initiated adepts. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep58-glenn-mullin-mystics-psychosis-madame-blavatsky/ Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Stitcher – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include 0:00 - Intro 0:41 - Helena Blavatsky’s influence and Glenn’s history with the Theosophical Society 14:31 - Mysticism or psychosis? The paranormal powers of t

To support people in this pandemic, I decided to release the full workshop recording of 'Dimensions of the Heart - Exploring Meditation Practices Of Loving Kindness And Compassion'. The video version includes important slides and visual aids, and can be viewed here: https://www.guruviking.com/dimensions-of-the-heart-meditation-practices-of-compassion-full-workshop/ … 'Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.’ - Abraham Lincoln … Everyone likes to feel good. Much of the time how we feel is determined by our environment and circumstances. This can leave our emotions at the mercy of external conditions beyond our control. Many people don’t know that it is possible to deliberately choose to feel good, even in difficult circumstances. … In this 3hr online workshop we explore meditation approaches that cultivate positive states such as compassion and loving kindness. With practice, these natural states can be more readily felt and with greater richness, profundity, and consistenc

In this interview I am joined by Ron Serrano who, after securing financial freedom, turned away from the business world and declared the rest of his life a retreat, turning his full attention to spiritual awakening. Ron is a long time meditation practitioner and co-founder of the online meditation group Dharma Mechanics. We discuss Ron’s rigorous practice schedule, including his advanced lucid dreaming approach, and discover the one technique that increases lucid dreams by 20x. Ron also discusses his close association with Yale neuroscientist Judd Brewer, who scanned the brains of many meditation masters, and reveals the surprising results of those many years of research. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep57-ron-serrano-the-dharma-mechanic/ Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Stitcher – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 0:00 - Intro 0:49 - The kundalini yoga of Swami Kripalu 10:10 - Achieving financial freedom and discovering meditation 13:07 - Me

In this interview I am joined by Daizan Skinner, a British Zen Roshi holding lineages in both the Soto and Rinzai schools. We learn about Daizan’s Catholic upbringing, his fascination with the 14th century Christian contemplative text the Cloud of Unknowing, and how a search throughout Asia eventually led him to become a Zen monk for over twenty years. We lift the lid on his traditional training, including intensely painful meditation practice, severe sleep deprivation, and deep emotional catharsis. Daizan also reveals why he emphasises enlightenment in his teaching, lays out a traditional four stage model of awakening, and details his own awakening experiences in accordance with that model. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep56-daizan-skinner-zen-and-the-unknowing/ Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Stitcher – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 0:00 - Intro 0:49 - Daizan’s biography 5:37 - Why Zen over Catholicism? 7:10 - Learning meditation from a

In this episode I am again joined by Lorin Roche PhD, meditation teacher and author of ‘The Radiance Sutras’. We begin by discussing Lorin’s career as a writer, and learn why one of his early works triggered a visit from the CIA. We go on to discuss accidental mystical experiences, their positive and negative effects, and the role of practice in integrating such experiences. We learn why so many meditators are stuck and don’t know it, why meditation teachers are often the worst off of all, and what motivates people to become teachers. Lorin also shares his surprising top tips for a thriving personal practice, no matter the discipline. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep55-lorin-roche-instinctive-meditation/ Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Stitcher – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 0:00 - Intro 1:31 - Lorin’s life as a writer 7:11 - Visited by the CIA because of Lorin’s writing 8:18 - On creativity 9:43 - Lorin’s process and learning to writ

In this interview I am once again joined by Nyei Murez, personal student and writing collaborator of best-selling author and nagual sorcerer Carlos Castaneda. In this discussion, we learn about the art of dreaming in the tradition of the nagual. Nyei talks about the various different stages and training approaches to the art of dreaming, including how to become lucid - waking up in the dream and even to changing the dream environment. We discuss how to identify beings from other realms, so called ‘dream scouts’, and how to meet and communicate with other people, living or dead, while asleep. Nyei also discusses how to use the dream state to manifest favourable circumstances in the waking world, and how to defend against psychic or energetic attack from other skilled dreamers. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep54-nyei-murez-the-art-of-dreaming/ Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Stitcher – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 0:00 - Intro 0:56 -

In this episode I am joined by Paul Linden​ PhD, who has practiced and taught Aikido for 50 years and out of that has developed body-based ways of teaching power and compassion. He has applied this in peace-making, conflicts between ethnic groups, and with victims of severe trauma. He summarises his work: Power without love is brutality. Love without power is ineffective. We learn about Paul’s early days in the martial arts, and how a lack of coordination forced him to completely re-engineer his physical learning process. We discuss Paul’s precise use of language, his love of operational definitions, and the remarkable insights he has gained living with Parkinson’s for 17 years. Paul discusses his work in Germany and comments on multi generational trauma in both descendants of holocaust survivors and of German war criminals, and leads a series of live exercises to unlock personal power. Paul also gives his advice on the protests and riots occurring the America, including how to act effectively and what

In this episode I am once again joined by Dr Ben Joffe, anthropologist and scholar practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism. This episode is the third part of a series in which we explore Ben’s PhD dissertation about the ngakpa of the Himalayas, or as Ben calls them ‘wizards and socially engaged yogis’. In this episode we explore the realms of gender and sexual orientation, in both textual and social contexts. Ben discusses the complex situation of female spiritual practitioners in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, looking at terms such as ‘khandroma’, ‘dakini’, and more. We learn about the role of the sangyum, or sexual consort, and find out why Ben’s teacher and co-author Dr Nida Chenagtsang dedicated their book on sexual yoga to abuse victims, particularly those who have been abused in religious contexts. And finally we discuss the heteronormative / heterosexual perspective of traditional tantric texts, and hear Ben’s thoughts on how to practice sexual yoga in other orientations. … Video version: https://