Ep300: The Spiritual Practice of Alchemy - Katarina Falkenberg & Tommy Westlund

In this interview I am joined by Michael Taft: maverick meditation teacher, bestselling author, host of the ‘Deconstructing Yourself’ podcast, and founder of the Alembic community. Michael recounts his lifelong meditation journey, describes his initial reluctance to teach meditation, the writing of ‘Mindful Geek’, and his divergence from Shinzen Young. Michael reveals his troubled upbringing, crippling teenage anxiety, and intense experimentation with LSD and the occult. Michael also shares a transformative mystical experience in Japan, his practice of classical Hindu tantra, and details experiences of seeing other dimensional entities in daily life. … Link in bio.

 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
 … Topics include:
 00:00 - Intro 01:57 - Looking back at ‘Mindful Geek’ 03:09 - Reluctance to teach 04:49 - Secular mindfulness 10:09 - Diverging from Shinzen Young 12:52 - Michael’s troubled upbringing 17:32 - Crippling anxiety attacks and discovering meditation 21:35 - Experiments with the occult 22:36 - Michael’s magical explorations 25:40 - Chaos magic and massive doses of LSD 28:12 - The essence of Robert Anton Wilson 31:31 - David Chapman ruins everything 34:10 - Shapeshifting as a meditation teacher 41:36 - More on LSD 43:06 - Moving to Japan 46:46 - A transformative psychedelic experience 49:38 - Analysing Michael’s psychedelic experience 54:32 - Living in the Jewel Ornament Sutra 56:48 - Seeing entities 01:00:17 - Learning to see other realms 01:04:20 - Extensive kundalini work 01:08:23 - Michael’s practice of classical tantra 01:10:38 - Intensive underground retreat practice 01:11:16 - The essence of Michael’s tantric journey 01:14:33 - Trauma healing and the energy body 01:17:20 - Integration and personal relationships ... To find out more about Michael Taft, visit: - https://deconstructingyourself.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

13 Maj 20221h 22min

In this interview I am joined by lucid dreaming teacher and best-selling author Charlie Morley. Charlie recounts a trip to South Africa to see his Buddhist guru Lama Yeshe, and recalls a mystical experience he had there while on retreat with Dr Daniel P Brown. Charlie reveals his most effective lucid dreaming techniques, explains why meditation can be bad for trauma, details his work with veterans with PTSD, and demonstrates a powerful breath technique to regulate the nervous system. Charlie also speaks openly about his recent life struggles, including the terminal diagnosis of his mother, the end of his marriage, and an emotional breakdown that led to suicidal ideation. Charlie shares how these struggles have profoundly transformed every aspect of his life and clarified his life mission to help others. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep148-wake-up-to-sleep-charlie-morley-2 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
 … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:01 - Visiting Lama Yeshe in South Africa 09:00 - Charlie on Dr Daniel P Brown 12:42 - Mystical experience on retreat with Dr Daniel P Brown 15:50 - Pure vision and experiencing emptiness in the dream state 18:39 - Awareness and learning in lucid dreams 20:07 - Claiming spiritual attainments 26:09 - Charlie’s work with with veterans and PTSD 31:56 - 5 pillars of trauma work with veterans 34:36 - The power of coherent breathing 44:12 - Meditation bad for trauma? 46:10 - Guided coherent breathing practice 54:53 - Tummo, and Wim Hof, and trauma 59:24 - Why sleep hygiene tips don’t work 01:01:33 - Charlie’s ketamine trauma at 17 years old 01:03:11 - Charlie on tummo practice 01:07:04 - The most effective lucid dreaming technique 01:10:08 - Story of a powerful lucid dream 01:19:38 - Charlie’s brutal obstacle year of Alzheimers and divorce 01:24:58 - Charlie’s breakdown and suicidal ideation 01:28:27 - A profound growing up 01:29:43 - What Charlie learned from his breakdown 01:33:46 - Waking up and growing up 01:35:53 - Rupert Spira vs Henry Shukman, creativity and trauma 01:43:14 - Profound shifts in Charlie’s motivation and lucid dreaming practice 01:46:53 - The reflection of Charlie’s mentors 01:49:34 - Charlie’s mission statement … Previous episode with Charlie Morley: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/guru-viking-interviews-ep2-charlie-morley-2 To find out more about Charlie, visit: - http://www.charliemorley.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

6 Maj 20221h 51min

In this interview I am joined by Amoda Maa, spiritual teacher and author of books such as ‘Embodied Enlightenment’ and ‘Falling Open in a World Falling Apart’. Amoda Maa shares how her troubled upbringing including secretive paternity, abuse, and financial instability, saw her fall into a profound depression with multiple suicide attempts. Amoda Maa discusses how psychedelic experimentation led her to leave her PhD and embark on 7 years of homelessness and consciousness exploration in the London drug scene, experiencing mystical states and healing her trauma through therapies and personal practice. Amoda Maa recounts her travels in India, joining Osho’s ashram, and subsequent awakening which she describes as ‘falling into the abyss of being’. Amoda Maa also reveals why she thinks the egoic state of humanity has comets a peak, and why each person must hold the line of presence and openness in an increasingly divided world. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep147-falling-open-amoda-maa Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
 … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:04 - Troubled upbringing 07:59 - Secrecy about Amoda Maa’s father 12:02 - Educational excellence and further domestic challenges 15:31 - Abuse and suicide attempts 21:44 - Lack of financial stability and making ends meet 24:46 - Becoming homeless and 7 years in the London drug scene 28:17 - Psychedelic experimentation and leaving her PhD 35:00 - Spiritual reading and recognising the clear light of mind 41:35 - Healing trauma through rebirthing and other therapies 45:07 - Experiencing the trauma healing potential of MDMA 52:53 - Out of body experiences and mystical visions 57:43 - Amoda Maas’ prophetic vision of current events 59:20 - Egoic state of humanity has come to a peak 01:02:31 - Holding the line of presence and openness 01:10:33 - Travels in India and joining Osho’s ashram 01:14:01 - Receiving the name ‘Amoda Maa’ and a profound spiritual experience 01:16:49 - Returning to London and falling into the abyss of being 01:20:26 - After awakening and the feminine face of awakening … To find out more about Amoda Man, visit: - https://www.amodamaa.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

29 Apr 20221h 22min

In this episode I host part 2 of an ongoing dialogue between Rupert Spira: a teacher of the direct path method of Advaita and an internationally acclaimed ceramic artist; and Henry Shukman, Zen teacher and award winning poet and writer. Rupert and Henry discuss the path of deep training in both art and spirituality, why traditional forms are repositories of generational understanding, and the meaning of spiritual friendship. Rupert reflects on how art points to truth, and Henry discusses Koan training as a means to stabilise awakening. Rupert and and Henry also reflect on what it takes to create effective art and why it is vital for the apprentice to surpass the master. … Video version: www.guruviking.com 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:47 - Rupert on Henry’s zen memoir 03:46 - Henry on Rupert’s books 06:01 - Evolution of Rupert’s art from ceramics to language 13:00 - Discipline teaches the process of art 15:42 - The student must surpass the teacher 20:06 - Premature teaching vs submission to deep training 25:30 - Henry’s journey as a poet 30:17 - Imitation before innovation 33:57 - Koan training to stabilise awakening 36:48 - Forms of the tradition are the repositories of generations of understanding 39:33 - Key moments in Henry’s koan training 42:48 - 1-1 teaching vs group teaching 49:02 - Are new koans evolving? 52:52 - Rupert and Henry discuss koans 57:18 - What is required of the artist to make effective art? 01:00:26 - What Henry’s art seeks to convey 01:06:38 - Rupert on how art points to truth 01:12:47 - Art of expressing suffering 01:16:05 - The experience of artistic work 01:21:54 - The master’s view 01:24:31 - Rupert and Henry on Steve’s facilitation 01:27:18 - On teaching … Previous dialogue between Spira and Shukman:
- https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep131-art-spirituality-rupert-spira-henry-shukman 
 To find out more about Rupert Spira, visit: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep124-art-of-awakening-rupert-spira - https://rupertspira.com/ To find out more about Henry Shukman, visit: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=shukman - https://www.mountaincloud.org/about/henry-shukman/ … 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

22 Apr 20221h 31min

In this interview I am once again joined by Gregory Blann: mystic, artist, author, and initiate of the Inayati and Halveti-Jerrahi orders of Sufism. Gregory discusses his latest book on the remarkable life of Lex Hixon, aka Sheik Nur, the influential American mystic, author, and broadcaster who was initiated into several of the world’s mystery traditions and was a key figure in inter-faith dialogue. Gregory recounts his own encounters with Lex Hixon, and reveals why he decided to write a biography of his old friend and colleague. Gregory also discusses the heart of the Quran, the power of the feminine, and why Swami Vivekananda said ‘American women will be the salvation of the world’. Gregory and his wife Silvia end the episode by singing two Turkish Ilahis of the Sufi Tradition. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep145-living-open-space-lex-hixon 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:52 - Meeting Lex Hixon 06:10 - The heart of the Quran 08:11 - The source behind all religions 12:45 - The early life of Lex Hixon 15:50 - Why Gregory wrote Lex’s biography 26:55 - Lex’s four main religious lineages 31:18 - The power of the feminine 43:14 - ‘American women will be the salvation of the world’ 49:33 - Clashes with religious institutions 01:07:31 - Interspirituality 01:09:03 - Reflections on Lex Hixon 01:14:24 - What are Turkish Sufi Ilahis? 01:18:44 - Gregory and his wife sing two Ilahis … Previous episode with Gregory Blann: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep96-gregory-blann-the-garden-of-mystic-love/ To find out more about Gregory, visit: - https://blanng.wixsite.com/blanngallery For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

15 Apr 20221h 24min

In this interview I am once again joined by Guo Gu, Chan Buddhist teacher, author, and scholar of Buddhism. Guo Gu describes how ongoing bullying and violent confrontations as a teenager led him to form influential music groups Death Before Dishonor and Judge. Guo Gu reveals why a feeling of hypocrisy as a monk led him to study social work and eventually obtain a PhD from Princeton University's Department of Religion on self-inflicted violence in Chinese religions Guo Gu also reveals why he became Straight Edge, considers the role of religious asceticism and the body in today’s world, and comments on what others have called a meaning crisis in today’s society. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep144-hardcore-and-body-in-spiritual-practice-guo-gu 

Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
 … Topics include:
 
00:00 - Intro 00:43 - Bullied as an adolescent 08:53 - Meeting Mike Ferraro and getting good at fighting 14:29 - Imprint of his violent past 21:30 - Death Before Dishonor and heavy metal influences 23:26 - Becoming Straight edge 33:05 - Guo Gu’s PhD on religious asceticism 33:47 - A feeling of hypocrisy as a monk 44:30 - Reflecting on religious asceticism 47:43 - Bodily aptitude in spiritual practice 50:52 - Meaning crisis in society 54:12 - New book on the Gateless Barrier 59:31 - The practice of silent illumination 01:13:02 - Apophatic and cataphatic practice … Previous episode with Guo Gu: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep127-chan-master-guo-gu To find out more about Guo Gu, visit: - https://guogulaoshi.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

10 Apr 20221h 25min

J Brown recently interviewed me for his Yoga Talks Podcast. … Video version: www.guruviking.com/podcast/j-brown-yoga-talks-interviews-steve-james- 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. 
… Topics Include: 00:00 - J’s Intro 06:22 - J meets Steve 07:49 - J’s alter-ego 10:18 - Living on a boat 15:43 - Outdoor survival and unraveling the mystery 19:57 - Facing fear 22:12 - Altar boy and martial arts 26:52 - Yoga training with Godfrey Devereux 27:18 - Pranayama 32:15 - The context of doing 38:19 - Steve’s influences 39:57 - Shinzen Young 44:05 - Movement vs Sitting Meditation 51:05 - Working with Michaela Boehm 54:20 - Non-Linear Movement Method® 01:01:20 - Structured vs non-linear practice 01:07:30 - Long meditation sitting 01:13:43 - Why meditate? 01:20:32 - Mystical and supernatural experiences 01:33:43 - Experiences of profundity 01:38:32 - The mystic and structure 01:43:59 - J’s concluding comments … J Brown Yoga: https://www.jbrownyoga.com/ Other times I have been interviewed: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlkzlKFgdknzwdzEdv0Q4Y9a25xDv_Xuv You can find me at: www.guruviking.com

5 Apr 20221h 52min

In this interview I am joined by Dr Caroline Van Damme, an adult psychiatrist and family and systemic psychotherapist specialising in chronic psychotic disorders, and co-teacher of Buddhist guru and Sowa Rigpa doctor Nida Chenagtsang.  Caroline discusses the cultural complexity of being raised in Belgium, how an early interest in the mind saw her train as a psychiatrist, and the reasons for her specialising in chronic psychosis. Caroline also recounts her first encounters with Buddhism, including a meeting with a mysterious Lama, and the story of her collaboration with Dr Nida Chenagstang to train counsellors informed by both Western psychology and traditional Tibetan medicine. Caroline draws on her professional experience to reveal rapport building skills for clinicians, as well as discussing religious experience as a form of psychosis, and the the pros and cons of the religious mind. … Video version: www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep143-dr-caroline-van-damme-psychiatry-religious-experience 
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:01 - Upbringing in Catholic Belgium 05:25 - Interest in Buddhism & neuroscience and studying in America 09:51 - Training to become a psychiatrist 14:17 - Specialising in chronic psychosis 16:39 - Brussels Night Hospital 18:54 - Cultural complexity of Belgium 23:45 - Choosing clinical practice over a research career 30:11 - Discovering Buddhism and co-teaching with Dr Nida Chenagtsang 34:55 - An encounter with a Tibetan guru 40:01 - Meeting Dr Nida 44:32 - What so impressed Dr Caroline about Dr Nida? 50:13 - The healing relationship 53:22 - Attachment theory 58:54 - How to build trust with a patient 01:03:57 - How to cut through evasive small talk 01:07:33 - The #1 reason patients lose trust 01:12:56 - Insights into parenting and setting boundaries 01:20:38 - Transference and keeping your centre as a therapist 01:30:35 - Is religious experience a kind of psychosis? 01:44:56 - Religiosity as pathology 01:47:50 - Scientism as over-reach 01:50:55 - Religious abuses 02:06:09 - Personality disorders and meditation gone wrong … 
To find out more about Dr Van Damme, visit: - https://www.sowarigpainstitute.org/dr-caroline-van-damme Interviews with Dr Nida Chenagtsang: - https://www.guruviking.com/ep49-dr-nida-chenagtsang-heart-of-a-nomad/ 
https://www.guruviking.com/ep71-dr-nida-chenagtsang-karmamudra/ - https://www.guruviking.com/ep41-dr-nida-chenagtsang-pandemic-edition-guru-viking-podcast/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com/ Music 'Deva Dasi' by Steve James

1 Apr 20222h 7min