In this episode I host a dialogue between Dr Caroline van Damme and Lama Justin von Bujdoss.

Dr Caroline Van Damme is an adult psychiatrist and family and systemic psychotherapist specialising in chronic psychotic disorders, and co-teacher of Buddhist guru and Sowa Rigpa doctor Nida Chenagtsang. 

Lama Justin von Bujdoss is an American Buddhist teacher, dark retreat yogi, founder and spiritual director of Yangti Yoga Retreat Center in Buckland Massachusetts, and author of ‘Modern Tantric Buddhism’.

Caroline and Justin discuss the risk of psychosis during extreme religious practices, consider the rewards and dangers of dark retreat, and describe the different forms of hallucination.

Caroline and Justin warn about engaging in advanced practices too soon, consider the pros and cons of spiritual ambition, and offer a mental health checklist for those considering intensive practice.

Caroline and Justin also reflect on their own biographies, share challenges they have faced, and recount anecdotes of religious psychosis.

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Video version: www.guruviking.com

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

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Topics include:

00:00 - Intro

01:08 - Justin explains the practice of dark retreat

5:55 - What is the purpose of dark retreat?

06:50 - Obstacles during dark retreat

09:39 - Distracted and disturbed by experience

11:08 - Sensory deprivation induces psychosis and delusional ideation

12:41 - Auditory or visual?

13:16 - Hallucinations in dark retreat vs in schizophrenia

18:51 - Practice prerequisites to dark retreat

21:10 - The purpose of intensive practice contexts

22:42 - Trekchod is the best antidote

23:38 - Justin laments the rush to do advanced retreats and practices

24:35 - Lack of mental health crisis intervention skills in Buddhist sanghas

25:38 - The devastating consequences of psychosis

27:09 - Sensory deprivation as torture and the “White Room”

29:01 - Tantric context of dark retreat and other challenging experiences

31:34 - Gek sel literature and “set and setting”

34:24 - Disastrous outcomes of Vipassana and other group retreats

38:19 - Mystical delusions and the manic state

41:59 - Consent, context, and the need for a guide

46:17 - Practice slowly, arrive quickly

46:51 - Extreme sports practitioners and disregard for tradition

50:24 - - Social pressure to avoid boredom

54:48 - A menu of spiritual materialism

57:10 - Outer, inner, and secret yidam practice

59:50 - Tilopa’s Six Nails

01:00:47 - Śamatha and raw-dogging

01:02:33 - Lojong

01:03:21 - Dream yoga and illusory body practice

01:05:14 - Walking meditation

01:05:28 - Frequency, duration, and intensity

01:08:21 - Spiritual ambition and Justin’s own training

01:13:10 - Ngondro and building a good foundation

01:14:12 - Bodhicitta as context

01:15:44 - A story of temporary insanity

01:17:29 - Health checklist for extreme spiritual adventures

01:20:17 - Dr Caroline’s difficult intake experience

01:22:02 - Spiritual bypass and the role of the teacher

01:24:13 - Long term relationships with patients and students

01:25:40 - John Welwood’s advocacy for psychotherapy

01:29:40 - Today’s lack of a long term relationship with the guru

01:35:22 - The power of relationship

01:40:00 - Justin’s concluding remarks

01:41:56 - Dr Caroline’s concluding remarks

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Previous episodes with Lama Justin von Bujdoss:

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

Previous episodes with Dr Caroline van Damme:

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

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Find out more about Lama Justin von Bujdoss:

- https://justinvonbujdoss.com/

- https://www.yangtiyoga.com/

Find out more about Dr Caroline van Damme:

- https://www.sowarigpainstitute.org/dr-caroline-van-damme

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For more interviews, videos, and more visit:

- https://www.guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James