In this interview I am joined by Beth Upton, a meditation teacher, ex-nun, and student of renowned meditation master Pa Auk Sayadaw.

Beth reveals why reading economics at Cambridge caused her to fracture with today’s economic system and eventually led to her ordaination as a nun in Myanmar.

Beth details her rigorous training under renowned meditation master Pa Auk Sayadaw, addresses skepticism of the Visuddhimagga, and criticises so called ‘soft jhana’ teachings as watered down dharma.

Beth contrasts popular soft jhana teachings with how she was trained at Pa Auk, discusses the 10-fetter model of enlightenment, and explains how samadhi can be used to remember past lives and generate siddhi such as the ability to see devas and ghosts.

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Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep138-trained-as-a-nun-beth-upton

Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.

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Topics Include:

00:00 - Intro

00:51 - Upbringing and and reading economics at Cambridge

03:56 - The problem at the heart of money

05:44 - Money as a monastic vs a lay person

09:32 - Beth’s current thinking on money

16:14 - Encountering Buddhism

19:21 - Becoming a nun and meeting the meditation master Pa Auk Sayadaw

23:26 - Is the Visuddhimagga overblown?

25:03 - Soft Jhana teachings are watered down

28:43 - Hard jhana vs soft jhana distinctions

31:42 - Is there duality in jhana?

34:11 - Is jhana necessary for effective vipassana?

36:06 - Is progress possible without retreat?

38:57 - Beth’s 1-1 mentorship

40:14 - The curriculum of Beth’s training as a nun

44:10 - How to remember past lives

48:45 - Observing the causal links of karma

50:45 - How to develop siddhi via deep samadhi

53:44 - Opening the divine eye to perceive devas and ghosts

56:11 - Not claiming attainments

01:00:42 - Choosing the right meditation object

01:03:36 - Beth’s dislike of Dharma talks

01:05:57 - 1-1 mentorship with Beth

01:08:10 - Change technique after stream entry?

01:19:14 - Beth on the 10 Fetters and 4 Path Model

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To find out more about Beth Upton, visit:

- https://bethupton.com/

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For more interviews, videos, and more visit:

- www.guruviking.com

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Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James