Ep25: Paul Cavel – Taoist Energy Arts – Guru Viking Interviews

In this episode I am joined by Dr. Ian Wickramasekera, Bön Buddhist practitioner and associate professor of Mindfulness Based Transpersonal Counseling at Naropa University. We discuss how a violent, childhood near-death experience propelled Ian onto the path of meditative exploration, and how psychedelics played a part in unraveling deep seated racial conditioning. We learn how early encounters with Glenn Mullin and Robin Kornman profoundly shaped Ian’s contemplative and academic trajectories. Ian recounts his first meditation retreats with the Shambala organisation, his opinion of the Sakyong, and why he left that lineage. Ian also explores dualistic and non dualistic epistemologies, the intersection of psychology and religion, and his academic work in the field of hypnosis. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep61-dr-ian-wickramasekera-devolving-the-self/ Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Stitcher – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include 0:00 - Intro 0:53 - Childhood mystical experiences 4:18 - Violent near-death experience as a child 10:08 - Ian’s love for Catholic ritual and prayer 16:30 - Ian’s relationship with his Sri Lankan father 19:17 - Early racial conditioning and experiments with LSD 27:00 - First encounter with Tibetan Buddhism 31:27 - Ian discusses Glenn Mullin’s 37:34 - Meditation misconceptions 40:58 - First retreat at the Shambala Centre 48:32 - Meeting Robin Kornman 59:52 - The secret of space 1:03:13 - Devolving not evolving the self 1:09:31 - Space or spiritual materialism? 1:12:08 - Spacious equanimity vs setting personal boundaries 1:18:19 - Trends in psychology 1:22:52 - Non-dual perspectives in counselling and psychology 1:25:40 - Meeting Albert Ellis 1:31:41 - Dualism in science, personality disorders, and meditation studies 1:45:49 - Criticism from Buddhists about Ian’s work 1:48:39 - Comparing Dzogchen to hypnosis 1:54:40 - Counsellors and scientists who practice non-dual traditions 1:56:53 - Ian’s experiences on his first month-long retreat 2:06:45 - Meeting the Sakyong and leaving the Shambala organisation 2:14:04 - In search of a teacher … Audio version of this podcast available on iTunes and Stitcher – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … To find our more about Ian, visit: - https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ian_Wickramasekera2 - https://www.naropa.edu/faculty/ian-wickramasekera.php … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - http://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

26 Sep 20202h 17min

In this episode I am joined by Taiwanese Youtube Fitness star Frank Yang who on May 25th 2020, declared himself to be an arhat - the highest level of enlightenment in Theravada Buddhism. Frank discusses his intense spiritual quest, from his early days as a bodybuilder struggling with sex addiction, to a multi-year deep dive into Buddhist meditation practice. We learn about Frank’s initial awakenings, kundalini phenomena, encounters with entities, and journeys to astral dimensions. Frank lifts the lid on his successful Youtube channel of over 160k subscribers, and shares his personal advice for all those who seek enlightenment. … https://www.guruviking.com/ep60-frank-yang-full-natty-arhat/ Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Stitcher – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 0:00 - Intro 0:46 - The collective dark night of the pandemic 1:46 - Bodybuilding, sex addiction, and beginning meditation 8:33 - Plato and the link between physical training and meditation 10:48 - Frank’s relationship to his body 12:25 - Sex and philosophy 14:33 - Discovering Daniel Ingram and experiencing the Arising and Passing 16:54 - Frank’s first dark night 19:40 - Psychedelic explorations 23:54 - Stream entry on second Goenka retreat 31:18 - Frank’s meditation influences 32:07 - Kundalini awakening 37:16 - The affects of Frank’s Kundalini awakening 38:17 - Attaining 3rd path 41:16 - Attaining 4th path 51:14 - Controversy around attainments 52:38 - The effects of enlightenment on Frank’s sex addiction 57:34 - Stream entry to arhat in 1 year 58:42 - Out of body experiences and astral realms 1:01:06 - Frank’s encounters with negative entities 1:04:01 - Sensing energies in people and places 1:05:38 - Changes to personal relationships after awakening 1:08:10 - Why Frank is sometimes lonely 1:08:36 - Frank’s bi-polar diagnosis and his meditation path 1:11:15 - Frank’s Youtube channel and his creative vision 1:19:06 - Advice to those seeking enlightenment … Audio version of this podcast available on iTunes and Stitcher – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … To find our more about Frank, visit: - https://www.youtube.com/c/frankyang/featured … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - http://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

12 Sep 20201h 20min

In this episode I am joined by Sang-gyé A-tsal, an ex-dancer, jazz club owner, and Brevet Lama in the Aro gTer lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. We discuss Sang-gyé’s personal journey through Santeria, Sufism, and Vedanta before meeting her future teacher, Ngak’chang Rinpoche. Sang-gyé discusses her transformative time spent in Nepal with Kunzang Dorje Rinpoche, and recounts her completion of the esoteric practice of phowa under the guidance of Jomo Sampel. We learn about how to practice Vajra Romance outside of a partnership, and explore Sang-gyé’s passion for the physical practices of Kum Nye. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep59-sang-gye-a-tsal-santeria-to-sang-gye/ Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Stitcher – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 0:00 - Intro 0:42 - Sang-gyé’s childhood meditation parties and explorations of spiritual traditions 3:47 - ‘Sleepy Shiné’ and learning to meditate 7:29 - Vedanta, Sufism, and Santeria 10:45 - Unusual experiences in Santeria 12:20 - Moving to New York to open a jazz club 13:20 - Meeting Ngak’chang Rinpoche and becoming an Aro gTer apprentice 23:15 - Stories about Kunzang Dorje Rinpoche 29:09 - Sang-gyé on ‘emptiness’ and relating to a great Lama 34:45 - Working with neurosis as an artist and practitioner 40:15 - Vajra Romance as a single person 44:52 - Sang-gyé’s phowa retreat under the guidance of Jomo Samphel 49:52 - Sang-gyé’s retreat schedule and achieving the sign of completion 55:19 - Practice sequencing on retreat 59:08 - Plans for the continuation of the Aro gTer lineage 1:04:31 - Sang-gyé’s passion for the physical practices of Kum Nye 1:08:47 - How to learn Kum Nye Sang-gyé online 1:09:53 - Modern relevance of the Gö Kar Chang Lo'i Dé … To find our more about Sang-gyé A-tsal, visit: - https://www.facebook.com/movingbeing.naturalbeing - https://www.instagram.com/movingbeing/ - movingbeing111@gmail.com Previous Aro gTer episodes: - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlkzlKFgdknxvlIXraR8zs4j4vNebA8os For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - http://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

28 Aug 20201h 11min

In this episode I am once again joined by Tibetologist, author, and Tantric Buddhist lama Glenn Mullin. We discuss a fascinating range of topics, including Theosophists Madame Blavatsky, Colonel Olcott, and Alice Bailey; and controversial American spiritual teacher Adi Da. We explore the line between mystical experience and psychotic delusion, and how mystics from various traditions have related to hearing voices and seeing visions. Glenn comments on the role of teachers and lineage in keeping mystics on track, reveals the 5 different ways to achieve clairvoyance, and discusses why the West produces so many self-initiated adepts. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep58-glenn-mullin-mystics-psychosis-madame-blavatsky/ Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Stitcher – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include 0:00 - Intro 0:41 - Helena Blavatsky’s influence and Glenn’s history with the Theosophical Society 14:31 - Mysticism or psychosis? The paranormal powers of the Theosophical Society 31:07 - Nicholas Roerich and Glenn’s up-coming book 32:50 - Adi Da, 5 means of achieving clairvoyance, and the pitfalls of self-made mystics 38:14 - The benefit of a strong living tradition 45:47 - How do Tibetan cave yogis stay sane? Advice for long retreat. … Audio version of this podcast available on iTunes and Stitcher – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Previous Glenn Mullin episodes: - https://www.guruviking.com/guru-viking-interviews-ep9-glenn-mullin/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep19-glenn-mullin-guru-viking-interviews/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep26-glenn-mullin-illusory-body-yoga-of-waking-sleep-and-death/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep28-glenn-mullin-dream-yoga-solo-retreat-guide-and-unlocking-the-human-potential/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep42-glenn-mullin-death-divination-and-sacred-relics/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep47-glenn-mullin-tales-of-translation/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep51-glenn-mulin-ufos-lineage-holders-tantric-secrecy/ To find our more about Glenn, visit: - https://www.runawayjourneys.com/ - http://www.glennmullin.com/ - https://www.facebook.com/Maitripa.Glenn For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - http://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

20 Aug 202054min

To support people in this pandemic, I decided to release the full workshop recording of 'Dimensions of the Heart - Exploring Meditation Practices Of Loving Kindness And Compassion'. The video version includes important slides and visual aids, and can be viewed here: https://www.guruviking.com/dimensions-of-the-heart-meditation-practices-of-compassion-full-workshop/ … 'Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.’ - Abraham Lincoln … Everyone likes to feel good. Much of the time how we feel is determined by our environment and circumstances. This can leave our emotions at the mercy of external conditions beyond our control. Many people don’t know that it is possible to deliberately choose to feel good, even in difficult circumstances. … In this 3hr online workshop we explore meditation approaches that cultivate positive states such as compassion and loving kindness. With practice, these natural states can be more readily felt and with greater richness, profundity, and consistency. … Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro 1:08 - Lecture about Compassion Meditation practices 32:26 - 3D Loving Kindness - Guided Meditation 54:28 - Question: What if negative emotions arise during compassion practice? 56:19 - Question: Explaining the use of smiling in meditation 58:35 - Brahma Vihara Practice - Guided Meditation 1:49:35 - Steve summarises the techniques covered so far + tips for ongoing practice 1:54:00 - Question: What is the point of mindfulness meditation vs mantra meditation? 2:00:02 - Question: Steve demonstrates and explains the use of mudra in meditation (hand and body positions) 2:06:26 - Question: How to work with suffering when the conditions can’t be improved? 2:11:09 - Question: Tips for compassion practice with strangers 2:13:34 - Question: The ‘M. Night Shyamalan plot twist’ of the Brahma Viharas 2:16:31 - Question: Discussion about equanimity, helping the world, and the word ‘karma’ 2:25:40 - Question: Is it okay to wish your enemies happy for your own benefit? 2:29:02 - Question: Process vs outcome in meditation practice 2:31:34 - Question: The pain of feeling compassion 2:37:09 - Question: An ‘aha’ about equanimity 2:40:44 - Question: Equanimity with others’ suffering and spiritual bypassing 2:49:48 - Question: Comments on equanimity as empowerment, and the humanising influence of the heart 2:55:02 - A story about relating to one’s enemies 3:02:59 - Congratulations and closing remarks .... The Guru Viking Meditation Club started as a free Zoom class to support people in the pandemic - each Wednesday we meet to explore meditation and practice together on Zoom. Once a month we take a 3hr deep dive into themes like this one, chosen by members. To join the club, visit: - https://www.guruviking.com/guru-viking-meditation-club/

11 Aug 20203h 4min

In this interview I am joined by Ron Serrano who, after securing financial freedom, turned away from the business world and declared the rest of his life a retreat, turning his full attention to spiritual awakening. Ron is a long time meditation practitioner and co-founder of the online meditation group Dharma Mechanics. We discuss Ron’s rigorous practice schedule, including his advanced lucid dreaming approach, and discover the one technique that increases lucid dreams by 20x. Ron also discusses his close association with Yale neuroscientist Judd Brewer, who scanned the brains of many meditation masters, and reveals the surprising results of those many years of research. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep57-ron-serrano-the-dharma-mechanic/ Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Stitcher – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 0:00 - Intro 0:49 - The kundalini yoga of Swami Kripalu 10:10 - Achieving financial freedom and discovering meditation 13:07 - Meeting Leigh Brasington and learning the jhanas 14:50 - Ron’s rigorous practice schedule and declaring permanent retreat 20:35 - The practice of recalling mystical experiences 23:53 - Meeting Judd Brewer and encountering meditation masters 30:03 - Buddhist Geeks, Dharma Mechanics, and discovering Dzogchen 33:41 - Meeting Tsoknyi Rinpoche 36:33 - Ron’s take as a businessman on sustainable Dharma 40:51 - Inside stories on Judd Brewer’s brain research on meditation masters 43:50 - What is meditation really about 47:09 - Ron’s 20+ year lucid dreaming practice 54:17- Prophetic and diagnostic dreams, and clear light sleep yoga 1:06:24 - Ron’s family’s surprising reaction to his rigorous practice schedule 1:08:26 - Sleep science and lifestyle effects on lucid dreaming success 1:13:09 - Ron’s love of maps of awakening and his current practice orientation … To find out more about Ron and Dharma Mechanics, visit: - https://www.facebook.com/groups/Dharmachanics/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

21 Juli 20201h 18min

In this interview I am joined by Daizan Skinner, a British Zen Roshi holding lineages in both the Soto and Rinzai schools. We learn about Daizan’s Catholic upbringing, his fascination with the 14th century Christian contemplative text the Cloud of Unknowing, and how a search throughout Asia eventually led him to become a Zen monk for over twenty years. We lift the lid on his traditional training, including intensely painful meditation practice, severe sleep deprivation, and deep emotional catharsis. Daizan also reveals why he emphasises enlightenment in his teaching, lays out a traditional four stage model of awakening, and details his own awakening experiences in accordance with that model. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep56-daizan-skinner-zen-and-the-unknowing/ Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Stitcher – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 0:00 - Intro 0:49 - Daizan’s biography 5:37 - Why Zen over Catholicism? 7:10 - Learning meditation from a Catholic priest 9:44 - Dialogue between Catholicism and Zen 10:22 - The Cloud Of Unknowing 12:24 - Daizan’s research into the Cloud of Unknowing 18:41 - The spiritual heritage of the British Isles 26:36 - Asian spiritual quest and choosing Zen 32:51 - Suicide at the monastery 34:37 - Soto monastic training 36:11 The secret to succeeding in a monastic environment 39:51 - Daizan’s emotional catharsis 45:58 - The Way of Pain 52:42 - The Enlightenment Intensive 56:24 - Daizan’s intense yaza (night sitting) training and dream yoga 1:09:49 - The Rule of St Benedict 1:10:20 - Celibacy as a monk 1:14:48 - Enlightenment or passivity? 1:18:12 - Applying monastic training to lay life 1:20:38 - Daizan’s enlightenment experiences 1:28:36 - Attaining stream entry 1:34:11 - Attaining second path 1:37:22 - Awakening in Tibet 1:46:30 - Working with Daizan … To find out more about Daizan, visit: - www.zenways.org For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

12 Juli 20201h 47min

In this episode I am again joined by Lorin Roche PhD, meditation teacher and author of ‘The Radiance Sutras’. We begin by discussing Lorin’s career as a writer, and learn why one of his early works triggered a visit from the CIA. We go on to discuss accidental mystical experiences, their positive and negative effects, and the role of practice in integrating such experiences. We learn why so many meditators are stuck and don’t know it, why meditation teachers are often the worst off of all, and what motivates people to become teachers. Lorin also shares his surprising top tips for a thriving personal practice, no matter the discipline. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep55-lorin-roche-instinctive-meditation/ Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Stitcher – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 0:00 - Intro 1:31 - Lorin’s life as a writer 7:11 - Visited by the CIA because of Lorin’s writing 8:18 - On creativity 9:43 - Lorin’s process and learning to write 16:08 - Accidental meditation experiences 22:51 - When meditation goes wrong 26:50 - Why reading meditation books is a bad idea 30:00 - Repression and meditation teachers 37:01 - Safeguards for meditators 38:58 - When gurus go bad 42:59 - Why do people become meditation teachers? 47:25 - When should a teacher quit? 54:41 - Lorin’s tips for a thriving personal practice, no matter the discipline … Check out my other interviews with Lorin here: - https://www.guruviking.com/the-guru-viking-interviews-ep1-lorin-roche-phd/ - https://www.guruviking.com/guru-viking-interviews-ep6-lorin-roche-phd/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep30-lorin-roche-pandemic-edition-guru-viking-podcast/
 To find out more about Lorin visit: 
- www.lorinroche.com 
- www.radiancesutras.com 
- www.meditationtt.com For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

21 Juni 20201h 1min