In this interview I am once again joined by Ralph White holistic learning pioneer, international speaker on cultural transformation and the history of the Western esoteric tradition, and co-founder of the New York Open Centre.

Ralph recounts his clandestine mission into Tibet in 1989 on behalf of the Nechung Oracle: hiking solo across the border, evading commissars, escaping from bandit villages, enlisting the aid of Khampa horsemen, and encountering a UFO high in the Himalayas.

Ralph recalls founding the Art of Dying Conference, reflects on his own relationship with his father, and describes the religious genius of Rudolf Steiner on death and what lies beyond.

Ralph also discusses the Western Esoteric tradition, tells stories of Robert Bly’s Rosicrucian poetry, and critiques logical positivism and the limitations of academia.

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Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep202-mission-to-tibet-ralph-white

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

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Topics Include:

00:00 - Intro

01:44 - Arriving at Nechung Monastery, Dharamsala

03:17 - Mission into Tibet

05:11 - Finding a secret route into Tibet via Kham

10:07 - Aftermath of Tiananmen Square

12:06 - High risk adventure

13:04 - Ralph’s daily routine in the mountains

16:34 - Encountering a UFO

20:23 - Evading a Chinese commissar

21:46 - Escaping a bandit village

23:56 - Entering into deep meditation in a crisis

27:12 - Old enough to know better

28:32 - Provisions

29:48 - Further travels in Asia

35:03 - Reflections on the UFO sighting

37:33 - Founding the Art of Dying Conference

43:17 - Rudolph Steiner on karma and reincarnation

44:45 - Multi-cultural views on death

46:19 - Death denial in Western culture

51:21 - The death of Ralph’s father

57:16 - Dealing with emotional residue

01:01:22 - Engaging with the profound issues of life

01:02:29 - Logical positivism and the limitations of academia

01:04:39 - Rudolf Steiner’s genius

01:07:00 - Advice for entering the Western Esoteric tradition

01:10:34 - Founding the Esoteric Quest conference

01:11:32 - Robert Bly’s Rosicrucian poetry

01:12:54 - The rogue’s gallery

01:14:08 - The esoteric side of Robert Bly

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Previous episode with Ralph White:

- https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep140-quest-for-a-life-of-meaning-ralph-white

To find out more about Ralph White, visit:

- https://www.ralphwhite.net/

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For more interviews, videos, and more visit:

- www.guruviking.com

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Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James