Guru Viking Podcast

Stephen Synder, meditation teacher and author of many books including ‘Demsystifiyng Awakening’ and ‘Buddha’s Heart’, offers a ‘guided meditation into the unmanifest Absolute to contact and abide in the deep peacefulness there’. 

Stephen’s students have found this meditation helpful when working with the fear and anguish of the war in Ukraine, and Stephen generously offered to share it here. … Video version: www.guruviking.com/podcast/peace-meditation-stephen-snyder-bonus-episode Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. …
 Topics include:
 00:00 - Intro
 03:46 - Guided meditation ... Check out my previous interviews with Stephen: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep24-stephen-snyder-a-stroke-of-realisation-guru-viking-interviews/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep33-stephen-snyder-pandemic-edition-guru-viking-podcast/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep70-stephen-snyder-buddhas-heart/ - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep141-demystifying-awakening-stephen-snyder 
 Purcha

Dr Jud Brewer - pioneering psychiatrist, neuroscientist, and New York Times best-selling author - returns to once again join the ongoing conversation featuring:

 - Shinzen Young, meditation teacher and neuroscience research consultant
 - Chelsey Fasano, a Columbia University neuroscience student 
- Dr Jay Sanguinetti, Assistant Director for the Center for Consciousness Studies and Research Professor at the University of New Mexico In this episode, the group take a deep dive into concepts of the ‘Self’, comparing and contrasting religious models with the latest theories in neuroscience and psychology. Shinzen rethinks Early Buddhist craving and aversion doctrines in the light of modern mathematics and Jud considers the clinical implications of neuro-modulation and psychedelics. The group also discusses the typical learning curve to enlightenment, as well as the role of connection and communion in contemplative endeavours. … Video version:

 www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep142-science-the-enlightened-self

In this episode I am once again joined by Stephen Snyder, 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 latest book ‘Demysifying Awakening: A Buddhist Path of Realization, Embodiment, and Freedom’. Stephen gives detailed comparisons between the maps of Theravadan and Zen Buddhism, explains the difference between Kensho and Satori, and reveals why it is so easy to stall after an initial awakening experience. Stephen also shares techniques to open the Wisdom Eye, loosen allegiance to the body, and transcend the superego; and reveals how he assesses others spiritual experiences and how an individual can self-assess their own level of awakening. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep141-demystifying-awakening-stephen-snyder 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:51 - Why is Stephen

In this interview I am joined by Ralph White holistic learning pioneer, international speaker on cultural transformation and the history of the Western tradition, and co-founder of the New York Open Centre. Ralph reveals his difficult upbringing in working class England, and how his intellect served as his escape route, emigrating to America as a Fulbright scholar in 1970. Ralph shares a life-changing spiritual experience on Route 66, reflects on the role of psychedelics in raising consciousness, and details his personal path as a nature mystic heavily influenced by Western Esotericism. Ralph recounts his adventures throughout Canada, hitch hiking to Machu Picchu, getting streetwise in Columbia, and eventually landing in New York to co-found the world-famous Open Centre. Ralph also reflects on what years of booking spiritual teachers taught him about spotting spiritual fakes, what it means to be in the third of act of one’s life, and shares his vision for the future of world culture … Video version:

In this interview I am joined by Dr Thomas Clough Daffern philosopher, educator, peace activist, and peace officer for the Council of British Druid Orders. Most widely known as a peace activist and academic, Dr Daffern is also an esotericist and in this episode he reveals his system of peace magic which draws on a wide range of occult systems. Dr Daffern explains the difference between a peace magician and a war magician, warns of the dangers of magical practice, and gives advice for navigating today’s information landscape. Dr Daffern also gives a series of case studies of his own career in peace and reconciliation, including work in Ireland and the Middle East, before giving his detailed analysis of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. … Video version: www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep139-peace-magic-dr-thomas-clough-daffern-2 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:50 - What are magi and druids? 05:16 - What is peace magic? 07:28 -

In this interview I am joined by Beth Upton, a meditation teacher, ex-nun, and student of renowned meditation master Pa Auk Sayadaw. Beth reveals why reading economics at Cambridge caused her to fracture with today’s economic system and eventually led to her ordaination as a nun in Myanmar. Beth details her rigorous training under renowned meditation master Pa Auk Sayadaw, addresses skepticism of the Visuddhimagga, and criticises so called ‘soft jhana’ teachings as watered down dharma. Beth contrasts popular soft jhana teachings with how she was trained at Pa Auk, discusses the 10-fetter model of enlightenment, and explains how samadhi can be used to remember past lives and generate siddhi such as the ability to see devas and ghosts. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep138-trained-as-a-nun-beth-upton 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include:
 00:00 - Intro 00:51 - Upbringing and and reading economics at Cambridge 03:56 - The p

In this episode I am joined by Tara Springett, a Buddhist psychotherapist who specialises in treating Kundalini Syndrome. Tara recounts emerging from a troubled childhood to experience her first of several spiritual awakenings through a type of consciousness expansion known as kundalini. Tara shares the diverse consequences of these experiences in her own life including a reckoning with her unconscious mind, a life-changing yearning for the divine, and paranormal encounters. Tara recounts her conversion to Tibetan Buddhism and time spent with teachers such as Rigdzin Shikpo and Garchen Rinpoche, who would both go onto encourage her to teach Buddhism. Tara details learning a range of Buddhist practices including compassion meditation, manifestation wish practice, and the inner yogas of tummo. Tara also shares her experiences channeling White Tara, and reflects on her understanding of the process of spiritual awakening and karmic purification that working with kundalini energy is said to bring about.

In this episode I host a dialogue between Daniel Ingram and Delson Armstrong. Daniel Ingram is an independent Buddhist writer, author of ‘Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha’, and co-founder of the Emergent Phenomenology Research Consortium (EPRC). Delson Armstrong is a spiritual teacher, author of ’A Mind Without Craving’, and the star student of Bhante Vimalaramsi. Daniel and Delson discuss the similarities and differences between their doctrinal positions and personal experiences of the 4-path model of Buddhist enlightenment, which ranges from stream entry to arhatship. In this collegial yet rigorous dialogue, Daniel and Delson engage in detailed debate on the differences in their positions and draw on personal experience, scriptural examples, and issues of scientific verification. They also discuss the effect of enlightenment on psychopathy and other personality disorders, reflect on which meditation methods best fit different personality types, and conduct in-depth analysis of the phenome

In this bonus episode, I am once again joined by Dhammarato – a lineage teacher in the Thai Buddhist tradition who is known for his unique, 1-1 teaching style conducted over Skype.  This footage was recorded right before a dialogue about the Mahasi Method between Dhammarato and Daniel Ingram. Due to a scheduling miscommunication, Dhammarato and I arrived to the recording one hour early. It wasn’t long before Dhammarato began sharing his insights with his characteristic humour and precision and so we decided to release this informal exchange as a bonus episode. Dhammarato discusses the role of story and how to wake up from it, what stream entry really is and how can it be verified, and the difference between sati and psychological repression. Dhammarato also teaches a coffee meditation, talks about mindfulness in daily life, and reveals the real practice of anapanasati. … Video version: www.guruviking.com Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. ... 00:00 - Intr

In this episode I am once again joined by Alejandro Chaoul PhD to discuss his latest book ‘Tibetan Yoga: Magical Movements of Body, Breath, and Mind’ published by Wisdom Publications. Alejandro tells the story of the creation of this book, describes its textual sources, and explains his decision not to include images of the sacred movements. Alejandro reveals the different uses of Tibetan Yoga movements, including physical healing, clearing obstacles, enhancing meditation, and spiritual advancement. Alejandro also discusses personality typologies, the flavour of Dzogchen awakening, the importance of the full lotus posture, and compares Buddhist tummo techniques to the inner heat methods of the ‘Iceman’ Wim Hof. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep134-tibetan-yoga-alejandro-chaoul 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
 … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:50 - The story of Alejandro’s new book 08:04 - Textual sources and Alejandro’s use of im

In this interview I am joined by Dr Thomas Clough Daffern, poet, historian, philosopher, educator, and peace officer for the Council of British Druid Orders. Thomas recounts an unusual upbringing, a love affair with classics and poetry, and dropping out of school at 15 to pursue philosophical enquiry. We learn of Thomas’ immersion in study of the world’s religious and mystical traditions, and his early tantric and druidic initiations. Thomas discusses the Ancient Greek mystery schools, the cultural consequences of their closure, and what it would take to revive them in the world today. Thomas reflects his time as a celibate, why every student of the mysteries should have a brahmacharya phase, and why a sense of duty and civic responsibility eventually saw him marry and start a family. Thomas also talks about reconciling the schools of Islam, compares Eastern and Western enlightenments, and reveals the inspiration behind his relentless intellectual curiosity. … Video version at https://www.guruviking.co

A dialogue between Rupert Spira, a teacher of the direct path method of Advaita and an internationally acclaimed ceramic artist; and Henry Shukman, Zen teacher and award winning poet and writer. Well known as influential spiritual teachers, both men have also had prestigious careers in the arts, and in this episode they discuss the intersection of art and spirituality. Rupert and Henry consider such issues as the true purpose of art, narrative as a healing device, art as interruption of the subject object distinction, the darshan of Rembrandt, and how Chekov relates to the Vedantic witness. Rupert and Henry also reflect on their own artistic careers, including the importance of mentors, finding one’s unique voice, and the relationship between discipline and spontaneity. … Video version at: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep131-art-spirituality-rupert-spira-henry-shukman 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:56 - Art and

In this interview I am once again joined by Dr Jay Sanguinetti, Research Professor at the University of Arizona, Assistant Director at the Center for Consciousness Studies, and co-director of the SEMA Lab with Shinzen Young. In this episode, Dr Sanguinetti reveals his personal secrets for optimal brain function and cognitive high performance that enable him to perform at his intellectual best. Jay also gives us deep dive phenomenological reports of accessing boundary-less states of meditation, experiencing the unraveling of his self identification, and how self-administered brain stimulation in tandem with Dr Jeffrey Martin’s Finder’s Course and close 1-1 coaching with Shinzen Young radically expedited these processes. Jay also shares how his spiritual epiphanies have transformed his communication strategies with his staff and mentees, and explains the power of vulnerability in optimising decision making. … Video version at: www.guruviking.com 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru

In this interview I am joined by Guo Gu, Chan Buddhist teacher, author, and scholar of Buddhism. Guo Gu shares stories of his early training under the mysterious hermit Gūang Qìn, who’s siddhi powers were sought after by locals for healing and divination. Guo Gu also details his decades as the attendee and disciple monk of Chan Master Sheng Yen, including examples of Master Sheng Yen’s unusual and sometimes painful teaching methods, and shares how a powerful practice brought about Guo Gu’s stream entry in a moment of profound repentance. Guo Gu compares the powerful spiritual presences of his teachers, reflects on the means of acquiring siddhi and why Chan Buddhism deemphasises such powers, and shares the power of humility as a path to enlightenment. … www.guruviking.com Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
 … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:55 - Childhood training under the hermit Master Gūang Qìn 11:15 - Meeting Master Sheng Yen and other masters 17:03

Had an enjoyable and wide-ranging conversation with Connor Beaton of the popular 'ManTalks' podcast: From Connor's shownotes: 'This was one hell of a conversation. Steve and I cover wide ground, but the central hub of our talk is the state of modern masculinity. What are men asking about? What are they rejecting? What are they loving, losing, and leaving behind? What are men choosing? So yeah. Only light questions in this episode. Listen in for some brilliant insight from a brilliant guest.' 00:00 - ‘Tell us a story about a defining moment in your life’ 07:34 - ‘What is the state of men today?’ 11:25 - Sweeping statements 15:07 - What men think about 18:02 - Why are men questioning relationship? 27:24 - Navigating choice and finding your way 36:15 - Grief and praise 38:45 - Death and the self-contraction 40:58 - How to get out of the head and into the body Find Conor at: https://www.youtube.com/c/ManTalks Find Steve at: www.guruviking.com

In this episode special guest Dr Jud Brewer - pioneering psychiatrist, neurosciencist, and New York Times best-selling author - joins the ongoing conversation featuring: 

- Shinzen Young, meditation teacher and neuroscience research consultant
 - Chelsey Fasano, a Columbia University neuroscience student 
- Dr Jay Sanguinetti, Assistant Director for the Center for Consciousness Studies and Research Professor at the University of New Mexico In this episode Dr Brewer gives a fascinating summary of his ground-breaking work, and shares his wildest secret dream for the future of neuroscience and humanity at large. Dr Sanguinetti and Shinzen reveal the latest science in their lab, and dialogue with Dr Brewer about pseudo-arhats and the power of conditioning. The panel also map the 4 noble truths using the latest neuroscience theories, debate the pros and cons of including subjective experience in serious research, explore how to translate academic language into common parlance, and raise serious concerns abou

In this episode I am once again joined by Delson Armstrong, spiritual teacher and star student of Bhante Vimalaramsi. In this interview, Delson recalls tales of unusual spiritual mentors, including an Indian cobbler who taught Delson to read peoples’ karma, unlocking the ability to see not only others’ past lives, but also their future fate. Delson engages in a detailed discussion of how to acquire, refine, and master siddhi, aka special powers, discusses his own encounters with entities while on dark retreat, reveals his experience with the yogas of dream and sleep, and offers advice on dealing with periods of karmic reckoning. Delson also describes the 31 planes of existence, from the Brahma Lokas to the Hell Realms, and shares his opinion on figures such as Mara, Patanjali, and Jesus Christ. …

 Video version at: https://www.guruviking.com/ep127-siddha-tales-delson-armstrong-2/ 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:56 - T

In this interview I am joined by Jack Haubner, 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 shares his early spiritual openings, his strict Catholic upbringing, subsequent break from Christianity, and discovery of Buddhism. Jack reveals his complex relationship with his first Zen mentor, describes the development of his personal meditation practice, and recounts his initial meetings with renowned and latterly infamous spiritual teacher Joshu Sasaki Roshi. Jack went on to become the head monk of Sasaki’s monastery, a role which he occupied during the widely publicised sexual misconduct allegations made against the aged abbot, who was then in his hundreds. Jack reflects on the decades long open secret of Sasaki’s conduct within the Zen community, and discusses the widespread and complex fallout of a charismatic religious leader’s fall from grace. … Video version: https://www.guruvi

In this episode I host a third dialogue between Dhammarato and Daniel Ingram, this time on the vipassana meditation method of the highly influential Burmese monk Mahasi Sayadaw. While Daniel’s own path has been deeply informed by the Mahasi Method, Dhammarato has critiqued it as incomplete - particularly as it has been applied by the American Vipassana movements that it influenced. In this episode Daniel and Dhammarato share their own experiences of the method, reflect on its changes from Mahasi to U Pandita to America, and reveal rarely seen teachings from Mahasi’s own writings. Daniel and Dhammarato also debate different approaches to working with meditation hinderances, compare the results of Mahasi practitioners to those of fire kasina meditation and Culadasa’s ‘Mind Illuminated’ school, and address topics such as the Dark Night, Stream Entry, and perennialism. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep125-the-mahasi-debate-dhammarato-daniel-ingram/ 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotif

In this interview I am joined by Rupert Spira: a teacher of the direct path method of Advaita, and an internationally acclaimed ceramic artist. In this episode Rupert discusses his childhood in British boarding school, his disenchantment with science, and his discovery of spirituality. Rupert explains how his decision to pursue a career in pottery caused a rift with his father, and reveals the profound significance of their subsequent reconciliation many years later. Rupert recounts his intensive apprenticeship with the Zen Master-like British studio potter Michaela Cardew, and shares the essence of his artistic process as it expresses both in ceramics and in his work as a teacher of nonduality. Rupert also discusses personality cults in the arts and spirituality, the seductiveness of adulation as a spiritual teacher, the apparent conflict between beauty and truth, and why awakening so often still the artistic impulse but can also liberate it. … https://www.guruviking.com/ep124-art-of-awakening-ru