Podcast appearances and mentions of Ian A Baker

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, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast'. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:05 - The Vajra Path 03:42 - Tradition and innovation 08:25 - Mass empowerments 10:24 - 84 Mahasiddhas and individualised practice 13:14 - Vajrayana is experiential 14:52 - Correcting misunderstandings 16:53 - What is essential for Vajrayana to be effective? 19:11 - The role of empowerment 21:00 - Listen, study, meditate 23:19 - The power of place 25:03 - Discerning effective methods for contemporary audiences 28:23 - Secrecy and education 32:18 - How much practice is needed for Varjayana? 36:30 - Struggles with dream yoga and tummo 40:14 - Working with your talents 42:34 - 6 Yogas study mistakes 44:05 - Misguided attitudes to ngondro, preliminary practices 47:06 - Spiritual cocktails and narcissism 49:02 - How to relate to other traditions 50:49 - Syncretism the critical historical perspective 54:51 - Fundamental values 58:12 - Dark triad traits in spiritual practitioners and teachers 01:02:12 - Vajrayana and institutions 01:03:35 - Distilling the essence or taking out of context? 01:05:00 - Dr Nida's vision of Vajrayana institutions 01:06:38 - Cultural trappings vs the essence of Buddhism 01:12:49 - Dr Ian on religious institutions and the evolution of Vajrayana 01:16:41 - Essence of Vajrayana 01:20:45 - Who does Vajrayana belong to? 01:22:25 - Critical historical vs traditional perspectives 01:26:39 - Dr Nida reflects on the power of simplicity 01:30:09 - Friendship and collaboration 01:31:33 - Hijacking of Buddhism 01:34:47 - Deelaboration and the beautiful adventure 01:36:40 - Future trips, courses, and activities … Previous episodes with Dr Nida Chenagtsang: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=nida 
 Previous episodes with Dr Ian A. Baker: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=baker … To find out more about The Vajra Path, visit: - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088040336775 - https://www.instagram.com/thevajrapath/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com/ Music 'Deva Dasi' by Steve James

In this episode I am once again joined by Dr Ian A. Baker, international fellow of the Explorers Club and the Royal Geographic Society, author of 7 books, and an initiate of Buddhist, Taoist, and Hindu Tantric lineages. In this interview Ian recounts a life-changing encounter with a Shakta tantric Siddha in Nepal, who healed Ian of severe climbing injuries and initiated him into the Kaula Tantric order. Ian compares the hitherto secret practices of this sect - such as pranayama, asana, and kundalini techniques - with their Tibetan Tantric equivalents. Ian reveals the surprising reactions of his Tibetan teachers to his initiations into Kaula Tantra, including Chatral Rinpoche and Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, and shares a drinking practice taught to him by his Kaula guru. Ian also discusses Himalayan Beyul, the thin places of the Scottish Highlands, and how a trip to the Isle of Skye brought him into living contact with local Faerie lore. ... Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep100-ian-baker-emancipated-passion-of-kaula-tantra/ 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast'. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:02 - Recent research into esoteric Burmese spiritual elixirs and the Soma tradition 09:55. Exploring the thin places of the Scottish Highlands 15:15 - Encountering the human the faerie tradition of the Isle of Skye 18:21 - Psychoactive substances in Buddhism 22:32 - Tantric Buddhism in Burma 28:38 - Ian on Mike Crowley's book 'The Secret Drugs of Buddhism' 34:12 - Initial interest in Kaula Tantra 39:59 - Padmasambhava and the Nyingma Sects of Tibetan Buddhism 41:41 - Love vs renunciation and the Indian roots of Tibetan Tantra 47:18 - Emancipated passion, Yab Yum, and Maithuna 52:14 - Touring the sacred Shakta sites of Kamakya, Assam with Sakya Trinzin 59:29 - Ian's first Kaula Tantric initiation 1:03:05 - Meeting a Shakta master and experiencing Siddhis (paranormal powers) 1:05:06 - Extensive physical healing by the Shakta master after Ian's climbing accident 1:16:05 - Ian's second Kaula Tantric initiation and Maithuna practice 1:20:11 - Tulku Urgyen and Chatral Rinpoche's responses to his Kaula experiences 1:23:50 - Ian demonstrates a pranayama drinking practice 1:29:58 - Criticisms of mulabhanda and visualisation practice 1:35:08 - Comparison of Shakta and Tibetan pranayama practices 1:37:46 - Integration of Sahaja and the core practices of Dzogchen 1:41:32 - Comparison of approaches to the pelvic floor in the esoteric traditions 1:49:04 - Female masters and the overlooked roots of Tantric practice 1:52:14 - Ian recommends some recent scholarship ... To find out more about Dr Ian A Baker, visit: - https://www.ianbaker.com/ 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi' by Steve James

CJ Liu interviews Ian A. Baker, author of 7 acclaimed books on the Himalayan and Tibetan culture history, on his newest book "’Tibetan Yoga: Principles and Practices." Part 4: Tumo Practice: The inner fire practice is used to release karmic winds with the intent of creating ananda (Bliss). Once we cultivate this state of bliss, it has the effect of supplanting desire. As bliss reaches completion and is inseparable from emptiness/interconnectedness, we will naturally be kind.Fire It Up With CJ Podcast is brought to you by Talk 4 Podcasting (www.talk4podcasting.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (www.talk4media.com).

CJ Liu interviews Ian A. Baker on his newest book "’Tibetan Yoga: Principles and Practices." Part 3:Tsa Lung Practice: Ian explains the different paths of subtle energy in our body expressed as channels/pathways (nadis) or lung (prana or vital energy). These practices are about finding the vital essence that travels along these pathways. Through breath retention and a dynamic breathing practice we are able to activate the energy channels within our bodies and to bring about a transcendent state.Fire It Up With CJ Podcast is brought to you by Talk 4 Podcasting (www.talk4podcasting.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (www.talk4media.com).

CJ Liu interviews Ian A. Baker, author of 7 acclaimed books on the Himalayan and Tibetan culture history, on his newest book "’Tibetan Yoga: Principles and Practices."Part 2: Element Practice. Ian shares the various traditions how the world around us can be expressed through elements, such as Pitta/ Vata/ Kapha or Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Space. These practices are geared toward experiencing a deeper connection both to the world around us and to find these same states within our own body.Fire It Up With CJ Podcast is brought to you by Talk 4 Podcasting (www.talk4podcasting.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (www.talk4media.com).

CJ Liu interviews Ian A. Baker, author of 7 acclaimed books on the Himalayan and Tibetan culture history, on his newest book "’Tibetan Yoga: Principles and Practices." Part 1: What is embodiment? Ian explains how working with the body, through such physical practices, can awaken dormant aspects of the mind and consciousness. Body and spirit are integrated in the Tibetan Yoga practices. Divine is not something outside of us, but within us.Fire It Up With CJ Podcast is brought to you by Talk 4 Podcasting (www.talk4podcasting.com/) on the Talk 4 Media Network (www.talk4media.com).

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

Join, Ian A. Baker and ‘She’ as they dive into his new book, Tibetan Yoga: Principles and Practices. Ian shares his effortless wealth of wisdom and invites all of us to lean into the possible with awareness, play and laughter. In addition, he gives us a clue on how to be in our daily life from a state of BLISS! “Is the mind in the body? Is the body in the mind? Let go of our limited way of seeing?” Ian A. Baker Ian A. Baker is an Anthropologist . Author . Explorer Ian A. Baker studied literature and comparative religion at Oxford University and Columbia University. He is an initiate of Buddhist as well as Taoist and Hindu Tantric lineages and lived for more than 25 years in India and Nepal where he studied with some of the greatest luminaries of the Tibetan tradition, including H.H. the Dalai Lama. An international fellow of the Explorers Club and the Royal Geographic Society, he has led travel seminars in Tibet, Bhutan, and Myanmar. The author of 7 books, he was joint curator of the 2016 exhibition “Tibet’s Secret Temple” at the Wellcome Collection, London. Tibetan Yoga: Principles and Practices Tibetan yoga is the hidden treasure at the heart of the Tibetan Tantric Buddhist tradition: a spiritual and physical practice that seeks an expanded experience of the human body and its energetic and cognitive potential. In this pioneering and highly illustrated overview, Ian A. Baker introduces the core principles and practices of Tibetan yoga alongside historical illustrations of the movements and beautiful, full-color works of Himalayan art, never before published. Another great read and creation by Ian, The Heart of the World .  

Join, Ian A. Baker and ‘She’ as they dive into his new book, Tibetan Yoga: Principles and Practices. Ian shares his effortless wealth of wisdom and invites all of us to lean into the possible with awareness, play and laughter. In addition, he gives us a clue on how to be in our daily life from a state of BLISS!“Is the mind in the body? Is the body in the mind? Let go of our limited way of seeing?” Ian A. BakerIan A. Baker is an Anthropologist . Author . ExplorerIan A. Baker studied literature and comparative religion at Oxford University and Columbia University. He is an initiate of Buddhist as well as Taoist and Hindu Tantric lineages and lived for more than 25 years in India and Nepal where he studied with some of the greatest luminaries of the Tibetan tradition, including H.H. the Dalai Lama. An international fellow of the Explorers Club and the Royal Geographic Society, he has led travel seminars in Tibet, Bhutan, and Myanmar. The author of 7 books, he was joint curator of the 2016 exhibition “Tibet’s Secret Temple” at the Wellcome Collection, London.Tibetan Yoga: Principles and PracticesTibetan yoga is the hidden treasure at the heart of the Tibetan Tantric Buddhist tradition: a spiritual and physical practice that seeks an expanded experience of the human body and its energetic and cognitive potential. In this pioneering and highly illustrated overview, Ian A. Baker introduces the core principles and practices of Tibetan yoga alongside historical illustrations of the movements and beautiful, full-color works of Himalayan art, never before published.Another great read and creation by Ian, The Heart of the World .

THIS EPISODE IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE FOR THE GREAT DIVERSITY AND THE VERY DIFFERENT APPROACHES YOU CAN FIND IN THE OCCULT AND ESOTERIC TRADITIONS. WE HOPE IT WILL ALSO BRING OUT YOUR CURIOSITY AND MAKE YOU DISCOVER NEW PRACTICES CHAPTER 1 Ian A. Baker presents in this beautifully illustrated book (396 illustrations and images on 300 pages!) the varied approaches to the Tibetan tradition.   Tibetan yoga is the hidden treasure at the heart of the Tibetan Tantric tradition: a spiritual and physical practice that seeks an expanded experience of the human body and its energetic and cognitive potential. The author introduces the core principles and practices of Tibetan yoga alongside historical illustrations of the movements and beautiful, full-color works of Himalayan art, never before published. Buy the book here CHAPTER 2 GREG'S CHOICE In each episode Greg Kaminsky, the creator of the great "Occult of Personality" podcast, presents a book of his choice. This time: The Sacred Alignments and Sigils Book details and purchase here Greg's Occult of Personality Here is the direct link to an interview of Robert Podgurski that Greg made in 2014 on Occult of Personality Greg Kaminsky is a scholar of the Western esoteric tradition, with a graduate degree in Medieval Studies, focusing on Renaissance Cabala. Greg became an initiate in several traditions including Illuminism and Freemasonry. Greg is also host and producer of Occult of Personality, a highly regarded and long-running podcast. Dr. Flowers is very well known in the esoteric and occult communities through his extensive teaching and writing, which ranges from Runology to Zoroastrianism, from the German Occultist scene to the Left Hand Path. Stephen Flowers studied Germanic and Celtic philology and religious history at the University of Texas at Austin and in Goettingen, West Germany. He received his Ph.D. in 1984 in Germanic Languages and Medieval Studies with a dissertation entitled Runes and Magic. His long interview from April 2018 on Thoth Hermes can be accessed here CHAPTER 3 Stephen E. Flowers is back on Thoth-Hermes with a short interview on his latest book. In this revised and expanded  edition he gives a deep and lesser know insight into the history and roots of one of the most important tools used by us occultists - the Tarot.       Get the book here CHAPTER 4 Drawing on her more than 20 years’ experience working with present-day Mesoamerican curanderos/as and the ancient shamanic healing traditions of the Mexica and Maya, Erika Buenaflor, M.A., J.D., provides a step-by-step guide for the curanderismo practice of soul retrieval. She explains how the soul is a form of sacred energy that can escape when someone experiences trauma or is threatened by challenging and stressful situations. Its absence can be responsible for a host of negative conditions including physical ailments, depression, insomnia, and dysfunctional behavior patterns. Get the book here Erika Buenaflor, M.A., J.D., has a master’s degree in religious studies with a focus on Mesoamerican shamanism from the University of California at Riverside. A practicing curandera for over 20 years, descended from a long line of grandmother curanderas, she has studied with curanderas/os in Mexico, Peru, and Los Angeles and gives presentations on curanderismo in many settings, including at UCLA.

Explorer, initiate, author, and exhibition curator Ian A. Baker talks about his sumptuous, lavishly illustrated, and wise book.

"The heart of the world" av Ian A. Baker, Vox Humana av Nils Henrik Asheim og dokumentarserien til Louis Theroux.