Ep248: Esoterica & Academia - Dr Justin Sledge

In this episode I am once again joined by Dr Alexander Arguelles, linguist, world-renowned polyglot, and scholar of comparative religion. Dr Arguelles continues the biographical thread taken up in his previous episode, recalling, after his years of intense language study in Korea, accepting a Professorship in Lebanon to immerse in Arabic and later fleeing the country with his family as war erupted there. Dr Arguelles recalls teaching positions in California, Singapore, Dubai, and the language immersions that those posting facilitated. Dr Arguelles also critiques current trends in the American university system, compares it to the past, proposes alternative structures and reformations, and offers his thoughts on the future of academia. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep207-wandering-polyglot-dr-alexander-arguelles-2 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 02:54 - Accepting a professorship in Lebanon to immerse in Arabic 05:26 - Reflecting on learning Arabic 08:19 - Mental technique to turn off the English mind 09:18 - Fleeing Lebanon when war broke out 15:01 - Teaching at the New College of California 19:27 - :Early activity on ‘How To Learn A Language’ forum 21:47 - How would Professor Arguelles reform education in America today? 26:11 - Learning 4 languages at once 32:30 - Teaching in Singapore as a Language Specialist 35:14 - Collaboration with linguist Paul Nation 38:34 - Teaching adults vs university students 42:42 - Accepting a professorship in Dubai and more Arabic immersion 40:03 - Being studied as a polyglot and learning Hebrew 51:08 - The rich story tradition of Arabic 53:47 - Death of Prof Arguelles’ brother 56:07 - Homeschooling his sons in multiple languages 58:51 - Mixed experiences at the Concorida Language Villages in Minnesota 01:08:59 - Professor Arguelles Academy 01:12:23 - Criticisms of academia and today’s University system 01:21:29 - Predicting the future of Universities in the USA 01:23:30 - Language learning as meditation … Previous episode with Dr Alexander Arguelles: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep199-path-of-the-polyglot-dr-alexander-arguelles To find our more about Dr Alexander Arguelles and his Academy, visit: - https://www.alexanderarguelles.com/academy/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

23 Juni 20231h 26min

In this episode I am once again joined by Dean Sluyter: meditation teacher and best-selling author of several books including ‘The Dharma Bum’s Guide to Western Literature: Finding Nirvana in the Classics’. In this episode Dean challenges unexamined assumptions about meditation, reveals how to teach meditation well, how to communicate technique and spiritual ideas in plain language, when and how to effectively use Sanskrit or Tibetan terms, and considers whether or not meditation teachers need to know where the paths they teach lead. Dean also shares his passion for language and literature, lists his favourite authors, recalls his time teaching English at the illustrious Pingry School, and gives his top tips for how to write well. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep206-art-of-teaching-meditation-dean-sluyter-3 

Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:49 - Harry Potter and the Summer Solstice 04:13 - Dean’s life and work 05:34 - The beginning of Dean’s love for literature 10:12 - Fascination with etymology 10:56 - The meaning of names 12:19 - Dean’s name and background 15:12 - Knowing stuff is fun 15:59 - 1066 and the rich English vocabulary 17:22 - How to write in a post-Hemingway world 19:52 - Monetise your neuroses 20:22 - Dean’s psychedelic sadhu period 22:32 - Getting hired at the Pingry School 23:59 - Inspiring teenagers to read classics 25:30 - Curriculum vs mission 27:07 - The importance of writing well 27:49 - The Pingry Manual of Style 30:05 - Style and writing well 34:11 - Steve and Charles Dickens 37:25 - Dean on Joyce, Nabokov, 41:29 - Did Hemingway have a near death experience? 43:37 - Dharma Bum’s Guide to Western Literature 45:55 - How to teach meditation 47:26 - Precision in language when teaching meditation 50:24 - Using Sanskrit and Tibetan terms 52:04 - Bad translations of śamatha and vipaśyanā 53:03 - Unexamined assumptions about meditation 55:58 - This is it 56:34 - Teaching meditation is simple 58:18 - Do meditation teachers need to have meditation experience? 01:00:17 - Do meditation teachers need to be enlightened? 01:00:41 - How Transcendental Meditation works 01:04:27 - Mindfulness in schools 01:06:46 - Teaching from experience 01:09:36 - The death of Dean’s first wife 01:12:18 - Imitate, assimilate, innovate … Previous episodes with Dean Sluyter: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/163-dharma-bums-guide-to-western-literature-dean-sluyter - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep189-effortless-awakening-dean-sluyter-2 To find out more about Dean Sluyter, visit: - https://deansluyter.com/ … 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

16 Juni 20231h 15min

In this episode I am once joined by Justin Von Bujdoss, American Buddhist teacher, chaplain, and author of ‘Modern Tantric Buddhism’. Justin describes his powerfully transformative dark retreat practice in which he embarked on multiple 7-day and 49-day meditation retreats in complete darkness under the guidance of Dr Nida Chenagtsang. Justin recalls his life-changing encounter with the rarefied religious experience of rigpa, and details his visions of spiritual beings, animals, elements, and Bardo deities. Justin recounts his first meeting with Dr Nida, how he became his student, and explains the significance of Dr Nida’s endorsement of Justin as both a Dzogchen teacher and dark retreat guide. Justin also reveals the daily routine and practice instructions for dark retreat, and reflects on current trends within Buddhism and nonduality in America today. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep205-my-49-day-dark-retreat-justin-von-bujdoss-2 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 01:07 - Justin’s personal practice revolution 02:27 - Meeting Dr Nida Chenagtsang and showing him a secret text 06:10 - Dr Nida’s qualities as a teacher 08:00 - Justin’s 25 years of Mahamudra practice 08:18 - Preparing to enter dark retreat 08:56 - The impact of multiple 7 and 49-day retreats 13:35 - 7-day preparatory dark retreat 15:03 - Intense visionary experiences and risk of psychosis 18:38 - Dr Nida’s dark retreat terma 20:48 - Justin’s previous experience with dream yoga and visions 22:57 - Dark retreat instructions and opening visionary capacity 27:48 - Undermining the visual system binary 24:37 - Justin’s visions of the Bardo deities 27:46 - Contradictions in Mahamudra and forcing it 31:38 - Daily routine and practice schedule in dark retreat 36:38 - No contact with Dr Nida during the retreat 38:45 - Visions of the purified elements 42:00 - Visions of animals and dead people 42:59 - Visions of beings who offered gifts to Justin 43:30 - Did Justin relive his traumas? 45:22 - Quitting prison chaplaincy 47:50 - How chaplaincy falls short of resting in rigpa 50:56 - Profound healing opportunity of dark retreat 54:50 - Rigpa supersedes Justin’s ordination 56:18 - The totality of everything occurs right here 59:54 - Endorsed by Dr Nida to teach Dzogchen 01:04:10 - Justin’s special karmic connection with Dr Nida and other tulkus 01:07:00 - Justin’s loss of social functionality post-awakening 01:09:25 - How Justin’s teacher punctured his ego 01:12:54 - Struggles with students who are fixated on tantra 01:16:42 - Student retention and abusive teaching methods 01:18:18 - Where is Buddhism going in America? 01:19:13 - Is Tibetan Buddhism trendy? 01:23:08 - Dark retreat as liberating psychotherapy 01:25:45 - Dark retreat as the ultimate experience product for psychonauts 01:27:30 - Assessing those who wish to embark upon dark retreat 01:31:22 - Where to find out more … Previous episode with Justin Von Bujdoss: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep196-modern-tantric-buddhism-justin-von-bujdoss Previous episodes with Dr Nida Chenagtsang: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=nida To find our more about Justin Von Bujdoss, visit: - https://justinvonbujdoss.com/ - https://www.yangtiyoga.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

9 Juni 20231h 32min

I was recently interviewed by Louis Mayhew for his ‘Fundamental ‘Frequency podcast about kundalini awakening, mystical visions, embodiment, and more. 00:00 - Intro 00:37 - About the Guru Viking Podcast 02:52 - Adverse side effects of kundalini awakening 04:00 - Louis’ kundalini crisis 12:21 - What Louis has learned about kundalini 13:56 - Paranormal visions 17:20 - Louis’ sleep patterns 18:01 - Practices that trigger a kundalini 20:47 - Massage and acupuncture 22:35 - Managing arousal states 23:00 - Vision of a loving deity 25:07 - Diet and lifestyle considerations 27:35 - Work with Tara Springett 31:01 - Louis reflects on his kundalini journey 32:14 - Louis’ kundalini goals 34:42 - Tara Springett, Mary Shutan, and other resources 39:23 - Are there advanced kundalini teachings in the spiritual traditions? 45:10 - What triggers kundalini awakening? 47:50 - Feldenkrais Method 49:13 - Intimate understanding of the body-mind system 50:28 - Early influences on Steve’s journey 55:05 - Louis’ childhood blissful experiences 57:15- Michaela Boehm and Non-Linear Movement Method® 01:03:21 - Dependency on a teacher 01:05:10 - Louis’ release experience doing NLMM® 01:06:49 - The wisdom of the body 01:12:45 - Kundalini and trauma 01:14:14 - Guru Viking Podcast & Meditation Club Video version: Fundamental Frequency Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-fundamental-frequency-podcast-with-louis-parker/id1667140531 Other times I have been interviewed: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/category/Steve+Interviewed https://www.guruviking.com

2 Juni 20231h 15min

In this episode I am joined by Erik Jampa Andersson, a Sowa Rigpa healing practitioner, student of Tibetan Buddhism, meditation instructor, and author of ‘Unseen Beings: How We Forgot The World Is More Than Human’. Erik discusses how he came to write ‘Unseen Beings’ and why he changed its theme from the spirit ontologies of Tibetan culture to the themes of climate change and animism. Taking climate change as his starting premise, Erik follows a traditional 4-part medical model to make a diagnosis, and goes on to present his views on the causes and conditions, prognosis, and treatment. Erik also grapples with moral and cultural dilemmas, compares animal testing in a medical context to hunting practices and animal sacrifices in a traditional context, and challenges the anthropocentrism of both modern culture and the environmentalist movement. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep204-unseen-beings-erik-jampa-andersson Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:02 - Celebrating Erik’s first book 02:15 - Unexpected praise 04:09 - Charlie Morley’s author advice 05:49 - 4-part medical model 06:48 - How the book changed direction from spirit ontology to climate change 10:36 - The inspiration of the pandemic 12:44 - Summarising Erik’s argument 13:36 - Rinpoches performing rituals to appease the spirits who sent the pandemic 15:24 - Animism vs materialism 20:21 - A scientific materialist challenge to animism 29:59 - Tolkien on gods and fairy tales 32:58 - Ian McGilchrist and harmonising vs polarisation 37:26 - Should we abandon modernity? 39:19 - Generalisation vs individuality 41:20 - Disenchanting ontologies 43:00 - The danger of sweeping generalisations 44:27 - The lived experience of mice 46:45 - Alienation from nature 51:21 - Moral nuance and confused views 55:46 - Erik considers hunting in animistic societies 58:19 - The trolley problem and perceived consent in hunting 01:00:15 - Is animal sacrifice justified within certain cultural contexts? 01:05:57 - Stewarding the resources of the world 01:08:43 - Anthropocentrism vs animism 01:10:41 - Erik on the climate crisis 01:13:09 - The bloody history of Tibet and other nations … Previous episode with Erik Jampa Andersson: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep108-erik-jampa-andersson-from-tolkien-to-tibet/
 To find out more about Erik Jampa Andersson, visit: - https://www.shrimala.com/ 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

2 Juni 20231h 17min

In this interview I am once again joined by Anthony Metivier, author and internationally renowned memory expert who’s meditation practice is reciting sacred Sanskrit texts from memory. Anthony shares his most recent findings from his personal meditation practice of reciting sacred Sanskrit texts, including using memorisation and recitation to pacify obsessive thinking, the pros and cons of guru and deity devotion, and his experiment with deliberately reducing his practice volume and observing the mindlessness and habitual tendencies that arose as a consequence. Anthony discusses how to enter altered states of consciousness through recitation of memorised texts, why he is now memorising Shakespeare instead of more Sanskrit, and why it is essential to include the body in meditation and other mental feats. Anthony also discusses what can be learned from the examples of figures such as Sherlock Holmes, Giordano Bruno, Arnold Schwarzenegger, as well as discussing his latest book, Flyboy, a crime novel in which the detective protagonist uses specialist memory techniques to track down a serial killer. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep203-unlock-the-enlightened-mind-anthony-metivier Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … 00:00 - Intro 01:13 - Flyboy 02:17 - Effects of taking a break from meditation and memorisation 04:45 - Memorising Shakespeare and Atmabodha 06:02 - Memorising Sanskrit as a meditation to pacify obsessive thinking 09:27 - Ideas vs execution 09:56 - Mindlessness after taking a break from meditation 11:20 - Engine and algorithm of the Ruba Gita 12:28 - The genius of Sanskrit’s construction 16:29 - How to induce altered states through recitation 19:37 - From mystical states to positive behaviour change 22:32 - Gary Weber’s enlightenment and idolising the teacher 25:07 - Pros and cons of deity and guru devotion 27:31 - Why memorise Shakespeare? 30:49 - Vaudeville feats of memory and multi-tasking 33:32 - Essential to include the body in meditation 38:33 - The theory of craft and failed creative writing professors 43:39 - Sherlock Holmes and Gary Gygax 46:49 - Writing Flyboy 50:37 - Memory techniques and PTSD 51:58 - Building puzzles into Flyboy for the readers to solve 57:11 - Memory techniques hidden in Giordano Bruno’s plays 58:13 - Popularising memory techniques for non specialists 59:47 - Recording the audiobook version 01:03:24 - The future of Anthony’s publishing efforts 01:07:45 - Have fun and experiment! … Previous episode with Anthony Metivier: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep123-master-of-memory-anthony-metivier/ To purchase Flyboy, visit: - https://www.magneticmemorymethod.com/fb-sq/ To find out more about Anthony Metivier, visit: - https://www.youtube.com/c/AnthonyMetivierMMM - https://www.magneticmemorymethod.com/ 
 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

26 Maj 20231h 9min

In this interview I am once again joined by Ralph White holistic learning pioneer, international speaker on cultural transformation and the history of the Western esoteric tradition, and co-founder of the New York Open Centre. Ralph recounts his clandestine mission into Tibet in 1989 on behalf of the Nechung Oracle: hiking solo across the border, evading commissars, escaping from bandit villages, enlisting the aid of Khampa horsemen, and encountering a UFO high in the Himalayas. Ralph recalls founding the Art of Dying Conference, reflects on his own relationship with his father, and describes the religious genius of Rudolf Steiner on death and what lies beyond. Ralph also discusses the Western Esoteric tradition, tells stories of Robert Bly’s Rosicrucian poetry, and critiques logical positivism and the limitations of academia. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep202-mission-to-tibet-ralph-white 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include:
 00:00 - Intro 01:44 - Arriving at Nechung Monastery, Dharamsala 03:17 - Mission into Tibet 05:11 - Finding a secret route into Tibet via Kham 10:07 - Aftermath of Tiananmen Square 12:06 - High risk adventure 13:04 - Ralph’s daily routine in the mountains 16:34 - Encountering a UFO 20:23 - Evading a Chinese commissar 21:46 - Escaping a bandit village 23:56 - Entering into deep meditation in a crisis 27:12 - Old enough to know better 28:32 - Provisions 29:48 - Further travels in Asia 35:03 - Reflections on the UFO sighting 37:33 - Founding the Art of Dying Conference 43:17 - Rudolph Steiner on karma and reincarnation 44:45 - Multi-cultural views on death 46:19 - Death denial in Western culture 51:21 - The death of Ralph’s father 57:16 - Dealing with emotional residue 01:01:22 - Engaging with the profound issues of life 01:02:29 - Logical positivism and the limitations of academia 01:04:39 - Rudolf Steiner’s genius 01:07:00 - Advice for entering the Western Esoteric tradition 01:10:34 - Founding the Esoteric Quest conference 01:11:32 - Robert Bly’s Rosicrucian poetry 01:12:54 - The rogue’s gallery 01:14:08 - The esoteric side of Robert Bly … Previous episode with Ralph White: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep140-quest-for-a-life-of-meaning-ralph-white To find out more about Ralph White, visit: - https://www.ralphwhite.net/ … 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

19 Maj 20231h 16min

Special guests Delson Armstrong and Dr Ruben Laukkonen discuss their latest ground-breaking paper ‘Cessations of consciousness in meditation: Advancing a scientific understanding of nirodha samāpatti’ in which Delson Armstrong’s ability to enter the rarefied state of nirodha samāpatti, a feat of extended cessation achievable by only the most virtuoso meditators, was tested by Dr Laukkonen and Prof Slatger's neuroscience team with astonishing results. They join the ongoing discussion with: - Shinzen Young, meditation teacher and neuroscience research consultant - Chelsey Fasano, a Columbia University neuroscience graduate
 Delson and Dr Laukkonen tell the story of their study, how it came to be, the various tests they administered, and why they believe the results are so remarkable. Delson describes the meditation method he uses to enter into the state of nirodha samāpatti and to stay there for up to seven days, how he can determine in advance to the minute when he will exit the state, and the profound effects on the mind after a period of extended cessation. Shinzen analyses Delson’s abilities, probes the mathematical models used in the study, and shares his own work creating enlightened AI arhats. The panel also discuss possible scientific connections between Buddhist doctrines such as the five aggregates, dependent origination, and the 3 Gates of Liberation. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep201-revealing-nirodha-sampatti-delson-armstrong-shinzen-young-chelsey-fasano-dr-ruben-laukonnen Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
 … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 01:37 - Discovering Delson’s nirodha samāpatti abilities 05:21 - Dr Laukkonen's skepticism 06:48 - Testing Delson in the lab 11:05 - The data analysis and comparison with Harvard lab findings 15:12 - Implications of the decrease in alpha synchronisation 16:47 - Phase lag index 19:08 - Alpha vs gamma frequencies in contemplative neuroscience 20:57 - Delson’s side of the story 23:37 - Rigorous training in ‘jhana hopping’ 25:42 - Delson’s account of the lab tests 28:26 - Timing the exit from jhana using meditative intentions 29:45 - Remaining in nirodhia samāpatti for 6 days 30:51 - How many others can do this? 34:02 - How to enter nirodha samāpatti 46:06 - Shinzen analyses Delson’s report 40:05 - Dr Laukkonen comments on the aggregates and meditative intention 42:50 - Possible links to hibernation 47:40 - The 3 Gates of Liberation and Friston’s free energy 53:25 - Predictive processing all the way down 56:55 - Similarities to St Teresa of Ávila’s stages of Catholic meditation 01:01:13 - Delson’s Catholic family and religious syncretism 01:03:24 - Conseqences of nirodhia samāpatti 01:05:34 - Pratītyasamutpāda for arhats 01:09:05 - The ego as a survival mechanism 01:11:31 - Networks and the multiverse 01:13:53 - John Carlos Baez’s mathematics and modelling pratītyasamutpāda 01:22:28 - Creating enlightened AI 01:32:30 - Creating AI arhats and Shinzen’s vision 01:37:49 - Neurofeedback devices for meditation teaching 01:43:02 - Dr Laukkonen challenges tech interventions aimed at inducing enlightenment 01:46:36 - Setting up the sequel … To read the paper, visit: - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0079612322001984?dgcid=author#t0010 Previous episodes in this series: - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlkzlKFgdknxjhwG5wmXRVfrkeGczVPVI Previous episodes with Delson Armstrong: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=delson To find out more about Delson Armstrong, visit: - https://delsonarmstrong.info/ - https://www.suttavada.foundation/our-teachers/ - https://www.dhammasukha.org/ To find out more about Dr Ruben Laukkonen, visit: - https://rubenlaukkonen.com/ To find out more about Shinzen Young: - www.shinzen.org To find out more about Chelsey Fasano: - www.chelseyfasano.com For more interviews: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

12 Maj 20231h 47min