Podcast appearances and mentions of Steve James

In this episode I am joined by Rebekah Sturghill, mother, school teacher, and convert to Orthodox Christianity. Rebekah details her upbringing in a Texan evangelical church and how encounters with authoritarianism and questions about her sexuality saw her leave the religion. Rebekah describes a period of passionate teenage atheism before becoming deeply involved in feminist activism beginning in university. Rebekah explains why she remains a feminist but left activism and how, through a powerful visionary experience, she converted to Orthodox Christianity. Rebekah also explores the mechanisms of conversion, considers the line between faith and extremism, and comments on the pros and cons of a new trend of conversions to Orthodox Christianity driven by internet influencers and discussion communities. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep302-my-conversion-to-orthodox-christianity-rebekah-sturghill Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast'. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:00 - Evangelical Christian upbringing in Texas 04:17 - Studying theology and philosophy at St Johns College 04:38 - Encountering Jesus through reading the Gospels 05:39 - Feminist activism 06:09 - Joining the Orthodox Church 08:18 - Anger at religion and questioning sexuality 11:22 - Authoritarianism in the church 12:26 - Why Rebekah's family left the church 14:05 - Religious community vs contemplative practice 16:19 - Contemplative emphasis in the Orthodox Church 17:10 - Youth groups and community emphasis 18:16 - Radical atheism phase and the impact on family 23:18 - Becoming a feminist activist 25:50 - Questioning feminist theory, struggles with relativism and essentialism 26:52 - Becoming a 2nd wave feminist 28:34 - Influence of the internet on Rebekah's various conversions 31:35 - Conversion or coming home? 33:42 - What feminism really is 35:18 - Frustrations with 3rd wave feminism 40:08 - Why feminist activism? 44:34 - Still a feminist? Which views Rebekah still holds 48:00 - Orthodox Christian view of the individual and equality 49:47 - Are Rebekah's views controversial? 51:43 - In-fighting and leaving activism 54:17 - Religious extremists and extreme activism 55:53 - Losing oneself in extremism 57:50 - Critical mass of buy-in needed for conversion 58:13 - Embracing the dharma or losing oneself? 01:01:46 - CS Lewis' “The Great Divorce” 01:03:36 - Dying to oneself 01:04:54 - Theosis and losing oneself 01:05:42 - Popularity of Orthodox Christianity online, a new wave of converts 01:07:26 - The practice of Orthodoxy Christianity and the supernatural 01:09:05 - Lent 01:09:55 - High profile conversions to Orthodoxy and an internet pipeline 01:11:22 - Rebekah's conversion through relationships and community 01:13:15 - The moment of conversion 01:14:41 - Powerful first conversation with an Orthodox priest … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi' by Steve James

Join Michaela in this live workshop recording as she discusses the most important relationship skill, why praise is a practice, the art of being with your partner, and how to break cycles of criticism and resentment. 00:00 - The most important relationship skill 01:45 - The practice of praise 02:20 - The art of being with each other 03:23 - Dishwashing, nagging, and endocrine systems 09:11 - How to break cycles of criticism and resentment 14:30 - Couples need meetings 16:30 - Phases of relationship purpose 17:52 - When to see a couples' therapist 18:11 - Michaela's social media influencer clients Buy Michaela's Flavors of the Feminine Deck: https://www.templeofthebodyintheworld.com/ For workshops, teacher training and courses: https://www.michaelaboehm.com To order Michaela's book "The Wild Woman's Way" : https://amzn.to/2BQ5WpY Music ‘Deva Dasi' by Steve James at https://www.guruviking.com

In this episode I am joined by Lorna Byrne, spiritual teacher and best selling author of “Angels in my Hair”. Lorna describes her childhood in Ireland when she first began to see and interact with angels and souls of the dead, and recalls how she navigated these visionary experiences. Lorna discusses the different types of angels that she sees, as well as other beings such as souls of the deceased, land spirits, elementals and more, and how others might learn to see as she does. Lorna also reflects on feeling the energy of a place; her lifelong experience of being different to others; unusual reactions people have towards her; and the importance of love, hope, and compassion. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep301-angels-in-my-hair-lorna-byrne | Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast'. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:52 - Growing up different 04:17 - Learning from angels 05:27 - Be your unique self 06:36 - Seeing angels physically 07:50 - Holding things back and confusion about mankind 09:07 - Consulted by clerics, theologians, and academics 10:04 - Is God real? 11:32 - Responses from people all over the world 13:02 - Deep interactions with strangers 15:20 - Lorna's view of human beings 16:39 - Can anyone see angels and spirits? 19:10 - Being open to new knowledge 21:39 - Intertwining of the human body and soul 23:43 - Everything is possible 25:57 - Has Lorna met others who can see angels? 28:32 - People who pretend to see spirits for money 39:37 - Feeling the energy of a place 30:35 - Local traditions, land spirits, and the range of beings Lorna encounters 35:59 - How to see spirits 37:53 - The Spirit of the Water 39:52 - Everything has energy 41:51 - Angel at the Centre of the Earth 43:25 - Detecting the influence of Satan 45:59 - A story of boy soldiers 49:06 - Cycles of abuse 50:12 - Thoughts about the future of mankind 52:50 - Love, hope, and compassion 54:43 - Lorna's retreat centre, Sanctuary 
… Find our more about Lorna Byrne: - https://lornabyrne.com/ - … 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 Katarina Falkenberg & Tommy Westlund, alchemists, practitioners of Western Esotericism, and authors of ‘Alchemy, The Divine Work'. Katarina and Tommy detail the stages and methods of the spiritual path of Western alchemy. They explain the movement through four phases, describe the operations employed during each, and reveal the signs of progress that indicate success. Katarina and Tommy reveal how to pray to the Madonna, how to purify karma, how to work with fire and emotions such as anger and sadness, the role of tinctures and elixirs, and methods of astral travel and archetypal work. Katarina and Tommy also consider the power of the imagination, the interaction with external alchemical operations and inner personal refinement, and recount stories of entity encounters and reality creation. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep300-the-spiritual-practice-of-alchemy-katarina-falkenberg-tommy-westlund Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast'. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:04 - “Alchemy, The Divine Work” 02:30 - Practices of the alchemical path 03:38 - Prima materia and meditation 05:42 - Meditating on alchemical emblems 06:43 - The metaphysics of prima materia consciousness 07:30 - Praying to Black Madonna 08:38 - How to pray 10:07 - Use of the imagination 11:42 - Signs of contact with the Black Madonna 13:44 - Purifying karma and releasing traumas 15:08 - Inhaling suffering and exhaling love 16:50 - Purification and divine providence 19:09 - The Nigredo phase 20:50 - The seven planets and chakras 21:49 - Theosophical ideas about seven governing forces 26:15 - Moving into the Albedo phase 27:11 - Mercurial consciousness 28:22 - Nigredo vs Albedo phases 29:43 - Working with the astral body 30:17 - Work with herbs and creating tinctures 34:18 - An alchemical elixir toast 36:39 - The Citrinitas phase 38:27 - Working with fire 40:16 - Using anger and sadness 41:48 - Death is not the end 43:33 - Reintegrating the Dark Angel 44:04 - The magic of imagination 48:14 - Fourfold processes and the quintessence 49:37 - Making the soul bigger 51:22 - Working with the Egyptian and Gnostic traditions 52:24 - Projecting the four elements 53:53 - Pilgrimages to magical locations 55:19 - Visitations from giants and other beings 57:42 - Meeting inner archetypes in the outer world 59:37 - The Rubedo phase 01:01:41 - Microcosm and macrocosm 1:04:109 - Fasting and insight into the shadow 01:07:51 - Signs of process on the path 01:10:14 - Working at a deeper level 01:11:31 - Katarina's novel manifesting into real life 01:13:41 - Creating your own universe 01:15:25 - Life as a creative project 01:17:23 - Working with the ego 01:19:40 - Death and resurrection 01:20:27 - Bad gurus with siddhi powers 01:22:11 - The power of partnership 01:23:34 - Humility and the flaming heart 01:24:40 - Practice advice for the eager student 01:30:36 - Balance vs obsession 01:33:50 - 10-15 years to a successful white wedding 01:36:32 - Working for the next life … Previous episode with Katarina Falkenberg & Tommy Westlund: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep238-alchemy-the-divine-work-katarina-falkenberg-tommy-westlund To find out more about Katarina Falkenberg & Tommy Westlund, visit: - https://www.alkemiskaakademin.se/eng/about-us/ 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi' by Steve James

Join Michaela in this live workshop recording as she discusses how to repattern your life, the widespread effects of a father wound, dealing with unhealthy thoughts, and the powers and limits of positive thinking for physical health. 00:00 - Vulnerability hangover 02:38 - Psychoemotional aftercare 05:32 - How to know when you've gone too far 05:55 - How the brain works and the process of learning 06:36 - Far-reaching effect of a father wound 09:00 - How to work with unhealthy patterns of thinking 09:54 - Michaela's childhood pattern of self-sufficiency 12:28 - New age ideas about negative thinking and disease 14:33 - The power of belief and faith on physical health 15:32 - A key distinction about the limits of positive thinking 17:03 - Teachers who don't know what they're talking about 18:34 - Feeding your demons and soothing your inner child Buy Michaela's Flavors of the Feminine Deck: https://www.templeofthebodyintheworld.com/ For workshops, teacher training and courses: https://www.michaelaboehm.com To order Michaela's book "The Wild Woman's Way" : https://amzn.to/2BQ5WpY Music ‘Deva Dasi' by Steve James at https://www.guruviking.com

Send us a textYoav Attias is a documentary filmmaker whose projects include Brick City chronicling the inner-workings of Newark, NJ under then-Mayor Cory Booker and CNN's Chicagoland featuring then-mayor Rahm Emanuel. His most recent role is as Director on the new documentary film Fault Lines - which examines the issue of affordable housing in American cities through the prism of several storylines in San Francisco where the housing crisis is especially acute. In this conversation, Yoav talks starting a legal career in South Florida before following his passion to become a documentary filmmaker...what he learned about the politics and challenges facing major American cities working closely around Mayors Cory Booker and Rahm Emanuel...the origin of the Fault Lines film project set in the Bay Area...and a deep dive on the challenges and complexities surrounding the American housing crisis.IN THIS EPISODEYoav's roots in South Florida and why he left a legal career for documentary film-making...Yoav's involvement in the Brick City project that follows Newark politics, including then-Mayor Cory Booker...The documentary that deeply inspired Yoav to enter the field...Yoav's time as showrunner on CNN's Chicagoland project that featured Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel...Yoav's pitch to pols like Rahm Emanuel and Cory Booker to agree to be filmed for hundreds of hours for a documentary project...Yoav's relative optimism versus pessimism regarding the trajectory of the modern major American city...The origin story of his latest project, Fault Lines - a documentary about the housing affordability crisis facing American cities...How the housing process became so broken in cities like San Francisco in the first place...The controversy over 100 proposed affordable housing units in San Francisco's Sunset Neighborhood...How Yoav found housing advocates and a homeless family to participate in Fault Lines...How one local Bay Area elected official found himself caught in a political vice on the issue of affordable housing...Is the housing problem better or worse than Yoav initially thought?The Grateful Dead song that appears toward the end of Fault Lines...Yoav's take on political ad-making from outside of the political industry...The recent political documentary Yoav strongly recommends...AND Mark Benjamin, Anthony Bourdain, Bill Clinton, Todd Davis, Liz Dozier, Fenger High School, field producers, Jerry Garcia, HUD, hippie utopias, Hoop Dreams, hornets' nests, Nate Houghteling, Robert Hunter, Steve James, Flo Kimmerling, Ezra Klein, Marc Levin, Gordon Mar, the Mission, PCE, Section 8 vouchers, Sarah Sherman, toxicology reports, trust-building, undesirables, University of Florida, verité documentaries, Scott Weiner, zoning laws..& more!

In this interview I am once again joined by Mordy Levine, serial entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and author of ‘The Beginner's Guide to Karma' with Lama Lhanang. Mordy discusses the Buddhist doctrine of karma, explores its history in Indian thought, and differentiates the various types of karmic actions and their consequences. Mordy reveals special, esoteric methods to purify bad karma, compares the Tibetan tradition to Zen, and grapples with the importance of motive in karmic justice. Mordy also discusses the six realms, whether Buddhist hell should be understood as a place or a psychological state, and why he believes an understanding of karma is a pathway to true freedom. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep299-karma-mordy-levine-2 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast'. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:52 - Why Mordy wrote “The Beginner's Guide to Karma” 02:17 - Understanding of karma regulates human behaviour 03:38 - Creative collaboration with Lama Lhanang 04:48 - A powerful insight about karma and consciousness 06:53 - The history of the doctrine of karma in India 09:50 - Mordy's research into karma, using primary sources 11:50 - Different types of karmic actions and their consequences 13:29 - Selfishness vs selflessness as motive 15:08 - Is intention all? 16:19 - How great masters read karmic history 19:34 - Does Buddhism disincentivise effective action? 21:19 Does self-interest negate efforts to generate good karma? 23:24 - The desire to help others is an exception 26:00 - Motivations are complicated 28:57 - How karma helps us face negative situations 31:25 - The story of the Zen farmer 33:48 - Does the doctrine of karma blame the unfortunate? 36:02 - Explanation without accusation 37:09 - Mordy's message about karma 38:38 - Working the karmic system to reduce negative karmic consequences and accrue merit 41:06 - Esoteric methods to purify negative karma 44:24 - The special power of meditation 45:44 - Does motivation affect the karmic consequence of meditation? 44:34 - Can meditation create negative karma? 48:28 - Generating and dedicating merit 50:45 - Is enlightenment the result of good karma? 52:42 - How to work the karma system to become enlightened 53:43 - What is collective karma? 56:24 - Can we hold groups accountable for their karma? 58:18 - Mordy on Donald Trump 59:41 - Can bad karma send you to hell? 01:02:07 - Are the 6 realms real locations or psychological states? 01:03:29 - Does Mordy believe in the 6 realms? 01:04:13 - Is belief in the 6 realms necessary? 01:05:21 - Is karma believable? 01:06:26 - Is there a place for chance in the Buddhist view? 01:07:00 - Mordy's hopes for the book 01:07:58 - Does karma give freedom or a burden? 01:08:38 - American karma, “Have it your way”. … Previous episode with Mordy Levine: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=mordy Previous episodes with Lama Lhanang: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=lhanang To find out more about Mordy Levine, visit: - https://www.mordylevine.com/ 
… 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi' by Steve James

In this episode I am once again joined by Stephen Snyder, Buddhist meditation teacher and author of several books including ‘Buddha's Heart', ‘Trust in Awakening', and his latest release ‘Liberating the Self'. Stephen emphasises the importance of working with personality structures even after Buddhist awakening, and offers methods to resolve trauma and destructive patterns to unlock hidden spiritual strength. Stephen warns about the dangers of achieving enlightenment without dealing with one's personality patterns and trauma, reflects on the inner experience of enlightened Zen masters who behaved badly, and gives his advice for teachers and practitioners who think they no longer need to practice. Stephen also reports a high success rate of awakening and other mystical experiences among his students, shares his approach to retreats and 1-1 teaching, and describes advanced Theravada meditation techniques such as kasina and skeleton meditation. … Video versions: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep298-liberating-the-self-stephen-snyder
 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast'.
 … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:03 - High rate of awakening at Stephen's retreat 03:05 - What is the secret sauce? 04:40 - Limitations of the Zen retreat style 06:17 - Stephen's experimental approach and heart emphasis 07:14 - Minimum requirement to qualify for Stephen's retreats 08:58 - Why the Theravadans struggle the most 10:00 - Stephen's online trainings 12:09 - The art of 1-1 meditation teaching 13:08 - Seeking confirmation for spiritual experiences 13:53 - Stream of consciousness sharing 14:58 - Stephen's new podcast 16:44 - Liberating the Self and Stephen's writing output 18:20 - Zen ignores personal and psychological work 19:52 - Theravadan shamata and no-self practices 20:42 - Reifying awakening and reassertion of the sense of self 23:22- Bad behaviour by enlightened people 25:35 - Work on your incongruent behaviour before or after awakening? 27:34 - Post-awakening work vs therapy 29:08 - We all have a full range of negative emotions and personality patterns 31:10 - Stephen's childhood hatred 31:46 - Transforming negative emotions 32:07 - Misbehaving Zen masters 33:21 - What is the inner experience of a misbehaving Zen master? 34:5 0 - The benefit of Western depth psychology 36:04 - Is Stephen done? 37:51 - Advice for advanced meditators and teachers who think they're done 41:07 - Stuck in a good place and shifting to concepts 41:08 - Recognising when you have gone off track 42:55 - Contentment vs complacency 43:36 - Challenging emotions and outdated personality patterns 44:12 - Resistance to peace 47:44 - Destabilising effect of spiritual practice 49:41 - Why bother with the deep path? 52:05 - Unlocking profound spiritual qualities 54:34 - Awakening stories 55:04 - The traditional kasina meditation path 58:42 - Skeleton practice and skeleton visions … Previous episode with Stephen Snyder: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=Stephen%20Snyder To find our more about Stephen Snyder, visit: - https://awakeningdharma.org/ … 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi' by Steve James

Join Michaela in this live workshop recording as she discusses the age old conundrum of the liberated woman, how to enliven your relationship with new flavors, how to overcome communication challenges, and how to avoid the criticism trap. 00:00 - The age old conundrum of the liberated woman 02:50 - Craving the Viking archetype 08:00 - How to bring new flavors to your relationship and life 10:12 - Overcoming challenges in relationships 10:16 The criticism trap Buy Michaela's Flavors of the Feminine Deck: https://www.templeofthebodyintheworld.com/ For workshops, teacher training and courses: https://www.michaelaboehm.com To order Michaela's book "The Wild Woman's Way" : https://amzn.to/2BQ5WpY Music ‘Deva Dasi' by Steve James at https://www.guruviking.com

In this week's Talking Health, Jessica is joined by Dr Steve James, a longevity medicine specialist, and Kirstine Meier Carlsen who says understanding her metabolic health has helped her overcome cancer.

In this episode I am once again joined by Piers Cross, ex-Buddhist monk, coach, and creator of the documentary “Boarding on Insanity”. Piers explains the British boarding school system, examines its history and social context, and reveals how and why boarding school attendance is seen by many as a pathway to power. Piers recalls his own boarding school experience, the trauma and subsequent breakdown it caused, and describes the dynamic of the “privilege double-bind”. Piers recounts his years as a Buddhist monk, how he navigated suicide attempts and self harm with meditation and community support, and the powerful mystical experiences he encountered during his religious practice. Piers lists over two dozen leading figures in the arts, business, and politics who attended boarding school and reflects on the possibility of a leadership class affected by abandonment and dissociation by elite educational institutions. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep297-boarding-on-insanity-piers-cross Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast'.
 … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:05 - Military family upbringing and alcoholic father 03:42 - Going to boarding school at 11 years old 05:36 - History of British boarding schools 08:23 - Pathway to power 10:19 - Oxbridge emphasis 11:37 - The old boys network and breaking parental attachment 14:42 - Is the education better? 17:48 - IQ vs emotional intelligence 20:31 - A typical day at boarding school 23:30 - Piers' boarding school trauma and learning to dissociate 27:07 - Suicide of Piers' best friend 29:37 - Resilience vs dissociation and avoidant attachment 32:48 - Resurfacing trauma in the 30s and 40s 33:28 - Richard Branson, David Cameron, Bear Grylls, and John Peel 34:36 - Trauma of neglect 36:53 - Idealisation, cover up, and not listening to children 41:45 - The privilege double-bind 47:32 - After boarding school & city career 51:03 - Depression and breakdown 53:07 - Laughed at by the doctor 54:31 - Death of Piers' father and work in Africa 56:41 - 3.5 years in a Buddhist monastery 59:37 - A sense of coming home 01:02:22 - Taking the 8 precepts 01:03:30 - Ordination, self harm, and suicidal ideation 01:06:31 - The support and kindness of the other monks 01:09:26 - Struggles with meditation 01:12:03 - Reading scriptures and other Buddhist books 01:14:00 - Tastes of transcendence 01:14:55 - Profound experience of childlike mind 01:16:35 - Healing avoidant attachment 01:20:10 - Working with dreams 01:21:10 - Tears and connecting to emotion 01:22:41 - Buddhist doctrine about suicide and hell 01:25:14 - The power of initiation 01:27:13 - Leaving the monastery 01:28:08 - Piers shows his journal 01:29:33 - After the monastery and work with board school survivors 01:33:15 - “Boarding on Insanity” documentary 01:33:28 - Tony Blair, Boris Johnson, Justin Welby 01:37:05 - Cover ups and a societal flip 01:39:30 - Prince Charles, Stephen Fry, Ranulph Fiennes, Gabriel Byrne, Roald Dahl, Harry Windsor, 01:41:00 - JFK, Princess Diana, Charles Spencer, Aldous Huxley, Richard Beard, Jeremy Paxman, 01:41:26 - Elon Musk, Mini Driver, Eddie Izzard, Princess Catherine, Rupert Murdoch, 01:44:46 - Piers' 3hr daily practice 01:46:44 - Taoist Tantric Arts 01:47:59 - Piers' advice for taking on new practices 01:49:37 - Piers' meditation practice 01:51:02 - Closing remarks and advice for ex-boarders … To find our more about Piers Cross, visit: - https://www.youtube.com/@pierscross - https://www.piers-cross.com/ - https://www.boardingoninsanity.com/ … 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi' by Steve James

Adam Cox is joined by Dr Steve James, a longevity medicine specialist and Cecilie Wang, the co-founder of Scandinavian Saunas. New research has found that many of us feel our health is in decline, with no idea how to stop it. And now experts are suggesting the problem is that we take a reactive approach to health, rather than proactive. https://www.scandinaviansauna.dk/ 

Join Michaela in this live workshop recording as she discusses the secrets of energy optimisation, unlocking irresistible flavours of expression, how to choose a man to spend your life with, why men won't compete with their partner, and what to do when you want him to lead more. 00:00 - Secrets of energy optimisation 03:53 - Unlocking irresistible flavors of expression 05:51 - 2 fundamental relationship dynamics 06:39 - How to choose a man to spend your life with 07:31 - Why won't my man compete? 09:55 - I don't want my man to control me 14:52 - Don't become his mother Buy Michaela's Flavors of the Feminine Deck: https://www.templeofthebodyintheworld.com/ For workshops, teacher training and courses: https://www.michaelaboehm.com To order Michaela's book "The Wild Woman's Way" : https://amzn.to/2BQ5WpY Music ‘Deva Dasi' by Steve James at https://www.guruviking.com

In this episode, I am joined by Gerald Ilyas Klawatsch, Sufi musician, music therapist, and founder of the international Ensemble Ak Pirim. Ilyas recalls stories of his Sufi path, his meeting and discipleship under his Sufi sheik, and stories of profound spiritual connection and transcendence through devotional music and religious practice. Ilyas describes Sufism as a love relationship, reveals his own difficult childhood, and explains how to stabilise divine ecstasy in the human body. Ilyas also tells the remarkable life story of his spiritual teacher, emphasises the importance of testing a guru, and reflects on the healing potential of religious practice. … Video version: www.guruviking.com Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast'.
 … 00:00 - Intro 00:50 - Names and titles in Sufism 02:46 - The death of Gerald's master, Dr Rahmi Oruc Guvenc 03:51 - - Death of the lineage 05:54 - Why didn't Dr Rahmi Oruc Guvenc pass on his lineage? 07:18 - The intended heir 07:40 - Gerald's guitar studies and finding Sufism 11:40 - Meeting the master 15:00 - Early Sufi training with the master 17:22 - Sufism is a love relationship 21:47 - Dynamics in the early relationship with the master 23:43 - The remarkable life of Dr Rahmi Oruc Guvenc 36:21 - Islamic Sufism vs Universalist Sufism 38:41 - The love relationship and awakening the heart 44:29 - Stabilising the ecstasy 48:03 - Effects of being in relationship with a master 51:25 - How Gerald dealt with the pain of a difficult upbringing 55:15 - Healing the pain 57:49 - Gerald falls to his knees in front of the master 01:07:58 - Testing the teacher 01:10:33 - Sufi music therapy … To find out more about Gerald Ilyas Klawatsch, visit: - https://bengusu.com/g-ilyas-klatsch/ - https://www.youtube.com/@akpirimensemble For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi' by Steve James

In this interview I am once again joined by Prajwal Ratna Vajracharya, a tantric priest in a centuries old Newari Buddhist family lineage and master of the religious dance tradition of Charya Nritya. Prajwal Vajracharya reveals the rich world of Newari life rituals, in which major life events such as birth, coming of age, marriage, and death are celebrated by religious and community rites. Prajwal Vajracharya explains the initiation rituals for boys and girls, including a 12-day dark retreat in which girls are taught essential knowledge by community members, and reveals how divination and astrology are used to determine a child's name and life path. Prajwal Vajracharya also discusses the importance of purity and discipline, bespoke rituals to clear obstacles, find a partner, and heal illness, and reflects on the challenges in bringing his ritual tradition to the USA. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep295-life-cycle-rituals-prajwal-ratna-vajracharya-3 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast'. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:02 - Life cycle rituals of the Newari tradition 02:17 - Pregnancy and birth rituals 04:40 - Is Western culture traumatising? 05:21 - Creating a happy pregnancy 06:28 - Rituals for infancy 08:28 - The baby knows what it needs 09:31 - Naming and earring rituals 11:39 - Divination and adornment rituals 12:50 - The 1 year ritual 13:41 - Egg, fish, and wine 14:26 - 2nd year ritual 16:!6 - 7th year initiation ritual for boys 17:54 - 12-day dark retreat initiation ritual for girls 20:28 - Variations among castes in Nepal 21:23 - Special, old age ritual for the 77th year 23:02 - 88th year and a rebirth ritual 25:42 - Grieving customs for parent's death 27:36 - Science of rituals and living a happy life 28:29 - In Nepal, everyone takes care of their parents 29:07 - Lack of dementia in Nepal 29:44 - Ritual as a family and community activity 31:20 - Obstacle removal, house blessing, and healing rituals 32:44 - Clay-pot rebirth ritual at 99 years old 35:53 - Respecting the elderly 36:48 - How to choose a child's name 38:25 - Spiritual names 38:58 - Divination to determine the child's career and life path 40:39 - What did Prajwal's son choose? 42:02 - Astrology chart for a new baby 42:53 - The Chudakarma ritual and monastic training 43:49 - Ritual obligations as a Vajrācārya 48:40 - When rituals go wrong! 50:28 - Origin of and textual sources for Newari rituals 52:37 - Purity and preparing for ritual 54:47 - Discipline and respecting others 55:52 - Rituals to get a girlfriend and other life situations 58:08 - The many benefits of rituals 01:01:35 - The complexities of married life 01:03:06 - Bringing Newari ritual traditions to the West 01:05:34 - Innovation and training Westerners in Vajrācārya rituals 01:08:10 - Self-initiation and awakening the channel and nerves 01:09:13 - An American Vajrācārya? 01:10:00 - Challenging reactions in Nepal 01:11:52 - Gurū maṇḍala, the heart of Newari ritual 01:13:40 - Mudrā healing … Previous episodes with Prajwal Ratna Vajracharya: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=prajwal To find out more about Prajwal Ratna Vajracharya, visit: - https://www.dancemandal.com/ 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi' by Steve James

There are no Ninjas like the AMERICAN NINJA! The Dudikoff abides in this 1985 action movie classic from the iconic Canon Group. Ninja stars! Ninja Lasers! Ninja Tire Irons! From a French crime boss with his very own evil Power Rangers training facility to Steve James grabbing Ninjas by the balls, there's no end to the campy badass action in this blast from the past! Ninja vanish! POOF! Don't just watch Action, B Action!!! 

In this episode I am once again joined by Mary Shutan: author, occultist, and spiritual teacher. Mary discusses her new book “Shadow Work for the Soul”, shares her lifelong fascination with the psychological power of dark fairytales, and explains the function of social masks and personae. Mary remarks on a notable increase in spiritual emergencies, a rise in nihilism and the “dark feminine”, and offers advice for those facing spiritual crisis. Mary then takes a deep dive into shadow work, challenges common misconceptions, and offers surprising reflections on both new age masculine-feminine trends and “The Work” of Byron Katie. Mary also reveals how to perceive the shadow in popular culture, warns about the danger of spiritual bypass, and explains how to identify and disarm the ego defences to go beyond one's limitations. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep294-shadow-work-for-the-soul-mary-shutan Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast'.
 … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:03 - An notable increase in spiritual emergencies 03:51 - Nihilism and other trends on the increase 05:30 - Collective shadows and the dark feminine 07:25 - How to work with nihilism 08:27 - Mary's advice for those in spiritual crisis 09:39 - The psychological power of myths and fairy tales 11:26 - What can myths and fairy tales teach us? 12:19 - Archetypes and mythic figures 13:18 - Princess and the Pea and Sisyphus 15:21 - Seeing oneself reflected in myths and fairy tales 16:50 - Trauma isolates 18:00 - What is the shadow? 19:43 - What is shadow work? 20:08 - How concepts change when they become mainstream 21:36 - The evolution of acupuncture 23:51 - Limitations of the pop-culture version of shadow work 26:58 - Comments on Byron Katie and “The Work” 31:27 - The healthy ego and ego defences 33:33 - How to identify the ego's defence mechanisms 34:33 - Intellectualisation vs embodiment 35:32 - Superiority/inferiority loop 37:09 - The world as a mirror 40:02 - Pop culture and politics 41:29 - Dangers of spiritual bypass 45:50 - Masks, personae, and perfectionism 47:36 - The importance of mentors 48:47 - Self enquiry traps and the dangers of labels 50:47 - Identifying with spiritual attainments 53:30 - When did Mary call off the search? 55:35 - Letting go of the high-achiever identity 58:03 - Anima, animus, and the masculine-feminine continuum 59:34 - Masculine and feminine dynamics in the occult 01:02:13 - Identifying collective shadows through pop culture figures 01:04:12- Today's cultural focus on narcissism 01:05:41 - Noting your personal reactions to celebrity 01:06:02 - The cultural phenomenon of Taylor Swift 01:08:36 - Shadows of light 01:10:02 - Dark feminine rising 01:10:56 - Why “dark feminine?” 01:12:48 - How do we emerge from times of change? 01:14:48 - Mary's view of the future … Previous episode with Mary Shutan: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=shutan To find out more about Mary Shutan, visit: - http://maryshutan.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi' by Steve James

Want More or Less? Click Here: Simplistic.Reviews/links (This version has audio of the movie. We have another version with no movie audio)   Steven Seagal, Cynthia Rothrock, Michael Dudikoff and Steve James...now some Billy Blanks, that's right Mr. Tae Bo himself! Today we start with a team up movie, well straight to video with Roddy Piper and the director of Martial Law (staring Cynthia Rothrock,).   Tough and Deadly | 1995 A private investigator is contracted by a CIA agent suffering from amnesia in order to reveal a suspected case of drug smuggling involving influential members of the CIA and government. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114706/   Site: www.Simplistic.Reviews Podcasts: https://simplistic.media/podcasts Spotify: https://goo.gl/pcBg5V Twitter: https://twitter.com/simpletweeters Facebook: http://facebook.com/SimplisticReviews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplygramming iTunes: https://goo.gl/orhsR4   #movie #Commentary #GoodBadMovies #Podcast #governmentjobs  #action #government  #cia  #BillyBlanks #roddypiper #PhilMorris #JackieChiles #Seinfeld #JamesKaren

Want More or Less? Click Here: Simplistic.Reviews/links (This version has no audio of the movie. We have another version with movie audio)   Steven Seagal, Cynthia Rothrock, Michael Dudikoff and Steve James...now some Billy Blanks, that's right Mr. Tae Bo himself! Today we start with a team up movie, well straight to video with Roddy Piper and the director of Martial Law (staring Cynthia Rothrock,).   Tough and Deadly | 1995 A private investigator is contracted by a CIA agent suffering from amnesia in order to reveal a suspected case of drug smuggling involving influential members of the CIA and government. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114706/   Site: www.Simplistic.Reviews Podcasts: https://simplistic.media/podcasts Spotify: https://goo.gl/pcBg5V Twitter: https://twitter.com/simpletweeters Facebook: http://facebook.com/SimplisticReviews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplygramming iTunes: https://goo.gl/orhsR4   #movie #Commentary #GoodBadMovies #Podcast #governmentjobs  #action #government  #cia  #BillyBlanks #roddypiper #PhilMorris #JackieChiles #Seinfeld #JamesKaren

Jared and Dan deploy a full court press on the world of youth sports in the 90s with Steve James' classic documentary, Hoop DreamsPLEASE RATE/REVIEW/FOLLOWFind us on Threads: @jaredconcessions @danconcesssions

Join Michaela in this live workshop recording as she reveals men's mating strategies, explains the player vs the high performance man, discusses what it takes to be claimed in relationship, and answers questions about using shame to change a man's behaviour. 00:00 - Understanding men's mating strategies 05:23 - Players and seducers 06:03 - The meek, grateful man 06:26 - The high performance man 08:52 - I want to be claimed by a man 10:34 - He's just not that into you 11:49 - Rebuilding relationship 13:12 - My husband is very unhealthy 14:15 - Should I shame my husband so he changes? 15:08 - I don't like my husband's behaviour 19:24 - A major key to inner awareness: being with discomfort 22:38 - Reestablishing trust with the body Buy Michaela's Flavors of the Feminine Deck: https://www.templeofthebodyintheworld.com/ For workshops, teacher training and courses: https://www.michaelaboehm.com To order Michaela's book "The Wild Woman's Way" : https://amzn.to/2BQ5WpY Music ‘Deva Dasi' by Steve James at https://www.guruviking.com

In this episode I once again 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 founder of the Freedom of Mind foundation. Daniel offers his response to Delson's recent renunciations, warns about the power of self hypnosis, and explains why it is so common for people to revise their enlightenment claims. Delson considers how it was that he mistook the nature of his spiritual achievements, considers the impact of his renunciation on his practice community and students, and looks ahead to his own future as a teacher and guide. Daniel and Delson address criticisms they have both received for their revisions of important Buddhist doctrines such as the 4 path model of awakening, comment on gatekeeping and fundamentalism in Buddhism, and consider whether advances in contemplative neuroscience may pose a serious threat to traditional religions and their institutions. … Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify. … 01:51 - The situation 04:36 - Daniel's response to Delson's renunciation 07:14 - Early schism in Buddhism 08:20 - Does Daniel feel vindicated? 09:42 - Delson reflects on what he has learned from Daniel 12:34 - The snake has shed its skin 13:29 - Profound not simple 14:26 - Neurodiversity and the spiritual path 16:54 - Hypnotising yourself into believing you're enlightened 19:17 - How did Delson get his enlightenment wrong? 22:22 - Social factors 24:13 - A gradual process 25:06 - Gatekeepin in Buddhism 27:35 - Jack Kornfield and Christopher Titmuss 30:51 - Social influence on perceptions of spiritual progress 33:35 - Relationships 35:21 - The World Without Sin 38:43 - Can you ever go back? Spoiling the party 40:38 - Delson on negative reactions from his community 43:57 - Attached to models, experiences, and perfection? 46:17 - Stages of development 47:17 - Leading with vulnerability 48:45 - A different type of practitioner 49:55 - The appeal of Vajrayāna 52:21 - Specific criticisms of Daniel and Delson 54:19 - Why do Daniel & Delson revise Buddhism? 56:43 - Delson's critics 59:51 - Transference and counter-transference 01:01:18 - Tantric guru yoga 01:01:47 - When your guru disappoints 01:02:05 - Bhikkhu Anālayo and Daniel's other critics 01:02:27 - Neuroscience and religious orthodoxy 01:06:34 - Will neuroscience destroy Buddhism? 01:10:24 - Praise for the Theravāda 01:11:45 - Theravādan exceptionalism 01:12:37 - Validating or defeating religion? 01:15:43 - Finders' Course and retrenchment to orthodoxy 01:17:57 - Delson on contemplative neuroscience 01:20:39 - What does Daniel think will next happen to Delson? 01:23:23 - Maturing as a spiritual explorer 01:26:33 - Attachment styles & kalyāṇa-mittatā 01:28:40 - Loss of enthusiasm for practice in advanced practitioners 01:31:18 - Micro-renunciations and disgust for the quest 01:33:42 - When spiritual teachers lose their faith 0135:28 - How Delson keeps his interest in teaching 01:38:20 - Why Daniel decided not to become a teacher 01:40:32 - Delson's closing remarks 01:40:45 - Daniel's closing remarks 01:41:04 - Praise for the religious orthodoxy 01:42:21 - Acknowledging critics 01:43:17 - Disagreeing with grace and respect … Previous dialogue between Daniel and Delson: - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znX6w6shQ7c Previous episodes with Daniel: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=daniel Previous episodes with Delson: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=delson To find out more about Daniel, visit: - https://theeprc.org/ - integrateddaniel.info To find out more about Delson, visit: - https://www.delsonarmstrong.com/ - https://www.youtube.com/@delson999 - https://www.freedom-of-mind.org/ www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi' by Steve James

Join Michaela in this live workshop recording as she discusses how to get over an amazing ex partner, how to make space for your ideal man, why suppressing anger is so toxic and what to do about it, and shares insights from her own career about how to achieve your life goals. 00:00 - How do I get over my amazing ex? 01:28 - How to redirect your desire? 04:33 - Why you must start dating 05:58 - Suppressed anger is exhausting 06:41 - Dealing with anger vs encounter groups 08:35 - Make space for the man of your dreams 09:30 - Advice for achieving your life goals 11:00 - Michaela's career and calling 14:00 - What service really takes 16:51 - Michaela's inspiring friend in India Buy Michaela's Flavors of the Feminine Deck: https://www.templeofthebodyintheworld.com/ For workshops, teacher training and courses: https://www.michaelaboehm.com To order Michaela's book "The Wild Woman's Way" : https://amzn.to/2BQ5WpY Music ‘Deva Dasi' by Steve James at https://www.guruviking.com

In this interview I am once again joined by Ron Serrano long time meditation practitioner, contemplative neuroscience subject, and co-founder of the online meditation group Dharmachanics. Ron gives a summary of the major studies in contemplative neuroscience in the last several years, in many of which he was a key subject. Ron explains several historical and ongoing studies including Dr Jud Brewer's landmark Yale University study into the default mode network, hypotheses about the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and the sense of self, and the promise of brain scan technology and real-time neurofeedback devices to fast-track enlightenment. Ron also draws from his experience leading the online meditation group Dharmachanics to offer insight into the typical trajectory towards transformative spiritual experiences, patterns of development in meditators, and how he responds when somebody claims they are enlightened. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep291-neuroscience-of-enlightenment-ron-serrano-2 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast'. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:04 - Reflections on life and practice 2020 02:37 - Growth of the Dharmachanics online sangha 03:19 - Dharmachanics discussion group about Guru Viking Podcast 03:50 - Sangha is the toughest of the three jewels 04:51 - Patterns of development for meditators 05:59 - The typical trajectory towards awakening 08:48 - How to relate to special meditation experiences 12:34 - Testing enlightenment 13:37 - Ron's history of participation in contemplative neuroscience 14:09 - Primary subject for Dr Jud Brewer's landmark study at Yale University 16:26 - The PCC and the no-self 18:24 - Developing the brain scan technology and equipment 19:31 - The accelerating power of real-time meditation feedback 22:18 - How 2020 derailed contemplative neuroscience 23:38 - Ron on commercially available brainwave-feedback products 26:59 - How neuroscience studies really work 28:01 - Debate with Daniel Ingram 28:44 - Daniel's contributions to contemplative neuroscience 29:41 - A gold standard phenomenology and technological Harvard study 32:43 - A comprehensive blueprint of the enlightened mind 34:54 - 2 major brain networks 26:56 - Secrecy and hidden players 39:15 - A treasure trove of data 40:32 - The holy grail of contemplative neuroscience 41:38 - Why Ron is pessimistic about finding neuro-correlates of awakening 43:14 - The blessing and curse of the Dalai Lama brand 46:08 - Politics and why neuroscientists need the Dalai Lama's 47:47 - Will neuroscience render religious teachers obsolete? 49:38 - Will AI replace meditation teachers? 50:35 - What will happen to religion if neuroscience cracks the enlightenment code? 52:32 - A history of disruption 54:05 - Does astronomy offer a historical parallel to contemplative neuroscience? 55:46 - The costly problem of data analysis 58:14 - Can this technology be weaponised? 01:00:48 - Technology dependency 01:01:25 - Addictive meditation technology 01:04:39 - Ron reflects on Steve and the podcast … Previous episode with Ron Serrano: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=prajwal To find out more about Ron Serrano, visit: - https://www.facebook.com/groups/Dharmachanics/ 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi' by Steve James

In this episode Mike, Rich and Steve take on six new releases; as usual, click the link to check out the trailer for each film! We kick off with INTO THE DEEP (Signature Entertainment), the latest DTV shark movie. Christian Sesma directs, Chad Law wrote the script and Richard Dreyfus makes an appearance! In SUNRAY: FALLEN SOLDIER (Vertigo Releasing), a grizzled ex soldier gets his unit back together to go hunt the drug gang responsible for the death of this daughter. You may not have heard of this but we advise you do not miss it! RIPPY (Altitude) is an Australian creature feature featuring a mutant/zombie kangaroo! We recommend checking out the original short film its based on: WATERBORNE! We follow this with reviews for ELITE FORCE: B.R.I. (101 Film) and MR-9: DO OR DIE (Plaion Pictures). One is an ultra low budget action film, the other seems to have ten times the budget. We debate which is the poorer and which should be commended! Lastly is BLACKWATER LANE (Plaion Pictures), a suspenseful thriller in which a woman suspects she's a killer's next target!   Our Short Shot is QUEEN OF HEARTS, a western confrontation in a saloon - click the link to watch the whole 9min short! Our DTV Throwback is AVENGING FORCE - a Cannon Film, starring Michael Dudikoff and Steve James - do we need to say more?? You can find this on Amazon Prime, as well as other platforms. Follow the Short Shots  on X (formerly Twitter) where you will find hundreds of links to awesome short films! Don't forget to also check out our main show, the DTV DIGEST on X and FACEBOOK! We are also now on Bluesky! Follow us here: @thedtvdigest.bsky.social and @dtvshortshots.bsky.social    

In this episode I am once again joined by Delson Armstrong, spiritual teacher, meditation virtuoso, and author of ‘A Mind Without Craving'. In this interview, Delson responds to criticism and answers questions about his recent renunciation of attainments and revision of the Buddhist 4 path enlightenment model. Delson reflects on the pros and cons of questioning established religious doctrines and on the role of direct experience in challenging fixed views. Delson comments on a recently leaked interview, shares his current position on Bhante Vimalaramsi and his TWIM meditation method, and compares Buddhism to traditional yoga. Delson also recalls his own training in Kriya yoga, details the features of the particular lineage which he has begun to teach, and reveals methods of working with karma, chakras, and forgiveness. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep290-answering-critics-kriya-yoga-delson-armstrong Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast'. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:00 - Responses to Delson renouncing his spiritual attainments 02:56 - Criticism of Delson 04:08 - Has Delson abandoned the 10 fetter model and the 4 attainments? 05:18 - Delson's leaked interview 07:58 - Breach of trust and betrayal of friendship 09:32 - Why redefine the Buddhist doctrines rather than reassess oneself? 12:46 - Delson's experience vs cultural consensus 13:50 - Is Buddhist doctrine beyond cultural? 16:25 - Going beyond maps and Integral Theory 17:35 - Challenging fundamentalism and fixed views 18:43 - The jīvanmukta and other mystical traditions 20:22 - Transcending doctrinal chains of imprisonment 21:37 - Daniel Ingram's revisions 23:07 - Delsonism vs Buddhism 24:44 - Should Delson leave the traditions alone? 26:09 - The role of tradition and Delson's contribution 27:31 - Comments on TWIM 28:32 - Drawing on different traditions 30:03 - Current view 32:05 - Delson's current opinion on TWIM and Bhante Vimalaramsi 36:26 - Delson's training in Kriya yoga 40:16 - Which Kriya yoga lineage does Delson teach? 42:17 - Anyone can do Kriya yoga 44:09 - Short learning curve to samadhi 45:03 - Relaxing into awakening 46:39 - What is the point of the jhanas? 48:13 - Chakras and siddhi powers 51:37 - Deities and chakras 53:26 - The Yoga Sutras on siddhi power 55:07 - Karmic acceleration and misconceptions about chakra work 58:00 - How to release karma 01:00:03 - Kriya yoga approach to work with chakras 01:00:34 - The power of forgiveness 01:01:51 - TWIM vs Kriya, Yoga vs Buddhism 01:07:37 - Delson's recent experience teaching Kriya yoga 01:11:35 - Initiation in Kriya yoga and tantra 01:15:51 - Secrecy as a marketing tool 01:17:17 - Delson reflects on his teaching career 01:19:23 - Scientific tests on Delson, can he still meditate? `
… Watch previous episodes with Delson Armstrong: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=delson Find out more about Delson Armstrong: - Personal Site: https://www.delsonarmstrong.com/ - YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@delson999 - Delson's Foundation: https://www.freedom-of-mind.org/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi' by Steve James

Join Michaela in this live workshop recording as she discusses the pros and cons of starfish intimacy, how to become more adventurous in the bedroom, the relationship challenges of being a freelancer, and how to attract a strong man as a female leader. 00:00 - The starfish 01:29 - Becoming more adventurous in the bedroom 03:06 - How to relax her nervous system 04:00 - Living as a freelancer 06:04 - He's not leading 09:02 - Can I attract a strong man as a female leader? 10:44 - Michaela's leadership style Buy Michaela's Flavors of the Feminine Deck: https://www.templeofthebodyintheworld.com/ For workshops, teacher training and courses: https://www.michaelaboehm.com To order Michaela's book "The Wild Woman's Way" : https://amzn.to/2BQ5WpY Music ‘Deva Dasi' by Steve James at https://www.guruviking.com

In this episode I am joined by Dr. William Rory Dickson an associate professor of Islamic Religion and Culture at The University of Winnipeg and author of “Dissolving into Being: The Wisdom of Sufi Philosophy”. Professor Dickson takes a deep dive into the life and works of Jalāl al-Dīn Muḥammad Rūmī (1207-1273 AD), a 13th century Sufi poet whose works have become famous all around the world. Professor Dickson recounts the fascinating life of Rūmī, including his flight from Mongol invasion, his education in Islamic law, his life-changing encounter with the wild, mystical dervish Shams-i Tabrīzī, and his far-reaching legacy in Asia and beyond. Professor Dickson also explains the anti-Rūmī movements within modern Islam, challenges criticism of Coleman Barks' popular renderings of Rūmī's verse, and explores the controversial Sufi metaphors of intoxication by wine and passionate desire to describe the practitioner's relationship with God. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep289-mystic-poetry-of-rumi-professor-william-rory-dickson-3 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast'. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:25 - The life of Jalāl al-Dīn Muḥammad Rūmī 03:39 - Neither universalist nor orthodox 05:09 - Rūmī, sharī'ah law, and radical Islam 07:08 - The range of Sufi expression over history 07:56 - The wandering dervishes 08:42 - Rūmī's life-changing encounter with the radical dervish Shams-i Tabrīzī 09:56 - 3 stages of self-annihilation through love 11:14 - Shams-i Tabrīzī's illicit alcohol use 13:36 - Rūmī's spiritual poetry 16:13 - Rūmī's explicit invectives 17:07 - Rūmī's mystic father 19:08 - Mongol domination of Central Asia and Rūmī's flight 21:29 - Rūmī's colourful insults 22:52 - Challenging empty, orthodox religious forms 26:51 - Lack of nuance in the Rūmī wars 29:22 - Rūmī's two major legacies 31:37 - The role of Sufi orders in different cultural contexts 33:48 - The anti-Sufis and a radical forgetting of Rūmī within Islam 35:37 - Coleman Barks and the Rūmī wars 37:23 - Criticism of Coleman Barks 39:06 - Coleman Barks was a Sufi 39:50 - Coleman Barks as an entry point 41:21 - The conundrum of translated literature 43:46 - How to communicate across cultures without losing the essence 45:12 - Rory's enjoyment of Chogyam Trungpa 46:27 - Passionate desire and intoxication on wine 48:30 - Pre-Islamic Arab poetry, “gangster rap” 49:33 - Passionate love poetry 50:55 - Romantic streak in Arab culture 51:53 - Influence of Persian culture on Muslim mystic metaphors 52:46 - Sufism's Neo-Platonism 55:50 - Remembering the One and Tantric practice 56:59 - Integrating the sensual and the spiritual 59:18 - Appreciation of pleasure as a vehicle to God 01:00:07 - Sufi sexuality and the paths of Jesus vs Mohammad 01:05:28 - Scandalous to orthodox Islam 01:07:48 - Knowing God directly 01:09:53 - Categorising God vs Sufi gnosis 01:11:18 - Executed Sufi master 01:11:54 - Is Sufism inappropriate? 01:13:26 - Wine in Sufism and Islam 01:17:39 - Love is brutal 
… Previous episodes with Professor William Rory Dickson: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=dickson To find our more about Professor William Rory Dickson, visit: - https://www.uwinnipeg.ca/experts-guide/william-rory-dickson.html - https://anqa.co.uk/publications/dissolving-being … 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 Naomi Levine, author, under her birth name Norma Levine, of several books including ‘The Miraculous 16th Karmapa', ‘A Quest For The Hidden Lands', and ‘Chronicles of Love and Death: My Years With The Last Spiritual King of Bhutan'. In this interview, Naomi discusses her latest writing about the apocalyptic prophecies of the Kālacakra tantra, a Tibetan Buddhist scripture promoted by the Dalai Lama. Naomi discusses the doctrine of the dark age known as the “Kali Yuga” including its origins, its signs and symptoms, and Buddhist ideas about its unfolding. Naomi tells the story of Shambala, a mystical kingdom ruled by enlightened, bodhisattva kings, and reveals the prophesied holy war which the Kālacakra tantra claims will see the Shambala army face off against barbarian hordes. Naomi also discusses the surprising implications of the Dalai Lama's mass Kālacakra initiation rituals, the role of stūpas and other religious monuments in geomantic magick, and how she personally deals with a sense of impending apocalypse. … https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep288-apocalypse-now-naomi-levine Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast'. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 01:18 - What is the Kali Yuga? 06:38 - Moral and environmental degeneration 10:14 - When did the Kali Yuga begin? 12:39 - Signs of the Kali Yuga and climate change 15:55 - Multi-dimensional reality and hidden lands 17:44 - Naomi's pilgrimage to the hidden land of Pemako 20:42 - The Pure Lands in Buddhist cosmology 21:57 - The kingdom of Shambala 26:25 - Seeking Shambala 27:28 - The Kālacakra Tantra 30:28 - Prophecy of the battle of Shambala 33:42 - Good vs evil 35:26 - Does the Kālacakra refer to Islam? 37:42 - Why does the 14th Dalai Lama give Kālacakra initiations? 39:33 - Inner or outer battle? 43:01 - Tai Situ's interest in the timespan between Buddhas 44:55 - Is Shambala just a myth? 46:09 - What is Shambala? 47:35 - Shangri-La and Hilton's “Lost Horizons” 48:28 - Chogyam Trungpa's version of Shambala 51:50 - How geomancy and building stupas affect world events 52:48 - Stupas as geomantic magic 56:56 - Cancelling Jane Austen 57:52 - Dissolution of the elements 59:45 - Tukdam 01:01:47 - How Naomi responds to the end times 01:05:33 - The constantly shifting drama of world events 01:06:43 - Suggestion for non-Buddhists 01:07:48 - Naomi asks Steve's opinion 01:09:14 - Prophecies of lamas and other mystics 01:10:09 - Apocalyptic thinking and displaced death anxiety 01:10:31 - Naomi's attitude towards death … Previous episodes with Naomi Levine: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=naomi To find out more about Naomi Levine, visit: - https://www.facebook.com/naomilevine111 - https://www.amazon.com/stores/Norma-Levine/author/B001K86LZ4?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi' by Steve James

Join Michaela in this live workshop recording as she gives examples from her own life and discusses how to choose your relationship tone, generosity vs co-dependence, the difference between being self aware and self absorbed, and how to get back into the groove of intimacy. 00:00 - Generosity vs co-dependence 01:57 - Your authentic self 03:06 - What do I bring to a relationship? 04:36 - An example from Michaela's life 07:59 - What kind of relationship tone do you want? 08:37 - Michaela's highest value 10:08 - Self aware vs self absorbed 12:18 - Today's collapse of awareness and attention span 14:08 - How to get back into the groove of intimacy 18:55 - Tips for how to find the time Buy Michaela's Flavors of the Feminine Deck: https://www.templeofthebodyintheworld.com/ For workshops, teacher training and courses: https://www.michaelaboehm.com To order Michaela's book "The Wild Woman's Way" : https://amzn.to/2BQ5WpY Music ‘Deva Dasi' by Steve James at https://www.guruviking.com

In this episode I am joined by Dr James Cooke, Oxford-trained neuroscientist, spiritual teacher, and author of “Dawn of Mind: How Matter Became Conscious and Alive”. James recounts how, at aged 13, an existential crisis driven by fear of hell saw him emerge into a profound mystical opening. James shares the radical changes he experienced and traces his subsequent years spent exploring and integrating this spiritual breakthrough. James recalls his improbable journey to winning a place at Oxford University, discusses the remarkable overlaps he found there between cutting-edge neuroscience and his own awakening, and reveals the social structures of elite education in the UK. James details the arduous and often overlooked post-awakening work of surrendering egoic structures and releasing attachments, explains why enlightenment is both a gain and a loss, and reflects on the challenges of teaching nonduality as a natural mystic. … Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast'. 01:07 - Why did James write Dawn of Mind? 03:43 - Making consciousness science accessible 04:41 - Catholic upbringing, an overly conscientious child 05:49 - Disturbed by hell 06:38 - Existential rumination, a crisis of faith 08:27 - Spiritual awakening at age 13 09:54 - Aftermath of James' awakening 12:59 - Life affirming vs death affirming phases of awakening 15:16 - Letting go of attachments 17:24 - What happened to James' excessive conscientiousness? 20:00 - Two mistakes about the no-self 21:15 - Freedom from extremes, letting go 23:39 - The dissolving self 24:44 - Is therapy necessary? 26:44 - Meditation as a gradual path 27:15 - Meditation vs therapy 28:37 - Practice in life vs joining a monastery 30:11 - Can a natural mystic really teach others? 32:37 - Alienation through spiritual language 33:21 - Enlightenment as loss 34:27 - 3 types of spiritual teacher 36:30 - James' profile as a teacher 37:47 - Self-aggrandising nondual teachers 38:38 - Spiritual influences 40:40 - Adyashanti & the end of suffering 42:08 - Buddhist progress of insight model 43:59 - Volatile teenage years 44:57 - Extreme somatic tension 36:25 - Difficult integration phase 47:39 - Oxford University, dealing with pressure 50:26 - How James got into Oxford against all odds 54:07 - Social context of elite education in the UK 56:52 - The Oxford wound 58:11 - The mystic's mistake, post-awakening 01:00:15 - James' research path at Oxford 01:01:39 - Opening a path for others + psychedelic experimentation 01:04:13 - James' last psychedelic trip 01:05:12 - Working with Beliefs 01:07:29 - Unravelling resistance & faking it 01:10:40 - Is there an end to post-awakening work? 01:13:54 - James' experience of intimate relationships 01:17:25 - Charlatans and why awakening can be off-putting for friends 01:19:30 - Alienating terminology 01:19:48 - Feeling isolated after awakening 01:20:33 - Mimicking awakening, the nondual teaching circuit 01:22:05 - Why did James wait so long to go public 01:25:57 - Reaction of James' family 01:26:51 - Moral perfection 01:30:37 - Why James doesn't like the word “enlightenment” 01:31:10 - The problem with “awakening” 01:32:31 - Language phases, changing the lingo 01:33:20 - The Borg and analogies for awakening 01:34:42 - Siddhi, intuition, supernatural powers 01:36:48 - Insecure rockstars, kundalini 01:38:39 - The language game 01:39:11 - Hearing voices, the dramatising brain 01:40:58 - World as a shared hallucination 01:42:45 - Does James suffer? 01:44:56 - Gross vs subtle suffering 01:45:52 - An experience of physical pain 01:47:08 - Meditative austerities vs life practice 01:50:46 - Trainings in equanimity 01:51:49 - Ideas in Dawn of Mind 01:53:20 - An instinct for empowerment 
… To find our more about James Cooke PhD, visit: - https://www.drjamescooke.com/ - https://www.innerspaceinstitute.org/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi' by Steve James

Join Michaela in this live workshop recording as she discusses the power of interoceptive awareness, how to lead in the bedroom, how and when to use therapy to strengthen a relationship, and how to avoid common communication mistakes. 00:00 - The power of interoceptive awareness 03:22 - How to bring your partner into their body 03:54 - Relationship vs attraction 05:34 - Fixing relationship problems 06:13 - Reigniting the spark 08:04 - How to play to your strengths 09:38 - Leading in the bedroom and finding a match 10:39 - Dominatrixes and high powered businessmen 12:18 - Learning bedroom skills 13:52 - Decoding communication in relationship 16:43 - Complexities between men and women 17:27 - Bad dynamics of nagging and displeasure Buy Michaela's Flavors of the Feminine Deck: https://www.templeofthebodyintheworld.com/ For workshops, teacher training and courses: https://www.michaelaboehm.com To order Michaela's book "The Wild Woman's Way" : https://amzn.to/2BQ5WpY Music ‘Deva Dasi' by Steve James at https://www.guruviking.com

In this episode I am once again joined by Gilbert M Gutierrez, Chan Buddhism teacher and dharma heir of Master Sheng Yen. Gilbert recalls his discipleship under renowned Chan Master Sheng Yen, shares stories of gruelling retreat, private 1-1 exchanges, profound spiritual insights, mystical visions, and supernatural powers. Gilbert gives an overview of Chan philosophy, emphasises the importance of both study and practice, and illuminates the Buddhist doctrine of emptiness. Gilbert also details his process of becoming a Dharma Heir, defends telling stories of spiritual experiences, and reflects on his difficulties as an American in being accepted as a genuine teacher of Chan Buddhism. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep284-adventures-of-a-chan-master-gilbertm-gutierrez-2 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast'. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:51 - Becoming a disciple of Master Sheng Yen 04:49 - Eat bitter in your practice 05:54 - Loss of faith 08:21 - Profound encounter with the bodhisattva Quan Yin 12:48 - A contract of the heart 13:39 - A private meetings with Master Sheng Yen 18:30 - Receiving inka transmission from Master Sheng Yen 19:47 - A real master is a chameleon 22:36 - Master Sheng Yen's compassion and mission 25:49 - About Chan Buddhism and emptiness 29:19 - The Heart Sutra 33:07 - We awaken people 35:10 - Master Sheng Yen's emphasis on study 36:42 - Study and practice 38:33 - A reading from Daoxin 39:37 - Meditation experiences and a humbling lesson 45:39 - It's a joke and a sham 47:34 - Becoming a Dharma Heir 49:54 - Everything is mind 51:03 - Special experiences and transcending pain 53:10 - Hearing one's heart beat 53:38 - A state of ultimate bliss 55:08 - A famous master, a loyal attendant, and Gilbert's powerful realisation 01:01:03 - Catching the bug 01:06:26 - The bug whisperer 01:08:44 - Why share stories of spiritual experiences? 01:10:17 - Gilbert's biggest realisation 01:16:22 - Communicating with animals and entities 01:19:58 - Seeing peoples' past and future lives 01:20:36 - Working with ghosts 01:21:39 - How to calm down a ghost 01:22:54 - Dealing with heaven dwellers 01:24:30 - Concerns about being accepted as a dharma heir 01:28:45 - Anti-Western prejudice 01:30:31 - Growing acceptance from the Taiwanese sangha 01:32:55 - The death of Master Sheng Yen 01:37:07 - A final encounter with the master 
… Previous episode with Gilbert M Gutierrez: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=gilbert To find our more about Gilbert M Gutierrez, visit: - https://www.youtube.com/@chanmindwork/playlists  - https://mind-work.mn.co/   - https://riversidechan.org/    … 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 Duncan Barford, occult practitioner, counsellor, and author of ‘Occult Experiments in the Home'. Duncan details the different categories of spirits and entities, ranging from ghosts to demons to angels to elementals and land spirits. Duncan reveals his own encounters with these entities, recalls paradigm shifting fire kasina retreats with Daniel Ingram, and shares his own ideas about the importance and inevitability of working with the dead while on the spiritual path. Duncan also explains the Goetia, a controversial system of summoning demons for personal gain; recalls his own and others' experiences of the system; and reflects on what drives practitioners to seek tangible contact with the realms beyond. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep283-seance-summoning-goetic-demons-duncan-barford-2 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast'. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:57 - Ontology of spirit entities 04:18 - How to categorise spirits 07:07 - Different spirit relationships 08:18 - Demonic entities and their demands 09:44 - What is the Goetic magickal system? 11:08 - Dangers of working with Goetic entities 13:48 - When Duncan used a Goetic demon for money 15:24 - Addictive quality of working with demons 16:55 - Goetia as magick of last resort 18:33 - Why do people work with Goetic demons? 21:41 - Duncan reflects on his Goetic rituals 24:43 - Barrier to entry for success in magick 29:37 - Duncan comments on the Enochian system 32:16 - Fey and fairies 33:28 - A challenging fire kasina retreat 35:18 - A powerful encounter with elementals and nature spirits 40:47 - Duncan reflects on his fire kasina retreats 43:59 - Encounter with Duncan's guardian angel 45:27 - Why seek supernatural experiences after enlightenment? 47:49 - Shared magickal experiences with Daniel Ingram 49:52 - Duncan's breakthrough and a compelling encounter with Spider Buddha 58:44 - Dreams as a portal 01:00:09 - Contacting the dead 01:01:31 - The hatred of the dead 01:02:27 - Death of Duncan's father and dream visitations 01:08:25 - What the dead leave behind 01:10:18 - Helping the dead to let go vs judging them 01:14:15 - The fear of death 01:14:45 - Denying the dead 01:17:02 - We are accountable to the dead 01:18:53 - Carl Jung on relating to the dead 01:20:15 - Duncan's affinity with the poet John Clare 01:21:18 - Duncan's encounter with Badger 01:22:05 - The perfected dead 01:23:18 - Working with ancestors 01:24:55 - We live in a world of the dead 01:26:00 - Duncan's advice for working with the dead 01:27:29 - Encountering the dead in the Odyssey and Aeneid 01:33:41 - The dead as bundles of karma 01:34:52 - National myths and history as propaganda 01:39:32 - Black Easter and occult means of obtaining power and influence 01:47:15 - Magick and politics 01:49:24 - Glory and honour 01:50:27 - Are magicians political? 
… Watch previous episode with Duncan Barford: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep265-occult-experiments-duncan-barford To find our more about Duncan Barford, visit: - https://www.duncanbarford.uk/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi' by Steve James

Deremy and Jose talk about one of the greatest documentaries of all time Hoop Dreams! This is Deremy's favorite movie and Jose had never seen it before this episode. The guys talk about the impact this movie has continued to have on sports, race class and culture! How the filmmakers picked the right two people to follow in Arthur Agee and William Gates. What this documentary showed about the business of sports and the pressures high school athletes go through. Why this documentary is considered the best of all time! All this and more on a special episode of Bigger Than The Game with Deremy and Jose.

In this episode I am joined by Shiv Mathur, Youtuber and spiritual explorer. Shiv recounts his life story including his upbringing in India, 16 years of military service, and international career in IT. Shiv describes how a growing spiritual calling saw him retire from the world of work to seek out spiritual masters in the Himalayas. Shiv shares stories from his search, including his encounters with Himalayan yogis such as Tat Wale Baba, and recalls how he began practicing in earnest the teachings he received. Shiv also discusses his current practice, the pros and cons of remote retreat, how to find and relate to a guru, the process of purification, and shares his views on the trajectory of world civilisation today. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep282-spiritual-explorer-shiv-mathur Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast'. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:56 - Shiv's Youtube channel 02:06 - Shiv's upbringing in India 03:56 - Education and 16 years of military service 05:25 - Leaving the navy and success in the private sector 06:33 - The spiritual calling and travel to the Himalayas 07:31 - Teaching international workshops 08:54 - Interest in Himalayan yogis 09:48 - Influence of Paul Brunton 10:26 - Travel to find authentic yogis 11:50 - Current life of solitude and self enquiry 12:48 - 3 ways of learning 13:38 - Shiv's current retreat location 15:02 - Pilgrimage and the network of ashrams 16:22 - Shiv's disillusionment with material riches 18:41 - Looking for an escape 19:59 - Meeting Tat Wale Baba and experiencing profound samadhi 21:36 - Traversing dimensions of experience 23:29 - Delusion and luxury beliefs 25:13 - Meeting yogis and purifying your energy 26:15 - Leaving the body and Shiv's meditation goal 27:25 - Challenges of practicing in remote locations 29:52 - Personal prerequisites for practicing sādhanā 31:32 - Shiv's practice method 32:44 - The practice of self enquiry 37:16 - Shiv's interactions with Nasa and other scientists 39:04 - Indian astrology 40:09 - UFOs + did Nasa steal from India texts? 40:36 - The importance of self enquiry 41:55 - Real saints vs commercial yogis 43:55 - Spotting fake gurus 44:42 - How gurus fall into moral degradation 45:13- How to relate to a guru 46:48 - Lifestyle of a real guru 48:17 - How to prepare to work with a guru 51:11 - Shiv discusses siddhi and supernatural powers 53:57 - What is the purpose of siddhis? 55:00 - Purification 57:11 - Bugs in the human operating system 58:24 - Shiv comments on today's social issues 01:00:00 - Feminism, trad wives, and Western capitalists 01:02:23 - The benefits of arranged marriage 01:03:59 - Civilisational collapse and universal correction 01:08:19 - Advice for yogis in times of world turmoil 01:10:06 - Closing remarks 
… To find our more about Shiv Mathur, visit: - https://www.youtube.com/@ShivMathur … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi' by Steve James

Join Michaela as she discusses the curse of modern love, challenges masculine-feminine paradigms, and shares insights about the physiological differences in deep communication between men and women. 00:00 - Michaela challenges masculine-feminine paradigms 03:22 - How to manage conversations in long-distance relationships 09:00 - The curse of modern love 10:12 - Making your strength wrong 11:21 - Physiological differences between men and women in deep communication 14:21 - Anger boiling over 15:02 - Releasing my partner's pent up energy Buy Michaela's Flavors of the Feminine Deck: https://www.templeofthebodyintheworld.com/ For workshops, teacher training and courses: https://www.michaelaboehm.com To order Michaela's book "The Wild Woman's Way" : https://amzn.to/2BQ5WpY Music ‘Deva Dasi' by Steve James at https://www.guruviking.com

In this episode I am once again joined by Mattias Daly, Taoist practitioner and translator of ‘Taoist Inner Alchemy', published by Shambala. Mattias reflects on lessons learned from the series of exorcisms her underwent in his 20s, as described in episode 263 of this podcast, “My Demon Exorcism”, including the means by which entities may gain entry, and the surprising motives for their doing so. Mattias explains the vast hierarchy of spirit beings described in Taoism, considers the problems of obtaining special powers through relationships with entities and gods, and contrasts deity worship with voluntary shamanistic possession. Mattias also reflects on different types of Taoist practices, drawing a distinction between cataphatic and kenotic approaches, and recounts a remarkable story of spiritual healing. … Video version: Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast'.
 … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:59 - Lessons learned after exorcisms 03:34 - Can entities give supernatural powers and siddhis? 06:44 - Entities enter through pride 08:15 - Entities piggyback on humans to accumulate merit 09:43 - The problem with gaining siddhi from entities 10:33 - A renowned Taiwanese siddha 11:59 - Do special powers come with spiritual attainment? 15:27 - Necessity to show off during rituals 17:54 - The vast celestial hierarchy of beings 22:10 - Abbess Liu's spiritual journeys 24:11 - Making contact with higher beings 26:09 - Shamanism and voluntary entity possession 32:34 - Fr Michael Saso on cataphatic Taoist ritual 34:51 - Cataphatic vs kenotic practice 36:34 - Meeting a Taoist practitioner who had three spirit-helpers 43:13 - Requesting information from the spirit realm 49:59 - The cataphatic side of Taoism 52:43 - Learning a powerful somatic release technique and a remarkable healing 01:06:40 - Further healings and the purple cloud 01:17:43 - Mattias' current views on entities and powers … Watch the previous episodes with Mattias Daly: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=daly To find our more about Mattias Daly, visit: - https://www.shambhala.com/authors/a-f/mattias-daly.html … 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi' by Steve James

Delson Armstrong is a spiritual teacher, meditation virtuoso, and author of ‘A Mind Without Craving'. In this interview, Delson renounces all of his previous claims to spiritual attainment. Delson details recent changes in his inner experiences that saw him question the nature of his awakening, including the arising of emotions and desires that he thought had long been expunged. Delson critiques the consequences of the Buddhist doctrine of the 10 fetters, reveals his redefinition of awakening and the stages of the four path model from stream enterer to arhat, and challenges cultural ideals about enlightenment. Delson offers his current thoughts on the role of emotions in awakening, emphasises the importance of facing one's trauma, and discusses his plans to broaden his own teaching to include traditions such as Kriya Yoga. Delson also reveals the pressures put on him by others' agendas, and shares his observations about the danger of student devotion, the hypocrisy of spiritual leaders, and his mixed feelings about the monastic sangha. … https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep280-i-renounce-my-attainments-delson-armstrong Also available on Youtube & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast'. … 01:14 - Delson's declaration 07:56 - Why has Delson changed his view? 10:13 - Pressure on Delson and other peoples' agendas 15:12 - Delson's shocking observations about his 3 year teaching experiment 15:53 - Teaching debut under Bhante Vimalaramsi 17:22 - European teaching tour 17:32 - Tension towards other traditions at Dhammasukha 19:26 - Teacher-student divide at Dhammasukha 20:14 - Tensions with the Indian sangha 21:18 - Discomfort with guru worship in India 22:41 - Mixed feelings about the monastic community 24:30 - Teachers should never stop learning 24:45 - The 10 fetter model and an unhealthy narrative of spiritual success 26:15 - Potential for teacher-student abuse 27:41 - Questioning the 10 fetter model 29:28 - Ideals of awakening and cultural projections 30:48 - Transcending all models and systems 31:39 - Importance of ethics 33:21 - Why is Delson renouncing all spiritual attainments? 36:15 - Being open to your own experience 37:06 - Don't gloss over suffering 39:41 - Changes in Delson's understanding about the Buddha, dharma, and sangha 44:20 - Rethinking negative emotion and the end of craving 47:23 - The Simile of the Saw Sutta, Kakacūpamasutta 48:11 - Recontextualising the higher fetters of restlessness, conceit, and ignorance 49:15 - Is awakening static? 50:06 - Delson's definition of awakening 51:55 - Redefining the 4-path model from stream-enterer to arhat 57:26 - Facing the shadow 59:10 - What was the experience that changed Delson's mind? 01:02:48 - Learning from conflict and shadow 01:04:37 - Maintaining the image of a teacher 01:05:12 - No longer a teacher 01:06:35 - The corrupting pride of being a spiritual teacher 01:07:04 - Hypocrisy of spiritual leaders 01:09:23 - Do not seek perfection in Delson 01:10:14 - K the Buddha 01:11:44 - Against disempowering students 01:14:06 - Does Delson believe awakening even possible? 01:17:12 - What is awakening? 01:18:06 - Levels of awakening 01:18:58 - The true nature of reality 01:20:43 - Siddha tales and Delson's supernatural experiences 01:24:27- Sifting the serious students from the merely curious 01:25:22 - Delson's powerful trip to South India, astrology, and mystical experiences 01:31:07 - Delson's future plans for teaching 01:32:02 - Plans to conduct Kriya Yoga initiations 01:32:41 - Delson as a conduit 01:33:16 - Reactions to Delson's declaration Watch previous episodes with Delson Armstrong: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=delson Find out more about Delson Armstrong: - Personal Site: https://www.delsonarmstrong.com/ - YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@delson999 - Delson's Foundation: https://www.freedom-of-mind.org/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi' by Steve James

Join Michaela as she discusses anger including two types of anger, common mistakes when working with anger, how to learn from anger, and the dangers of spiritual bypass and rage circles. 00:00 - Phases of relationship 00:48 - First exciting phase of relationship 03:26 - Building a life together 04:36 - When the spark fades 05:49 - Is it all going down hill? 08:36 - When your partner starts acting differently 10:31 - Michaela's advice to reignite the spark 11:50 - The real danger for your relationship 12:20 - Cheating and bad coping mechanisms 13:57 - How do I know my relationship should end? Buy Michaela's Flavors of the Feminine Deck: https://www.templeofthebodyintheworld.com/ For workshops, teacher training and courses: https://www.michaelaboehm.com To order Michaela's book "The Wild Woman's Way" : https://amzn.to/2BQ5WpY Music ‘Deva Dasi' by Steve James at https://www.guruviking.com

In this episode I am joined by Miles Neale & Matthew Freidell to discuss their documentary film “Missing Peace”. The film's description states: “Borobudur is a 1250-year old Buddhist monument located on the island of Java, Indonesia. It was designed as a kind of ancient technology to broadcast the frequency of peace across the world. The only problem is---Borobudur is missing its most important piece. Follow along as two masters, from two different traditions, come together with the goal of reactivating this powerful relic at a time when the Earth needs it most.” Miles and Matthew share the remarkable story of the making of the film, including the powerful life lessons both men learned along the way, Miles and Matthew also reflect on the power of pilgrimage, learning to trust intuition in life and the creative process, and the strategies they employed in dealing with local land spirits on location. … Link in bio. Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast'. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:03 - Chance meeting in Kathmandu 01:57 - Matthew's creativity 03:39 - Synchronistic moments 04:07 - Origin story of the collaboration 05:22 - Matthew's ontological suicide through plant medicines 06:42 - Embracing good and evil, coming to Bali 08:04 - Meeting of minds 09:54 - Thin veils since pandemic 10:43 - Miles' stagnation and facing a choice 12:45 - Going to Bali during lockdown to follow an intuitive call 15:09 - Synergy and how to find courage and clarity 17:21 - Waypoints in learning to trust intuition 18:05 - Costly decisions and visions of Asclepius 21:25 - Healing temples of Ancient Greece 22:41 - From hyper-rationality to the mythopoetic 24:30 - Contact with discarnate entities 26:10 - Matthew's experiences in the Amazon & encountering Chenrezig 29:57 - Spirit encounters in Bali 32:21 - Holistic perspective of wisdom cultures 36:03 - Turning off connection to the unseen world 38:10 - Borobudur monument has been turned off 38:57 - Strategies for dealing with entities 41:39 - The Missing Piece documentary 42:47 - Stupas are ancient technologies 44:46 - The power of pilgrimage 46:46 - Uniting Geshe Tenzin Zopa with a Javanese tantrika Mangku Jitho 51:45 - Shiva Buddha prophecy with global import 55:21 - Who is Geshe Tenzin Zopa? 55:52 - Who is Mangku Jitho? 56:38 - Mangku Jitho's collection of cursed kris knives 57:43 - Reflections on the Shiva Buddha 59:14 - The joint ceremony to reactivate Borobudur 01:04:25 - The chatra and what do we worship? 01:06:50 - Challenges of filming in remote locations 01:08:49 - Style, the artistic process, and AI 01:11:44 - Matthew's hero's journey 01:16:06 - Invitation to the viewer … Watch “The Missing Peace”: - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDBzNsxyi_y_4ICCcAoMji6azDelR60OZ Watch previous episode with Miles Neale: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep69-dr-miles-neale-buddhas-tulkus-narcissists … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi' by Steve James

In this episode I am joined by Ishtar, an independent mediation teacher, mystic, and spiritual guide. Ishtar shares his unusual childhood including near constant encounters with ghosts, early spiritual experiences, astral journeys, and precognitive dreams. Ishtar details his life of spiritual seeking, years of intensive meditation practice, encounters with the cult groups, dark nights of the soul, and more. Ishtar also recounts the car crash which both killed his mother and plunged Ishtar, at 13 years old, into a near death experience that would change his life forever. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep278-the-mystic-ishtar Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast'. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:42 - Ishtar's unusual childhood 02:16 - Early encounters with ghosts 04:35 - Distress of constant ghost encounters 05:33 - Becoming Sherlock Holmes for ghosts 07:19 - Discovering the personality 10:48 - Beginning to suffer and developing roles 12:48 - Becoming a good faker 13:21 - Car crash, NDE, and the death of Ishtar's mother 23:34 - Anger towards God 24:08 - A strange silence and bliss 26:59 - Grief and searching for transcendence 29:43 - Beginning of spiritual seeking 31:03 - Meeting local psychics 31:48 - Considering careers 33:12 - A powerful palm reading 36:15 - The mad monk inside 37:07 - 6hrs of practice each day 38:36 - Past life memories and spiritual proclivities 43:33 - Out of body experience 45:38 - Astral travel to floating cities 48:12 - Shaft of light 49:38 - Precognitive daydreams 50:17 - Further precognition 53:39 - Reading “Autobiography of a Yogi” and praying to Babaji 56:52 - Joining the Ishaya Foundation and living in ashrams 01:02:39 - Leaving the ashram and entering a dark night of the soul 01:05:44 - Repercussions of leaving a cult group 01:07:40 - Suffering returns and facing death 01:09:42 - The magic returns and teaching meditation 01:11:47 - Meeting his future wife 01:13:21 - A tough 2016 01:14:19 - Breakthrough to fully merging with everything 01:14:56 - Visions of Tuscany and experiences of blended time 01:19:20 - Reconciliations and purifications 01:19:43 - Leaving Portland and move to Portugal 01:21:47 - “I” vs “we” 01:22:52 - How did Ishtar spend his daily 6hrs of meditation? 01:26:18 - Spinning the wheels of meditation and trying to force results 01:27:40 - Powerful psychedelic experience 01:30:40 - Ishtar reflects on losing his mother at age 13 01:32:42 - An experience of maternal reconnection and affirmation 01:34:38 - Inner child work 01:36:11 - Mother's embrace in Florence 01:37:44 - What does Ishtar's teach 01:38:54 - Ishtar's recent spiritual breakthroughs 01:41:40 - Psychic powers are not the bullseye 01:43:25 - Ishtar's concluding thoughts and advice 01:47:29 - Christopher Wood, the stick peddler 
… To find our more about Isthar, visit: - https://www.ascension-meditation.com/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi' by Steve James

Join Michaela as she discusses how to offer high quality attention to your partner, how to find time in a busy schedule, and where to direct your efforts when cultivating deep intimacy. 00:00 - Leaking time 03:11 - Relational attention 03:32 - How to give your partner quality attention 05:06 - Ongoing relationship takes skill and practice Buy Michaela's Flavors of the Feminine Deck: https://www.templeofthebodyintheworld.com/ For workshops, teacher training and courses: https://www.michaelaboehm.com To order Michaela's book "The Wild Woman's Way" : https://amzn.to/2BQ5WpY Music ‘Deva Dasi' by Steve James at https://www.guruviking.com

In this episode I am once again joined by Dr. William Rory Dickson an associate professor of Islamic Religion and Culture at The University of Winnipeg and author of “Dissolving into Being: The Wisdom of Sufi Philosophy”. Professor Dickson discusses Ibn ‘Arabi (1165–1240), an important Sufi poet and philosopher. Ibn ‘Arabi was described as the greatest master of the Way but has increasingly been seen as a controversial and heterodox figure by some within Islam. Professor Dickson explores the historical tensions between the mystic and the cleric, describes Sufi meditation methods and the struggle to realisation, and considers extra-Islamic influences on Sufism throughout history. Professor Dickson also reflects on Sufism's interaction with American culture including the universalist new age movement, the failure of utopian models of worldwide religious harmony, and the retraditionalisation of religious orders such as the Inayatiyya. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep277-master-of-the-way-prof-william-rory-dickson-2 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast'. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:14 - Orthodox to heterodox 05:44 - Who was Ibn ‘Arabi? 06:49 - A spiritual prodigy 10:34 - Leaving Andalusia and arriving in Damascus 12:33 - The greatest master of the Way 14:57 - Mystic vs cleric 17:23 - Political executions of sufis 19:12 - The need to read the room 19:54 - Periods of tension and integration 21:37 - The influence of patronage 24:18 - The struggle for spiritual realisation 27:47 - The visions and practice of Ibn ‘Arabi 29:12 - Embodying the 99 names of God 32:11 - Sufi meditation on the names of God 35:36 - The state of dhikr 36:20 - Ascetic practices 37:53 - Extra-Islamic influences on Sufi practice, historical and modern 46:54 - God brings prophets to all people 49:09 - Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan, Lex Hixon, and the New Age 58:04 - History of the Inayatiyya order 01:03:00 - Reformulating Sufism for an American audience 01:05:13 - Retraditionalisation in Inayatiyya 01:06:43 - The failure of modernist universalism 01:09:48 - Death of optimism 01:11:28 - Postmodernism vs perennialism 01:12:24 - Does Ibn ‘Arabi offer a synthesis of modern and post-modern perspectives? 01:16:17 - Rumi and the controversy of Coleman Barks 
… Previous episode with Professor William Rory DIckson: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep272-mystical-path-of-sufism-professor-william-rory-dickson To find our more about Professor William Rory Dickson, visit: - https://www.uwinnipeg.ca/experts-guide/william-rory-dickson.html - https://anqa.co.uk/publications/dissolving-being … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi' by Steve James

In this episode I am joined by Tulku Sherab Dorje, Buddhist teacher, translator, and author of scholarly and popular books about Tibetan Buddhism. Tulku Sherdor recounts his unusual childhood and past-life proclivities, his graduation from Columbia Law School and subsequent elite level law practice, and years of spiritual retreat under masters of Tibetan Buddhist lineages. Tulku Sherdor explores the creative tension between cynicism and devotion, the use of humour in scripture and spiritual teaching, and the importance of reinvesting one's merit with the inspiration of bodhicitta. Tulku Sherdor also reflects on what it takes to be an effective translator, whether critical scholarship is a threat to religious faith, and the pros and cons of the tulku system from his position as a recognised reincarnation. … Link in bio. Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast'. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:34 - Why write about one's spiritual life? 04:48 - Humour and literary conventions of self-diminishment 06:20 - Self promotion and the marketplace of ideas 08:33 - Cynicism, devotion, and humour in relationship with gurus 11:46 - Buddha's humour in the sutras 13:53 - Tulku Sherdor's family background and unusual childhood behaviours 15:20 - Jewish diaspora and resonance with the Tibetan diaspora 17:36 Awakening of existential questioning 18:57 -Child psychologist's advice to Tulku Sherdor 19:54 - Past life explanation and how to invest your merit 24:24 - How to use your freedoms and advantages 25:22 - Tulku Sherdor expresses gladness about his life's work 26:52 - Are there dedicated practitioners? 27:49 - Tulku Sherdor's unique combination of successes 28:53 - Benefits of being a well trained lawyer 29:46 - Important writing lessons learned at Columbia Law School and during law career 32:59 - Hypercriticism of other translators 34:00 - Serving the lineage with high standards 35:44 - Praise for Erik Pema Kunsang and Thinley Norbu 38:11 - Advice for writers and translators 41:12 - Dual-language immersion 42:23 - Translator disillusionment and historical perspective 46:46 - Cultural naivety and the published word 48:41 - Is critical scholarship a threat to sacred texts and religious faith? 53:16 - Advice about how to learn Tibetan 55:31 - Pros and cons of training at Harvard University and the Rangjung Yeshe Institute 56:46 - Advice for graduates of elite academic programs 01:00:39 - Sanskrit and Chinese 01:02:33 - The Amazon monster and Tulku Sherdor's books 01:05:10 - Remembering past lives 01:08:44 - Carrying qualities into your next life 01:09:15 - Tulku Sherdor reflects on his childhood Dharmic tendencies 01:10:55 - Being a tulku 01:14:21 - Tulku Sherdor reflects on the tulku system 01:15:58 - Concluding remarks 
… To find our more about Tulku Sherdor, visit: - https://blazingwisdom.org/tulku-sherab-dorje/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi' by Steve James

Michaela Boehm answers questions in a recent live workshop about the #1 mistake people make when giving and receiving compliments, how to make space for connection, how to shift your partner's bad mood, and how to salvage goodness from dirty fighting. 00:00 - How to create an intentional space for connection 03:48 - How to give your partner what they want 04:54 - Cultivate curiosity in your partner's interests 06:57 - #1 mistake when giving and receiving compliments 09:37 - Getting out of transactional dynamics 10:41 - Fighting dirty in relationship 12:39 - Assume goodness 15:00 - Using praise and humour to break a mood Buy Michaela's Flavors of the Feminine Deck: https://www.templeofthebodyintheworld.com/ For workshops, teacher training and courses: https://www.michaelaboehm.com To order Michaela's book "The Wild Woman's Way" : https://amzn.to/2BQ5WpY Music ‘Deva Dasi' by Steve James at https://www.guruviking.com

In this episode I am once again joined by Khandro Kunzang Dechen Chodron, teacher of Tibetan Buddhism and executive director of Saraswati Bhawan Publications. Khandro Kunzang details her apprenticeship in Nepal under renowned ngakpa Kunzang Dorje Rinpoche, outlines the course of her training from yidam practice to tummo and beyond, and reflects on the profound trust involved in the guru-disciple dynamic. Khandro Kunzang shares stories about Kunzang Dorje's psychic powers, his testing the honesty and obedience of potential students and even other lamas, and the price he paid for adhering to his yogic ideals by refusing involvement in politics and religious institutions. Khandro Kunzang explains the value of a close relationship with a guru, what it takes to be a worthy student to a spiritual master, and considers the differences between those who teach dharma with or without lineage authority. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep275-i-was-a-tantric-disciple-khandro-kunzang-dechen-chodron-2 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast'. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:06 - Finding the guru 02:08 - US Tour with Lama Dawa 06:13 - Personal time and teachings with Lama Dawa 08:08 - Insistence on ngondro 09:16 - Proposing a consort relationship 14:23 - Meeting Kunzang Dorje Rinpoche in Nepal 16:46 - Past life test 20:48 - Receiving Dudjom Tersar 3 Roots Empowerment 22:00 - Challenged to drink alcohol as a nun 24:41 - Kunzang Dorje Rinpoche agrees to become Khandro's teacher 25:23 - Further ngondro and 6 month retreat 27:01 - Kunzang Dorje Rinpoche's clairvoyance and psychic powers 28:51 - How Kunzang Dorje Rinpoche tested seekers and students 30:29 - Exposing infidelity between a student and lama 31:23 - The importance of honesty and trust 32:23 - A pride offering 34:13 - Follow-through and other conditions of samaya 36:40 - A disobedient student 38:28 - Kunzang Dorje Rinpoche's attitude towards high lamas 40:51 - The price of purity 42:52 - Exploitation of Westerners 44:15 - Ngakpas don't form groups 45:20 - Faith in the guru 47:03 - Challenged by Kunzang Dorje Rinpoche 49:11 - Arguing with Lama Dawa 50:09 - The value of having a close relationship with a teacher 52:12 - Wrathful teaching vs abuse 53:57 - 2 dimensions of mentorship 55:08 - Motivation and lama wannabes 57:29 - Critique of bad lamas who come to the West 59:20 - What makes a real student? 01:00:27 - Importance of work ethic and personal sacrifice 01:02:30 - Self interest and hidden agendas 01:04:14 - Who is authorised to teach the lineage? 01:07:07 - Selecting a lineage holder 01:08:37 - Different levels of teacher 01:10:02 - The burden of being enthroned 01:12:56 - Khandro details her training under Kunzang Dorje Rinpoche 01:14:28 - Generation stage for ḍākinī, lama, and yidam 01:16:02 - Tummo and completion stage practices 01:19:40 - Rare pipe practice 01:23:23 - Private and public enthronements 01:25:28 - Further completion stage practices and Vajrakīlāya 
… Previous episode with Khandro Kunzang Dechen Chodron: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep268-sitting-with-terror-khandro-kunzang-dechen-chodron To find our more about Khandro Kunzang Dechen Chodron, visit: - https://www.phurbathinleyling.org/khandro-kunzang/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi' by Steve James

In this episode I host a dialogue between Henry Shukman, British poet, Zen teacher, and author of ‘One Blade of Grass; a Zen memoir'; and John Brehm, American poet and author of ‘The Dharma of Poetry'. Henry and John share the story of their formations as poets, compare the similarities as well as the marked differences in their backgrounds, and reveal the powerful forces that inspire the creative process. Henry and John discuss the purpose and process of writing poetry, reflect on poetry as a means of contact with the sacred, and contrast the richness of poetry with attentional practices such as mindfulness and Zen. Henry and John also perform and discuss several of their poems, including “Walk the Talk”, “Swifts”, “Yahrzeit”, and “Finis Ter”. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep274-poetry-the-sacred-henry-shukman-john-brehm Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast'. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:56 - Henry's early interest in poetry 03:45 - Poetry and spiritual practice 06:04 - What is it to be alive? 06:30 - Searching for the charge 06:51 - First profound experience of writing poetry 08:17 - Poetry that awakes 09:25 - John's unliterary family background 12:00 - John's psychedelic experiences in the 1970s 13:23 - Poetry as a way to evoke luminosity 14:37 - Contact with the sacred 15:11 - Henry reflects on John's early life 15:57 - Henry's unusual parents 17:23 - Inner freedom and childhood trauma 18:01 - Imagist and Tang dynasty poets 20:08 - The Beat poet and a different way of living 20:54 - Intimacy and rediscovering landscape 22:26 - Seeing beauty in the ordinary and discarded 24:41 - It's about quality of attention 26:01 - Attracted to the neglected 29:25 - The curse of being a public poet 30:09 - No allies and no encouragement 32:01 - John's first poetry teacher 33:08 - The audience 34:40 - Poetry only works without purpose 35:32 - Recognising the false note 36:54 - Henry's process of composition and revision 38:24 - Great poets of the past as audience 39:43 - A R Ammons an writing for an audience 40:20 - Henry's dream for his poetry 41:52 - The chore of mindfulness 43:09 - Remembering your True Self 43:31 - The sacred pause 44:28 - Temporary enlightenment 45:31 - Poetry is richer than mindfulness 47:28 - Beauty beyond mere mindfulness 49:28- Focusing on what you love 49:59 - Using language to go beyond language 50:54 - Autopoiesis and memetic fulfilment 53:25 - Poet as conduit 55:32 - Radical awakening 57:00 - Banishing the beautiful 58:13 - Seamus Heaney on poetry as redress 59:24 - Collective awakening of consciousness 01:00:20 - Reciprocity and post-medieval alienation 01:01:20 - Hospicing modernity 01:02:30 - Why publish poems? 01:04:27 - John reads “Walk the Talk” 01:06:03 - Reflecting on success as poets 01:09:08 - John reads “Swifts” 01:12:48 - Henry reads “Yahrzeit” 01:18:22 - Henry reads “Finis Ter” 01:19:26 - Appreciation and gratitude 
… Previous episodes with Henry Shukman: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=shukman 
 Previous episode with John Brehm: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep230-the-dharma-of-poetry-john-brehm … Find out more about Henry Shukman: - https://henryshukman.com/ - http://thewayapp.com/ Find out more about John Brehm: - https://www.johnbrehmpoet.com/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi' by Steve James

Join Michaela as she discusses anger including two types of anger, common mistakes when working with anger, how to learn from anger, and the dangers of spiritual bypass and rage circles. 00:00 - How to work with anger 01:12 - Two types of anger 02:33 - Working with anger in one's practice 03:13 - Anger is an important part of being human 04:58 - Anger vs sadness 06:14 - Anger in relationship 08:23 - How to handle anger 10:38 - Passion or violence? 11:04 - What can anger teach us? 12:04 - Old vs fresh anger 18:23 - Primary vs secondary emotion 19:54 - 70s encounter groups and strategies of catharsis 26:04 - Spiritual bypass 27:20 - How to work with strong emotion to cleanse your system Buy Michaela's Flavors of the Feminine Deck: https://www.templeofthebodyintheworld.com/ For workshops, teacher training and courses: https://www.michaelaboehm.com To order Michaela's book "The Wild Woman's Way" : https://amzn.to/2BQ5WpY Music ‘Deva Dasi' by Steve James at https://www.guruviking.com

In this interview I am once again joined by Dr Ben Joffe, anthropologist and scholar practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism. Dr Joffe leads a deep dive into the Western magickal tradition of spirit conjuration, traces their diverse forms through the centuries, and considers the range of beings described, from the land sprites of localised traditions to the high angels of the Enochian system of Renaissance polymath John Dee. Dr Joffe reflects on the origin and changing usage of terms such as “demon” and “devil”, laments the prevalence of dangerously lax invocation practices, considers the cultural impact of the grimoire tradition, compares the systems of demonology found in world religions, and notes striking similarities between Buddhist tantric mystic Padmasambhava and King Solomon. Dr Joffe also shares his own occult experiences including tales of spirit contact, servitor creation, dream visitations from the recently deceased, and ritual workings in several magickal systems. ... Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast'. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:12 - Western Esotericism 04:42 - Spirit conjuration and the grimoire tradition 05:49 - Analysing spirit conjuration tropes in horror movies 09:46 - Diverse magical practice 10:51 - Professor Ronald Hutton's history of Western Esotericism 12:05 - History of spirit conjuration from Ancient Egypt to today 14:49 - Mesopotamian laws against witchcraft 16:08 - The status of magick in the Abrahamic traditions 16:58 - Clerical underground of wizards 18:20 - Literacy and the power of a magickal book 21:03 - Prioritising of the book and of language itself 23:08 - Gathering one's magickal tools 25:00 - Preparation is key 26:20 - Do spirits find humans repulsive? 30:29 - Self-purification and strategies for self-deification 31:24 - Similarities between Padmasambhava and King Solomon 32:43 - Dzamling Chi Sang and subjugating spirits 33:41 - The Testament of Solomon and subduing spirits 35:34 - Magick and frat-boy fantasy 37:47 - John Dee and the quest for knowledge 39:40 - Christian ceremonial magick and Jesus as a sorcerer 41:55 - Pre-Christian Pagan European spirit traditions 43:09 - Magick vs religion 45:12 - Hamlet and old spirit frameworks 48:03 - Arguments for and against the grimoire tradition 53:56 - Cultural impact of the grimoire tradition 56:05 - Wisdom of the past 58:33 - Different types of spirits and supernatural beings 01:02:33 - Muslim views of Iblīs (the devil) and djinn. 01:04:22 - Evil spirits in Christianity and Tibetan Buddhism 01:06:01 - Different ideas of the Devil 01:07:17 - What is a demon? 01:07:50 - Lazy demonology 01:15:05 - The perspective of nondual Tibetan tantra 01:18:31 - Limitations of dualistic cosmology 01:20:56 - Angels and pre-modern Christian views 01:25:03 - Why demons are useful for practical magick 01:27:47 - Ben's personal reflections on working with spirits 01:31:17 - Rites of passage and creating servitors 01:33:00 - Ben explains the Goetia 01:34:16 - Ben reflects on his magickal career 01:36:45 - Summoning spirits at 12 years old 01:43:11 - ADHD approach to magick 01:44:09 - Ben recalls powerful, unexpected spirit contacts 02:00:51 Group corroboration 02:02:17 -Dream visitations from the recently deceased 02:04:56 - Are these experiences real? 02:07:30 - The social aspects of magickal practice 02:10:48 - Ben's relationship with an invented spirit 02:15:42 - Wyatt the servitor 02:21:02 - Models of magick and questions of purity 02:29:09 - The two wolves inside of Ben 02:31:25 - Universal principles or relative frames? 02:34:33 - Artisanal magick and honing attention 02:36:18 - Is magickal training reliable? 
… Previous episodes with Dr Ben Joffe: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=joffe To find out more about Dr Ben Joffe, visit: - https://perfumedskull.com/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi' by Steve James