In this episode I am once again joined by Alex W, long term practitioner of Zen, Pragmatic Dharma, and Western Occultism.

Alex lays out his ideal curriculum of practices to achieve awakening including a full technique sequence, explanation of the signs of success at each stage, and the various post-awakening paths that are available.

Alex details the energetic openings that occur after awakening and how to nurture them, contrasts Buddhist tummo to Daoist inner alchemy, and explains the process to open the psychic senses.

Alex challenges the meditation retreat model of practice which he sees as putting economic concerns over student benefit, offers his opinion on the amount of time one should spend in daily meditation, and emphasises the importance of retaining one’s autonomy in the spiritual market place.

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Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep335-how-to-guide-for-awakening-beyond-alex-w-3

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

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Topics include:

00:00 - Intro

01:05 - What is the ideal curriculum for awakening?

02:55 - Alex’s teaching experience

03:30 - Core skills for all traditions

04:42 - Never surrender your autonomy

06:32 - You must learn to sit

08:56 - The first meditation technique

12:32 - Recommended traditions and books

16:11 - First signs of success

19:45 - A major shift

23:39 - Should you pursue enlightenment?

24:51 - Soto vs Rinzai vs Dzogchen vs Mahāmudrā

37:50 - The goal of Dzogchen and Mahāmudrā

39:54 - How to embody realisation

45:35 - Moving from abdomen to heart space

47:04 - Saccidānanda

48:17 - Result of awakening the three energy centres

53:04 - Gurdjieff and self-remembering

55:35 - Using stress to strengthen the energy body

01:00:37 - Tummo and inner alchemy

01:05:55 - Warning about energy practice

01:08:19 - A summary of Alex’s recommended path

01:09:54 - How long does the path take?

01:13:24 - The Chinese view of inner alchemy

01:17:32 - Opening the psychic senses

01:22:55 - How much should one practice?

01:25:04 - The economic trap of meditation retreats

01:34:50 - Solo retreats and the limitations of lay life

01:41:21 - Economic logic vs practice effectiveness

01:46:53 - How to relate to strong experiences?

01:49:20 - St John of the Cross

01:56:04 - Deconstructing the Self

02:04:57 - Recognising what is already here

02:07:26 - Closing remarks

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Previous episodes with Alex W:

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

For more interviews, videos, and more visit:

- www.guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James