In this interview I am once again joined by Guo Gu, Chan Buddhist teacher, author, and scholar of Buddhism.

Guo Gu describes how ongoing bullying and violent confrontations as a teenager led him to form influential music groups Death Before Dishonor and Judge.

Guo Gu reveals why a feeling of hypocrisy as a monk led him to study social work and eventually obtain a PhD from Princeton University's Department of Religion on self-inflicted violence in Chinese religions

Guo Gu also reveals why he became Straight Edge, considers the role of religious asceticism and the body in today’s world, and comments on what others have called a meaning crisis in today’s society.

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Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep144-hardcore-and-body-in-spiritual-practice-guo-gu

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

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Topics include:

00:00 - Intro

00:43 - Bullied as an adolescent

08:53 - Meeting Mike Ferraro and getting good at fighting

14:29 - Imprint of his violent past

21:30 - Death Before Dishonor and heavy metal influences

23:26 - Becoming Straight edge

33:05 - Guo Gu’s PhD on religious asceticism

33:47 - A feeling of hypocrisy as a monk

44:30 - Reflecting on religious asceticism

47:43 - Bodily aptitude in spiritual practice

50:52 - Meaning crisis in society

54:12 - New book on the Gateless Barrier

59:31 - The practice of silent illumination

01:13:02 - Apophatic and cataphatic practice

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Previous episode with Guo Gu:

- https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep127-chan-master-guo-gu

To find out more about Guo Gu, visit:

- https://guogulaoshi.com/

For more interviews, videos, and more visit:

- www.guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James