Guru Viking Podcast

In this episode I am once again 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’. In this episode Morgan reflects on his creative journey and its clash with his spiritual awakenings. Morgan recounts his childhood creative impulses and traces his career from his first time on stage to national success. Morgan contemplates the pros and cons of fame and reveals the inner workings of TV marketing requirements. Morgan discusses the surprising engine of his creative process, how to make art from pain and socio-political strife, and why his spiritual awakenings disrupted his creative urge. Morgan explains how the urge to serve the community replaced the need for artistic success, how his friends and fans reacted to his change of direction, and how an immersion into sacred mathematics birthed the creation of his Yinnergy audio meditation program. … 
 Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/p

In this episode I am once again joined by Dr Yannis Toussulis, Sufi lineage holder, psychotherapist, and author of ‘Sufism: The Way of Blame’. Dr Toussulis takes a deep dive into the practice and history of Sufism, including its historical interactions with Buddhism, Vedantism, Zoroastrianism, and posits a neoplatonic and Hellenic substructure underpinning Sufi mysticism. Dr Toussulis outlines the 4 phases of Sufism as a living practice, details its 7 stages of wisdom, and explains the role of bliss and tranquility in Sufi contemplation. Dr Toussulis also discusses the crucial role of the teacher, the importance of the circle of fellow practitioners, the role of ethics and direct experience, and why true Sufism must go beyond union with God as the ultimate end and purpose of the path. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep194-sufism-the-way-of-blame-dr-yannis-toussulis-2 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 01:00

In this episode I am once again joined by Dr Evan Thompson: Professor of Philosophy at the University of British Columbia, an Associate Member of the Department of Asian Studies and the Department of Psychology, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.
 Dr Thompson discusses his 2014 book ‘Waking, Dreaming, Being’ and takes a deep dive into the self from the point of view of the world’s contemplative traditions as well as neuroscience and philosophy of mind. Dr Thompson shares his life-long fasciation with the way in which consciousness and the sense of self change across different phases of the wake-sleep cycle, and challenges claims that insight into the self is a means to eliminate suffering and attain enlightenment. Dr Thompson reveals his own deep practice of meditation, lucid dreaming, Tai Chi and Chinese energy arts, and explains how he, as both a trained skeptical philosopher and as a dedicated practitioner, approaches the religious framing of practice and related concepts such as ‘chi’ and ‘en

In this episode I am once again joined by Tara Springett, a Buddhist psychotherapist who specialises in treating Kundalini Syndrome. Tara takes a deep dive into the supernatural and reveals why it is so common for those undergoing a kundalini awakening to have paranormal experiences. Tara lists the paranormal abilities and siddhi powers that are available, explains in detail about how to develop them, and sheds light on topics such as remote influence, exorcisms, and astral sex. Tara also offers criteria for differentiating between kundalini awakening and psychosis, reveals her own experiences of ghosts and exorcisms, and explains how to defend against hostile magickal attacks. … Video version: www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep192-kundalini-the-paranormal-tara-springett 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … #TaraSpringett #Kundalini #KundaliniAwakening #GarchenRinpoche #Kundalinicrisis #psychosis … Topics Include:
 00:00 - Intro 00:55 - 4 modes of consciou

In this interview I am once again joined by Martin Faulks: author, hermeticist, meditation adept, and memory expert. Martin takes us through a journey of the remarkable people he has encountered in his life as an occultist and meditation practitioner. Including his close inner circle of adepts, a famous American Ninja, Bohemian occult masters, Freemason private detectives, nature mystics, and more. Martin also discusses his own career as a teacher, how he deals with online haters and stalkers, and why it is that so many students fall out from their teachers. … Video version: www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep191-sojourns-in-the-occult-martin-faulks-2 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:42 - Martin’s powerful group of friends 05:20 - Martin’s two disclaimers 07:41 - Two significant observations about practice and instructions 15:38 - Consistency in the Zen temple 18:31 - Small virtues and the celebration of champions 21:20 -

In this episode I am joined by Naomi Levine, author, under her birth name Norma Levine, of multiple books including ‘The Miraculous 16th Karmapa’, ‘A Quest For The Hidden Lands’, and ‘Chronicles of Love and Death: My Years With The Lost Spiritual King of Bhutan’. Naomi recalls why she dropped out of academia to pursue an alternative lifestyle, and through a series of life-changing encounters with Tibetan gurus such as Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, 16th Karmapa, and Tai Situpa, converted to Buddhism and moved to India to pursue a life of yogic practice. Naomi describes her close discipleship under Tai Situpa, and recounts her initial meeting, and subsequent multi-year relationship, with the Shabdrung - a highly revered Bhutanese tulku said to possess potent magical abilities. Naomi also discusses the difficulty of differentiating between crazy wisdom and abusive behaviour, reflects her own naivety about what the practice of Vajrayana really entails, and describes the signs of enlightenment after the death of gre

In this episode I am once again joined by Dean Sluyter: meditation teacher and best-selling author of several books including ‘Cinema Nirvana: Enlightenment Lessons from the Movies’. Dean explores the distinction between the art and craft of meditation, what it means to rest in effortlessness, and critiques much meditation practice is egoic aggrandisement and fetishisation. Dean discusses the edifying effect of finding religious themes in literature and cinema, and discusses the approach he takes in his books to analyse both the Western Canon and the great movies of the past. Dean also recounts stories of his time studying with Ngak’chang Rinpoche of the Aro gTer Buddhist group, draws parallels between jazz and enlightenment, and weighs in on the direction of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep189-effortless-awakening-dean-sluyter-2 

Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:59 -

In this episode I am once again joined by Bruce Frantzis, world renowned Taoist master and author of books such as ‘Opening the Energy Gates of your Body’ and ‘Taoist Sexual Meditation’. Bruce recounts his training as a Taoist priest in an ancient secret society, including psychic training, sexual training, spiritual training, and more. Bruce discusses his training in Taoist exorcism, recalls the first exorcism he witnessed, and tells stories about exorcising trapped spirits in concentration camps and other sites of historical suffering. Bruce goes into depth about his training with Liu Hung Cheh, the Taoist immortal who would become Bruce’s most significant master, and shares impressions and memories from that time including Liu Hung Cheh’s last great miracle. Bruce also reflects on personal enlightenment, astral projection, the business of religion, compares Buddhism with Taoism, and considers his own legacy as a Taoist master. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep188-esoteric-taoism

In this episode I am once again joined by Dr K.A Shakoor: spiritual life coach, doctor of traditional Chinese medicine, and author of several books such as ‘Ghetto Sutras’ and ‘Maahaah Yoga’. Dr Shakoor discusses his own meditation practice, including periods of extreme mantra recitation, and recounts his struggles to reconcile the Bodhisattva ideal with corporate culture and for-profit medicine. Dr Shakoor shares his experiences teaching energy and meditation techniques to the mentally ill, and discusses the discipline needed to acquire mastery of such techniques. Dr Shakoor also recounts his own encounters with evil, including anecdotes of exorcisms, sorcery, and occult attacks, as well as magickal self defence advice for healers and spiritual practitioners. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep187-the-bodhisattva-occult-self-defence-dr-ka-shakoor-2 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:54 - Training in Sufi

In this episode I am joined by Camille Maurine, meditation mentor, dancer, and author of ‘Meditation Secrets For Women’ written with her husband Dr Lorin Roche. Camille describes her turbulent upbringing and how her discovery of practices of mediation and embodiment saw her embark on over 50 years of adventure and exploration. Camille recalls her performance career in dance and theatre, how she used movement to learn to feel her emotions, and the practices she uses to process strong feeling. Camille recounts meeting Lorin Roche at a time when she had rejected romantic relationships, and how she drew on inner processes and practices to open into relationship with him. Camille also discusses meditation secrets for women, why one should not fear the depths, how to honour one’s rhythms, and reflects on the limitations of male-oriented religious and spiritual systems. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep186-meditation-secrets-for-women-camille-maurine 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, &

In this episode I am once again joined by Lorin Roche PhD, meditation teacher and author of ‘The Radiance Sutras’. Lorin describes meditation as an affair with life force itself, explores the role of sleep and rest, and explains the discipline of following the cosmic impulse in one’s practice. In the context of this meditative view and drawing from his experience of 40 years of marriage, Loren reflects on intimate relationship, including his own journey in understanding intimacy, meditation keys to a thriving relationship, and how to use meditation to keep love alive. Lorin also discusses tantric sex, including the difference between technique and art, common errors and misunderstandings, and the redemptive power of spiritual union. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep185-meditation-and-tantric-sex-lorin-roche-phd 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:54 - Meditation as an affair with life force 04:19 - How

In this episode I host a dialogue between doctor of Tibetan Medicine and Buddhist spiritual teacher Dr Nida Chenagtsang and Dr Ian A. Baker, author, scholar, and initiate of Buddhist, Taoist, and Hindu Tantric lineages. Drs Nida and Ian explore the theme of Vajrayana in the 21st century, including issues such as tradition and innovation, mass empowerments vs 1-1 discipleship, and what is essential for successful practice. Drs Nida and Ian discuss common mistakes in practicing the 6 Yogas of Naropa, religious syncretism, and dark triad traits of narcissism, psychopathy, and machiavellianism in spiritual teachers. Drs Nida and Ian also discuss the role of religious institutions in the history of Vajrayana and explore the tensions between the critical historical approach of academia with traditional views often held by religious teachers and practicing Buddhists.
 … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep184-the-vajra-path-dr-nida-chenagtsang-dr-ian-a-baker 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes,

In this interview I am joined by Dr Caroline Van Damme, an adult psychiatrist and family and systemic psychotherapist specialising in chronic psychotic disorders, and co-teacher of Buddhist guru and Sowa Rigpa doctor Nida Chenagtsang.  Dr Caroline draws on her extensive clinical experience as a psychiatrist, as well as her personal meditation practice, to explore the adverse effects of meditation, including psychosis, depersonalisation/derealisation, and spiritual bypass. Dr Caroline considers the pros and cons of sleep deprivation as a spiritual training tool, visualisation practices of Buddhist Vajrayana, and shares stories of extended meditation retreats gone wrong. Dr Caroline gives recommendations for those who wish to practice intensively, including dangers signs to watch for, the markers of high-risk individuals, and the importance of a a strong psychology and deep foundation in preliminary practice. Dr Caroline also details her own success in using meditation with her patients in clinical settin

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 p

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:

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 –

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

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 Ameri

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,

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-awake