In this episode I am joined by Ani Pema, an American nun in the Tibetan Buddhist religion and former swami in the Siddha Yoga organisation.

Ani Pema recalls her childhood in Boise Idaho, her high flying career in fashion working for Vogue magazine, and how dissatisfaction with the American dream set her on a spiritual search.

Ani Pema details her sixteen years of close discipleship and ordination under the renowned Siddha Yoga guru Swami Muktananda, her transformative encounters with the 16th Karmapa, and her subsequent discipleship under Tibetan Buddhist teachers such as Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche and Namkhai Nyingpo.

Ani Pema also explains the powerful phenomena of shaktipat including the severe karmic consequences for its use, reflects on Western shaktipat gurus such as Rudi and Adi Da Samraj, and gives her heart advice for those who wish to follow the spiritual path.

…

Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep314-me-my-gurus-ani-pema

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

…

Topics include:

00:00 - Intro

01:06 - High flying fashion career

02:41 - Questioning the American dream

03:24 - Taking up yoga

04:02 - Meeting Swami Muktananda

04:55 - A precognitive vision

05:40 - Close study with Swami Muktananda in India

07:29 - Rigorous practice regime at the ashram

08:38 - Obliterating the self

11:02 - Muktananda as a vortex of energy

12:09 - A past life connection

14:47 - Swami Muktananda’s 1974 USA tour

19:17 - The serious karmic burden of giving shaktipat

20:09 - Attending the 16th Karmapa

22:02 - Leaving Muktananda’s organisation

22:55 - Becoming a disciple of Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche

24:24 - Becoming a disciple of Namkhai Nyingpo in Bhutan

26:03 - Working for Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche after he became famous

27:19 - You hire the guru to assassinate your ego

28:44 - Lichivi House

30:02 - Reflections on past gurus

31:23 - Rudi and shaktipat

32:28 - Adi Da’s ego and meeting with Swami Muktananda

36:33 - 4 methods of shaktipat

38:31 - Health consequences of offering shaktipat

40:25 - Dangers of unauthorised shaktipat

41:48 - Mind to mind transmission in Tibetan Buddhism

42:32 - 4-6hrs of chanting per day

43:24 - Celibacy and guru controversies

47:27 - Comparing 16th Karmapa with Swami Muktananda

49:19 - Kashmir Shaivism vs Tibetan Buddhism

50:39 - Depression after Swami Muktananda’s death

52:47 - Profound periods of purification

54:48 - Consequences of the spiritual path

56:23 - Do Tibetan teachers recognise Muktananda’s dharma?

59:18 - Meditation is beyond tradition

01:00:46 - Ani Pema reflects on her experience as a practitioner

01:03:55 - Ani Pema’s advice for practitioners

01:06:19 - Difficulties in following famous gurus

…

To find out more about Ani Pema, visit:

- https://www.facebook.com/karen.schaefer

- https://dayananda-lifewithandafterbaba.blogspot.com/

For more interviews, videos, and more visit:

- www.guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James