Ep248: Esoterica & Academia - Dr Justin Sledge

In this interview I am joined by Gregory Blann: mystic, artist, author, and initiate of the Inayati and Halveti-Jerrahi orders of Sufism. Gregory reveals the rich history and practices of Sufism, including meditation techniques, Zikr, and the dream practices of the Halveti-Jerrahi. Gregory also recounts his own spiritual journey from Evangelical Christianity to Gurdjieff to encounters with great Sheiks of the 20th century such as Pir Vilayat Khan, Sheik Nur, and Muzaffer Efendi. Gregory also explains the 4 Levels of Religion, connections between Sufism and Kabbalah, and discusses the possibility of an allegorical reading of the Gospels. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep96-gregory-blann-the-garden-of-mystic-love/ 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:45 - The history and context of Sufism 12:41 - The 4 levels of religion 17:14 - The ‘Verse of the Sword’ and the inner path 27:34 - Inclusiveness of Sufism 32:44 - Are there connections between Sufism and Indic Tantric thought? 38:58 - Zikr practice of Sufism 48:57 - Gregory’s spiritual journey 53:29 - Gurdjieff’s work and encountering Sufism 1:02:35 - Initiating into the Inayati Order of the West with Pir Vilayat Khan 1:05:25 - About Pir Vilayat Khan 1:10:32 - About Lex Hixon aka Sheik Nur 1:20:07 - Initiation into the Halveti-Jerrahi Order with Sheik Nur 1:20:49 - Granted permissions of the Sheik by the Grand Sheik Muzaffer Efendi in Istanbul 1:21:24 -Retreat practice and the history of the Halveti-Jerrahi Order of Sufism 1:30:12 - Muzaffer Efendi and the transmission of Turkish Sufism to the West 1:36:34 - Levels of initiation as a Sufi Sheik 1:42:45 - Dream practices of the Halveti-Jerrahi Order 1:44:51 - Sufism and Kabbalah 1:47:20 - Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi and Jewish Renewal 1:51:31 - Reading the Gospels on an allegorical level … To find out more about Gregory, visit: - https://blanng.wixsite.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

21 Maj 20211h 54min

In this episode I am once again joined by Dr Ben Joffe, anthropologist and scholar practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism. In this interview Ben takes us on a deep dive into the theory, practice, and scholarship of coitus reservatus as a Tantric religious practice. Ben compares these practices within various Buddhist lineages, as well as exploring the similarities and differences between Shaiva Tantra, Western Occultism, and modern Neo-Tantric approaches. Ben also discusses the various applications of this practice - including spiritual, medical, and magickal - how to choose a consort, and draws on religious texts to discuss previously secret catheter practices. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep95-dr-ben-joffe-4-coitus-reservatus/ This podcast is also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 0:42 - Ben’s move to South Africa and work with Dr Nida Chenagtsang 04:10 - Ben’s line-by-line ngondro translation class 06:59 - About ngondro practice 11:27 - Why is Dr Nida going on extended retreat? 15:10 - Coitus reservatus in popular culture 23:00 - A summary of academic and popular views on Karmamudra 33:04 - An overview of ejaculation control and orgasm in Vajrayana 45:53 - Shaiva Tantra and Western S3x Magick 1:16:30 - The female experience and further considerations 1:33:10 - Medical and magickal use of s3xual fluids in Tibetan texts 1:52:13 - Thoughts about the origins of Tantric practice formulations 1:57:55 - Choosing a consort 02:12:31 - The ‘Self’ and identity in Tantra 02:28:33 - The diversity of Tantric practices 02:34:35 - Vajrolīmudra and urethral catheter practices 02:39:44 - Methods of ejaculatory control 03:03:26 - Similarities between traditional and Neo-Tantric practices 03:08:44 - Everything is Karmamudra … Ngakpa series with Dr Ben Joffe: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep44-dr-ben-joffe-ngakpa-the-occult-and-anthropology/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep48-dr-ben-joffe-2-siddhi-samaya-and-duels-of-magick/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep52-dr-ben-joffe-3-dakinis-consorts-beyond-heteronormativity/ Ben’s PhD dissertation: - https://pqdtopen.proquest.com/doc/2335180529.html?FMT=ABS&fbclid=IwAR3bXYiUmC6YcOgR09-GuSiC_UwwXYuTcLJ-kce_tI3-8e-smZS99wy1HMY To find out more about Ben, visit: - https://perfumedskull.com/ - http://www.skypressbooks.com/ - https://www.sowarigpaonline.org/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

14 Maj 20213h 20min

In this episode I host part 5 of an ongoing trialogue between Shinzen Young, meditation teacher and neuroscience research consultant, Chelsey Fasano, a Columbia University neuroscience student, and Dr Jay Sanguinetti, Assistant Director for the Center for Consciousness Studies and Research Assistant Professor at the University of New Mexico. In this episode we discuss topics such as is there an enlightenment button and is it enough, extracting the essence of religious approaches, multi-dimensional integration after enlightenment, a deep dive on trauma and the no-self, and more. … https://www.guruviking.com/ep94-the-enlightenment-button-feat-shinzen-young-chelsey-fasano-dr-jay-sanguinetti/ This podcast is also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:41 - Is there an enlightenment button and is it enough? 03:46 - The scope of the enlightenment button 09:01 - How deep can a state level change go? 11:24 - Spontaneous awakening trends 14:21 - Extracting the essence 17:18 - Operationalising enlightenment and the context of awakening 20:53 - Embodied interdependent cognition and integration 24:43 - Wilber’s ‘clean up, grow up, wake up’ 27:16 - Shinzen comments on Wilber’s formulation 29:42 - Shinzen responds to criticisms of modern mindfulness 34:43 - Embedding the practice 38:30 - Can no-self reinforce trauma? 41:00 - Harnessing reward systems for meditation 42:29 - Defining no-self 44:09 - Multi-dimensional self alteration 47:29 - Shinzen on trauma and the dying process 58:30 - The Christian religious experience 1:00:12 - Pattern completion and changing relationship to trauma 1:08:55 - After enlightenment, why heal? … 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/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep86-bliss-enlightenment-fristonian-physics-feat-chelsey-fasano-shinzen-young-dr-jay-sanguinetti/ 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

7 Maj 20211h 13min

In this episode I am joined by Amalia Rubin - internationally known singer, Buddhist practitioner, 8 language polyglot, and scholar currently conducing her PhD research on ‘Gesar as an ongoing mode of reality in the lives of modern Tibetan youths in Eastern Tibet’ at the University of Leeds. In this interview, Amalia reveals her unusual upbringing and subsequent life of adventure, intensive language immersion, life and work throughout Asia, and encounters with high Lamas including an ongoing friendship of the 17th Karmapa. We learn about Amalia’s research interests, including the shamanic healing practices of the Steppes, the babdrung trance-bards of the Gesar tradition, and the similarities between the modern revivals of traditional shamanism in Mongolia and the Gesar Ling traditions of Eastern Tibet,. Amalia also discusses her special relationship with Tana monastery, and how she became an internationally renowned singer and performer. … https://www.guruviking.com/ep93-amalia-rubin-the-epic-of-king-gesar/ Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 0:00 - Intro 00:57 - ‘I come from a weird family’ 05:00 - Intersection of Judaism and Buddhism 10:25 - Childhood meetings with high Lamas of Tibetan Buddhism 13:33 - Beginning formal Tibetan language study 15:21 - Asian Studies at University of Buffalo 17:11 - Intensive language study at Sarah College 18:40 - Advice for students pursuing higher education 19:35 - Travel to Mongolia and completing a masters at University of Washington 22:37 - Shamanic migraine healing 23:44 - 3 years in India and spiritual relationship with the 17th Karmapa 27:44 - Personal stories about the 17th Karmapa 32:52 - Parallels between Tibetan Gesar and Mongolian Shamanic revivals 34:26 - The babdrung trance-bards of the Gesar tradition 36:32 - Involuntary tradition revivals 37:33 - How do the babdrung enter trance? 39:26 - Are the babdrung chanellings philologically consistent? 42:04 - Pop culture expressions of the Gesar revival 46:00 - Eschatalogical aspects of the Gesar myth 47:33 - Who was Gesar and what is his cultural significance? 52:10 - Origin of the name ‘Gesar’ 53:26 - Amalia’s Gesar practice and connection with Tana monastery 58:28 - Further details on Gesar practice 1:01:45 - Amalia’s academic work on Gesar 1:03:21 - Sacred artefacts of Tana monastery 1:11:30 - How Amalia was invited to begin her PhD 1:15:38 - Hospitalised in Tibet 1:17:50 - Research during the pandemic 1:18:45 -Recovering from COVID 1:19:40 - Amalia’s international singing career ... To find our more about Amalia Rubin, visit: - https://www.facebook.com/groups/708269639856653 - www.baganmongolian.com - https://www.instagram.com/thewildamalia/ - ahanarubin @ gmail [dot] com For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

30 Apr 20211h 25min

In this episode I am joined by Alejandro Chaoul PhD, author, meditation teacher, Huffington Foundation Endowed Director of the Mind Body Spirit Institute at the Jung Center of Houston. Alejandro is an expert in tsa lung trulkhor, also known as Tibetan Yoga, and in this episode we discover the practices and encounters that kindled Alejandro’s fascination with this subject. We learn about Alejandro’s travels through India and encounters with gurus such as UG Krishnamurti, Namkhai Norbu, and the exorcist and weather maker Ngakpa Yeshe Dorje. Alejandro reveals the details of his path and practice, tells stories of his personal relationships with many great teachers, and his entry into academia. Alejandro also discusses the inner heat practice of tummo and I ask him about traditional dietary recommendations for yogis and the tantric practice of breath retention. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep92-dr-alejandro-chaoul-magical-movements-of-tibet/ 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
 … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:51 - Learning yantra yoga from Namkhai Norbu 03:55 - Studying trulkhor in Nepal 08:34 - The teacher-student relationship and what attracted Alejandro to the Bön religion 13:02 - Converting to Buddhism 14:14 - From Buddhism to Bön 17:08 - Being dismantled by UG Krishnamurti 21:15 - Studying with exorcist and weather maker Ngakpa Yeshe Dorje 30:55 - Stories of personal relationship with Namkhai Norbu 38:13 - Converting to Buddhism from Judaism 40:59 - Becoming a rug buyer 42:53 - Learning Tibetan and becoming an academic 46:01 - Studying Tibetan with Jeffrey Hopkins 49:07 - Alejandro’s pHD in Bön trulkor and joining academic study with practice 53:56 - The teacher-student relationship 58:20 - Interpersonal relationship with Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche 1:00:21 - The magical movements of Tibetan Yoga 1:03:19 - Tummo ‘inner heat’ yoga 1:04:33 - Kum Nye 1:06:23 - Upcoming book on Tibetan Yoga 1:07:46 - Diet and semen retention 1:08:53 - Diet recommendations for yogis 1:12:25 - S3xual practices and semen retention 1:14:02- Working with Alejandro ... To find our more about Alejandro Chaoul, visit: - www.alechaoul.com - www.ligmincha.org - www.mbsihouston.org For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

23 Apr 20211h 15min

In this episode I am joined by Anna Lutkajtis author of ‘Dark Side of the Dharma: Meditation, Madness, and Other Maladies on the Contemplative Path’. Anna is a postgraduate researcher at the University of Sydney who’s research focuses on mysticism, the dark night of the soul, and the healing potential of altered states of consciousness. We learn how Anna’s own existential crisis saw her embark on a spiritual quest, including deep exploration of meditation and yoga, and close contact with pragmatic dharma teachers Daniel Ingram and Kenneth Folk. Anna reveals where a senior teacher placed her on the 4-path model of enlightenment, and why that framework is no longer the focus of her personal practice. We also discuss Anna’s research into adverse meditation effects, explore three different theories of the dark night of the soul, and consider the friction points between enlightenment and psychological health. Anna then asks me about my experience sharing meditation with others and we discuss my interests in the parallels between mindfulness and mainstream Christianity, the mechanisms of religious conversion, and the pros and cons of intensive retreat. … Video version available at: https://www.guruviking.com/ep91-anna-lutkajtis-dark-side-of-the-dharma/ Episode also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
 … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 01:10 - Anna’s meditation history 04:38 - Encountering Daniel Ingram and Kenneth Folk 09:53 - Personal outcome of working 1-1 with Kenneth Folk 11:03 - Fire kasina practice and yoga asana 11:40 - Anna’s fire kasina story 15:56 - Anna’s ‘relentless seeking phase’ 16:57 - Perspective on the 4-path model 19:22 - Who diagnosed Anna’s path attainments and on what basis? 20:59 - Anna’s dark night, depression, and Daniel Ingram’s help 24:59 - 3 different dark night theories 29:40 - Scripting and experience construction 33:36 - Why are adverse meditation effects ignored? 36:00 - Religious vs psychological friction points 40:18 - Bikkhu Analayo’s critique 42:57 - Defining ‘adverse effects’ 44:53 - Trauma and adverse meditation effects 45:51 - Pros and cons of intensive retreat 48:03 - Frequency of adverse meditation effects 52:29 - The goals of practice 55:21 - Further definitions and variables 1:00:02 - Spiritual but not religious? 1:03:32 - Mindfulness as a religious movement 1:05:17 - Peak experiences and religious conversion 1:07:20 - Dangers of psychedelic-assisted therapy 1:07:50 - Encountering resistance during research and publication 1:11:51 - Anna’s psychedelic research 1:12:25 - The life-cycle of the mindfulness trend ... Buy Anna’s book with discount code DS20 (valid until 4/30/21): - USA https://redwheelweiser.com/detail.html?id=9781913504595 - UK https://www.aeonbooks.co.uk/product/the-dark-side-of-dharma-meditation-madness-and-other-maladies-on-the-contemplative-path/94921/ To find our more about Anna Ludkajtis, visit: - https://annalutkajtis.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

16 Apr 20211h 16min

In this episode I am joined by Andrew Holecek, author, spiritual teacher, and expert on lucid dreaming and the Tibetan yogas of dream and sleep. In this interview, Andrew reveals his childhood fascination with the occult, including seances, Ouija boards, and channellers such as Edgar Cayce and Jane Roberts. We learn how a series of powerful spiritual openings set Andrew on a quest into the world’s mystical traditions, eventually to find a home in the practices of Tibetan Buddhism. Andrew discusses the limitations of scientific materialism, the similarities and differences between his training as a concert pianist and the discipline of meditation, and gives a lucid dreaming primer for those in lockdown. Andrew also shares his thinking on the role of lineage in religion, the recent scandals in the Buddhist tradition, and reflects on his own departure from the controversial religious organisation Shambala after decades of study. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep90-andrew-holecek-nocturnal-meditation/ 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
 … Topics Include: 0:00 - Intro 01:30 - Childhood interest in the occult 04:09 - Edgar Cayce and Jane Roberts’ Seth Material 06:05 - Powerful experience with Transcendental Meditation 07:24 - Practicing seances and using ouija boards 11:16 - Inspiration from the Kung Fu TV series 13:27 - Dimensional travel and contacting entities in lucid dreams 18:39 - Is ‘the West’ equivalent to scientific materialism? 28:53 - Similarities and differences between Andrew’s concert piano training and meditation 32:54 - Lucidity is the natural state 37:07 - Andrew’s profound spiritual opening into rigpa 40:30 - Post-awakening crash 43:19 - Conversion to Buddhism 44:44 - Reasons for leaving Shambala 46:50 - Travels in Asia and connecting to teachers 50:28 - Studies in non-dual Shaiva tantra 51:28 - Why is lineage backing important? 58:48 - Does Andrew have lineage backing? 1:02:53 - Seeing problems in Shambala and deciding to leave 1:07:15 - Andrew’s reflections on abuse by spiritual teachers 1:10:35 - Andrew’s lockdown lucid dreaming guide 1:20:58 - The Night Club 3.0 … To find our more about Andrew Holecek, visit: - https://www.andrewholecek.com/ - https://nightclub.andrewholecek.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James …

9 Apr 20211h 22min

In June 2020 I was interviewed for the second time by Dan Doty of DanDoty.com. Topics include: 0:00 - Living on a boat 2:59 - ‘Is Steve living the dream?’ 05:51 - Steve’s premonition 08:04 - A strange dream 12:00 - Unravelling and thinning out 15:12 -Steve’s practice approach 19:00 - Service and attention 22:38 - Being in shape 25:08 - Braindump on how to get a daily practice 31:51 - Confidence and tasting the result 36:43 - Different types of meditation 43:48 - Men, helping, and society
 Dan is known around the world for his work with men and his latest online offering is 'Ring of Fire', a 5 month mastermind for men's coaches: http://dandoty.com/ringoffire For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com

6 Apr 202157min