Ep18: Leigh Brasington - Guru Viking Interviews

In this interview I am joined by Ngakpa Chögyam a blues loving, horse riding Ngakpa, who with his wife Khandro Déchen, is the Lineage Lama (principal teacher) of the Aro tradition, a tantric Buddhist house holder tradition. Ngakpa Chögyam is the author of many books and today we discuss Wisdom Eccentrics. It is ‘a rare account of remarkable lamas in the final years of a lost era’ …which chronicles his education with Kunzang Dorje Rinpoche, ‘a highly reclusive master known for mercurial wrath and facility with Dzogchen’. In the book we follow this 19-year old Englishman in 1971 into the heart of the Himalayas to seek the highest teachings from a notoriously wrathful and elusive Lama. In this fascinating and candid conversation we delve into the themes of the book, including the culture clash of Dharmsala in the 70s, the true face of Crazy Wisdom and it’s abuses, how to access the realised state through the emotions themselves, and why Ngakpa Chögyam sees the crossover between the arts and Vajrayana as vitally important. Topics include: - Ngakpa Chögyam’s childhood fascination with Buddhism and Tibet - Parallels between the Viking religions and Tibetan Buddhism - Travelling to India at 19 in 1971 - An instant rapport with the Tibetan people - Fundamental clashes with the other Western students - Meeting the nomadic yogi Kunzang Dorje - How Dudjom Rinpoche trapped Kunzang Dorje - Tackling Ngakap Chögyam’s chronic politeness - Stories and interrogation as teaching tools - Tibetan culture vs Western culture - The sophistication and limitation of the Western mind - Principle and Form as the key to understanding Buddhism - Emptiness and Form applied to shiné and lhaktong meditation - The evening when Chögyam received the transmission of the nature of mind - How the nature of mind transmission works - The difference between a realised master and a well-educated scholar - Art an the Varjayana - How Chögam uses the Doc Togden instagram account - Wrathful lamas and Crazy Wisdom - Wrathful Compassion and Crazy Wisdom as an excuse for abuse - The genuine use of Wrath and Crazy Wisdom - The prerequisites to using Wrathful Compassion - Kunzang Dorje’s wrath in action - Why Ngakpa Chögyam is not a wrathful teacher - Chogyam’s occasional use of wrathful means - Psychopathic spiritual teachers and sexual exploitation - Crazy Wisdom as disintegration of religious pattern - Stories of Crazy Wisdom in action - Chi’imed Rinpoche’s expression of yeshe chölwa - The use of the full spectrum of emotions in Tantra - Accessing the realised state through the emotions - How to use powerful negative emotions in spiritual practice - The role of the personality display in teaching Tantra - The teacher student relationship in the Vajrayana - Is the teacher student relationship a professional or personal one? - The importance of two-way respect between teacher and student - Blind devotion vs informed devotion - Informed devotion vs romantic infatuation - Ngakpa Chögyam’s parting words and why everyone is an artist To find out more about Ngakpa Chögyam: -http://arobuddhism.org/ -https://www.instagram.com/doctor_togden/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music 'Deva Dasi' by Steve James

11 Maj 201856min

Today I’m joined by my co-teacher Michaela Boehm for a special interview about facing adversity. Michaela's house was destroyed in the Thomas fire, the largest wild fire in California state history. We discuss the story of what happened, how Michaela used her extensive training and lifetime of practice to face this crisis, and the surprisingly inspiring themes of determination and community. Disasters of any kind are something we all hope to avoid but that can happen to any of us at any time. There are many useful lessons and takeaways in Michaela's story for facing adversity and for supporting others who are in times of crisis. Topics include: - Michaela’s house destroyed by Thomas Fire, the largest wildfire in California State history - 50ft fire walls sweeping across the landscape at the speed of an acre a minute - The race from Europe to California and entering a disaster zone - How different people coped with the shock and trauma - Fight, flight, and freeze responses - Michaela’s game plan and personal shock-prevention strategies - How to use the fight or flight response without being overwhelmed by it - Working with trauma after the initial event - Working productively in a stressful situation - Body movement as the key to unlocking freeze and trauma - Why Michaela prioritises beautifying her environment and the positive effects of ordering your environment - The practice of Vastu and the practical tips on organising your surroundings - Stepping down from daily activity to nighttime rest - Using water to de-stress and cleanse - Michaela’s favourite meditation approach to relax and open the body - Journalling and Jungian dream work as tools of psychological integration - Self-care in times of adversity - Epigenetics and archetypal work around loss and fire - Unusual conversations with the insurance adjuster - The inspiring resilience of human beings in the face of adversity - How to effectively support others in a crisis (and not make things worse) - Unexpected acts of kindness - The strength of community in a crisis - Final thoughts For more interviews, audio, and articles check out: www.guruviking.com Find out more about Michaela and the workshops we teach at: www.michaelaboehm.com https://soundcloud.com/michaela-boehm Find out more about The Non-Linear Movement Method at: www.thenonlinearmovementmethod.com

2 Jan 20181h

In this episode I'm joined once again by meditation teacher and Sanskrit translator Lorin Roche PhD. Our last interview was so popular, with so many requests for more, that Lorin agreed to another one! In this conversation we dive into Lorin's unique approach to meditation, look at why the way meditation is usually taught is actually damaging for most people, why monasteries psychologically castrate monks and what that means for their non-monastic students, and how to meditate in a way that embraces all of your life energies. Topics include: -Lorin’s unusual definition of meditation -The origins of meditation -What we can learn from the lives of the saints -The spiritual geniuses and daredevil monastics of the past -The male pioneers of meditation and their legacy -Enlightenment or bust -Adapting meditation to your needs and lifestyle -The sexual side of monasticism -Celibacy for the 1% -Living the life of all of your chakras -The high art of living all of your life energies -Sexuality as part of spirituality -Lorin’s radical meditation pursuits -Lorin’s early training and first spiritual breakthroughs -Lorin’s mission to serve meditators -What happens when a person starts to meditate? -Why meditation gets credit for something people should get credit for -Why most meditation techniques are a bad fit -Why the deep effect of certain techniques don’t show themselves for a couple of years -Why many people’s meditation starts beneficially but becomes more harmful as time goes on -Meditation with a monastic-oriented control structure -Why long term meditation can de-vitalise people -Ayahuasca as the party drug of pious Californian yoga teachers -What interviewing thousands of successful meditators taught Lorin about what works -What’s unique about Lorin’s approach to meditation -Common misunderstandings about meditation -Why a lot of people approach meditation like they’re sitting in church -The human mind’s activity as an expression of the universal life force -The genius of the human body -Psychologically castrating monks for administrative reasons in the monastery -Meditation should be a place people should go to be free, not disciplined -Actively encouraging wildness and cherishing of life in meditation -The parallels between meditation and eating disorders in teenage girls -The shadowy allure of discipline -Lorin’s best advice to a new meditator -Meditation as a way of being in love with life Check out Lorin's first interview here: https://soundcloud.com/guruviking/guru-viking-interviews-ep1-lorin-roche-phd To find out more about Lorin visit: lorinroche.com radiancesutras.com meditationtt.com Visit www.guruviking.com for more interviews, audios, and articles. Music 'Deva Dasi' by Steve James

21 Dec 20171h 6min

Today I’m talking with Traver Boehm. I first met Traver on his fortieth birthday in the aftermath of having lost his marriage and business in a single day. Devastated by these events he had embarked on a Year to Live, inspired by the Stephen Levine book of the same title, whereby he lived an entire year as if it was his last. This conversation is very touching and insightful - we discuss the realities of divorce, find out how Traver found meaning and put his life back together through service, what it means to return to dating and relationships and to be guided by the gut instinct - something Traver calls his 'God of the Gut' - and how he advises the divorced men he works with today. We also learn about Traver’s Year to Live where he worked with the elderly dying in the public hospice system, spent a month in a pitch black meditation cell in Guatemala, and more. He’s a very inspiring and heartfelt man and I think you’ll really enjoy this one. Topics include: - The single day in which Traver lost his marriage and business in the aftermath of a miscarriage - Some of the bad advice Traver received - How profound loss led to his Year To Live experiment - The reality of divorce for men - Traver’s hellish divorce experience - Why divorce robs people of meaning and direction - How men avoid feeling the pain of divorce and what it costs them - Traver’s work with divorced men - Straight talk about divorce - The surprising ways in which divorce has radically changed the way - - Traver dates and does relationship - Traver’s ‘God of the Gut’ and being guided by gut instinct and bodily wisdom - How Traver drowned out his painful feelings during his marriage with substances and overwork - Traver’s daily practice that accesses his gut instinct - Planning his Year To Live and the meaning of the experiment - Asking ’What would I really do if this was the last year of my life?’ - Traver’s time volunteering in hospices in New Mexico - Lessons learned from the dying - The little things that afford a dying person dignity and comfort - Why every person should volunteer to care for the elderly - How to volunteer for hospice work in the USA - Traver’s month meditation retreat in a pitch black cell in Guatemala - Gambling with his sanity in the pitch blackness - Where to find Traver’s blog and writings Find out more about Traver here: - http://www.traverboehm.com - http://www.traverboehm.com/year-live-project-blindfolds-maserati/ Visit www.guruviking.com for more interviews, audios, and articles. Music 'Deva Dasi' by Steve James

30 Okt 201747min

In this interview I’m joined by musicians and artists Michael Cuming and Silvana van Dijk from the Australian musical duo Visions of a Nomad. I’ve known them for a couple of years now and they’re really fascinating. In the interview we dive into the ancient wisdom of Australia including dreamtime stories, how to read nature signs, and dream interpretation. We discuss how Michael and Silvana met, why Silvana left an international modelling career and Michael his own touring musical project to disappear for months into the Australian bush with a spear and a 4x4. We discuss Michael’s death experience in a hang gliding accident that radically changed his life, his time living as the personal secretary to an Indian guru with supernatural powers, and their deep connection to the indigenous people of Australia. Topics include: -The beginnings of Visions of A Nomad -Why Michael left his nationally touring band to live in the desert with just a spear and his instincts -The story of love at first sight between Michael and Silvana -Why Silvana gave up an international modelling career to go with Michael to live with the indigenous people of Australia -Living together with Aboriginals -How the indigenous spiritual blueprint pervades the land of Australia -The unique spiritual energy and traditions of Australia -The old Dreaming Paths of Australia How to tune into nature and read natural signs -The specific meanings of certain animal signs -Personal experiences with warnings from the kuru bird -The ancient knowledge in the Aboriginal dreamtime stories The differences between the energetic information of Europe and Australia -Learning to read the language of nature -Why Michael’s left school to become a stockman in the outback -How Michael’s connection with the indigenous people of Australia began -What Michael learned working with mentally challenged children at a Rudolf -Steiner School -How dying in a hang gliding accident radically changed the direction of Michael’s life -What Michael learned from his spiritual experience when he was dead -The extreme spiritual seeking of Michael’s early twenties that brought him to a crisis point -How a dream brought Michael to meet his Indian guru Swami Krishna -Living and studying Hatha yoga and Tantric meditation with the guru -Swami Krishna’s history learning Tibetan tantra and travelling through India as a colleague of Osho -Michael’s final profound spiritual experience with Swami Krishna -How attachment to concepts and paradigms can block spiritual experiences -When Michael realised he was getting hooked on blissing out -Why Michael stopped meditation and applied his spiritual lessons towards living life of creativity and excellence -Why living a full life is important and how the body can teach us to work with strong energies -Where Michael’s drive for artistic excellence comes from -How Swami Krishna taught his students and worked with his solo -High level practice as a spiritual commando -Why Michael would never be a spiritual teacher -Dream interpretation -The links between the Vedas and the Aboriginals -Why the Aboriginals represent an unbroken line of ancient understanding stretching back through time -The intersection of culture, art, and spirituality -How Michael builds bridges between communities with his music and ceremony work -Why everyone is indigenous -What does the term Aboriginal mean -Michael’s work with the Aboriginal people -Music, art, and traditional ceremony -Are Michael and Silvana shamans? -Michael’s morning ritual Find out more about Michael and Silvana here: - https://www.visionsofanomad.com/ - http://www.arcdreamingaboriginaldancetheatre.com/ - https://visionsofanomad1.bandcamp.com/ Visit www.guruviking.com for more interviews, audios, and articles. Music 'Grassy Spirit' performed live by Visions of a Nomad

18 Okt 20171h 14min

I was recently interviewed by Dan Doty on the Evryman Podcast and we had a really great conversation. We talked about my childhood on a remote Scottish Island, extreme outdoor survival, mystical experiences, and a bunch of other interesting things.  Enjoy! More about me: www.guruviking.com More about Dan: https://www.evryman.co/dan/

19 Sep 20171h 9min

In this interview I talk with Keith McKenzie. Keith is a meditation teacher and Buddhist chaplain for the British Armed Forces and works extensively with veterans in retreats and ongoing community projects. We discuss Keith’s career as an elite soldier in the Parachute Regiment of the British army, and how severe PTSD ended Keith’s 22 years in the fire service and led to heavy substance abuse and years of suffering. We learn how a profound spiritual experience altered the direction of Keith’s life and saw him immerse in meditation and Buddhism, discovering tools to stabilise his mind and heal his trauma - tools that he now shares in his work with veterans through his charity Sadaya. ... Keith passed away peacefully on November 11th 2021 surrounded by friends and family. ... Topics include: - The importance of credibility and life experience - Keith’s time as a hippy in Holland in the 70s before joining the army - The urge to search and Keith’s childhood experiences of religion - How early childhood challenges influenced Keith’s desire to be the best and prove he wasn’t weak - Keith’s career in the elite Parachute Regiment Pathfinders of the British Army - SAS selection and being shot - How 22 years in the fire service was vastly more traumatic than his time in the army and led to severe PTSD - Complex PTSD and how initial trauma can set a pattern of recurring retraumatisation - Karma and character formation - How the negative consequences of one’s mistakes are actually an opportunity to repair karma - Nightmares are dreams trying to tell us something - Why it’s useful to see challenges in life as an opportunity to pay off negative karma - How Keith’s view of karma sets him free from blaming others and blaming himself - Meditation as a tool for use in daily life - Why meditation is like going to the gym, but application in real life is the main event - How Keith uses mindful awareness to deal with difficult experiences - Mistaken ideas about karma and why it isn’t about self blame - How Keith teaches forgiveness through debate and not meditation techniques - Why being a human being is a great opportunity but can lead to difficulties - How severe PTSD ended Keith’s time in the fire service and saw him spend time in a psychiatric ward - The limits of therapy as a cure and why Keith turned to heavy drinking and drugs - How a powerful spiritual experience radically changed the course of Keith’s life - Quitting drinking, drugs, and smoking all in one day - Keith’s jumps into meditation with 8+ hours of intensive practice a day in a Buddhist monastery - The importance of personal practice and why Keith still meditates for 3 hours every day - Meeting Lama Yeshe, the abbot of Samye Ling Monastery, and experiencing his presence and intuitive power - Lama Yeshe’s surprising advice to Keith - Meditation retreats vs real life service - Why Keith longs to go on extended retreat but chooses to serve veterans instead - Does mediation lead to a muted, dull emotional life? - Keith’s personal meditation practice - Practical techniques to relieve pain and suffering - Keith’s work with veterans and those suffering with PTSD - What happens on Keith’s retreats and the unique needs of veterans - Keith’s passion to give veterans tools to stabilise their minds so they can reclaim their lives - Why Keith isn’t interested in converting people and instead supports people to find their own sense of meaning - Working with Keith The Veterans Community Cafe in Edinburgh: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1184591528228376/ Keith is happy to receive emails at: cianroanfk8@hotmail.co.uk Visit www.guruviking.com for more interviews, audios, and articles. Music 'Deva Dasi' by Steve James

14 Sep 20171h

In this candid interview I talk with lucid dreaming teacher and Hay House author Charlie Morley. We delve into the mysteries of lucid dreaming and and how we can use the practices of dream yoga to harness the third of our lives we spend sleeping as an inner laboratory of exploration, adventure, and even healing. We also discover how a book by the Dalai Lama radically changed Charlie's path from a life of gang violence and drugs to a passion for Buddhism, Charlie’s devotional relationship with his guru Lama Yeshe, and why the guru-disciple model is so often fraught with controversy. Topic include: - Lucid dreaming defined - How lucid dreaming can be used for fun, spiritual practice, and psychological healing - Why Charlie adds modern scientific and psychological applications to traditional dream yoga techniques - The real heart of dream yoga - Shadow work in the dream state - Charlie’s early childhood lucid dreaming experiences - Surprising signs that a child is a lucid dreamer - How Charlie can have 3-4 lucid dreams a night despite not being a natural - Dream work in other traditions and why Tibetan Buddhism doesn’t have a monopoly on dream yoga - How reading a book by the Dalai Lama radically changed Charlie’s life path from drugs and gang violence to Buddhism - Why a lust for partying and excess can actually be a strong indicator of spiritual potential - Was Charlie a dream yogi in a past life? - Charlie’s motto for the spiritual path and living a meaningful life - The guru disciple relationship and Charlie’s devotion to his guru Lama Yeshe - Disempowering the ego to empower the Buddha Nature - The golden shadow and how we often deny our divine nature - The guru disciple relationship as a skilful means of working with psychological projection - Why Charlie was initially unimpressed with Lama Yeshe - Lama Yeshe’s spiritual attainments - Charlie’s advice for how to wisely choose a teacher - Charlie on the controversy at Rigpa and the dangers of the corrupting influence of power - Crazy wisdom and learning from scandal - Charlie’s motivation to help connect people to their spiritual path - Why Lama Yeshe calls Charlie his joyful ambassador - How Charlie became officially authorised to teach by the Karma Kagyu lineage - The safety net of lineage - Why dream yoga gives you keys to the labratory of your mind every night - Charlie’s top tips for maximising lucid dreaming Find out more about Charlie at www.charliemorley.com. Visit www.guruviking.com for more interviews, audios, and articles. Music 'Deva Dasi' by Steve James

24 Aug 201749min