Guru Viking Podcast

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 pr

In this episode I talk with Bar-ché Dorje, a Dutch Lama in the Aro gTer tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. We discuss Bar-ché Dorje’s early interest in kebatinan, an Javanese esoteric tradition, that saw him plunge his hands into boiling oil and deflect strikes from poisonous machetes. We find out how Bar-ché Dorje first made contact with Ngakchang Rinpoche, who was to become his tantric guru for over 25 years. We hear stories of the infamous wrahthful teaching style of the wandering ngakpa Kunzang Dorje Rinpoche, with whom Bar-ché Dorje spend a great deal of time in Nepal. Video version available at: https://www.guruviking.com/ep21-bar-che-dorje-guru-viking-interviews/ Topics Include: - 00:00 - Intro - 00:38 - Cast of characters - 01:40 - Early experiences in Catholicism and martial arts - 04:00 - Exploring the esoteric Javanese tradition of Kebatinan - 08:33 - the dark side of Kebatinan - 10:00 - Encountering Tibetan Buddhism and Ngak’chang Rinpoche - 15:22 - About Ngak’chang Rinpoche - 18:16 - How N

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. We discuss Dhammarato’s adventures throughout India studying in search of magic and meditation; his encounters with gurus such as Muktananda, Sai Baba, and Osho; why meeting famed meditation master Buddhadasa turned his search for magic upside down and saw him ordain as a Buddhist monk in the Thai Tradition. We discuss what Dhammarato calls the ‘supra-mundane Dhamma’; hear his take on the failings of Western Buddhism; learn why he believes Visuddhimagga author Buddhaghosa was either a charlatan or a fool; and discover Dhammarato’s surprisingly simple advice on correct practice. For the video version of this interview, visit: https://www.guruviking.com/ep20-dhammarato/ Topics include: 00:50 - Dhammarato’s professional background and search for magic in India 04:42 - A challenging 10-day retreat with U Upandita

This episode of the Guru Viking Podcast sees the return of one of my absolute favourite guests, Glenn Mullin. Glenn is a Tibetologist, translator, and Tantric Buddhist meditation teacher, who studied for many years in Dharmsala with the Dalai Lama’s own gurus. In our last conversation, way back in Episode 9, we talked all about this fascinating period of Glenn’s life. We ended that podcast just beginning to touch on the inner yogas of Tantric Buddhism. In this episode we dive deeper into the completion stage practices as we discuss tummo (tsa lung tigle), the balancing of the male and female energies, clear light yoga, and we enter the realms of karmamudra, or ‘Tantric sex’, as it is presented in the Six Yogas of Naropa. Video version of this podcast: https://www.guruviking.com/ep19-glenn-mullin-guru-viking-interviews/ …. Topics include: - Producing heat with tummo practices - Tests of tummo practice in old Tibet - Demonstrations of energy control - The three qualities of inner bliss - The real pur

Ep18: Leigh Brasington - Guru Viking Interviews In this episode I am joined by Leigh Brasington, Buddhist meditation teacher and author of ‘Right Concentration, A Practical Guide to the Jhanas’. Leigh talked about how he transformed from a self described pot-head to a serious meditation practitioner in his very first retreat. We learn how learning the jhanas - 8 altered states of consciousness, brought on by deep meditative concentration - from meditation master Ayya Khema radically changed his life’s direction. We discuss stream entry for non-monastics, why most people underestimate their meditation potential, Leigh’s controversial take on Western Dharma teachers who claim full awakening, and why the Siddhis, or supernormal powers, are so associated with the practice of jhanas. Let me know what you think in the comments section below! 00:21 - How Leigh first became interested in meditation 00:57 - Chögyam Trungpa, Ayya Khema, and Leigh’s first meditation retreat 02:20 - Pot head to yogi - giving up

In this episode I talk with Stephen K Hayes, martial arts master and ex security advisor to the Dalai Lama. We discuss Stephen’s early interest in the martial arts and his journey to Japan in search of the Ninja. We learn about his training and relationship with the iconoclastic sensei Masaaki Hatsui, and how it was the Stephen first met the Dalai Lama. Stephen then gives a detailed analysis of the Dalai Lama’s skill in social engagements, as well as the lessons learned serving in the close protection field. Topics Include: 0:00 - Steve’s Intro 0:30 - A childhood interest in martial arts 03:42 - Stephen’s early spiritual leanings 06:03 - Disillusionment with Episcopal Christianity 07:44 - Stephen’s take on reincarnation 11:34 - University experiences studying theatre and speech at Miami University 14:24 - Learning Tang Su Do and opening his first school 16:30 - Stephen’s incongruence with the 70s American martial arts scene 18:06 - Why Stephen describes himself as an oddball guy 20:46 - Travelling

In this episode I travel to the deepest Wales to meet Ngakpa Chögyam and Khandro Déchen, English Lamas and lineage holders in a non-celibate Tantric Buddhist order. For the video version of this Episode, click here: https://www.guruviking.com/ep16-ngapka-chogyam-and-khandro-dechen-guru-viking-interviews/ I interviewed Ngakpa Chögyam about his early life and training with Kunzang Dorje Rinpoche way back in Episode 8, which was one of the most discussed and downloaded of the series so far. Here, we gain an intimate glimpse into their lives as they open their home, shrine room, and writing space. Ngakpa Chögyam reveals the art and practice of clothing and we learn why the Fender Telecaster is a doorway to compassion. The Lamas talk candidly about the skepticism of their authenticity, we hear stories about Mahasiddhas and Crazy Wisdom masters, and we discover Ngakpa Chögyam’s second religion in a live blues jam! Topics: 0:00 - Steve’s intro 0:01:20 - The house tour 0:01:43 - Tour of the shrine room

In this episode I interview Godfrey Devereux, yoga and meditation teacher of over 45 years experience, and author of several books - including ‘Dynamic Yoga’ and ‘Yoga Unveiled’, a translation and commentary of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. In this fascinating conversation we discuss how watching his uncle, an Anglican minster, pray in tree-pose sparked an overwhelming sense of reverence, how Godfrey’s teenage attempts at learning from books produced surprising results, why meeting his Indian yoga guru heroes left him unimpressed, and how the rigorous discipline of Zen - and the insight of a particular Zen Roshi - changed Godfrey’s life forever. This interview was particularly enjoyable for me because Godfrey is the man who trained me in the practice and teaching of yoga in my mid-twenties. Topics include: - Godfrey’s first encounter with yoga - The power of reverence - Early days learning from books - Meeting an Iyengar yoga teacher - Yoga in England in the 70s - Travelling to Italy and training as a Montess

New episode! In this interview I am joined by meditation teacher and author Daniel Ingram. Daniel sparked great controversy when in 2008 he published his first book ‘Mastering The Core Teachings Of The Buddha: An Unusual Hardcore Dharma Book’, signing it as the Arahant Daniel Ingram. Naming himself an arahant, which is one of the highest attainments in Buddhism, flew in the face of cultural taboos against disclosing one’s enlightenment. In this fascinating conversation we delve into Daniel’s childhood mystical experiences and how he overcame a lack of meditational talent to embark upon a life of intense retreat and practice. We discuss his meditation challenges and accomplishments, and lay out the stages of awakening and how to traverse them. At the end, Daniel turns the tables on *me* and questions my own experience and motivations! I hope you enjoy this one! - Daniel’s childhood mystical experiences - Crossing the arising and passing away in a dream - Daniel’s first retreat and overcoming a

In this episode I am joined by John Yates, PhD, aka Culadasa. Culadasa is a meditation master with more than four decades of experience in the Tibetan and Theravadin Buddhist traditions. A former professor, he taught physiology and neuroscience for many years, and later worked in the field of complementary and alternative medicine. His book ‘The Mind Illuminated’ has been described as ‘a rare and valuable treasure’ and has been enormously popular among dedicated meditators for it’s incredible clarity and usability even to very advanced stages of practice. In this interview we talk about how Culdasa’s traumatic upbringing led to him to being homeless on the streets at 15 years old and why even years in Catholic seminary didn’t provide the answers he was looking for. We discuss his initially frustrated attempts at meditation practice, the colourful cast of characters of his teachers, and the one key discovery changed everything. - Culadasa’s traumatic upbringing - Running away from home at 15 and the se

37-year old Bhante Jason is an Australian monk who left a career in law to wander the countryside as an aescetic Buddhist monk. Ordained in the Theravanda tradition in Sri Lanka over eight years ago, he lives outdoors without possessions except for his robes and begging bowl. Seeing hypocrisy in much of modern Buddhism's approach, Bhante Jason describes his approach to Buddhist practice as 'Classic' and chooses to live as closely as he can to the strict monastic rules of the historical Buddha. For the video version of this interview, including footage of Bhante's retreat caves, please click here: https://youtu.be/B9W4SUepWOQ I travel out to his rain season retreat cave in the Blue Mountains to meet this unusual and charismatic wanderer. - A tour of Bhante Jason's meditation caves - The 8 Precepts that allow lay people to temporarily practice as a monk - Bhante Jason's early interest in Buddhism and his teenage preoccupation with the problem of suffering - Disillusionment with Zen practice in New York - Th

In this interview I talk with Robert Beer, an internationally renowned artist who has dedicated his life to both the study of Indo-Tibetan sacred art and to experiential contact with the afterlife. Robert is the author and illustrator of the The Encyclopedia of Tibetan Symbols and Motif, and The Handbook of Tibetan Buddhist Symbol, as well as having his work featured in countless publications and websites. In our discussion we delve into Robert's childhood mystical experiences, his psychedelically induced psychosis and kundalini crisis, the runaway Carmelite nun, years spent in India studying with Tibet’s greatest living master artist, astral encounters with long-dead Indian gurus, and Robert’s extensive research into parapsychology and the spirit world. - The afterlife experience at 14 years old that catalysed Robert’s spiritual search - The death of Robert’s sister and an afterlife dream - How Robert became homeless at 16, sleeping rough in the blood bank where he worked - Being rejected from art scho

Glenn H. Mullin is a Tibetologist, Buddhist writer, translator of classical Tibetan literature, and teacher of Tantric Buddhist meditation. He divides his time between writing, teaching, meditating, and leading tour groups to the power places of Nepal and Tibet. In this interview we discuss Glenn’s early fascination with Tibet, his decades of rigorous study in India with the Dalai Lama’s two personal gurus, Glenn’s life-changing meditation experiences, enlightenment and orgasm, and we delve into the 6 Yogas of Naropa - a tantric system full of fascinating techniques such as Deity Yoga, Tummo, dream work, and more… Topics include: - The British fascination with Tibet - Glenn’s early family influences - Spending 12 years in India at the Dalai Lama’s school for Westerners - Glenn’s personal experiences with the Dalai Lama - What Tibetans and the Irish have in common - Popular vs unpopular enlightenment - Qualities of a spiritual master - The process of lineage authorisation in Tibetan Buddhism - The vary

In this interview I am joined by Ngakpa Chögyam a blues loving, horse riding Ngakpa, who with his wife Khandro Déchen, is the Lineage Lama (principal teacher) of the Aro tradition, a tantric Buddhist house holder tradition. Ngakpa Chögyam is the author of many books and today we discuss Wisdom Eccentrics. It is ‘a rare account of remarkable lamas in the final years of a lost era’ …which chronicles his education with Kunzang Dorje Rinpoche, ‘a highly reclusive master known for mercurial wrath and facility with Dzogchen’. In the book we follow this 19-year old Englishman in 1971 into the heart of the Himalayas to seek the highest teachings from a notoriously wrathful and elusive Lama. In this fascinating and candid conversation we delve into the themes of the book, including the culture clash of Dharmsala in the 70s, the true face of Crazy Wisdom and it’s abuses, how to access the realised state through the emotions themselves, and why Ngakpa Chögyam sees the crossover between the arts and Vajrayana as v

Today I’m joined by my co-teacher Michaela Boehm for a special interview about facing adversity. Michaela's house was destroyed in the Thomas fire, the largest wild fire in California state history. We discuss the story of what happened, how Michaela used her extensive training and lifetime of practice to face this crisis, and the surprisingly inspiring themes of determination and community. Disasters of any kind are something we all hope to avoid but that can happen to any of us at any time. There are many useful lessons and takeaways in Michaela's story for facing adversity and for supporting others who are in times of crisis. Topics include: - Michaela’s house destroyed by Thomas Fire, the largest wildfire in California State history - 50ft fire walls sweeping across the landscape at the speed of an acre a minute - The race from Europe to California and entering a disaster zone - How different people coped with the shock and trauma - Fight, flight, and freeze responses - Michaela’s game plan and perso

In this episode I'm joined once again by meditation teacher and Sanskrit translator Lorin Roche PhD. Our last interview was so popular, with so many requests for more, that Lorin agreed to another one! In this conversation we dive into Lorin's unique approach to meditation, look at why the way meditation is usually taught is actually damaging for most people, why monasteries psychologically castrate monks and what that means for their non-monastic students, and how to meditate in a way that embraces all of your life energies. Topics include: -Lorin’s unusual definition of meditation -The origins of meditation -What we can learn from the lives of the saints -The spiritual geniuses and daredevil monastics of the past -The male pioneers of meditation and their legacy -Enlightenment or bust -Adapting meditation to your needs and lifestyle -The sexual side of monasticism -Celibacy for the 1% -Living the life of all of your chakras -The high art of living all of your life energies -Sexuality as part of spirit

Today I’m talking with Traver Boehm. I first met Traver on his fortieth birthday in the aftermath of having lost his marriage and business in a single day. Devastated by these events he had embarked on a Year to Live, inspired by the Stephen Levine book of the same title, whereby he lived an entire year as if it was his last. This conversation is very touching and insightful - we discuss the realities of divorce, find out how Traver found meaning and put his life back together through service, what it means to return to dating and relationships and to be guided by the gut instinct - something Traver calls his 'God of the Gut' - and how he advises the divorced men he works with today. We also learn about Traver’s Year to Live where he worked with the elderly dying in the public hospice system, spent a month in a pitch black meditation cell in Guatemala, and more. He’s a very inspiring and heartfelt man and I think you’ll really enjoy this one. Topics include: - The single day in which Traver lost hi

In this interview I’m joined by musicians and artists Michael Cuming and Silvana van Dijk from the Australian musical duo Visions of a Nomad. I’ve known them for a couple of years now and they’re really fascinating. In the interview we dive into the ancient wisdom of Australia including dreamtime stories, how to read nature signs, and dream interpretation. We discuss how Michael and Silvana met, why Silvana left an international modelling career and Michael his own touring musical project to disappear for months into the Australian bush with a spear and a 4x4. We discuss Michael’s death experience in a hang gliding accident that radically changed his life, his time living as the personal secretary to an Indian guru with supernatural powers, and their deep connection to the indigenous people of Australia. Topics include: -The beginnings of Visions of A Nomad -Why Michael left his nationally touring band to live in the desert with just a spear and his instincts -The story of love at first sight between

I was recently interviewed by Dan Doty on the Evryman Podcast and we had a really great conversation. We talked about my childhood on a remote Scottish Island, extreme outdoor survival, mystical experiences, and a bunch of other interesting things.  Enjoy! More about me: www.guruviking.com More about Dan: https://www.evryman.co/dan/

In this interview I talk with Keith McKenzie. Keith is a meditation teacher and Buddhist chaplain for the British Armed Forces and works extensively with veterans in retreats and ongoing community projects. We discuss Keith’s career as an elite soldier in the Parachute Regiment of the British army, and how severe PTSD ended Keith’s 22 years in the fire service and led to heavy substance abuse and years of suffering. We learn how a profound spiritual experience altered the direction of Keith’s life and saw him immerse in meditation and Buddhism, discovering tools to stabilise his mind and heal his trauma - tools that he now shares in his work with veterans through his charity Sadaya. Topics include: - The importance of credibility and life experience - Keith’s time as a hippy in Holland in the 70s before joining the army - The urge to search and Keith’s childhood experiences of religion - How early childhood challenges influenced Keith’s desire to be the best and prove he wasn’t weak - Keith’s career i