In this episode I am joined by Sang-gyé A-tsal, an ex-dancer, jazz club owner, and Brevet Lama in the Aro gTer lineage of Tibetan Buddhism.

We discuss Sang-gyé’s personal journey through Santeria, Sufism, and Vedanta before meeting her future teacher, Ngak’chang Rinpoche.

Sang-gyé discusses her transformative time spent in Nepal with Kunzang Dorje Rinpoche, and recounts her completion of the esoteric practice of phowa under the guidance of Jomo Sampel.

We learn about how to practice Vajra Romance outside of a partnership, and explore Sang-gyé’s passion for the physical practices of Kum Nye.

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Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep59-sang-gye-a-tsal-santeria-to-sang-gye/

Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Stitcher – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.

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Topics Include:

0:00 - Intro

0:42 - Sang-gyé’s childhood meditation parties and explorations of spiritual traditions

3:47 - ‘Sleepy Shiné’ and learning to meditate

7:29 - Vedanta, Sufism, and Santeria

10:45 - Unusual experiences in Santeria

12:20 - Moving to New York to open a jazz club

13:20 - Meeting Ngak’chang Rinpoche and becoming an Aro gTer apprentice

23:15 - Stories about Kunzang Dorje Rinpoche

29:09 - Sang-gyé on ‘emptiness’ and relating to a great Lama

34:45 - Working with neurosis as an artist and practitioner

40:15 - Vajra Romance as a single person

44:52 - Sang-gyé’s phowa retreat under the guidance of Jomo Samphel

49:52 - Sang-gyé’s retreat schedule and achieving the sign of completion

55:19 - Practice sequencing on retreat

59:08 - Plans for the continuation of the Aro gTer lineage

1:04:31 - Sang-gyé’s passion for the physical practices of Kum Nye

1:08:47 - How to learn Kum Nye Sang-gyé online

1:09:53 - Modern relevance of the Gö Kar Chang Lo'i Dé

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To find our more about Sang-gyé A-tsal, visit:

- https://www.facebook.com/movingbeing.naturalbeing

- https://www.instagram.com/movingbeing/

- [email protected]

Previous Aro gTer episodes:

- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlkzlKFgdknxvlIXraR8zs4j4vNebA8os

For more interviews, videos, and more visit:

- http://www.guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James