In this episode I am joined by Dr. William Rory Dickson an associate professor of Islamic Religion and Culture at The University of Winnipeg and author of “Dissolving into Being: The Wisdom of Sufi Philosophy”.

Professor Dickson takes a deep dive into the life and works of Jalāl al-Dīn Muḥammad Rūmī (1207-1273 AD), a 13th century Sufi poet whose works have become famous all around the world.

Professor Dickson recounts the fascinating life of Rūmī, including his flight from Mongol invasion, his education in Islamic law, his life-changing encounter with the wild, mystical dervish Shams-i Tabrīzī, and his far-reaching legacy in Asia and beyond.

Professor Dickson also explains the anti-Rūmī movements within modern Islam, challenges criticism of Coleman Barks’ popular renderings of Rūmī’s verse, and explores the controversial Sufi metaphors of intoxication by wine and passionate desire to describe the practitioner’s relationship with God.

…

Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep289-mystic-poetry-of-rumi-professor-william-rory-dickson-3

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

…

Topics include:

00:00 - Intro

01:25 - The life of Jalāl al-Dīn Muḥammad Rūmī

03:39 - Neither universalist nor orthodox

05:09 - Rūmī, sharī’ah law, and radical Islam

07:08 - The range of Sufi expression over history

07:56 - The wandering dervishes

08:42 - Rūmī’s life-changing encounter with the radical dervish Shams-i Tabrīzī

09:56 - 3 stages of self-annihilation through love

11:14 - Shams-i Tabrīzī’s illicit alcohol use

13:36 - Rūmī’s spiritual poetry

16:13 - Rūmī’s explicit invectives

17:07 - Rūmī’s mystic father

19:08 - Mongol domination of Central Asia and Rūmī’s flight

21:29 - Rūmī’s colourful insults

22:52 - Challenging empty, orthodox religious forms

26:51 - Lack of nuance in the Rūmī wars

29:22 - Rūmī’s two major legacies

31:37 - The role of Sufi orders in different cultural contexts

33:48 - The anti-Sufis and a radical forgetting of Rūmī within Islam

35:37 - Coleman Barks and the Rūmī wars

37:23 - Criticism of Coleman Barks

39:06 - Coleman Barks was a Sufi

39:50 - Coleman Barks as an entry point

41:21 - The conundrum of translated literature

43:46 - How to communicate across cultures without losing the essence

45:12 - Rory’s enjoyment of Chogyam Trungpa

46:27 - Passionate desire and intoxication on wine

48:30 - Pre-Islamic Arab poetry, “gangster rap”

49:33 - Passionate love poetry

50:55 - Romantic streak in Arab culture

51:53 - Influence of Persian culture on Muslim mystic metaphors

52:46 - Sufism’s Neo-Platonism

55:50 - Remembering the One and Tantric practice

56:59 - Integrating the sensual and the spiritual

59:18 - Appreciation of pleasure as a vehicle to God

01:00:07 - Sufi sexuality and the paths of Jesus vs Mohammad

01:05:28 - Scandalous to orthodox Islam

01:07:48 - Knowing God directly

01:09:53 - Categorising God vs Sufi gnosis

01:11:18 - Executed Sufi master

01:11:54 - Is Sufism inappropriate?

01:13:26 - Wine in Sufism and Islam

01:17:39 - Love is brutal


…

Previous episodes with Professor William Rory Dickson:

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

To find our more about Professor William Rory Dickson, visit:

- https://www.uwinnipeg.ca/experts-guide/william-rory-dickson.html

- https://anqa.co.uk/publications/dissolving-being

…

For more interviews, videos, and more visit:

- https://www.guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am once again joined by Naomi Levine, author, under her birth name Norma Levine, of several books including ‘The Miraculous 16th Karmapa’, ‘A Quest For The Hidden Lands’, and ‘Chronicles of Love and Death: My Years With The Last Spiritual King of Bhutan’.

In this interview, Naomi discusses her latest writing about the apocalyptic prophecies of the Kālacakra tantra, a Tibetan Buddhist scripture promoted by the Dalai Lama.

Naomi discusses the doctrine of the dark age known as the “Kali Yuga” including its origins, its signs and symptoms, and Buddhist ideas about its unfolding. Naomi tells the story of Shambala, a mystical kingdom ruled by enlightened, bodhisattva kings, and reveals the prophesied holy war which the Kālacakra tantra claims will see the Shambala army face off against barbarian hordes.

Naomi also discusses the surprising implications of the Dalai Lama’s mass Kālacakra initiation rituals, the role of stūpas and other religious monuments in geomantic magick, and how she personally deals with a sense of impending apocalypse.

…

https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep288-apocalypse-now-naomi-levine

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

…

Topics Include:

00:00 - Intro

01:18 - What is the Kali Yuga?

06:38 - Moral and environmental degeneration

10:14 - When did the Kali Yuga begin?

12:39 - Signs of the Kali Yuga and climate change

15:55 - Multi-dimensional reality and hidden lands

17:44 - Naomi’s pilgrimage to the hidden land of Pemako

20:42 - The Pure Lands in Buddhist cosmology

21:57 - The kingdom of Shambala

26:25 - Seeking Shambala

27:28 - The Kālacakra Tantra

30:28 - Prophecy of the battle of Shambala

33:42 - Good vs evil

35:26 - Does the Kālacakra refer to Islam?

37:42 - Why does the 14th Dalai Lama give Kālacakra initiations?

39:33 - Inner or outer battle?

43:01 - Tai Situ’s interest in the timespan between Buddhas

44:55 - Is Shambala just a myth?

46:09 - What is Shambala?

47:35 - Shangri-La and Hilton’s “Lost Horizons”

48:28 - Chogyam Trungpa’s version of Shambala

51:50 - How geomancy and building stupas affect world events

52:48 - Stupas as geomantic magic

56:56 - Cancelling Jane Austen

57:52 - Dissolution of the elements

59:45 - Tukdam

01:01:47 - How Naomi responds to the end times

01:05:33 - The constantly shifting drama of world events

01:06:43 - Suggestion for non-Buddhists

01:07:48 - Naomi asks Steve’s opinion

01:09:14 - Prophecies of lamas and other mystics

01:10:09 - Apocalyptic thinking and displaced death anxiety

01:10:31 - Naomi’s attitude towards death

…

Previous episodes with Naomi Levine:

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

To find out more about Naomi Levine, visit:

- https://www.facebook.com/naomilevine111

- https://www.amazon.com/stores/Norma-Levine/author/B001K86LZ4?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

For more interviews, videos, and more visit:

- https://www.guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am joined by Dr James Cooke, Oxford-trained neuroscientist, spiritual teacher, and author of “Dawn of Mind: How Matter Became Conscious and Alive”.

James recounts how, at aged 13, an existential crisis driven by fear of hell saw him emerge into a profound mystical opening. James shares the radical changes he experienced and traces his subsequent years spent exploring and integrating this spiritual breakthrough.

James recalls his improbable journey to winning a place at Oxford University, discusses the remarkable overlaps he found there between cutting-edge neuroscience and his own awakening, and reveals the social structures of elite education in the UK.

James details the arduous and often overlooked post-awakening work of surrendering egoic structures and releasing attachments, explains why enlightenment is both a gain and a loss, and reflects on the challenges of teaching nonduality as a natural mystic.

…

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

01:07 - Why did James write Dawn of Mind?

03:43 - Making consciousness science accessible

04:41 - Catholic upbringing, an overly conscientious child

05:49 - Disturbed by hell

06:38 - Existential rumination, a crisis of faith

08:27 - Spiritual awakening at age 13

09:54 - Aftermath of James’ awakening

12:59 - Life affirming vs death affirming phases of awakening

15:16 - Letting go of attachments

17:24 - What happened to James’ excessive conscientiousness?

20:00 - Two mistakes about the no-self

21:15 - Freedom from extremes, letting go

23:39 - The dissolving self

24:44 - Is therapy necessary?

26:44 - Meditation as a gradual path

27:15 - Meditation vs therapy

28:37 - Practice in life vs joining a monastery

30:11 - Can a natural mystic really teach others?

32:37 - Alienation through spiritual language

33:21 - Enlightenment as loss

34:27 - 3 types of spiritual teacher

36:30 - James’ profile as a teacher

37:47 - Self-aggrandising nondual teachers

38:38 - Spiritual influences

40:40 - Adyashanti & the end of suffering

42:08 - Buddhist progress of insight model

43:59 - Volatile teenage years

44:57 - Extreme somatic tension

36:25 - Difficult integration phase

47:39 - Oxford University, dealing with pressure

50:26 - How James got into Oxford against all odds

54:07 - Social context of elite education in the UK

56:52 - The Oxford wound

58:11 - The mystic’s mistake, post-awakening

01:00:15 - James’ research path at Oxford

01:01:39 - Opening a path for others + psychedelic experimentation

01:04:13 - James’ last psychedelic trip

01:05:12 - Working with Beliefs

01:07:29 - Unravelling resistance & faking it

01:10:40 - Is there an end to post-awakening work?

01:13:54 - James’ experience of intimate relationships

01:17:25 - Charlatans and why awakening can be off-putting for friends

01:19:30 - Alienating terminology

01:19:48 - Feeling isolated after awakening

01:20:33 - Mimicking awakening, the nondual teaching circuit

01:22:05 - Why did James wait so long to go public

01:25:57 - Reaction of James’ family

01:26:51 - Moral perfection

01:30:37 - Why James doesn’t like the word “enlightenment”

01:31:10 - The problem with “awakening”

01:32:31 - Language phases, changing the lingo

01:33:20 - The Borg and analogies for awakening

01:34:42 - Siddhi, intuition, supernatural powers

01:36:48 - Insecure rockstars, kundalini

01:38:39 - The language game

01:39:11 - Hearing voices, the dramatising brain

01:40:58 - World as a shared hallucination

01:42:45 - Does James suffer?

01:44:56 - Gross vs subtle suffering

01:45:52 - An experience of physical pain

01:47:08 - Meditative austerities vs life practice

01:50:46 - Trainings in equanimity

01:51:49 - Ideas in Dawn of Mind

01:53:20 - An instinct for empowerment


…

To find our more about James Cooke PhD, visit:

- https://www.drjamescooke.com/

- https://www.innerspaceinstitute.org/

…

For more interviews, videos, and more visit:

- https://www.guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode, filmed on location in Kathmandu, I am joined by Radha Krishna Upadhyaya, an astrologer, clairvoyant, Kriya Yogi, & disciple of Tibetan Buddhist master Sakya Trizin.

Radha Krishna recalls his birth and childhood in Western Nepal, his traditional Brahmanical education & service to great saints, & initiation into his family’s Kuladevata lineage devoted to Mashta Devata.

Radha Krishna recounts details of his years in forest retreat, his practice of Kriya Yoga and Advaita Vedanta & the process of purifying the energy channels, & why an encounter with Sakya Trizin radically reoriented his life towards Buddhist practice.

Radha Krishna also discusses his own & his family’s history of siddhi powers, his encounters with spiritual beings & mysterious forest creatures, describes his unique astrological method, & shares five observations about the Westerners for whom he has provided divination services.

For an explanation of the timestamps, visit episode page at guruviking.com.

01:04 - Benefits of Kora

02:27 - Why make offerings

03:31 - Power of blessed places

05:07 - 4 types of liberation

05:56 - Brahmin birth & upbringing (Q)

06:33 - N

07:31 - E

09:26 - Astrological significance of Panditji’s birth (Q)

09:36 - N

11:05 - E

12:49 - Unusual childhood traits (Q)

13:10 - N

15:02 - E

16:49 - Coming of age & Brahmanical education (N)

17:20 - E

18:40 - Why was Panditji sent?

19:25 - Serving great saints (Q)

19:42 - N

21:55 - E

23:43 - Brahmanical curriculum (Q)

23:47 - N

25:09 - E

25:52 - Initiation into the family Kuladevata lineage (E)

26:59 - Details about the family Kuladevata lineage (Q)

27:23 - N

29:28 - E

30:18 - Receiving guidance from the deity (E)

31:18 - Rites of propitiation of Mashta Devata and the deity as source of knowledge (N)

32:41 - E

34:01 - The deity enters a devotee’s body as a chosen vessel (N)

35:26 - E

36:43 - Panditji’s siddha grandfather (N)

39:23 - E

41:16 - Stories of the power of Mashta Devata (E,N)

46:17 - A story of Śaṅkarācārya’s encounter with Panditji’s grandfather (N,E)

51:23 - Has Mashta Devata ever entered into Panditji? (Q)

51:35 - N

52:31 - E

53:29 - The desire for deeper spiritual practice & retreat (Q)

53:53 - N

57:37 - E

01:00:23 - Encounter with a mysterious forest creature (E)

01:01:31 - Living in the forest, family intervention, & fleeing marriage (N)

01:03:06 - E

01:05:10 - Who was the mysterious forest creature?

01:09:09 - 7 years wandering in India; study of Advaita Vedanta & Kriya Yoga (Q)

01:09:26 - N

01:12:51 - E

01:16:50 - Effects of this period of yogic practice (Q)

01:17:17 - N

01:20:05 - E

01:22:11 - Panditji’s unusual astrology method (Q)

01:22:17 - N

01:23:46 - E

01:26:23 - Sadhana-based astrology lineage (Q)

01:26:29 - N

01:27:26 - E

01:28:24 - Responsibilities & requirements for the siddha practitioner (Q)

01:28:39 - N

01:31:23 - E

01:34:13 - Miraculous siddhi powers of Kriya Yoga & meditation (Q)

01:34:57 - N

01:36:39 - E

01:39:51 - Therapist’s intuition vs perception of karma (N,E)

01:41:04 - Liberating a patient’s karma (Q)

01:41:09 - N

01:41:42 - E

01:42:09 - Meeting Sakya Trizin & a profound turn towards Buddhism (Q)

01:42:34 - N

01:44:13 - E

01:46:51 - Physical pain & other obstacles during inner yoga (Q)

01:47:24 - N

01:48:23 - E

01:49:13 - Why was Panditji open to Sakya Trizen & Buddhism? (Q)

01:49:50 - N

01:51:54 - E

01:53:52 - Gradual opening, despite social cost (N)

01:54:33 - E

01:56:23 - Impressed by Sakya Trizen (Q)

01:56:34 - N

01:57:08 - E

01:58:18 - Did Panditji stop being a Brahmin priest? (Q)

01:58:29 - N

01:59:35 - E

02:00:28 - Dramatic loss of social position (Q)

02:00:42 - N

02:01:40 - E

02:02:18 - Accomplishment in Buddhadharma (Q)

02:02:30 - N

02:02:59 - E

02:03:14 - Explanation of Panditji’s current astrology practice (Q)

02:03:53 - N

02:07:23 - E

02:14:37 - 5 observations about Westerners & Western culture (Q)

02:15:05 - N

02:18:19 - E

02:20:52 - Advice for Steve (Q)

02:21:08 - N

02:22:59 - E

During a recent trip to Nepal, I met with frequent podcast guest Lama Glenn Mullin, spiritual teacher, Tibetologist, and author of over 30 books on Buddhism.

Glenn was in Kathmandu to lead a group of over fifty pilgrims into tantric retreat in the nearby mountains and graciously agreed to film with me at various sacred sites before and after their retreat.

In this video, Glenn and I travel to Swayambhu Stūpa, a sacred monument venerated by both Buddhists and Hindus. First, we circumambulate the base of the hill. Then Glenn is joined by some of his students and ascends the hill to the main stūpa.

Along the way, Glenn explains the history of the site as well as the symbolism of its architecture, sacred statues, and inscriptions. Glenn also discusses Shaivite and Tantric Buddhist relations and their shared power centres, the three kāyas and the tulku tradition, and the use of psychoactive substances such as soma in spiritual practice.

…

Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep285-swayambhu-stpa-lama-glenn-mullin

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

…

Topics include:

00:00 - Intro

01:10 - History of Swayambhu

04:07 - Recent development at Swayambhu

07:32 - Glenn jokes with the ladies of the cleaning team

09:29 - Legendary origins of the Tibetan people

10:52 - The Tamang people

11:28 - Maoist mountain guerrilla activities

14:51 - Je Tsongkhapa statue

15:28 - The death of the Buddha and the 8 Great Stūpas

16:54 - Glenn explains mantras of compassion, wisdom, and power

17:45 - Sang offerings and sang kilns

19:50 - On Bodhi trees

20:52 - Shaivite and Buddhist relationships and shared power centres

22:29 - Shiva Babas, chillum smoking, and use of drugs in spiritual practice

24:04 - 5 ways to generate clairvoyant power

24:38 - Buddhist use of mind-altering substances and sacraments

26:00 - Bengali masters in Swayambhu

26:56 - Religious exclusivity

29:01 - Use of substances such as soma in tantric Buddhism

31:08 - Nagi Gompa and Tulku Urgyen’s sons

33:10 - Circumambulating a perimeter stūpa

35:09 - The cultural significance of circumambulation

36:00 - Bönpo Triten Norbutse Monastery and dark retreat

37:02 - Teaching on the 3 kāyas

39:29 - Explanation of the tulku tradition

43:44 - Further explanation of the 3 kāyas in terms of method and enlightenment

46:53 - Meaning of offering butter lamps

48:45 - Glenn’s practice of giving money to beggars

51:10 - The monkey temple

52:05 - Exponential merit during Saga Dawa

53:52 - Ritualised scripture recitals

55:01 - Carving sacred mantras and symbols on slate

57:17 - The power of statues and temples

59:07 - The meaning of “Swayambhu”

01:01:11 - Explanation of stūpa design

01:02:36 - Explanation of dharmaśālās

01:05:10 - Buddhas past, present, and future; and the spread of Buddhism

01:10:14 - Teaching on the 5 animals

01:13:04 - Circumambulating the main stūpa

01:15:02 - Mantra and prayer offering site for protection of babies

01:16:14 - Teaching on the five elements and transforming emotions

01:18:07 - Challenging spiritual elitism

01:19:42 - Legends of previous Buddhas’ visits to Swayambhu

…

Previous episodes with Lama Glenn Mullin:

- https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=glenn%20mullin


To find out more about Lama Glenn Mullin, visit:

- http://www.glennmullin.com/

- https://www.facebook.com/Maitripa.Glenn

For more interviews, videos, and more visit:

- www.guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James


Thanks to Norbu Samphel for checking my translation of the Tibetan language section.

In this episode I am once again joined by Gilbert M Gutierrez, Chan Buddhism teacher and dharma heir of Master Sheng Yen.

Gilbert recalls his discipleship under renowned Chan Master Sheng Yen, shares stories of gruelling retreat, private 1-1 exchanges, profound spiritual insights, mystical visions, and supernatural powers.

Gilbert gives an overview of Chan philosophy, emphasises the importance of both study and practice, and illuminates the Buddhist doctrine of emptiness.

Gilbert also details his process of becoming a Dharma Heir, defends telling stories of spiritual experiences, and reflects on his difficulties as an American in being accepted as a genuine teacher of Chan Buddhism.

…

Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep284-adventures-of-a-chan-master-gilbertm-gutierrez-2

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

…

Topics include:

00:00 - Intro

00:51 - Becoming a disciple of Master Sheng Yen

04:49 - Eat bitter in your practice

05:54 - Loss of faith

08:21 - Profound encounter with the bodhisattva Quan Yin

12:48 - A contract of the heart

13:39 - A private meetings with Master Sheng Yen

18:30 - Receiving inka transmission from Master Sheng Yen

19:47 - A real master is a chameleon

22:36 - Master Sheng Yen’s compassion and mission

25:49 - About Chan Buddhism and emptiness

29:19 - The Heart Sutra

33:07 - We awaken people

35:10 - Master Sheng Yen’s emphasis on study

36:42 - Study and practice

38:33 - A reading from Daoxin

39:37 - Meditation experiences and a humbling lesson

45:39 - It’s a joke and a sham

47:34 - Becoming a Dharma Heir

49:54 - Everything is mind

51:03 - Special experiences and transcending pain

53:10 - Hearing one’s heart beat

53:38 - A state of ultimate bliss

55:08 - A famous master, a loyal attendant, and Gilbert’s powerful realisation

01:01:03 - Catching the bug

01:06:26 - The bug whisperer

01:08:44 - Why share stories of spiritual experiences?

01:10:17 - Gilbert’s biggest realisation

01:16:22 - Communicating with animals and entities

01:19:58 - Seeing peoples’ past and future lives

01:20:36 - Working with ghosts

01:21:39 - How to calm down a ghost

01:22:54 - Dealing with heaven dwellers

01:24:30 - Concerns about being accepted as a dharma heir

01:28:45 - Anti-Western prejudice

01:30:31 - Growing acceptance from the Taiwanese sangha

01:32:55 - The death of Master Sheng Yen

01:37:07 - A final encounter with the master


…

Previous episode with Gilbert M Gutierrez:

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

To find our more about Gilbert M Gutierrez, visit:

- https://www.youtube.com/@chanmindwork/playlists 

- https://mind-work.mn.co/  

- https://riversidechan.org/   

…

For more interviews, videos, and more visit:

- https://www.guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am once again joined by Duncan Barford, occult practitioner, counsellor, and author of ‘Occult Experiments in the Home’.

Duncan details the different categories of spirits and entities, ranging from ghosts to demons to angels to elementals and land spirits.

Duncan reveals his own encounters with these entities, recalls paradigm shifting fire kasina retreats with Daniel Ingram, and shares his own ideas about the importance and inevitability of working with the dead while on the spiritual path.

Duncan also explains the Goetia, a controversial system of summoning demons for personal gain; recalls his own and others’ experiences of the system; and reflects on what drives practitioners to seek tangible contact with the realms beyond.

…

Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep283-seance-summoning-goetic-demons-duncan-barford-2

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

…

Topics include:

00:00 - Intro

00:57 - Ontology of spirit entities

04:18 - How to categorise spirits

07:07 - Different spirit relationships

08:18 - Demonic entities and their demands

09:44 - What is the Goetic magickal system?

11:08 - Dangers of working with Goetic entities

13:48 - When Duncan used a Goetic demon for money

15:24 - Addictive quality of working with demons

16:55 - Goetia as magick of last resort

18:33 - Why do people work with Goetic demons?

21:41 - Duncan reflects on his Goetic rituals

24:43 - Barrier to entry for success in magick

29:37 - Duncan comments on the Enochian system

32:16 - Fey and fairies

33:28 - A challenging fire kasina retreat

35:18 - A powerful encounter with elementals and nature spirits

40:47 - Duncan reflects on his fire kasina retreats

43:59 - Encounter with Duncan’s guardian angel

45:27 - Why seek supernatural experiences after enlightenment?

47:49 - Shared magickal experiences with Daniel Ingram

49:52 - Duncan’s breakthrough and a compelling encounter with Spider Buddha

58:44 - Dreams as a portal

01:00:09 - Contacting the dead

01:01:31 - The hatred of the dead

01:02:27 - Death of Duncan’s father and dream visitations

01:08:25 - What the dead leave behind

01:10:18 - Helping the dead to let go vs judging them

01:14:15 - The fear of death

01:14:45 - Denying the dead

01:17:02 - We are accountable to the dead

01:18:53 - Carl Jung on relating to the dead

01:20:15 - Duncan’s affinity with the poet John Clare

01:21:18 - Duncan’s encounter with Badger

01:22:05 - The perfected dead

01:23:18 - Working with ancestors

01:24:55 - We live in a world of the dead

01:26:00 - Duncan’s advice for working with the dead

01:27:29 - Encountering the dead in the Odyssey and Aeneid

01:33:41 - The dead as bundles of karma

01:34:52 - National myths and history as propaganda

01:39:32 - Black Easter and occult means of obtaining power and influence

01:47:15 - Magick and politics

01:49:24 - Glory and honour

01:50:27 - Are magicians political?


…

Watch previous episode with Duncan Barford:

- https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep265-occult-experiments-duncan-barford

To find our more about Duncan Barford, visit:

- https://www.duncanbarford.uk/

…

For more interviews, videos, and more visit:

- https://www.guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am joined by Shiv Mathur, Youtuber and spiritual explorer.

Shiv recounts his life story including his upbringing in India, 16 years of military service, and international career in IT.

Shiv describes how a growing spiritual calling saw him retire from the world of work to seek out spiritual masters in the Himalayas. Shiv shares stories from his search, including his encounters with Himalayan yogis such as Tat Wale Baba, and recalls how he began practicing in earnest the teachings he received.

Shiv also discusses his current practice, the pros and cons of remote retreat, how to find and relate to a guru, the process of purification, and shares his views on the trajectory of world civilisation today.

…

Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep282-spiritual-explorer-shiv-mathur

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

…

Topics include:

00:00 - Intro

00:56 - Shiv’s Youtube channel

02:06 - Shiv’s upbringing in India

03:56 - Education and 16 years of military service

05:25 - Leaving the navy and success in the private sector

06:33 - The spiritual calling and travel to the Himalayas

07:31 - Teaching international workshops

08:54 - Interest in Himalayan yogis

09:48 - Influence of Paul Brunton

10:26 - Travel to find authentic yogis

11:50 - Current life of solitude and self enquiry

12:48 - 3 ways of learning

13:38 - Shiv’s current retreat location

15:02 - Pilgrimage and the network of ashrams

16:22 - Shiv’s disillusionment with material riches

18:41 - Looking for an escape

19:59 - Meeting Tat Wale Baba and experiencing profound samadhi

21:36 - Traversing dimensions of experience

23:29 - Delusion and luxury beliefs

25:13 - Meeting yogis and purifying your energy

26:15 - Leaving the body and Shiv’s meditation goal

27:25 - Challenges of practicing in remote locations

29:52 - Personal prerequisites for practicing sādhanā

31:32 - Shiv’s practice method

32:44 - The practice of self enquiry

37:16 - Shiv’s interactions with Nasa and other scientists

39:04 - Indian astrology

40:09 - UFOs + did Nasa steal from India texts?

40:36 - The importance of self enquiry

41:55 - Real saints vs commercial yogis

43:55 - Spotting fake gurus

44:42 - How gurus fall into moral degradation

45:13- How to relate to a guru

46:48 - Lifestyle of a real guru

48:17 - How to prepare to work with a guru

51:11 - Shiv discusses siddhi and supernatural powers

53:57 - What is the purpose of siddhis?

55:00 - Purification

57:11 - Bugs in the human operating system

58:24 - Shiv comments on today’s social issues

01:00:00 - Feminism, trad wives, and Western capitalists

01:02:23 - The benefits of arranged marriage

01:03:59 - Civilisational collapse and universal correction

01:08:19 - Advice for yogis in times of world turmoil

01:10:06 - Closing remarks


…

To find our more about Shiv Mathur, visit:

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

…

For more interviews, videos, and more visit:

- https://www.guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am once again joined by Mattias Daly, Taoist practitioner and translator of ‘Taoist Inner Alchemy’, published by Shambala.

Mattias reflects on lessons learned from the series of exorcisms her underwent in his 20s, as described in episode 263 of this podcast, “My Demon Exorcism”, including the means by which entities may gain entry, and the surprising motives for their doing so.

Mattias explains the vast hierarchy of spirit beings described in Taoism, considers the problems of obtaining special powers through relationships with entities and gods, and contrasts deity worship with voluntary shamanistic possession.

Mattias also reflects on different types of Taoist practices, drawing a distinction between cataphatic and kenotic approaches, and recounts a remarkable story of spiritual healing.

…

Video version:

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


…

Topics include:

00:00 - Intro

00:59 - Lessons learned after exorcisms

03:34 - Can entities give supernatural powers and siddhis?

06:44 - Entities enter through pride

08:15 - Entities piggyback on humans to accumulate merit

09:43 - The problem with gaining siddhi from entities

10:33 - A renowned Taiwanese siddha

11:59 - Do special powers come with spiritual attainment?

15:27 - Necessity to show off during rituals

17:54 - The vast celestial hierarchy of beings

22:10 - Abbess Liu’s spiritual journeys

24:11 - Making contact with higher beings

26:09 - Shamanism and voluntary entity possession

32:34 - Fr Michael Saso on cataphatic Taoist ritual

34:51 - Cataphatic vs kenotic practice

36:34 - Meeting a Taoist practitioner who had three spirit-helpers

43:13 - Requesting information from the spirit realm

49:59 - The cataphatic side of Taoism

52:43 - Learning a powerful somatic release technique and a remarkable healing

01:06:40 - Further healings and the purple cloud

01:17:43 - Mattias’ current views on entities and powers

…

Watch the previous episodes with Mattias Daly:

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

To find our more about Mattias Daly, visit:

- https://www.shambhala.com/authors/a-f/mattias-daly.html

…


For more interviews, videos, and more visit:

- https://www.guruviking.com

…

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

Delson Armstrong is a spiritual teacher, meditation virtuoso, and author of ‘A Mind Without Craving’.

In this interview, Delson renounces all of his previous claims to spiritual attainment.

Delson details recent changes in his inner experiences that saw him question the nature of his awakening, including the arising of emotions and desires that he thought had long been expunged. Delson critiques the consequences of the Buddhist doctrine of the 10 fetters, reveals his redefinition of awakening and the stages of the four path model from stream enterer to arhat, and challenges cultural ideals about enlightenment.

Delson offers his current thoughts on the role of emotions in awakening, emphasises the importance of facing one’s trauma, and discusses his plans to broaden his own teaching to include traditions such as Kriya Yoga.

Delson also reveals the pressures put on him by others’ agendas, and shares his observations about the danger of student devotion, the hypocrisy of spiritual leaders, and his mixed feelings about the monastic sangha.

…

https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep280-i-renounce-my-attainments-delson-armstrong

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

…

01:14 - Delson’s declaration

07:56 - Why has Delson changed his view?

10:13 - Pressure on Delson and other peoples’ agendas

15:12 - Delson’s shocking observations about his 3 year teaching experiment

15:53 - Teaching debut under Bhante Vimalaramsi

17:22 - European teaching tour

17:32 - Tension towards other traditions at Dhammasukha

19:26 - Teacher-student divide at Dhammasukha

20:14 - Tensions with the Indian sangha

21:18 - Discomfort with guru worship in India

22:41 - Mixed feelings about the monastic community

24:30 - Teachers should never stop learning

24:45 - The 10 fetter model and an unhealthy narrative of spiritual success

26:15 - Potential for teacher-student abuse

27:41 - Questioning the 10 fetter model

29:28 - Ideals of awakening and cultural projections

30:48 - Transcending all models and systems

31:39 - Importance of ethics

33:21 - Why is Delson renouncing all spiritual attainments?

36:15 - Being open to your own experience

37:06 - Don’t gloss over suffering

39:41 - Changes in Delson’s understanding about the Buddha, dharma, and sangha

44:20 - Rethinking negative emotion and the end of craving

47:23 - The Simile of the Saw Sutta, Kakacūpamasutta

48:11 - Recontextualising the higher fetters of restlessness, conceit, and ignorance

49:15 - Is awakening static?

50:06 - Delson’s definition of awakening

51:55 - Redefining the 4-path model from stream-enterer to arhat

57:26 - Facing the shadow

59:10 - What was the experience that changed Delson’s mind?

01:02:48 - Learning from conflict and shadow

01:04:37 - Maintaining the image of a teacher

01:05:12 - No longer a teacher

01:06:35 - The corrupting pride of being a spiritual teacher

01:07:04 - Hypocrisy of spiritual leaders

01:09:23 - Do not seek perfection in Delson

01:10:14 - K the Buddha

01:11:44 - Against disempowering students

01:14:06 - Does Delson believe awakening even possible?

01:17:12 - What is awakening?

01:18:06 - Levels of awakening

01:18:58 - The true nature of reality

01:20:43 - Siddha tales and Delson’s supernatural experiences

01:24:27- Sifting the serious students from the merely curious

01:25:22 - Delson’s powerful trip to South India, astrology, and mystical experiences

01:31:07 - Delson’s future plans for teaching

01:32:02 - Plans to conduct Kriya Yoga initiations

01:32:41 - Delson as a conduit

01:33:16 - Reactions to Delson’s declaration

Watch previous episodes with Delson Armstrong:

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

Find out more about Delson Armstrong:

- Personal Site: https://www.delsonarmstrong.com/

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

- Delson's Foundation: https://www.freedom-of-mind.org/

…

For more interviews, videos, and more visit:

- https://www.guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James