Steve James Interviewed On The 'Elevating Consciousness' Podcast
I was recently interviewed by Artem Zen for his 'Elevating Consciousness' podcast. Video version: www.guruviking.com/podcast/steve-james-interviewed-on-the-elevating-conciousness-podcast [Artem's Show notes] 0:00 - Introduction 1:00 - Steve speaks about his early experiences with martial arts, meditation, and contemplation 5:55 - The downside of organized religion 8:45 - Steve’s interest in both western and eastern religious traditions 13:47 - The benefit and challenge of extreme outdoor survival 26:23 - If you don’t come to the dragon it will come to you 29:17 - Why embracing discomfort is key to learning 34:04 - Psychedelics 38:32 - Using the Grinberg Method for healing 41:34 - Steve unpacks his somatic practice “The Movement Koan Method” 46:53- Steve speaks about dealing with a serious illness and having a near-death experience 1:05:31 - How the near-death experience transformed Steve 1:10:08 - Was that an Awakening? 1:12:09 - Artem speaks on integrating his 5-me0-DMT experience 1:15:58 - Letting go of mystical and spiritual experiences 1:24:08 - Models of Awakening 1:26:17 - Deconstructing the Guru Viking Podcast 1:37:49 - The genius and impact of Shinzen Young 1:46:42 - Other spiritual teachers that greatly impacted Steve Elevating Consciousness Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCieDzvmBXXZX9VuKa9MvHqQ Other times I have been interviewed: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/category/Steve+Interviewed www.guruviking.com
13 Nov 20221h 50min
Ep175: Dakini Translations - Adele Tomlin
In this episode I am joined by Adele Tomlin, Buddhist practitioner, writer, poet, independent scholar-translator of Tibetan Buddhist texts, and founder of the Dakini Translations website. Adele recalls her upbringing in England, training as a barrister, and work as a strategist in the city of London, before a chance meeting with the 17th Karmapa changed her life forever. Adele traces her beginnings in becoming a Buddhist, her studies of the Tibetan language in Nepal, and thriving in the academic rigour of Tibetology at the University of Hamburg. Adele discusses her published works, shares her research and translation process, and explores the implications of the shentong vs rangtong doctrines of emptiness. Adele also expresses her frustration with gate-keeping in academia, reveals the reasons behind her founding of DakiniTranslations.com, and shares her research into the forgotten female mystics of India and Tibet. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep175-dakini-translations-adele-tomlin Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:05 - Endorsed by scholars 02:53 - Miranda Shaw 03:48 - Adele’s upbringing 04:35 - Training as a barrister and entering the city of London 07:39 - Dissatisfaction with life and training in yoga and philosophy 08:53 - Life changing meeting with the 17th Karmapa 14:47 - Reaction of friends and family 15:33 - Learning Tibetan to be closer to the guru 17:33 - Studying Tibetan in India and Nepal 20:28 - Discovering a talent for the Tibetan language 21:46 - The power of past life connections 28:22 - Studying Tibetology at the University of Hamburg 30:08 - Adele adjusts to the academic rigour at Hamburg 32:29 - The importance of practice experience when translating Vajrayana texts 34:54 - Publishes her first critical edition translation 36:30 - Philological and philosophical challenges of translating Taranatha's commentary on the Heart Sutra 41:04 - Rangtong vs Shentong 48:13 - The implications of the shentong view for practice 54:11 - Taranatha’s shentong reading of the Heart Sutra 55:08 - Frustration with gatekeeping in academia and founding dakinitranslations dot com 01:00:25 - Making Buddhist translation and research accessible and relatable 01:03:16 - Ethics of profiting from dharma 01:04:23 - The secret of Adele’s prolific output 01:06:33 - How Adele chooses which texts to translate 01:11:14 - Research into forgotten female mystics and masters 01:15:39 - Humour in Vajrayana and pointing out all male panels 01:18:36 - Male dominated lineage trees 01:20:08 - ‘Dakini Translations’ and British humour … To find out more about Adele Tomlin, visit: - https://dakinitranslations.com/ - www.facebook.com/dakinitranslations For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James
11 Nov 20221h 25min
Steve James Interviewed on the 'Innercraft' Podcast
I was recently interviewed by Andres Valdivieso for his 'Innercraft' podcast. Topics include: 0:00 – Episode Intro 2:10 – The Guru Viking Podcast: origins and vision going forward 4:45 – Steve’s learnings from conducting The Guru Viking Podcast 13:30 – Steve’s current main priorities, activities and hobbies 24:51 – The intersection of music and meditation 37:00 – Steve’s background and how he got started in contemplative practices 51:50 – Steve’s goals and intentions regarding meditation/spirituality 58:44 – How formal sitting meditation impacts Steve’s life experience 01:07:55 – Meditation in daily activity 01:17:35 – Steve’s current daily meditation practice 01:23:29 – Relationship with daily activities that can be detrimental to meditation practice 01:35:00 – The intersection of movement, somatic practices and meditation 01:47:55 – The Movement Koan Method: nourishing the joints and bringing awareness to subtle body sensations. Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/steve-james-interviewed-on-the-innercraft-podcast Innercraft website: https://www.inner-craft.com/ Other times I have been interviewed: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/category/Steve+Interviewed www.guruviking.com
6 Nov 20221h 58min
Ep174: Daoist Inner Alchemy - Damo Mitchell
Damo Mitchell is an author, teacher, and student of the internal arts of Asia including Tai Chi and Daoist Inner Alchemy. Damo recounts his childhood of fear, inadequacy, and martial arts. And recalls how his rage, born from childhood trauma, was healed by the direct energetic intervention of a Daoist master. Damo shares his adventures throughout Asia, seeking authentic teachings of inner spiritual alchemy and internal martial arts, baiting teachers into fights to test their skills, and eventually discovering hidden lineages of spiritual and energetic transmission. Damo also explains the Taoist theory of the Dan Tien, why this crucial idea is so often misunderstood even by advanced practitioners of spiritual alchemy, and reveals his own encounters with paranormal powers such as electrokinesis and pyrokinesis. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep174-daoist-inner-alchemy-damo-mitchell Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:57 - From martial arts to inner alchemy 03:35 - Childhood fear and inadequacy 05:39 - The limits of martial arts for personal growth 08:20 - The pros and cons of martial arts 09:51 - UFC vs traditional martial arts 11:53 - Practical combat vs spiritual development 14:48 - The problem with Chinese martial arts 17:14 - Confusion of the purpose of training 20:37 - Geoff Thompson and radical combat effectiveness as a spiritual portal 23:16 - Damo’s rage stemming from childhood trauma 25:38 - Early meditative experiences 27:49 - Damo’s childhood meditation system 29:36 - Two types of practitioner 31:00 - Leaving school and travelling to Asia 33:03 - Dead ends when seeking teachers 34:12 - Secrecy in Chinese arts 35:10 - Reflecting on the dead ends 37:34 - Baiting teachers into fights 38:25 - How Damo found real siddhi and internal power 40:41 - The truth about Fa Jin 43:34 - How a controversial master healed Damo’s rage and trauma 48:27 - Damo analyses his chi healing 50:10 - Damo’s life fell apart 52:03 - Full engagement with the spiritual path 53:27 - Calibrating breakthrough experiences 55:14 - Damo on the Self 59:23 - Daoist inner alchemy 01:03:35 - Damo’s inner alchemy journey 01:07:05 - Misconceptions about the dan tien 01:09:20 - Building and filling the dan tien 01:11:04 - Breath work in inner alchemy 01:13:52 - Optimising efficiency 01:14:40 - Enlightenment in Daoism vs Buddhism 01:18:03 - Immortality in Daoism 01:19:34 - Meeting immortals 01:21:15 - Siddhi as evidence of progress 01:22:39 - Electrokinesis and pyrokinesis siddhi 01:24:45 - The importance of morality 01:27:43 - How Damo’s teacher challenges his morality 01:29:35 - How to improve one’s morality and conduct 01:34:03 - Sex and Daoism 01:38:31 - Learning Chinese … To find out more about Damo Mitchell, visit: - https://damomitchell.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James
4 Nov 20221h 40min
Ep173: Dreaming Tulku - Tulku Yeshi Rinpoche
In this episode I am once again joined by Tulku Yeshi Rinpoche, Dzogchen master, teacher of Tibetan Buddhism, and author of over 15 books. Tulku Yeshi Rinpoche recounts his gruelling journey fleeing Tibet across the Himalayas, his years in refugee camps and monasteries in Nepal and India, and his eventual arrival in the United States. Tulku Yeshi Rinpoche discusses his love of poetry, the cultural divide between Tibet and America, and why he still experiences nightmares about his time as a refugee. Tulku Yeshi Rinpoche also reflects on his recognition as a tulku, explains tantric dream yoga techniques, how to find a guru, when to reveal secret teachings, and gives his opinion on Westerners who use the title ‘Lama’. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep177-dreaming-tulku-yeshi-rinpoche-2 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:53 - Crossing the Himalayas 03:28 - Arriving in Nepal and life in the refugee camp 06:02 - Gruelling travel across India 10:21 - Arriving at Drepung Monastery and death of the monks 12:24 - Learning English in Seattle 15:50 - Love of poetry and published as a poet 19:22 - The poetry of Dzogchen and Mahamudra 21:39 - Cultural divide between Tibet and America 23:51 - Connecting to Steinbeck’s ‘The Grapes of Wrath’ 25:45 - Tulku Yeshi Rinpoche shares a religious poem 28:00 - Nightmares about Tibet 33:02 - Dream yoga techniques 38:08 - How Tulku Yeshi Rinpoche learned dream yoga 39:39 - Being recognised as a tulku by Trulshik Rinpoche 42:44 - Politics and nepotism in the tulku system 44:23 - Motive to help sentient beings 46:47 - The weight of having a title 49:47 - A warning to Western lamas 50:47 - Opinion of Western lamas 53:01 - Religion is not art 58:50 - Why is tantric Buddhism so popular? 01:03:07 - Powerful techniques of the vajrayana 01:05:40 - How to find a guru 01:10:41 - The importance of samaya 01:13:08 - Differences between students from different countries 01:14:19 - Shy to be a Buddhist 01:19:12 - How to keep Buddhism alive into the future 01:21:36 - When to share secret teachings … Previous interview with Tulku Yeshi Rinpoche: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/160-nomad-master-tulku-yeshi-rinpoche To find out more about Tulku Yeshi Rinpoche, visit: - https://www.facebook.com/HerukaInstitute/ - https://www.herukainstitute.org/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James
28 Okt 20221h 24min
Ep172: Kundalini Therapist - Tara Springett
In this episode I am once again joined by Tara Springett, a Buddhist psychotherapist who specialises in treating Kundalini Syndrome. Tara reveals how she works with her private clients, including how she assesses kundalini symptoms, her 5 step kundalini test, and emergency strategies for acute distress. Tara discusses the 3 part foundation for psychological and spiritual health, as well the essential role that relationship plays in the enlightenment process. Tara also shares her experience working at the intersection of kundalini with narcissism and other cluster B disorders, why it is that kundalini magnifies one’s latent negative tendencies, and why paranormal experiences and entity contact are inevitable for those with an awakened kundalini energy. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep172-kundalini-therapist-tara-springett Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:54 - How Tara assesses a kundalini patient 05:20 - The 5 Step Kundalini test 05:57 - How rare is kundalini awakening? 08:37 - Criterion 1: An extreme interest in spirituality 09:00 - Criterion 2: Intensified emotions 09:54 - Criterion 3: Feeling energy movements in the body 10:30 - Criterion 4: Hypersensitivity 11:24 - Criterion 5: Paranormal experiences 12:55 - The most important symptom 13:15 - The anti-anxiety technique 16:21 - Enlightenment happens in relationship 18:30 - Bringing spirituality and psychology together 21:03 - Cultivating self love 22:29 - The 3 parts of an essential foundation 22:59 - Applying the anti-anxiety technique 27:54 - The importance of the client-therapist relationship 31:24 - Healing emotional attachment issues by relating to a divine being 33:31 - Tara’s approach to the relationships with her clients 34:58 - Challenges working with narcissists 35:39 - Interaction of kundalini awakening and cluster B personality disorders 40:17 - Religious conversion as a medicine for narcissists 42:12 - Kundalini and Borderline Personality Disorder 42:59 - Awakened gurus with personality disorders 45:33 - 5 chakra enlightenment 47:00 - Reckoning with one’s sexuality 47:44 - Cult leaders and spiritual power 49:59 - Kundalini magnifies one’s tendencies 52:10 - Advice for when choosing a guru 59:29 - How Tara keeps herself grounded and morally straight 01:04:05 - Tara’s history of being hard on herself 01:05:27 - Kundalini and different demographics 01:07:23 - The #1 cause of kundalini awakenings 01:08:53 - Paranormal experiences are inevitable 01:10:11 - Entities attachment and possession 01:13:00 - Dealing with horror visions … Previous episode with Tara Springett: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep137-kundalini-awakening-tara-springett To find out more about Tara Springett, visit: - https://www.taraspringett.com/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James
21 Okt 20221h 15min
Ep171: Taoist Master - Bruce Frantzis
In this episode I am joined by Bruce Frantzis, world renowned Taoist master and author of books such as ‘Opening the Energy Gates of your Body’ and ‘Taoist Sexual Meditation’. Bruce recalls his turbulent childhood living with a schizophrenic mother, witnessing murders in New York city, and early training in martial arts and meditation. Bruce recounts a lifetime of adventurous travel and powerful encounters with spiritual and energetic masters in Japan, China, and India. Bruce describes his induction into a secret Taoist priesthood, his discipleship under Taoist immortal Liu Hung Cheh, and his training under Dzogchen masters such as Dudjom Rinpoche, Namkhai Norbu, and Lama Wangdor. Bruce also discusses the keys to Taoist meditation, the mechanics of mind-to-mind spiritual transmission, and how to heal mental, emotional, psychic, and karmic traumas. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep171-taoist-master-bruce-frantzis Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 01:02 - Bruce’s troubled childhood with his schizophrenic mother 03:10 - Boarding school at 6 and appetite for learning 07:12 - Spontaneous meditation practice as a child and other karmic presages 09:18 - Witnessing violent killings and beginning martial arts 14:13- Participation in the 60s counter culture 17:55 - Facing death at first Zen sesshin 20:03 - The New York scene 23:03 - Intense martial arts training in Japan 26:07 - Shocking meeting with Wang Shujin 30:31 - Adventures travelling in Asia 34:59 - Life changing experiences in India 42:38 - Getting busted in Okinawa 44:32 - Encountering a secret Taoist priesthood and further adventures in America 49:58 - Travelling through Europe 51:47 - Dangerous encounters in the Middle East 54:24 - One year of kundalini practice in a cave in India 58:19 - Surviving hepatitis and travel to Kashmir 01:03:27 - Further studies in East Asia 01:06:02 - Return to the USA 01:06:21 - More Hong Kong anecdotes 01:08:56 - Bagua and challenge matches 01:17:16 - Bruce’s observations about meditation after 60 years of practice 01:19:16 - The problem with the Buddhist valorisation of mothers 01:25:05 - Resolving childhood trauma 01:28:33 - Bruce’s teacher confronts his attitude 01:30:21 - Meetings with survivors of torture 01:42:45 - Essence of spirituality 01:48:08 - Past life karma with Dudjom Rinpoche 01:53:22 - Mental illness in America and impending environmental catastrophe 01:59:11 - The golden age of the baby boomers 02:02:02 - Medical gigong tuina 02:03:37 - Teaching meditation and exploitative gurus 02:06:06 - Taoist view of the spiritual path 02:10:20 - Taoism vs Buddhism 02:13:21 - Dzogchen studies with Namkhai Norbu and Lama Wangdor 02:17:10 - Realisation of clear light 02:19:47 - Advice for those facing difficult times 02:22:57 - Mind to mind transmission 02:25:08 - Understanding the totality of something 02:25:56 - First attain stability of mind 02:27:33 - Nityananda, Muktananda, and shaktipat 02:29:45 - How to do mind-to-mind transmission 02:38:26 - Potential for abuse in mind-to-mind transmission abilities 02:40:36 - Muktanada, Satchidananda, and sexual repression 02:46:00 - Mental vs emotional vs psychic vs karmic traumas … To find out more about Bruce Frantzis, visit: - https://www.energyarts.com/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James
14 Okt 20222h 54min
Ep170: The Yoga of Birth - Nadia Rafaat
In this episode I am joined by Nadia Rafaat, yoga and meditation teacher, doula, and former journalist with a special interest in female empowerment and female spirituality. Nadia recounts her difficult childhood, early career in gymnastics, and multi-year rebellious phase of class A drug use in London. Nadia recalls how attending her first yoga class radically changed her life direction, and how bringing her spiritual practices of meditation and pranayama into her own pregnancy journeys unlocked profoundly transformative effects. Having trained extensively as a doula and in pregnancy yoga, Nadia dives deep into the world of pregnancy and birth, criticising the mainstream medicalising model and offering an alternative, more intuitive approach. Nadia also shares the powerful spiritual potential of giving birth, including her own spiritual experiences during labour, and shares her perspective on female empowerment and spirituality. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep170-yoga-of-birth Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 01:10 - Childhood and gymnastics career 04:47 - A difficult upbringing and the beginnings of spirituality 07:38 - Rebellious phase and drug use 11:39 - Class A’s vs psychedelics 14:17 - First yoga class and a change in life direction 16:30 - An unplanned pregnancy and life uncertainty 19:44 - Going into labour at a meditation retreat 24:40 - Birth and attachment mothering 29:25 - Second pregnancy and pushing for a home birth 35:36 - Training in pregnancy yoga with Francoise Freedman and ongoing studies 38:18 - Nadia’s meditation training 45:24 - Yogic meditation experiences 47:54 - Mindfulness for mothers 49:01 - Third pregnancy and attentiveness to the mind 53:09 - Insight into suffering during labour 54:53 - History of childbirth from domestic to medical 01:01:32 - An intuitive birthing countercurrent 01:07:47 - Agendas behind the C-section trend 01:17:11 - The spiritual dimensions of giving birth 01:21:53 - Bringing birth back home 01:24:12 - The yoga of pregnancy 01:31:01 - Pratyahara during labour 01:34:15 - Female empowerment and spirituality 01:41:56 - Yoga on a woman’s terms 01:46:07 - Nadia’s work … To find out more about Nadia Rafaat, visit: - https://nadiaraafat.com/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James
7 Okt 20221h 47min
