Ep362: Goddess Encounters - Delson Armstrong

In this episode I am once again joined by Delson Armstrong, spiritual teacher, meditation virtuoso, and author of ‘A Mind Without Craving’. Delson describes his recent initiation into the goddess tradition of Śri Vidya, recounts his subsequent encounters with deities and supernatural beings, and discusses his latest writings on para-consciousness and nibbanadhatu. Delson explains how to relate to guilt, doubt, and skepticism; how to enter the three gates to cessation; and gives his take on the essence of the spiritual path. Delson also reveals his recent explorations in Western Philosophy, why he has begun writing about world peace, offers his predictions for the future, and shares what he is doing to prepare himself and his family for what is to come. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep362-mirror-beyond-mind-delson-armstrong Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:53 - Delson life update 02:24 - Words for the exhausted seeker 04:18 - Why Delson still teaches TWIM 05:50 - Jhana wars 08:28 - Bad doubt vs good doubt 10:06 - What is beyond the fetter of doubt? 18:33- Questioning the doctrine of rebirth 19:46 - Ordinary right view vs supramundane right view 21:39 - Delson’s library of books 23:35 - Exploring Western philosophy 25:57 - The essence of the path 31:20 - Philosophy reading list 36:49 - Lucretius and the Swerve 38:42 - Initiation into Śri Vidya 45:10 - Encounters with Goddesses 50:17 - Deity visitations 54:39 - The Mirror Beyond Mind 58:41 - Para-consciousness and nibbanadhatu 59:01 - Did the Buddha reject the Vedas? 01:03:28 - Zero point of expansion and contraction 01:04:57 - 3 gates to cessation 01:10:25 - How to relate to cessation? 01:15:27 - What happens at death 01:16:47 - The Vakkalisutta 01:18:45 - Life review during meditation and death 01:19:42 - Forgiveness practice 01:22:25 - Teachings of Jesus 01:23:21 - Guilt and how to forgive 01:29:51 - When reconciliation is not possible 01:31:20 - Civilisational utopia thru enlightenment? 01:38:11 - Is world peace unrealistic? 01:39:57 - Can peace come from weakness? 01:44:01 - Why is Delson writing about world peace? 01:46:48 - Predictions about the immediate future of the world 01:50:43 - How Delson is preparing for the future ... Watch previous episodes with Delson Armstrong: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=delson Find out more about Delson Armstrong: - https://www.delsonarmstrong.com/events - https://delsonarmstrong.substack.com/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James