In this interview I am joined by John Maki Evans, teacher of Japanese swordsmanship, practitioner of several syncretic esoteric Japanese disciplines of tantra and magic, and author of ‘Kurikara: The Sword and the Serpent’.

John recalls aspects of his intense training in Japan, traces his lifetime spent uncovering the higher esoteric dimensions of the Japanese arts, and details the 9 stage journey from novice to master.

John maps the subtle body and its correspondences to the five elements and the dragon king protectors known as nāgarāja, explains the demands of following the inner path of transformation, and considers the special role of the sword in religious life.

John also reflects on the process of opening the body and mind, recovery from severe back and brain injuries, and on the dangers of reaching your spiritual goals.

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Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep231-esoteric-arts-of-japan-john-maki-evans

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

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Topics include:

00:00 - Intro

01:05 - John’s 3 practitioner names

02:30 - Prescience of John’s sensei

04:21 - John reflects on his qualities

06:19 - Pros and cons of personal characteristics

07:48 - The process of opening up

09:09 - The danger of reaching your spiritual goals

11:19 - John’s 3 phase grading system

12:30 - 3 levels of transmission

18:26 - 5 elements, 9 Stages

22:01 - The power of the sword

25:29 - Nakamura Sensei’s special forces combat experience

28:53 - Taking up the sword

30:39 - Back injury and meeting Shandor

32:47 - Healing serious back injuries

33:40 - A powerful sexual awakening

36:19 - Japanese tantric and esoteric knowledge

41:37 - Piecing together an inner yogic system

43:44 - The nāgarāja dharma protectors

46:33 - 9 syllable magick

48:57 - Mapping the subtle body

49:48 - An intensive Shingon retreat

52:52 - Discovering a genuine master

54:22 - Squat practice

55:15 - Severe brain injury

58:18 - Left and right hemispheres

59:06 - Working with the brain mandala

01:02:56 - John’s mother’s death

01:05:08 - John’s post-surgery vision

01:07:09 - Post-surgery recovery

01:10:40 - Esoteric yogic techniques

01:13:21 - A profound Japanese spiritual poem

01:18:08 - Memorising Patañjali’s yoga sūtras

01:19:56 - The death of John’s father and John’s childhood death-ritual

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To find out more about John Maki Evans, visit:

- https://www.battodo-fudokan.co.uk/

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For more interviews, videos, and more visit:

- www.guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James