In this episode I am once joined by Justin Von Bujdoss, American Buddhist teacher, chaplain, and author of ‘Modern Tantric Buddhism’.

Justin describes his powerfully transformative dark retreat practice in which he embarked on multiple 7-day and 49-day meditation retreats in complete darkness under the guidance of Dr Nida Chenagtsang.

Justin recalls his life-changing encounter with the rarefied religious experience of rigpa, and details his visions of spiritual beings, animals, elements, and Bardo deities.

Justin recounts his first meeting with Dr Nida, how he became his student, and explains the significance of Dr Nida’s endorsement of Justin as both a Dzogchen teacher and dark retreat guide.

Justin also reveals the daily routine and practice instructions for dark retreat, and reflects on current trends within Buddhism and nonduality in America today.

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Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep205-my-49-day-dark-retreat-justin-von-bujdoss-2

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

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Topics Include:

00:00 - Intro

01:07 - Justin’s personal practice revolution

02:27 - Meeting Dr Nida Chenagtsang and showing him a secret text

06:10 - Dr Nida’s qualities as a teacher

08:00 - Justin’s 25 years of Mahamudra practice

08:18 - Preparing to enter dark retreat

08:56 - The impact of multiple 7 and 49-day retreats

13:35 - 7-day preparatory dark retreat

15:03 - Intense visionary experiences and risk of psychosis

18:38 - Dr Nida’s dark retreat terma

20:48 - Justin’s previous experience with dream yoga and visions

22:57 - Dark retreat instructions and opening visionary capacity

27:48 - Undermining the visual system binary

24:37 - Justin’s visions of the Bardo deities

27:46 - Contradictions in Mahamudra and forcing it

31:38 - Daily routine and practice schedule in dark retreat

36:38 - No contact with Dr Nida during the retreat

38:45 - Visions of the purified elements

42:00 - Visions of animals and dead people

42:59 - Visions of beings who offered gifts to Justin

43:30 - Did Justin relive his traumas?

45:22 - Quitting prison chaplaincy

47:50 - How chaplaincy falls short of resting in rigpa

50:56 - Profound healing opportunity of dark retreat

54:50 - Rigpa supersedes Justin’s ordination

56:18 - The totality of everything occurs right here

59:54 - Endorsed by Dr Nida to teach Dzogchen

01:04:10 - Justin’s special karmic connection with Dr Nida and other tulkus

01:07:00 - Justin’s loss of social functionality post-awakening

01:09:25 - How Justin’s teacher punctured his ego

01:12:54 - Struggles with students who are fixated on tantra

01:16:42 - Student retention and abusive teaching methods

01:18:18 - Where is Buddhism going in America?

01:19:13 - Is Tibetan Buddhism trendy?

01:23:08 - Dark retreat as liberating psychotherapy

01:25:45 - Dark retreat as the ultimate experience product for psychonauts

01:27:30 - Assessing those who wish to embark upon dark retreat

01:31:22 - Where to find out more

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Previous episode with Justin Von Bujdoss:

- https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep196-modern-tantric-buddhism-justin-von-bujdoss

Previous episodes with Dr Nida Chenagtsang:

- https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=nida

To find our more about Justin Von Bujdoss, visit:

- https://justinvonbujdoss.com/

- https://www.yangtiyoga.com/

For more interviews, videos, and more visit:

- https://www.guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James