Ep248: Esoterica & Academia - Dr Justin Sledge

In this episode I host a dialogue between Dr Ian Wickramasekera, Bön Buddhist practitioner and associate professor of Mindfulness Based Transpersonal Counselling at Naropa University, and Petra Tauchner, a student at the University of Vienna with a degree in microbiology and genetics, whose current batchelor’s thesis in psychology is based on Dr Ian’s ‘Empathic Involvement Theory’ of hypnosis. In the first part of this interview, Dr Ian gives an overview of the history of the mysteries and theories of hypnosis, lays out his own journey to formulating EIT, and discusses its implications for therapy and enlightenment. Then, Dr Ian and Petra dialogue about how to increase one’s own hypnotisability, why empathy does not guarantee pro-social outcomes, and the very particular empathy skills of psychopaths - including a case review of Dr Ian’s own psychopathic client. Dr Ian also recounts his own experiences practicing Dzogchen, meeting spiritual gurus, and taking ayahuasca, while Petra reveals her own passion for first hand research, including a life-changing 21 day water fast undertaken to reset her dopamine system. … Video version at https://www.guruviking.com/ep89-dr-ian-wickramasekera-petra-tauchner-dzogchen-hypnosis-psychopaths/ 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
 … Topics Include: 0:00 - Intro 01:12 - What is EIT? 04:43 - How Ian began to suspect a connection between empathy and hypnotisability 08:12 - A summary of the main theories of hypnosis 13:23 - Trance states in client centred therapy 19:19 - Empathy-induced hypnosis and correlations with absorption 29:26- Studying transference and the Self 34:40 - Reconciling the two main theories of hypnosis 42:50 - ‘Real’ experience and the default mode network 48:10 - Clinical application of hypnosis for chronic pain 1:08:48 - EIT Summary 01:11:55 - Petra’s research interests and first set of questions 1:12:31 - Does Scacchia and De Pescalis (2020) challenge EIT? 1:16:32 - 4 different kinds of empathy 1:26:51 - Do psychopaths have empathy? 1:27:42 -Dr Ian’s first client was a psychopath 1:30:55 - Empathy is not compassion 1:34:22 - The case of the Hillside Strangler 1:42:10 - Rethinking empathy measurement techniques 1:44:26 - How to increase your hypnotisability 1:52:26 - Gurus & ayahuasca 1:55:26 - Measuring enlightenment 2:04:53 - Practicing Dzogchen 2:14:14 - Petra’s 21 day water fast 1:16:35 - Ian’s take on detox, Tummo diets, and the ayahuasca dieta 2:22:12 - Why did Petra undertake a 21 day water fast? 02:24:14 - The importance of first hand research 02:29:43 - Ian encourages Petra’s research 02:31:00 - Petra’s reflections … Previous episodes with Dr Ian Wickramasekera: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep61-dr-ian-wickramasekera-devolving-the-self/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep67-dr-ian-wickramasekera-tummo-hypnosis-realising-rigpa/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep74-dr-ian-wickramasekera-gurus-hypnosis-toxic-devotion/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep79-dr-ian-wickramasekera-agony-into-bliss-facing-covid-with-dzogchen/ To find our more about Dr Ian Wickramasekera, visit: - https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ian_Wickramasekera2 - https://www.naropa.edu/faculty/ian-wickramasekera.php For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

2 Huhti 20212h 32min

In this episode I am joined by Har-Prakash Khalsa, artist, meditation teacher, and founder of the Expand Contract Youtube Channel, which hosts the video teachings of Shinzen Young. Har-Prakash discusses his early life, including ten years of heavy drug use, near death experiences in the Andes and India, and a life changing encounter with Yogi Bhajan’s Kundalini Yoga. We learn of Har-Prakash’s research into Yogi Bhajan’s questionable historical claims, and how Har-Prakash reconciled his own practice and teaching with the many allegations of abuse made against his once guru. Har-Prakash discusses his decades of study with Shinzen Young, and shares more thoughts on spiritual scandals when recounting his own time with Joshu Sasaki Roshi. Then, an accomplished interviewer himself, Har-Prakash gives me a set of 12 questions to ask him. Har-Prakash reveals that these are the questions he has often wished I would ask my guests, and gamely submits to answering them himself. They cover topics such as stream entry, enlightenment, suffering, the self, and more. … Video version available at: https://www.guruviking.com/ep88-har-prakash-khalsa-saints-and-psychopaths/ 
This podcast is also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
 … Topics Include: 0:00 - Intro 1:10 - Early interest in meditation 03:04 - Childhood altered experiences 05:10 - Near death experience in India 08:11 - Lost in the Andes jungle and coming to a realisation 13:20 - 10 years of heavy drug use and finding kundalini yoga 20:24 - Teaching kundalini yoga in jail after 3 months practice 26:50 - Meeting Yogi Bhajan 27:48 - Allegations against Yogi Bhajan 32:10 - Criticisms of kundalini yoga’s origin story 35:14 - Reconciling with the allegations against and criticisms of Yogi Bhajan 40:57 - Why did Yogi Bhajan fabricate so much of his history and system? 45:40 - Saints and Psychopaths 48:04 - Meeting Shinzen Young 52:03 - Studying with Shinzen for 20 years and founding a Youtube channel 59:29 - Personal experiences of Shinzen 1:04:50 - Powerful experiences with Joshu Sasaki Roshi 1:07:34 - The prevalence of spiritual scandals among masters 1:10:46 - Har-Prakash’s spiritual curriculum 1:13:57 - Har-Prakash gives Steve a set of questions to ask 1:17:23 - Har-Prakash’s dramatic awakening experience 1:26:20 - Surprises and disappointments after awakening 1:33:10 - Integration of awakening 1:36:09 - How much does Har-Prakash suffer post-awakening? 1:40:13 - Har-Prakash’s current sensory experience 1:42:49 - Current sense of ‘self’ 1:48:58 - Changes to craving and aversion 1:56:25 - Har-Prakash’s ‘Fabrication Cycle’ 2:02:10 - Qualities and behaviours to improve 2:05:04 - Common misunderstandings about enlightenment 2:06:36 - Har-Prakash’s art 2:09:10 - Har-Prakash on service and legacy … To find our more about Har-Prakash Khalsa, visit: - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC86n5crGjoZK_z0LBhCWUIQ - https://vimeo.com/hpkmindfulnesstraining - https://www.facebook.com/groups/shinzenyoungmindfulnesscommunity For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

26 Maalis 20212h 15min

In this episode I am joined by Drukmo Gyal Dakini, an International singer, recording artist, and practitioner of Tibetan mantra healing. Drukmo discusses her childhood in Amdo, Tibet, and the early musical and spiritual influences of her family and community. Drukmo reveals how a chance meeting with the man who would become her root guru, Dr Nida Chenagtsang, kindled a passion for Tibetan medicine and spiritual practice in the Yuthok Nyingthig tradition. Drukmo talks about her experiences of cultural differences between East and West, the history and power of mantra for healing, the importance of personal practice, and addresses common misconceptions about being the devotee of a guru. … Video version available at: https://www.guruviking.com/ep87-drukmo-gyal-dakini-tibetan-mantra-healing/ 
This podcast is also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
 … Topics Include: 0:00 - Intro 0:48 - Growing up in Amdo, Tibet 05:03 - The role of religion in Drukmo’s upbringing 07:08 - The spiritual guidance of the women in Drukmo’s family 11:43 - How contact with Western views have affected Drukmo’s view of her culture 15:12 - Globalisation and cultural exchange 16:58 - The role of music in Drukmo’s upbringing 18:04 - Taking spiritual chanting from private practice to public performance 21:51 - Dr Nida’s encouragement to perform mantra singing 23:27 - Why Vajrasattva mantra is an essential part of Drukmo’s performance 25:28 - Drukmo’s passion for languages 26:42 - How Dr Nida Chenagtsang became Drukmo’s root guru 28:07 - The results of Drukmo’s first meditation retreat 31:00 - Praise for Dr Nida 32:27 - Misunderstandings about having a guru 37:05 - Drukmo’s focus on compassion 41:45 - Imposing views on others 44:05 - The history and application of mantra healing 47:02 - What is the source of mantra power? 49:42 - The importance of the mantra practitioner’s own practice and attainment 51:45 - Drukmo’s mental state when singing mantra 53:29 - How to find Drukmo’s music and teaching … To find our more about Drukmo Gyal, visit: - https://www.drukmogyal.com/ - https://youtu.be/zl9zwCKyQQk For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

22 Maalis 202154min

In this episode I host part 4 of an ongoing dialogue between Shinzen Young, meditation teacher and neuroscience research consultant, and Chelsey Fasano, a Columbia University neuroscience student. But now the dialogue has become a trialogue as we have the great pleasure of being joined by Dr Jay Sanguinetti, Assistant Director for the Center for Consciousness Studies and Research Assistant Professor at the University of New Mexico where he directs the NICE Lab (Non-Invasive Cognitive Enhancement Lab) and SEMA, the Sonication Enhanced Mindful Awareness Lab in collaboration with Shinzen. In this episode we discuss topics such as what is pleasure?, enlightenment as Fristonian free-energy, the relationship between predictive coding and the nature of suffering, bliss and orgasm, Shinzen’s daily mystical experiences, and more. … https://www.guruviking.com/ep86-bliss-enlightenment-fristonian-physics-feat-chelsey-fasano-shinzen-young-dr-jay-sanguinetti/ Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Stitcher – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 0:00 - Intro 0:58 - Bliss and the symmetry valence hypothesis 4:18 - What is pleasure? 9:47 - What is the Quaila Research Institute? 11:41 - Symmetry and facial attractiveness 14:51 - Averaging, integration, and prediction 15:40 - Continuous orgasm, Sensory saturation, turning towards 20:33 - Harmonics, gamma, and global processing 31:07 - Trained improvement vs primordial completeness 34:56 - Shinzen’s experience when walking 39:29 - Jay’s experience after a 15 week meditation course 46:03 - Approach motivation without negative valence 47:37 - The birth of the pleasure god, Kama, and learned helplessness 50:38 - Shinzen’s Fristonian free-energy pleasure hypothesis 59:56 - Could predictive coding theory explain the nature of suffering? 1:03:42 - Jay analyses Shinzen’s experience 1:05:06 - Is enlightenment free-energy? 1:06:33 - What the brain expects influences what the eye sees 1:09:49 - Shinzen’s experience after meditation and ultrasound experiments 1:13:09 -Chelsey reflects on her enjoyment of Shinzen 1:14:44 - Enlightenment as stabilising dynamic states vs fixed states 1:18:02 - Spiritual integration as pleasure-mode transfer and reconfiguring of top-down processing 1:19:53 - Changing the geometry of conscious experience 1:21:55 - Jay’s intuition about the big questions in contemplative brain science 1:23:57 - Shinzen’s take on Fristonian physics 1:27:55 - Jay’s advice and comments on the philosophy of science 1:29:40 - What Chelsey loves about scientists 1:31:19 - More on Jay’s philosophy of science 1:32:45 - Shinzen on American math education 1:35:03 - Applying higher dimensional abstract algebra to Fristonian physics 1:36:52 - The cliffhanger of the Hegelian taco ... Previous episodes with Shinzen and Chelsey: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep72-shinzen-young-and-chelsey-fasano-tantra-neuroscience-and-true-enlightenment/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep76-shinzen-young-chelsey-fasano-2-the-science-of-enlightenment/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep81-shinzen-young-chelsey-fasano-3-orgasm-epilepsy-mystical-experience/ Previous Interview with Shinzen Young: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep37-shinzen-young-pandemic-edition-guru-viking-podcast/ ... To find out more about Shinzen, visit: - www.shinzen.org To find out more about Chelsey, visit: - www.chelseyfasano.com To find our more about Dr Sanguinetti, visit: - https://www.jaysanguinetti.com/ ... For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

19 Maalis 20211h 40min

In this episode, I am joined by Wendy and Ronnie Barry who discuss their quest to find the reincarnations of their two sons who, in 1997, died in a car crash. Upon learning of the deaths of their sons, Andy and Bobby, the Barrys immediately turned to the Tibetan Book of the Dead, and entered the world of the supernatural as they followed the instructions within to guide their sons through the after-death realms. The Barrys then vowed to find their sons next lives. Embarking on an international search and recruiting the aid and support of high Lamas, tulkus, seers, channellers and more. Wendy and Ronnie also reveal their plan for their next lives, and discuss their history as prominent members of the Brotherhood of the Eternal Love. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep85-wendy-and-ronnie-barry-finding-our-sons-reincarnations/ Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … 0:00 - Intro 0:53 - Brotherhood of the Eternal Love 08:28 - LSD and the bardos 16:49 - The deaths of Bobby and Andy, Wendy and Ronnie’s sons 21:25 - Visiting the scene of the crash 26:15 - Using the Tibetan Book of the Dead to help their sons 30:06 - A special family connection and the boys’ personalities 35:10 - Resolving to find the reincarnations of Bobby and Andy 36:51 - Friends’ dreams of Bobby and Andy 39:06 - Was there criticism of Wendy and Ronnie’s search? 42:11 - Experiences reading the Bardo Thodol for the 49 days of the boys’ bardo 45:38 - Beginning the search and consulting psychics, seers, and channellers 48:57 - Encountering a corrupt Tibetan Lama 55:09 - Meeting Khamtrul Rinpoche and falling in love with Tibetan Buddhism 1:00:49 - Joining Rigpa and deepening study 1:05:14 - Receiving a divination from Tulku Sang-ngag Rinpoche 1:09:09 - Beginning a significant relationship with Lama Samten 1:10:33 - Receiving a divination from Lama Dawa 1:12:16 - Finding Bobby’s reincarnation, Kelsey 1:19:36 - Kelsey’s parents’ reaction 1:23:09 - Interest in Tibetan culture 1:24:54 - Support from and friendship with Lama Samten 1:27:13 - Meeting Drubwang Konchok Norbu Rinpoche 1:30:09 - Landing in India and meeting their guide, Jangchub 1:34:40 - The importance of discretion in the search 1:36:06 - Receiving Vajrasattva empowerment to clear obscurations 1:37:38 - Unsuccessful first trip and meeting Ringu Tulku 1:41:54 - Another divination from Lama Dawa and a second India trip 1:44:11 - Powerful Vajrasattva experience of spiders, scorpions, and wasps 1:51:26 - Ronnie’s dream of divination 1:54:27 - Finding Tenpa 02:04:57 - India and meeting karma 02:06:48 - How did Kelsey and Tenpa view things are they grew up? 02:16:15 - Wendy and Ronnie’s plan for their next lives 02:19:47 - How to get the book and European book distribution … To find out more about Wendy and Ronnie Barry, visit: - https://reincarnationstory.website/index.html 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

12 Maalis 20212h 23min

In this episode, I am joined by David Curtis, a Lama in the Shangpa-Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism and founder of the Tibetan Language Institute. David reveals how a radically transformative experience of LSD led to his leaving a career in military intelligence to dedicate himself to spiritual exploration We discuss David’s love for classical languages, the Western canon, and why conversion to Buddhism often includes a rejection of Western civilisation. David tells of hitchhiking across Europe, entering a 3-year retreat under the direction of famous meditation master Kalu Rinpoche, and recounts his powerful experiences there practicing the 6 Yogas of Naropa. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep84-lama-david-curtis-hitchhiking-in-samsara/ Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … 0:00 - Intro 0:46 - Studying philosophy and meeting the Dalai Lama 8:55 - Vietnam, military intelligence, and a transformative experience with LSD 14:44 - David’s extensive LSD explorations 20:09 - What would David’s life have been like without LSD? 21:47 - Falling in love with the Greek Classics 25:02 - Why many American Buddhist converts rejected Western civilisation 30:39 - Beat Zen, Square Zen and religious conversion 39:09 - David’s advice for reading the Western canon 42:00 - ‘Hitchhiking in Samsara’, David’s way of life 58:00 - Stories from David’s 3-year retreat 1:11:49 - Love, wisdom, and power 1:16:10 - Archetypes and reification 1:28:27 - David’s significant intuitive and dream experiences 1:38:51 - Powerful experiences with the 6 Yogas of Naropa 1:44:50 - Out of body experiences with illusory body yoga 1:47:46 - The value of experiences on the spiritual path 1:55:12 - Final anecdote about entering the 3-year retreat … To find out more about Lama David Curtis, visit: - http://www.bigskymindmontana.org/ - http://www.tibetanlanguage.org/ 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

5 Maalis 20212h 1min

In this episode I host a dialogue between Daniel Ingram and Dhammarato on the question ‘Is there magic in the Dharma?’. Daniel Ingram is a contemporary Buddhist author who controversially declared himself to be an Arhat, one of the highest spiritual attainments in Buddhism, challenging cultural taboos against disclosing one’s enlightenment. Dhammarato is a lineage teacher in the Thai Buddhist tradition, a student of the famous meditation master Bikkhu Buddhadasa, and is known for his unique, 1-1 teaching style conducted over Skype. In this episode Daniel and Dhammarato discuss the pros and cons of magical experiences, how to develop siddhis and their dangers, and whether these topics should even be discussed in public. They debate the differences between their own teaching approaches, as well as the approaches of the Burmese and Thai meditation methods, and the importance of a close relationship with a teacher. Daniel and Dhammarato also acknowledge each other, decrypt the ways in which they signal recognition of others’ spiritual attainments, and explain how to recognise enlightened teachers. … www.guruviking.com Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 0:00 - Intro 1:44 - Structure of the episode 2:09 - Daniel’s opening address 12:34 - Dharmmarato’s opening address 26:56 - The pros and cons of magical experiences 35:15 - Anapanasati and developing sukkha 38:39 - Slow and hard path or fast and easy path? 43:30 - Different paths to enlightenment 48:41 - Does magic exist? 52:56 - Is there any value in cultivating siddhis? 58:26 - Should we talk about siddhis and magic? 1:12:43 - Moving from Right Dhamma to Supramundane Dhamma 1:18:50 - Misconceptions about the Mahasi method 1:23:30 - How to recognise Noble Ones and the dangers of siddhis 1:36:32 - The cat is out of the bag 1:39:50 - Mage vs sage 1:47:26 - Close relationship with a teacher 1:52:41 - Mass teaching vs 1-1 teaching 1:55:55 - A mature spiritual culture and the dynamics of Asian temples 2:19:24 - Daniel and Dhammarato recognise each other 2:22:04 - Ajahn Po the arhat 2:30:00 - Gender equality in the sangha and Thai culture 2:44:48 - Dhammarato’s closing address 2:47:06 - Daniel’s closing address … Daniel Ingram Episode Playlist - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlkzlKFgdkny_MJSecHyvKHPpvxTskBAC Dhammarato Episode Playlist - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlkzlKFgdknyGISEfksirYaYpsrXdf8va … To find out more about Daniel, visit: - integrateddaniel.info - firekasina.org - https://theeprc.org/ To find out more about Dhammarato, visit: - https://dhammaratoblog.wordpress.com/ - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjxg5GJFsRqnS-YLTzyrjLQ 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

26 Helmi 20212h 48min

In late 2019 I was interviewed by Anna Rova of www.girlskill.com about various topics to do with relationships and more. From Anna's episode description: Join us for a conversation about navigating modern gender roles, embracing who we truly are and exploring intimacy as the constantly changing and challenging realm of relationships. Here are the details of our conversation: - What does Steve find attractive in a woman? - Fear as the state of readiness in the face of the unknown - What is masculinity? - The changing terrain of modern gender roles - How mating strategies influence our behavior - Navigating modern relationship needs and intimacy - Feminine/masculine identities as roles we’re playing - What real intimacy is and why it’s a tremendous threat to our roles and strategies www.guruviking.com

21 Helmi 20211h 1min