In this episode I am once again joined by Alan Chapman, British writer, occultist, and spiritual teacher.

Alan reflects on his search for true awakening, compares the spiritual traditions of the West and the East, and questions the liberal ideal of the universal man.

Alan presents Merlin as the archetype of the Western adept, asserts theosis to be the true purpose of Christianity, and reveals the language of the birds.

Alan also offers advice for those who have had an awakening, discusses Gnosticism and Pragmatic Dharma, and critiques the idea that contemplative neuroscience is the Fourth Turning of Buddhism.

…

Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep329-the-western-path-alan-chapman-2

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

…

Topics Include:

00:00 - Intro

00:46 - Is Alan a book guy?

03:30 - Alan’s books

07:07 - Current writing project

10:02 - Insights on Crowley

11:17 - What Alan enjoys reading

13:53 - Eastern vs Western traditions

19:25 - In search of true awakening

21:05 - Cultural and ethnic inheritance

21:57 - Western Buddhism and Sigalow’s “American JewBu”

27:04- The Christian revival and theosis

29:02 - Trauma for your own good

31:05 - Becoming a fit vessel

32:48 - The true Western tradition

36:50 - Western vs Eastern awakening

37:37 - Merlin

41:23 - Language of the birds

44:33 - Entering the miraculous

45:56 - How Alan first encountered the language of the birds

54:01 - Transmission and birds as messengers

56:23 - Spirituality beyond states and stages

59:32 - The Liberal ideal of the universal human being

01:02:04 - The end of the WW2 cultural drama

01:03:03 - Perennialism, Traditionalism, and Magia

01:06:28 - Spiritual cultural exchange

01:09:07 - Denying difference

01:10:22 - Gnosticism, alchemy, and Merlin

01:14:09 - Beat Zen, Square Zen

01:15:46 - Misunderstanding foreign traditions

01:19:19 - Traditions fit their own cultures

01:20:29 - Scholasticism

01:23:00 - Pragmatic Dharma

01:24:37 - A need to belong

01:26:08 - Morality and nondual realisation

01:27:07 - The real longing

01:29:51 - Follow the Silent Knowing

01:30:51 - Traditionalism and cultural chauvinism

01:32:28 - Problems with following foreign traditions

01:37:44 - Fetishisation

01:40:35 - Post-awakening advice

01:41:48 - Basic Goodness and Chogyam Trungpa

01:42:58 - Syncretism vs divine inspiration

01:49:35 - Origins of Christianity

01:51:01 - History of ideas vs esoteric transmission

01:57:15 - 4th turning delusion

01:59:24 - Critique of contemplative neuroscience

02:02:13 - The winter of a civilisation

…

Previous episodes with Alan Chapman: 

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

To find our more about Alan Chapman visit:

- https://barbarouswords.com/

For more interviews, videos, and more visit:

- https://www.guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this interview I am once again joined by Dr Nida Chenagtsang, Buddhist teacher, doctor of Tibetan Medicine, and author of "Foundations of Vajrayana”.

Dr Nida discusses the foundations of tantric practice, shares the power of its intensive ngondro practices, and reveals how to face one’s emotions with Vajrayana methods.

Dr Nida also explains the nyingthig genre of heart drop teachings, differentiates true freedom from spiritual bypass, and shares an anecdote of a student who experienced a temporary awakening.

Dr Nida also probes me about the Buddhist doctrines of suffering and taking refuge, explains the difference between good and bad attachment, and reveals why Buddha Shakyamuni does not require respect.

…

Video version:

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

…

Topics Include:

00:00 - Intro

00:55 - New books

02:40 - About the ngondro book

03:49 - Dr Nida’s history of ngondro practice

05:18 - Yuthok’s Nyingthig

08:29 - The nyingthig genre of Tibetan spiritual texts

15:59 - 5th Dalai Lama’s mastery of Yuthok Nyingthig

17:52 - Tibetan medical and astrological training

20:09 - Jamgon Kongtrul’s Yuthok Nyingthig commentary

21:27 - Dr Nida’s experiences as a teacher

23:47 - The importance of asking questions

27:25 - When Buddhism makes people more stressed

29:43 - Extreme freedom and spiritual bypass

30:50 - 2 types of realisation

33:38 - Importance of ngondro

38:53 - Prostrations are a perfect yoga

42:04 - The teacher must connect with students

46:40 - Good attachment vs bad attachment

48:53 - 4 Noble Truths

49:35 - Making the ngondro personal to you

51:06 - Practice must begin where you are

53:54 - Making practice truly personal

58:45 - Buddhist gospel

59:53 - Spiritual bypass in Buddhism

01:00:22 - Anecdote about a temporary awakening

01:02:24 - Dr Nida probes Steve about taking refuge

01:06:09 - A new language of refuge

01:06:55 - Guru traumas

01:09:00 - You are a Buddha

01:10:42 - Final teaching of Dzogchen

01:12:09 - Buddha Shakymuni did not require respect

01:14:16 - Soothing emotional suffering

01:16:33 - Many methods of Vajrayana

01:17:25 - Facing your emotions

…

Previous episodes with Dr Nida Chenagtsang:

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

To find out more about Dr Nida Chenagtsang, visit:

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

- http://www.skypressbooks.com/

…

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 Francisco José Luis, scholar of Indo-Iranian Studies and Comparative Religion trained at the Sorbonne, Paris and SOAS, London.

Francisco recalls his upbringing and education in Luxembourg; details his rigorous academic training in classical languages such as Latin, Greek, and Sanskrit; and laments what he sees as the rise of idealogical indoctrination in modern education

Francisco discusses his PhD in pre-reformist Sikhism, his years of field work living in the Punjab, and expresses his love of the German intellectual tradition.

Francisco reveals the influence of Neoplatonism in Islamic theology and mysticism, describes his own turn to Shiʿi Islam, and explains why he believes that even today there is a living lineage of Neoplatonism that stretches directly back to Plotinus.

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Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep327-neoplatonic-mystic-dr-francisco-jos-luis

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

…

Topics include:

00:00 - Intro

01:01 - Upbringing in Luxembourg

02:56 - Classical education

04:28 - Learning Latin, Greek, and Sanskrit

08:03 - Germanic intellectual tradition and WW2

12:37 - Advantages of an anti-American education

15:06 - Critical thinking and intellectual independence

17:04 - Boomer educators and idealogical indoctrination

20:59 - German literature

22:56 - Post WW2 culture shock and the boomer revolution

27:20 - Vatican II and loss of trust

30:35 - Filling education gaps

32:06 - A deeply pagan Catholic

35:21 - Meditation practice and interest in Neo-Vedanta

37:52 - Studying two masters degrees simultaneously at the Sorbonne

39:57 - Rigorous training in Sanskrit

43:56 - MA theses in French literature and pre-reform Sikhism

45:20 - PhD at SOAS in pre-reformist Sikh monastic orders

46:48 - Living among the Sikh community and learning Punjabi

49:54 - Young Sikh’s interest in pre-reformist religion

50:54 - Death threats from Sikhs

53:00 - Changes in Sikhism

55:20 - Tradition religious music of Sikhism and other pre-reformist features

01:00:18 - Neo-traditionalist Sikh movements in the UK and India

01:03:59 - Falling in love with Shiʿi Islam

01:10:16 - Conversion to Islam?

01:11:45 - Shi’ism as a personal practice

01:13:23 - Cultural barriers against European converts

01:16:12 - Neo-Platonic Vajrayanism

01:17:43 - Mysticism perceived as a threat

01:21:48 - Neoplatonic influence on Islam

01:27:28 - Surprising Neo-Platonic features of Islamic mysticism

01:33:30 - Metempsychosis in Islam

01:37:16 - Francisco is a Neoplatonist

01:43:08 - Vajrayana and Shiʿi inner alchemy and dream yoga

01:50:43 - Islamic tummo

…

To find our more about Dr Francisco José Luis, visit:

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

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 Leigh Brasington, Buddhist meditation teacher and author of ‘Right Concentration, A Practical Guide to the Jhanas’.

In this episode we had planned to discuss Leigh’s latest book, entitled “On The Way To The Far Shore”. Instead Leigh spontaneously began to explore the theme of Buddhism and politics and so we decided to go deeper into his ideas.

Leigh shares his take on the world situation and reveals the impact of his childhood upbringing and college education on the development of his own political views.

Leigh discusses whether or not Buddhist spiritual development necessarily leads to left wing politics, reflects on the role of compassion and interdependence in the left-right divide, and considers whether or not past Buddhist masters who held different political views to his own lacked enlightenment.

Leigh also warns about the dangers of clinging to fixed views, gives advice for how meditators should relate to politics, and explains why he believes political engagement is a natural result of the spiritual path.

This episode is a spontaneous exploration of Leigh’s ideas about Buddhism and politics in the spirit of open discourse and is not intended to represent my own views or the stance of this podcast.

…

Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep326-enlightened-politics-leigh-brasington

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

…

Topics Include:

00:00 - Intro

01:18 - Complexity and inequality

02:52 - Global warming

03:28 - Visiting mission fields in Mexico

05:13 - Overpopulation

06:02 - What motivates Leigh’s political engagement?

08:24 - Practice and politics

11:03 - Should Buddhists be politically engaged?

16:49 - Dependent origination leads to politics

22:21 - Diverse politics of past Buddhist masters

24:31 - Evolution of Leigh’s political views

28:40 - How Leigh relates to those who hold different political views

32:19 - Why did past Buddhist masters hold different views to Leigh’s?

35:21 - Spiritual insight leads to left wing positions

40:54 - How does Leigh explain past Buddhist masters who have held conservative views?

47:58 - Does it give Leigh pause to claim his political views are the most enlightened?

54:11 - Leigh comments on the awakening of past masters who held different political views to his own

56:34 - Leigh refines his position

57:44 - What if Leigh is wrong?

59:16 - Advice for how to relate to politics as a spiritual practitioner

01:02:27 - New sutta index

01:06:09 - Why discuss controversial topics?

01:08:43 - Concluding remarks

…

Previous episodes with Leigh Brasington:

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

To find our more about Leigh Brasington visit:

- http://www.leighb.com/

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 Lopon Yudron Wangmo, American teacher of Tibetan Buddhism and author of several books including, her most recent, “Clearing the Way to Awakening”.

Lopon Yudron Wangmo shares stories of her discipleships under various spiritual gurus such as Lama Tharchin, recalls her memories of the California Vajrayāna scene, and remarks on the qualities she has observed in realised masters.

Lopon Yudron Wangmo reflects on her ADHD struggles with concentration in meditation, offers a critique of śamatha practice, and shares her own relationship to the dialectic between effort and rest.

Lopon Yudron Wangmo explains how Dzogchen works, shares her experiences in extended solo retreat, and warns about the possibility of psychological regression during Tibetan Buddhist 3-year retreat.

…

Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep325-my-spiritual-journey-lopon-yudron-wangmo-3

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

…

Topics include:

00:00 - Intro

00:58 - New audiobook of “Clearing the Way to Awakening”

06:34 - Text and oral cultures in Tibet

09:44 - Ngondro workbook

11:58 - Discipleship under various Tibetan Lamas

15:09 - Attraction to Vajrayāna

15:20 - Memories of Lama Tharchin

22:53 - 3 year retreat

25:28 - Solo retreats

26:09 - Longchen Nyingthig practice

27:00 - Desire for practice and further retreats

29:15 - Evidence of attainment

32:51 - The nature of mind and the 6 bardos

34:29 - Lama Tharchin’s spaciousness

36:26 - Dzogchen vs Mindfulness

39:28 - Critique of śamatha meditation

41:43 - Effortful practice vs Dzogchen

45:01 - Rewards of a life of practice

46:18 - Uncontrived resting

48:05 - How Dzogchen works

54:21 - Practicing in old age

56:05 - Production-line teaching style

58:21 - Regression to childlike state in 3 year retreat

59:00 - Peak experiences and being good enough

01:00:22 - The California Vajrayāna scene

01:03:52 - Encouragement to practice Vajrayāna

…

Previous episode with Lopon Yudron Wangmo:

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

To find our more about Lopon Yudron Wangmo, visit:

- https://www.yudronwangmo.com/

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 Alex W, long term practitioner of Zen, Pragmatic Dharma, and Western Occultism.

Alex explains how to meditate after awakening; details the path to success in Zen, Mahāmudrā, and Dzogchen; and compares Taoist Inner Alchemy to cultivating the enjoyment body, Saṃbhogakāya.

Alex reflects on the biases of the Buddhist tradition, summarises the phases of his own meditation development, and differentiates constructive and deconstructive modes of practice.

Alex also reveals the purpose of the 6 Yogas of Naropa, warns about the dangers of advanced meditation techniques, and considers whether greater political engagement is a result of spiritual maturity.

…

Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep324-how-to-practice-after-awakening-alex-w-2

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


…

Topics include:

00:00 - Intro

00:53 - Repercussions of first interview

03:20 - Changing practice priorities

04:26 - Concern for younger generations

07:04 - Constructive vs deconstructive practice

08:18 - Biases of the Buddhist tradition

13:47 - Crystallising the energy body

14:46 - Success in Zen, Mahāmudrā, and Dzogchen practices

17:02 - Why talk about spiritual experiences

19:09 - Beyond nondual realisation

23:04 - Post-awakening stages

26:41 - Rewiring the energy body

31:03 - Out of body experiences and the body of light

35:41 - Summoning spirits

37:36 - Building the Saṃbhogakāya

38:40 - Improving the self

40:51 - Summarising the phases of Alex’s practice

41:42 - Cultural resonances and adopting foreign traditions

45:36 - Inner alchemy

49:01 - The big danger of energy practices

52:11 - Power of Now

55:21 - Consciousness and energy

01:00:46 - Preparing for the afterlife

01:04:45 - The purpose of the 6 Yogas of Naropa

01:06:24 - The purpose of deity yoga

01:08:25 - Taoist inner alchemy

01:10:21 - Rainbow body and Dzogchen attainments

01:13:53 - What is the point of post-awakening practices?

01:30:42 - Spirituality vs self improvement

01:36:11 - Dangers of intense practices

01:40:43 - Wrong ideas about freedom from suffering

01:43:24 - Enlightened self interest

01:45:45 - Clarifying the term “ego”

01:51:17 - Cult leader manipulations

01:53:25 - Change of interest from spirituality to politics

01:54:57 - Political concern related to age or spiritual development?

01:56:29 - Perks of aging

01:58:42 - Finding your purpose

02:01:27 - Service as a spiritual path

02:02:27 - Who Alex admires

02:09:56 - Sequel plans

…

For more interviews, videos, and more visit:

- www.guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am joined by Alan Chapman, British writer, occultist, and spiritual teacher.

Alan recalls his troubled childhood in the impoverished North of England, reflects on the British class system, and shares his first encounter with Aleister Crowley.

Alan recounts his occult adventures with long time collaborator Duncan Barford, shares his spiritual biography of awakenings and mystical experiences, and considers the power and pitfalls of spiritual transmission.

Alan also compares gurus Papaji, and Andrew Cohen, and Adi Da; reveals why he considers Stephen Batchelor and Sam Harris to be Black Brothers; and discusses the role of the Dark Goddess on the path of awakening.

…

Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep323-british-occultist-alan-chapman

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

…

Topics Include:

00:00 - Intro

00:55 - Duncan Barford and Alex W

03:07 - Impoverished upbringing in the North of England

05:05 - Early reaction to Christ

05:56 - First encounter with Aleister Crowley

11:17 - Chaos magic and meeting Duncan Barford

12:00 - What kind of boy was Alan?

14:28 - Class consciousness

15:44 - Sensitive boy in a cruel environment

19:20 - Regret about violence

20:58 - One’s own nature

22:25 - Alan questions Steve’s questions

22:45 - British class system

27:21 - Liminal identity

29:50 - Working vs middle vs upper class

31:18 - Anti-aspiration

33:18 - Growing out of musical aspirations

37:36 - Shedding Feathers and fulfilment on the path

41:41 - Crowley book and facing challenges

47:37 - Path myth in The Book of the Law

54:56 - True path vs the New Age

58:08 - Following the Silent Knowing

01:05:10 - Facing darkness

01:10:36 - Black Brothers like Stephen Batchelor and Sam Harris

01:19:48 - Stephen Batchelor’s crisis of faith

01:22:49 - Warning about spiritual teachers

01:23:48 - Stereotypes of culture and awakening

01:27:54 - Papaji and the nondual car crash

01:31:33 - Adi Da and guru yoga

01:35:45 - Papaji vs Adi Da

01:41:24 - Invoking the Holy Guardian Angel

01:47:30 - Andrew Cohen

01:52:16 - Great White Brotherhood

01:54:34 - Enlightened in India

01:57:26 - Ancestors appear

01:59:11 - Practicing with Adi Da

02:01:01 - Transmission traps

02:05:02 - Confronted by Adi Da disciple

02:06:51 - Solid, vital, peculiar

02:09:12 - Cutting truth and Adyashanti

02:10:43 - Reflections on Adi Da’s trajectory

02:11:52 - Further awakening at 33

02:19:52 - Receiving the Magia teaching

02:33:58 - The Dark Goddess

02:36:15 - Accommodating yourself to the Damned

02:37:25 - Finding Sophia

02:40:28 - Crowley and Jung

02:42:14 - Myth of Sophia

02:47:42 - Sequel plans

02:48:58 - Alan’s perspective on near death experiences

03:00:31 - Purpose of life and awakening

…

To find our more about Alan Chapman visit:

- https://barbarouswords.com/

For more interviews, videos, and more visit:

- https://www.guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am joined by Myriam Szabo, also known as Ngakma Yumma Mudra: dancer, producer, model, teacher of Tibetan Buddhism, and founder of the international Danza Duende Network.

Ngakma Yumma Mudra describes the path of the body, what it means to practice the Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta through movement, and how to contact the blissful nature of mind with dance.

Ngakma Yumma Mudra reveals how she guides students to transform habitual tendencies into new expressions, how to read others, and why it is so easy to become stuck in the 6 realms.

Ngakma Yumma Mudra also discusses dance as art, how to infuse technique with goodness, and reflects on what it takes to be a true artist.

…

Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep322-dharma-of-dance-ngakma-yumma-mudra

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

…

Topics Include:

00:00 - Intro

00:54 - Path of the body

02:28 - Dancing without choreography

04:40 - Mindfulness of the body and the Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta

07:25 - Empathy and reading others

13:11 - Art, technique, and the Path of the artist

16:15 - The Man Who Cried

20:53 - Structure and flow

22:27 - Working with students through dance

23:32 - Infuse technique with goodness

24:08 - Transforming habitual tendencies

26:06 - Bridging students’ technique into art

30:56 - First thought, best thought

35:49 - Blissful nature of mind

37:22 - Expressing bodhicitta

40:55 - Opening a fan of possibilities

42:09 - Getting stuck in the 6 realms

49:32 - All true Buddhist masters are unique

51:17 - Cleansing technique

53:47 - Attracting mostly women

56:06 - Trajectory as a teacher

01:00:29 - Whirling

01:03:36 - Attracting students

01:06:53 - Sequel plans

…

To find our more about Ngakma Yumma Mudra visit:

- https://www.danzaduende.org/yumma-bio-en.htm

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 John Myrdhin Reynolds, also known as Lama Vajranatha: writer, teacher, translator, and scholar/practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism. 

John shares his own decades of contact with the Bon religion, reveals its doctrines and practices, and gives a detailed history of its transmission in the West.

John traces the automythos of Bon, compares it to historical evidence and Buddhist accounts, and addresses the common critique that Bon is merely plagiarised Buddhism.

John also addresses misconceptions about the history of religion in Tibet, explains how to successfully practice multiple religious lineages, and reveals various means of attaining siddhi power through ritual and meditation.

…

Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep321-tibetan-bon-lama-vajranatha

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

…

Topics Include:

00:00 - Intro

00:53 - Bon vs Buddhism

01:35 - First contact with Bon and subsequent involvement

06:17 - Namkhai Norbu’s nationalism and promotion of Bon

06:44 - 2 authentic Dzogchen lineages

07:45 - Bon Dzogchen

09:10 - Later transmission period and folk religion syncretism

12:03 - Old Bon vs New Bon

13:06 - Bon’s automythos

14:11 - Snellgrove’s “9 Ways of Bon”

16:37 - Bonpo refugee community in India

18:08 - Reprinting of Bonpo texts in exile

19:31 - Gene Smith’s text preservation work

22:25 - Election of Lungtok Tenpai Nyima as the 33rd Menri Trizin

24:35 - Dalai Lama’s recognition of Bon as the fifth Tibetan school

26:39 - Bon scriptures

28:38 - Are gter ma authentic?

32:17 - Personal contact post-1959 and T Lobsang Rampa

33:27 - Academic work on Bon

34:44 - Geshe Tenzin Wangyal comes to the West

40:03 - Lopon’s interest in translations and USA activities

43:46 - New Age sponsorship of Bon

45:31 - Further USA activities

48:02 - Search for a Bon HQ in Europe + gtum mo studies

51:20 - Guinness sponsor a Bonpo HQ in Europe, blocked by aristocrats over Sogyal scandal

56:11 - Tenzin Wangyal’s USA activities and influx of Bon teachers

58:48 - Geshe Wangyal, Jeffrey Hopkins, and Robert Thurman

59:32 - Jeffrey Hopkin’s influence on Buddhist Studies

01:02:38 - Popularity of podcasts

01:04:11 - Samten Karmay

01:05:27 - Bon vs Buddhism & the question of plagiarism

01:07:34 - Bonpo one-upmanship?

01:12:44 - How to practice different lineages simultaneously

01:18:50 - Namkhai Norbu’s independent status

01:21:16 - Supernatural powers of Bonpo lamas and other spiritual beings

01:24:53 - Chatral Rinpoche’s siddhi powers and the possibility of miracles

01:27:24 - How to attain siddhi powers

01:30:32 - Tibetan vs gter ma in the rest of the world

01:33:06 - Accidental gter ma

01:35:39 - Misconceptions about the history of religion in Tibet

01:37:32 - Animal sacrifice and gtor ma

01:41:40 - Lithuanian’s unusual religious heritage

01:45:44 - Spiritual relations in India and Tibet

…

Previous episodes with John Myrdhin Reynolds:

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

To find our more about John Myrdhin Reynolds visit:

- https://vajranatha.com/

For more interviews, videos, and more visit:

- https://www.guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this interview I am once again joined by Dr Ben Joffe, anthropologist, occultist, and scholar practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism.

Dr Joffe leads a deep dive into the topic of divination, explores its underlying mechanisms and practical methods, and compares different cultural understandings of the practice.

Dr Joffe details his understanding of the tarot as a scholar and reader, shares his advice for those who wish to learn the system, and reveals how to use tarot for information gathering, sorcery, and magickal workings.

Dr Joffe also reflects on his own journey as a tarot reader, addresses criticisms that tarot and other psychic methods are exploitative, and considers the uneasy relationship between divination and licensed counselling.

…

Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep320-divination-tarot-dr-ben-joffe

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

…

Topics include:

00:00 - Intro

02:12 - What is divination?

06:08 - Synchronicity and randomness

09:37 - Dependent origination

14:34 - Ben’s extensive study of divination

22:13 - Mechanistic vs intuitive

29:17 - Scrying and establishing parameters

34:56 - Childhood divination

39:59 - What should divination mean for the client?

41:50 - Addiction to divination

43:50 - Cold reading and choosing a question

48:45 - Ben’s recounts his own history as a diviner

01:20:43 - Structure of the tarot

01:27:16 - How to read tarot

01:48:38 - Tarot reading mistakes

01:53:46 - Tibetan butter lamp divination

01:57:11 - Collaboration vs cold reading

02:02:10 - Studying the history of tarot

02:06:58 - 6 reasons to engage with tarot

02:09:22 - Critique of modern, inclusive decks

02:12:43 - Bad omens and gatekeeping

02:20:17 - Is tarot exploitative pseudo-counselling?

02:47:23 - Why not just become a counsellor?

02:54:19 - Is tarot over-psychologised?

02:55:25 - Ben reflects on his recurring clients

03:01:11 - The power of the right question

03:07:39 - Shaman and tarot reader as therapy-adjacent

03:13:18 - Does clairvoyance actually have value?

03:16:16 - Caution about taking life advice from Buddhist lamas

03:21:44 - Wild West of Tiktok diviners

03:22:49 - Anti-divination laws

03:29:14 - Tibetan and Buddhist divination


…

Previous episodes with Dr Ben Joffe:

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

To find out more about Dr Ben Joffe, visit:

- https://perfumedskull.com/

- http://www.skypressbooks.com/

…

For more interviews, videos, and more visit:

- https://www.guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James