Peace Meditation - Stephen Snyder - Bonus Episode
Stephen Synder, meditation teacher and author of many books including ‘Demsystifiyng Awakening’ and ‘Buddha’s Heart’, offers a ‘guided meditation into the unmanifest Absolute to contact and abide in the deep peacefulness there’. Stephen’s students have found this meditation helpful when working with the fear and anguish of the war in Ukraine, and Stephen generously offered to share it here. … Video version: www.guruviking.com/podcast/peace-meditation-stephen-snyder-bonus-episode Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 03:46 - Guided meditation ... Check out my previous interviews with Stephen: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep24-stephen-snyder-a-stroke-of-realisation-guru-viking-interviews/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep33-stephen-snyder-pandemic-edition-guru-viking-podcast/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep70-stephen-snyder-buddhas-heart/ - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep141-demystifying-awakening-stephen-snyder Purchase ‘Demystifying Awakening’: - https://awakeningdharma.org/book/demystifying-awakening/ To find out more about Stephen Snyder, visit: - https://awakeningdharma.org/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com/ Music 'Deva Dasi' by Steve James
29 Mars 202238min
Ep142: Science & the Enlightened Self - Dr Jud Brewer, Shinzen Young, C Fasano, & Dr Sanguinetti
Dr Jud Brewer - pioneering psychiatrist, neuroscientist, and New York Times best-selling author - returns to once again join the ongoing conversation featuring: - Shinzen Young, meditation teacher and neuroscience research consultant - Chelsey Fasano, a Columbia University neuroscience student - Dr Jay Sanguinetti, Assistant Director for the Center for Consciousness Studies and Research Professor at the University of New Mexico In this episode, the group take a deep dive into concepts of the ‘Self’, comparing and contrasting religious models with the latest theories in neuroscience and psychology. Shinzen rethinks Early Buddhist craving and aversion doctrines in the light of modern mathematics and Jud considers the clinical implications of neuro-modulation and psychedelics. The group also discusses the typical learning curve to enlightenment, as well as the role of connection and communion in contemplative endeavours. … Video version: www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep142-science-the-enlightened-self-brewer-shinzen-fasano-sanguinetti Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 01:05 - What is the self? 06:24 - DFN hubs of the self 09:13 - The multi-dimensional self 10:14 - 6-fold aspects of the self 12:58 - The experiential self and seeing through illusion 16:35 - Shinzen on mathematics, the self, and early Buddhist teachings 24:11 - Distinctions around dimensional analysis 31:03 - Clinical considerations and psychedelics 34:28 - Stickiness and surprising results of ultrasound neuro-modulation on meditators 37:45 - Different kinds of self-stickiness can be directly targeted by ultrasound 39:11 - Shinzen rethinks craving and aversion doctrines 47:00 - More on targeting self-clinging with ultrasound 48:32 - How to attain stream entry 55:09 - Jud on phase change and the ice cube analogy 01:00:22 - Typical learning curve to enlightenment 01:05:41 - Connection and communion 01:15:21 - Three important concepts for current and future meditation researchers 01:23:25 - Jud on his clinical observations 01:31:26 - A kinder, gentler B.F. Skinner … Previous episodes in this series: - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlkzlKFgdknxjhwG5wmXRVfrkeGczVPVI … To find out more about Dr Brewer, visit: - https://drjud.com/ - https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Judson-Brewer To find out more about Shinzen, visit: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep37-shinzen-young-pandemic-edition-guru-viking-podcast/ - www.shinzen.org To find out more about Chelsey, visit: - www.chelseyfasano.com To find our more about Dr Sanguinetti, visit: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep102-dr-jay-sanguinetti-cults-science-the-dalai-lama/ - https://www.jaysanguinetti.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James
25 Mars 20221h 33min
Ep141: Demystifying Awakening - Stephen Snyder
In this episode I am once again joined by Stephen Snyder, meditation teacher, author, and the first non-monastic Western man to master the virtuoso-level shamata meditation system of Pa Auk Sayadaw. In this interview we discuss Stephen’s latest book ‘Demysifying Awakening: A Buddhist Path of Realization, Embodiment, and Freedom’. Stephen gives detailed comparisons between the maps of Theravadan and Zen Buddhism, explains the difference between Kensho and Satori, and reveals why it is so easy to stall after an initial awakening experience. Stephen also shares techniques to open the Wisdom Eye, loosen allegiance to the body, and transcend the superego; and reveals how he assesses others spiritual experiences and how an individual can self-assess their own level of awakening. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep141-demystifying-awakening-stephen-snyder Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:51 - Why is Stephen writing so many books? 05:42 - What is the probability of awakening? 08:46 - Kensho vs Satori probabilities 11:06 - Languishing between Kensho and Satori 13:57 - Self-administered tests of awakening 15:37 - How Stephen assesses his students’ awakenings 17:39 - Opening the Wisdom Eye 20:27 - Energetic resonance of awakening 21:31 - Facsimiles of awakening 23:53 - Confusion around awakening 30:09 - Rebirth, reincarnation, and tulkus 33:00 - Superego and trauma 39:43 - Purifying the body via the four elements 45:44 - Stephen’s experience of the crystal body 48:06 - Loosening allegiance to the body 49:37 - Resistances to jhana and awakening 54:05 - Steve’s practice challenge 58:16 - How to work with intensity and blocks 01:02:09 - The will to live 01:05:17 - Boat meditation 01:06:15 - Comparing the maps of Theravada and Zen 01:13:29 - Fear of No-Self 01:16:32 - Integrating the No-Self 01:19:31 - Koan practice 01:23:16 - Flavours of enlightenment 01:27:24 - Keeping a spiritual journal … Check out my previous interviews with Stephen: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep24-stephen-snyder-a-stroke-of-realisation-guru-viking-interviews/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep33-stephen-snyder-pandemic-edition-guru-viking-podcast/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep70-stephen-snyder-buddhas-heart/ Purchase ‘Demystifying Awakening’: - https://awakeningdharma.org/book/demystifying-awakening/ To find out more about Stephen Snyder, visit: - https://awakeningdharma.org/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com/ Music 'Deva Dasi' by Steve James
18 Mars 20221h 36min
Ep140: Quest for A Life of Meaning - Ralph White
In this interview I am joined by Ralph White holistic learning pioneer, international speaker on cultural transformation and the history of the Western tradition, and co-founder of the New York Open Centre. Ralph reveals his difficult upbringing in working class England, and how his intellect served as his escape route, emigrating to America as a Fulbright scholar in 1970. Ralph shares a life-changing spiritual experience on Route 66, reflects on the role of psychedelics in raising consciousness, and details his personal path as a nature mystic heavily influenced by Western Esotericism. Ralph recounts his adventures throughout Canada, hitch hiking to Machu Picchu, getting streetwise in Columbia, and eventually landing in New York to co-found the world-famous Open Centre. Ralph also reflects on what years of booking spiritual teachers taught him about spotting spiritual fakes, what it means to be in the third of act of one’s life, and shares his vision for the future of world culture … Video version: www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep140-quest-for-a-life-of-meaning-ralph-white Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 03:22 - Ralph’s childhood in working class England 08:12 - Education as the escape route 12:45 - Move to America and travelling Route 66 17:19 - A life-changing spiritual experience 22:01 - Ralph on psychedelics 25:01 - The future of psychedelics research 29:37 - Ralph’s meditation practice and explorations in Western Esotericism 34:35 - Nature mystic 38:17 - Misconceptions about Western Esotericism 50:14 - Ralph’s Esoteric Quests 52:21 - Adventures in Vancouver 58:39 - Hitch hiking for 6 months to Machu Picchu 01:00:30 - Profound experience in the Andes 01:06:55 - The role of pilgrimage in finding one’s purpose 01:16:21 - Streetwise in Colombia and New York 01:20:11 - How to spot spiritual fakes and baloney 01:29:10 - Integrity and the spiritual marketplace 01:35:06 - Ralph reflects on the erotic 01:41:28 - The third act of one’s life 01:45:41 - The future of world culture … 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
11 Mars 20221h 58min
Ep139: Peace Magic - Dr Thomas Clough Daffern 2
In this interview I am joined by Dr Thomas Clough Daffern philosopher, educator, peace activist, and peace officer for the Council of British Druid Orders. Most widely known as a peace activist and academic, Dr Daffern is also an esotericist and in this episode he reveals his system of peace magic which draws on a wide range of occult systems. Dr Daffern explains the difference between a peace magician and a war magician, warns of the dangers of magical practice, and gives advice for navigating today’s information landscape. Dr Daffern also gives a series of case studies of his own career in peace and reconciliation, including work in Ireland and the Middle East, before giving his detailed analysis of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. … Video version: www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep139-peace-magic-dr-thomas-clough-daffern-2 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:50 - What are magi and druids? 05:16 - What is peace magic? 07:28 - Out of body peace magic examples 14:14 - Dangers in magical practice 21:43 - Dr Daffern’s peace work at Stonehenge 24:01 - Dr Daffern’s peace work in Ireland 27:26 - Celtic oppression in the British Isles 30:24 - History of spiritual oppression in the Byzantine model 35:31 - Dr Daffern’s peace work in the Middle East 41:32 - War magic and war magicians 43:24 - Can peace really be achieved? 47:40 - Interfaith mediation 49:43 - Dr Daffern’s peace work in the Caucasus 54:14 - Peace magic vs war magic 55:54 - Dr Daffern on the invasion of Ukraine 57:05 - The influence of Ivan Ilyin and Julius Evola 01:03:35 - Spartans vs Athenians 01:05:00 - How to resolve European conflict 01:11:40 - How wars end and Dr Daffern’s interfaith peace treaty 01:16:32 - Acharya Tulsi and peace declarations 01:21:33 - Planetary enlightenment 01:25:51 - Advice for navigating the information war … Previous episode with Dr Daffern: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep132-student-of-the-mysteries-dr-thomas-clough-daffern … Dr Daffern's upcoming course on Enlightenment: https://gal.infusionsoft.app/app/orderForms/A-Course-on-Enlightenments To find our more about Dr Daffern, visit: - http://www.educationaid.net/ - https://www.lulu.com/spotlight/iipsgp - https://interfaithpeacetreaty.wordpress.com/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James
10 Mars 20221h 35min
Ep138: Trained as a Nun - Beth Upton
In this interview I am joined by Beth Upton, a meditation teacher, ex-nun, and student of renowned meditation master Pa Auk Sayadaw. Beth reveals why reading economics at Cambridge caused her to fracture with today’s economic system and eventually led to her ordaination as a nun in Myanmar. Beth details her rigorous training under renowned meditation master Pa Auk Sayadaw, addresses skepticism of the Visuddhimagga, and criticises so called ‘soft jhana’ teachings as watered down dharma. Beth contrasts popular soft jhana teachings with how she was trained at Pa Auk, discusses the 10-fetter model of enlightenment, and explains how samadhi can be used to remember past lives and generate siddhi such as the ability to see devas and ghosts. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep138-trained-as-a-nun-beth-upton Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:51 - Upbringing and and reading economics at Cambridge 03:56 - The problem at the heart of money 05:44 - Money as a monastic vs a lay person 09:32 - Beth’s current thinking on money 16:14 - Encountering Buddhism 19:21 - Becoming a nun and meeting the meditation master Pa Auk Sayadaw 23:26 - Is the Visuddhimagga overblown? 25:03 - Soft Jhana teachings are watered down 28:43 - Hard jhana vs soft jhana distinctions 31:42 - Is there duality in jhana? 34:11 - Is jhana necessary for effective vipassana? 36:06 - Is progress possible without retreat? 38:57 - Beth’s 1-1 mentorship 40:14 - The curriculum of Beth’s training as a nun 44:10 - How to remember past lives 48:45 - Observing the causal links of karma 50:45 - How to develop siddhi via deep samadhi 53:44 - Opening the divine eye to perceive devas and ghosts 56:11 - Not claiming attainments 01:00:42 - Choosing the right meditation object 01:03:36 - Beth’s dislike of Dharma talks 01:05:57 - 1-1 mentorship with Beth 01:08:10 - Change technique after stream entry? 01:19:14 - Beth on the 10 Fetters and 4 Path Model … To find out more about Beth Upton, visit: - https://bethupton.com/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James
4 Mars 20221h 11min
Ep137: Kundalini Awakening - Tara Springett
In this episode I am joined by Tara Springett, a Buddhist psychotherapist who specialises in treating Kundalini Syndrome. Tara recounts emerging from a troubled childhood to experience her first of several spiritual awakenings through a type of consciousness expansion known as kundalini. Tara shares the diverse consequences of these experiences in her own life including a reckoning with her unconscious mind, a life-changing yearning for the divine, and paranormal encounters. Tara recounts her conversion to Tibetan Buddhism and time spent with teachers such as Rigdzin Shikpo and Garchen Rinpoche, who would both go onto encourage her to teach Buddhism. Tara details learning a range of Buddhist practices including compassion meditation, manifestation wish practice, and the inner yogas of tummo. Tara also shares her experiences channeling White Tara, and reflects on her understanding of the process of spiritual awakening and karmic purification that working with kundalini energy is said to bring about. … Video version at: www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep137-kundalini-awakening-tara-springett Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 01:05 - A troubled childhood and initial kundalini awakening 03:42 - What is kundalini? 04:48 - 4 effects of kundalini activity 07:05 - Paranormal experiences after kundalini awakening 09:16 - Are the different kundalini systems related? 12:51 - Radical transformation after Tara’s kundalini awakening 23:07 - Turning to God in the depths of kundalini crisis 28:28 - Finding Tibetan Buddhism 30:19 - Time in an unusual Buddhist community 36:24 - Studying with Lama Ole Nydahl and meeting Rigdzin Shikpo 38:37 - Buddhist manifestation techniques 40:12 - Receiving Dzogchen transmission from Garchen Rinpoche 44:17 - Encouraged to teach Buddhism by Garchen Rinpoche 47:33 - Bliss and purification 49:05 - The essence of Tara’s approach to kundalini awakening 54:14 - Difficult experience with tummo meditation 56:01 - Kundalini and extreme purification 59:42 - Rainbow appearance 01:02:29 - Marriage strife and Tara’s husband’s kundalini awakening 01:03:13 - Tantric relationships and taking your partner as your guru 01:12:50 - Tara’s recent intense lower chakra purifications 01:23:12 - Channeling the Buddhist deity White Tara 01:33:10 - Has Tara faced criticism for her channeling? 01:37:38 - Are there spiritually gifted people? 01:40:53 - The power of taking a spiritual name … To find out more about Tara, visit: - https://www.taraspringett.com/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com
25 Feb 20221h 42min
Ep136: Meeting of the Dharmas - Daniel Ingram & Delson Armstrong
In this episode I host a dialogue between Daniel Ingram and Delson Armstrong. Daniel Ingram is an independent Buddhist writer, author of ‘Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha’, and co-founder of the Emergent Phenomenology Research Consortium (EPRC). Delson Armstrong is a spiritual teacher, author of ’A Mind Without Craving’, and the star student of Bhante Vimalaramsi. Daniel and Delson discuss the similarities and differences between their doctrinal positions and personal experiences of the 4-path model of Buddhist enlightenment, which ranges from stream entry to arhatship. In this collegial yet rigorous dialogue, Daniel and Delson engage in detailed debate on the differences in their positions and draw on personal experience, scriptural examples, and issues of scientific verification. They also discuss the effect of enlightenment on psychopathy and other personality disorders, reflect on which meditation methods best fit different personality types, and conduct in-depth analysis of the phenomenon of ‘nirodha samapatti’. … Video version at: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep136-meeting-of-the-dharmas-daniel-ingram-delson-armstrong Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 01:49 - Daniel on stream entry 05:03 - Delson on stream entry 08:08 - Afterglow of stream entry and dependent origination 14:34 - 3 fetters discussion 24:24 - Does stream entry result in moral improvement? 28:49 - Can you retrain a sociopath with loving kindness meditation? 30:51 - Does stream entry make sociopaths and psychopaths more dangerous? 35:18 - Saints & psychopaths - how can we differentiate? 41:03 - 2nd path and the reduction of craving and aversion 47:30 - 2nd path vs stream entry - which is more profound? 53:13 - Daniel on 3rd path 56:18 - Delson on 3rd path 59:23 - Daniel’s critique of the traditional 3rd path position 01:03:05 - Delson and Daniel dialogue about 3rd path 01:10:40 - Is it possible to completely eradicate craving and aversion? 01:16:00 - Scientific testing and Bikkhu Analayo’s critique 01:23:39 - Delson on TWIM the importance of method 01:26:18 - What is nirodha samapatti? 01:28:08 - Comparing Daniel and Delson’s abilities 01:29:33 - How to train for nirodha samapatti 01:32:25 - Different personalities and jhana aptitude 01:36:43 - Resolution training and balancing enlightenment factors 01:38:18 - Steve on Delson’s yoga training and the three humours 01:43:40 - More on matching personality types to meditation methods 01:53:58 - Arhatship and agency 01:56:20 - Agency vs conceit 02:00:21 - Disagreement between Daniel and Delson about outcomes of arhatship 02:08:30 - Compassion vs suffering 02:13:01 - Suicide and arhatship 02:21:17- The dusty end of the path … Daniel Ingram Episode Playlist - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlkzlKFgdkny_MJSecHyvKHPpvxTskBAC Delson Armstrong Episode Playlist: - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlkzlKFgdknxiWzbRXNY29pSwlAcDYF_r To find out more about Daniel, visit: - https://theeprc.org/ - integrateddaniel.info To find out more about Delson Armstrong, visit: - https://www.suttavada.foundation/our-teachers/ - https://www.dhammasukha.org/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James
18 Feb 20222h 22min
