In this episode I once again host a dialogue between Daniel Ingram and Delson Armstrong.

Daniel Ingram is an independent Buddhist writer, author of ‘Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha’, and co-founder of the Emergent Phenomenology Research Consortium (EPRC).

Delson Armstrong is a spiritual teacher, author of ’A Mind Without Craving’, and founder of the Freedom of Mind foundation.

Daniel offers his response to Delson’s recent renunciations, warns about the power of self hypnosis, and explains why it is so common for people to revise their enlightenment claims.

Delson considers how it was that he mistook the nature of his spiritual achievements, considers the impact of his renunciation on his practice community and students, and looks ahead to his own future as a teacher and guide.

Daniel and Delson address criticisms they have both received for their revisions of important Buddhist doctrines such as the 4 path model of awakening, comment on gatekeeping and fundamentalism in Buddhism, and consider whether advances in contemplative neuroscience may pose a serious threat to traditional religions and their institutions.

…

Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify.

…

01:51 - The situation

04:36 - Daniel’s response to Delson’s renunciation

07:14 - Early schism in Buddhism

08:20 - Does Daniel feel vindicated?

09:42 - Delson reflects on what he has learned from Daniel

12:34 - The snake has shed its skin

13:29 - Profound not simple

14:26 - Neurodiversity and the spiritual path

16:54 - Hypnotising yourself into believing you’re enlightened

19:17 - How did Delson get his enlightenment wrong?

22:22 - Social factors

24:13 - A gradual process

25:06 - Gatekeepin in Buddhism

27:35 - Jack Kornfield and Christopher Titmuss

30:51 - Social influence on perceptions of spiritual progress

33:35 - Relationships

35:21 - The World Without Sin

38:43 - Can you ever go back? Spoiling the party

40:38 - Delson on negative reactions from his community

43:57 - Attached to models, experiences, and perfection?

46:17 - Stages of development

47:17 - Leading with vulnerability

48:45 - A different type of practitioner

49:55 - The appeal of Vajrayāna

52:21 - Specific criticisms of Daniel and Delson

54:19 - Why do Daniel & Delson revise Buddhism?

56:43 - Delson's critics

59:51 - Transference and counter-transference

01:01:18 - Tantric guru yoga

01:01:47 - When your guru disappoints

01:02:05 - Bhikkhu Anālayo and Daniel's other critics

01:02:27 - Neuroscience and religious orthodoxy

01:06:34 - Will neuroscience destroy Buddhism?

01:10:24 - Praise for the Theravāda

01:11:45 - Theravādan exceptionalism

01:12:37 - Validating or defeating religion?

01:15:43 - Finders’ Course and retrenchment to orthodoxy

01:17:57 - Delson on contemplative neuroscience

01:20:39 - What does Daniel think will next happen to Delson?

01:23:23 - Maturing as a spiritual explorer

01:26:33 - Attachment styles & kalyāṇa-mittatā

01:28:40 - Loss of enthusiasm for practice in advanced practitioners

01:31:18 - Micro-renunciations and disgust for the quest

01:33:42 - When spiritual teachers lose their faith

0135:28 - How Delson keeps his interest in teaching

01:38:20 - Why Daniel decided not to become a teacher

01:40:32 - Delson’s closing remarks

01:40:45 - Daniel’s closing remarks

01:41:04 - Praise for the religious orthodoxy

01:42:21 - Acknowledging critics

01:43:17 - Disagreeing with grace and respect

…

Previous dialogue between Daniel and Delson:

- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znX6w6shQ7c

Previous episodes with Daniel:

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

Previous episodes with Delson:

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

To find out more about Daniel, visit:

- https://theeprc.org/

- integrateddaniel.info

To find out more about Delson, visit:

- https://www.delsonarmstrong.com/

- https://www.youtube.com/@delson999

- https://www.freedom-of-mind.org/

www.guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James