Ep260: Boudhanath Kora with Lama Glenn Mullin
During a recent trip to Nepal, I met with frequent podcast guest Lama Glenn Mullin, spiritual teacher, Tibetologist, and author of over 30 books on Buddhism. Glenn was in Kathmandu to lead a group of over fifty pilgrims into tantric retreat in the nearby mountains and graciously agreed to film with me at various sacred sites before and after their retreat. In this video, we join Glenn before his retreat as he carries out his early morning circumambulation of the Great Stūpa of Boudhanath. As we walk, Glenn explains the story and significance of the renowned holy site, reveals the esoteric symbolism of stūpa design, and discusses the healing and spiritual power of pilgrimage. Glenn also reflects on his own life experiences in Kathmandu, recalls his early dharma training, interacts with people around the stūpa, and considers the implications of Kālacakra prophecies for recent history and current events. … Link in bio. Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:06 - Glenn’s early dharma training 02:54 - The sacred land of Nepal 03:28 - Movement of Buddhist masters and lineages from India through Nepal 04:30 - A local offering ritual 04:59 - History of Boudha 05:53 - History of the Tibetan exile community in Nepal 10:22 - Shechen Gompa and Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche 11:44 - An enlightened being 12:26 - Walk to the stūpa 13:16 - Stūpa architecture and its symbolism 16:59 - Morning circumambulation 17:43 - Glenn and students 18:53 - How to do kora circumambulation 22:59 - Kora in Dharamsala 24:21 - Why morning kora? 25:51 - Clockwise or counterclockwise? 28:51 - Healing power of pilgrimage 31:32 - Anecdote of life extension through kora 33:24 - The power of pilgrimage 33:49 - The meaning of ‘ani-la’ 34:49 - Many temples of Boudhanath and city migration 38:02 - Kangyur recitation 39:11 - Cakravartin or spiritual teacher? 41:45 - The story of the Great Stūpa 43:32 - An auspicious lineage 44:12 - Misconceptions about Buddhism in Tibet 45:37 - Damage and renovation of stūpa 47:08 - Making a donation 48:45 - Walking around the stūpa 49:50 - Prophecy of Buddhism coming to the West? 54:37 - Kālacakra prophecy about age of darkness or golden age 55:56 - Buddhist and Newari art 01:01:46 - Glenn’s favourite monastery in Boudhanath 01:03:25 - Walking around the stūpa … Previous episodes with Lama Glenn Mullin: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=glenn%20mullin To find out more about Lama Glenn Mullin, visit: - http://www.glennmullin.com/ - https://www.facebook.com/Maitripa.Glenn … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James
28 Juni 20241h 5min
Ep259: Questioning Enlightenment - Dr Justin Sledge 2
In this episode I am once again joined by Dr James Justin Sledge, a professor of philosophy and religion specialising in the Western Esoteric tradition and founder of the popular Esoterica Youtube channel. Dr Sledge begins by explaining his position on enlightenment, why he’s not interested in becoming enlightened but still finds the concept interesting, and whether or not enlightenment claims are linked to traits of narcissistic personality disorder. Dr Sledge also reveals his own ethical orientation, considers various theories of morality, the role of tradition vs subjective experience, and what he calls the ”meaning famine”. Dr Sledge also takes aim at postmodernism and deconstructionism, retrieves the overlooked philosophers of antiquity and the Renaissance, and offers recommended reading lists for the autodidact interested in the esoteric. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep259-questioning-enlightenment-dr-justin-sledge-2 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:01 - Don’t want to be enlightened 02:20 - Belief, practice, and tradition 04:17 - Magick and the quest for power 06:42 - Judaism without belief in God 09:34 - Origins of moral authority 12:43 - Is belief in God necessary? 14:44 - Natural law and utilitarianism 16:07 - Dr Sledge’s personal ethics 16:40 - Virtue ethics 19:05 - The danger of existential questions 21:59 - Intellectual and spiritual hazing 22:31 - The meaning famine 25:35 - Dr Sledge on deconstruction and post-modernism 31:43 - Cancelling the canon 33:51 - Classics reading list for the autodidact 38:43 - Why get enlightened? 40:34 - Too lazy? 41:27 - Is enlightenment worth it? 44:48 - Enlightened narcissists 45:56 - Criticism of Dr Sledge 46:56 - Danger of unthinking fealty 50:05 - Questioning tradition and existential crisis 53:09 - Pros and cons of mystical experiences 57:27 - The mystic’s mistake 58:24 - Hyperfixation on baseline consciousness 59:42 - Hallucinations of the recently deceased 01:02:13 - Upsetting both sides 01:04:19 - Truth and other epistemologies 01:10:02 - Overlooked philosophers 01:12:05 - Telling the whole story of philosophy 01:13:25 - Dishonesty of academic philosophy 01:14:06 - Spiritual Renaissance philosophy and depriving 01:15:49 - The loss of awe and beauty 01:18:59 - Chasing awe with psychedelics, astronomy, and community 01:23:39 - Tactical religion and joining communities of value 01:27:19 - Huge influx of new converts to Judaism 01:28:43 - Recommended reading for Western Esotericism and overlooked philosophy 01:34:59 - Dr Sledge’s go-to book … Previous episode with Dr Justin Sledge: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep248-esoterica-academia-dr-justin-sledge To find out more about Dr Justin Sledge, visit: - https://www.justinsledge.com/ - https://www.youtube.com/@TheEsotericaChannel … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James
21 Juni 20241h 36min
Ep258: Demonology of Tibet - Dr Ben Joffe
In this interview I am once again joined by Dr Ben Joffe, anthropologist and scholar practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism. Dr Joffe begins an interview series on demonology with a discussion about the spirit ontology of Tibet and the Himalayas. Dr Joffe explores the pre-Buddhist frameworks of relating to spirits and considers the degrees to which the arrival of Buddhism in Tibet erased, modified, or even incorporated those frameworks. Dr Joffe explains the unique methods of spirit domination, missionary geomancy, and other magickal techniques found in Buddhist Tantra and how these means were used to establish Buddhism in Tibet. Dr Joffe also discusses the inevitability of spirit contact for Tantric practitioners, what to do about predatory demons, the misunderstandings of Buddhist converts about the paranormal, and recalls his own stressful experiences with the spirit world. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep258-demonology-of-tibet-dr-ben-joffe Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 01:06 - 3 part demonology 03:31 - Interaction with imported Indian cosmology 04:32 - A scholarly caveat 05:47 - Pre-Buddhist Tibetan entity and spirit frameworks 10:16 - Land spirits 12:23 - Drawbacks of secularisation and psychologising of Buddhism 14:34 - Right relationship with entities 18:16 - Origins of dedicating the merit 18:16 - The arrival of tantra in Tibet and Padmasambhava’s spirit domination 22:30 - The essence of Buddhism 24:12 - Did Buddhism weaken Tibet? 26:11 - Tantric missionary technology of spirit domination 32:32 - Degrees of Buddhist integration with Tibetan practices and rituals 40:00 - Dr Robert Mayer’s work to reevaluate the terma tradition 43:30 - Beyul and opening sacred sites 47:10 - Offering practices and Chod 50:47 - Spirit mediumship and offending spirits 54:13 - Geomancy 56:41 - Staking the demoness of the land 01:01:03 - Dark tantra and the ethics of subjugation 01:05:59 - What is a demon? 01:06:57 - Facist tantra and Western occultists 01:09:12 - The role of compassion 01:10:07 - Tantra as institutional shamanism? 01:13:11 - Interviewing protector deities 01:15:15 - Perceiving spirits 01:18:07 - Misunderstandings of Western Buddhist converts 0:24:54 - Buddhism and the cultural substrate 01:25:47 - IFS and shamanism 01:27:55 - Completion stage practice and the logic of yoga 01:30:49 - Are spirits just your own mind? 01:35:09 - Dudjom Lingpa’s demon encounter in a dream 01:39:09 - Brahma, Buddha, and various levels of beings 01:40:44 - Are yidams just archetypes? 01:42:19 - Paradoxes of protection from spirits 01:45:35 - Predatory demons 01:48:29 - Many faces of Buddhism 01:50:05 - Outer, inner, secret 01:52:08 - Dream yoga and visionary sex 01:57:35 - Inevitability of spirit contact 01:58:09 - Ben’s stressful experiences with the spirit world 02:06:10 - Alien abduction experiences 02:11:42 - Night terrors 02:13:30 - Cognitive dissonance of tantric practitioners 02:15:30 - Priestly class mindset 02:18:09 - Real tantric training 02:22:05 - Logistical challenges of creating tantric adepts 02:23:57 - Ben’s magickal training Previous episodes with Dr Ben Joffe: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=joffe To find out more about Dr Ben Joffe, visit: - https://perfumedskull.com/ - http://www.skypressbooks.com/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James
14 Juni 20242h 28min
Ep257: Let Meditation Be Your Medicine - Dr Nida Chenagtsang
In this interview I am once again joined by Dr Nida Chenagtsang, Buddhist teacher, doctor of Tibetan Medicine, and author of ‘Let Meditation Be Your Medicine: The Timeless Healing Wisdom of Tibet’. Dr Nida discusses his latest book, the practicality of the Yuthok Nyingthik meditation system, and why it is important to choose a meditation style that suits one’s typology. Dr Nida explains why he opens the book with a tribute to the Ancient Greek physician Hippocrates, recounts how he came to a deep appreciation of the roots of European culture, and parses the difference between intellectual and experiential spirituality. Dr Nida also calls for a moving beyond conditioned views, explains how to appreciate culture and religion without being limited by them, considers attachment theory and guru-disciple dynamics, and reveals how transformative retreat experience brought him beyond conceptual limitations. … Link in comments. Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 01:04 - Sowa Rigpa Forum 14:41 - Appreciation of Western culture 18:05 - Know your roots 19:47 - Dr Nida’s journey to open up to European culture 22:55 - Déjà vu when first coming to Rome 25:37 - Similarities between Ancient Greek medicine and Tibetan medicine 28:48 - European meditation traditions 32:01 - Grabbing the devils 34:09 - A dream of facing the devil 36:50 - Inner dialogue meditation 39:51 - The essence of meditation 44:20 - The roots of meditation 47:37 - Becoming more open 49:07 - Intellectual vs experiential spirituality 50:33 - Dr Nida’s transformational experience on retreat 56:18 - Freedom from conditioning 59:00 - Yuthok’s open-mindedness 01:01:16 - Choosing the right meditation for your typology 01:05:05 - Anger management and Guru Yoga meditations 01:07:26 - Attachment theory and guru-disciple dynamics 01:13:131 - Beyond fixation and appreciating culture 01:16:31 - Adjusting to different life circumstances 01:18:36 - Learning languages 01:20:35 - Bonsai vs bamboo Previous episodes with Dr Nida Chenagtsang: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=nida To find out more about Dr Nida Chenagtsang, visit: - https://www.facebook.com/DoctorNida/ - http://www.skypressbooks.com/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James
7 Juni 20241h 22min
Ep256: Newar Buddhism - Prajwal Ratna Vajracharya 2
In this interview I am once again joined by Prajwal Ratna Vajracharya, a tantric priest in a centuries old Newari Buddhist family lineage and master of the religious dance tradition of Charya Nritya. Prajwal Vajracharya explores the history of Newar Buddhism, a rich form of Varjayana practiced in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal. Prajwal Vajracharya recounts the history of the religion, from its periods of suppression and secrecy up to its complex modern day interactions with 1960s hippies and Tibetan Buddhist refugees. Prajwal Vajracharya details the distinctive ritual practices of Newar Buddhism, which contain cultivation practices for ten paramitas, and explains the use of sacred sounds and the alphasyllabry. Prajwal Vajracharya also reveals distinctive mudra and mantra practices, explains the many esoteric uses of the mala prayer beads, and decodes the rich deity artwork for which the region is renowned . … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep256-newar-buddhism-prajwal-ratna-vajracharya-2 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:05 - Suppression of Newar Buddhism for 800 years 03:56 - Secret family lineages 04:52 - Distinctive ritual practices of Newar Buddhism 06:23 - 10 Paramita system 09:05 - Why perform daily ritual? 09:48 - Learning to perform ritual 11:28 - The power of ritual 13:00 - Sacred sounds and the alphasyllabary 14:54 - Decoding the symbolism of sacred deity art 16:50 - Daily practice 17:34 - History of Nepal’s Buddhist textual tradition 20:08 - Buddha’s birth and past life activity in Nepal 21:56 - Lost in Tibetan translation 23:14 - Guru Rinpoche activities in Nepal 24:18 - Secret practices under Gorkha rule 25:42 - Frustrations publishing about Charya dance 26:55 - Gendun Chophel 27:55 - Lack of scholarly evidence and destruction of Buddhism in Nepal 28:49 - Modern revival 29:44 - History of the Tibetan refugee community in Nepal 31:54 - Opening to the hippies in the 60s 33:17 - Lack of interest in Newar Buddhism among Tibetan lamas in Nepal 36:03 - Sectarian rivalry and racism 39:33 - How to use a mala 40:44 - Subtle anatomy and mudra 41:08 - Elemental and energetic significance of each finger 43:38 - Mudra uses the whole body 44:44 - The 3 important mudras 46:50 - Inner mudra 47:32 - The flower mudra 48:08 - Making mudra into meditation 49:32 - A gradual path 51:18 - Future mudra discussions 51:56 - A call for more research into Newar Buddhism … To find out more about Prajwal Ratna Vajracharya, visit: - https://www.dancemandal.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James
31 Maj 202456min
Ep255: Memory Secrets for Language Learning - Dr Anthony Metivier
In this episode I am once again joined by Dr Anthony Metivier, author and internationally renowned memory expert who’s meditation practice is reciting sacred Sanskrit texts from memory. Anthony shares his own language learning journey, including his childhood struggles learning French, to later success with languages such as German, Mandarin, Latin, Hebrew, and Sanskrit. Anthony describes the 5 levels of processing and reveals how he uses his expertise in the art of memory to fast track language acquisition, including strategies to optimise progress in vocabulary, grammar, and comprehension. Anthony challenges popular theories of comprehensible input, criticises gamified language learning apps, and reveals his number one secret to success in foreign language study. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep255-memory-secrets-for-language-learning-dr-anthony-metivier Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:55 - Anthony’s struggles with English 03:09 - Early life aversion to language learning 04:06 - Learning Hebrew as a revenge language 05:20 - Moving to Germany and unlocking the secrets of language learning 06:45 - Passing level 3 in Mandarin and other studies 08:55 - Impressive Hebrew progress 10:23 - Grammar tables and the importance of extensive reading 11:30 - Criticism of comprehensible input theories 12:30 - 5 levels of processing 14:20 - Key metrics to avoid overwhelm 16:54 - Advice for beginners and intermediates 19:02 - Frequency lists 20:53 - Working with native speakers 22:19 - A powerful reading regime 24:38 - Movie mixing 26:33 - Speaking and yogic exercises 28:28 - Latin grammar approaches 32:03 - Don’t need to learn grammar? 33:44 - Anticipatory reading 35:40 - Latin and Sanskrit vs German and Mandarin 37:38 - Disillusionment after fluency 39:55 - Breaking through to German fluency with extensive reading 43:46 - Problems with the language learning industry 46:40 - The tragedy of gamified apps 49:26 - Fast tracking vocabulary acquisition 56:39 - Linguistic deskilling 58:15 - Pros and cons of tests and exams 01:02:04 - Maintaining multiple languages 01:05:28 - The power of laddering … Previous episodes with Anthony Metivier: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=metivier To find out more about Anthony Metivier, visit: - https://www.youtube.com/c/AnthonyMetivierMMM - https://www.magneticmemorymethod.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James
24 Maj 20241h 7min
Ep254: Adventures in Vajrayana - Jason Miller 2
In this episode I am joined by Jason Miller, occultist, author, and teacher of magick. Jason shares his explorations in Tibetan Buddhism, including life changing encounters with Lama Vajranatha and famed ngakpa Kunzang Dorje Rinpoche. Jason recalls his months spent in Nepal during which he received esoteric empowerments, conducted cave and charnel ground practice, and refused the offer of discipleship under a spiritual master. Jason also discusses encountering the goddess Hekate and beginning to teach a magickal system associated with her. Jason compares Western ritual magick to the tantric sorcery of the Himalayas, and considers the role of natural talent in spiritual accomplishment. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep254-adventures-in-vajrayana-jason-miller Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:53 - Meeting Lama Vajranatha 04:27 - Experiments in Voodoo and psychedelic insights 07:23 - Beginning studies in Buddhism 10:31 - Travel to Nepal and meeting Kunzang Dorje Rinpoche 14:12 - Cave practice of Vajrakilaya 16:38 - Refusing Kunzang Dorje’s offer of traditional training 20:01 - Charnel ground practice and introduction to the nature of mind 22:37 - Realising rigpa 23:56 - Memories of empowerments in Nepal 30:30 - Powerful encounter with Hekate 36:26 - Choosing Western Magick over Tibetan Buddhism 37:37 - Communication with Hekate 40:53 - Grimoire culture of the early 2000s 42:45 - Beginning to teach the Hecate system 44:01 -Success of the Sorcery of Hekate online courses 45:56 - Why collect Buddhist empowerments? 49:19 - Illusory body and connections between systems 51:00 - Empowerments and further adventures in Nepal 57:01 - Himalayan vs Western Magick 59:17 - The truest wizard Jason has ever met 01:01:22 - What makes a powerful wizard? 01:02:46 - Old vs new systems 01:09:08 - Are some people supernaturally or spiritually gifted? 01:18:34 - Spiritual duds 01:19:41 - Senders vs receivers 01:20:17 - How to relate to spiritual experiences 01:23:11 - Astral projection and guitar playing … Previous episode with Jason Miller: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep235-strategic-sorcery-jason-miller To find out more about Jason Miller, visit: - https://strategicsorcery.net/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James
17 Maj 20241h 28min
Ep253: The Buddhist Path - Leigh Brasington
In this episode I am once again joined by Leigh Brasington, Buddhist meditation teacher and author of ‘Right Concentration, A Practical Guide to the Jhanas’. Leigh discusses his latest book, ‘Gradual Training: The Buddha’s Step-by-Step Guide for Awakening’, in which Leigh lays a 13 step training which culminates in enlightenment. Leigh explains the scriptural origins of this formulation, why it is so crucial for meditation success, and speculates as to why it is so rarely taught by Buddhist teachers in America. Leigh also emphasises the importance of moral precepts, wrestles with contradictions in the Buddhist scriptures, considers how the scriptures have been altered over the centuries, and reveals his opinion of Buddhist claims to psychic powers. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep253-the-buddhist-path-leigh-brasington Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:53 - Leigh’s latest book 02:09 - A life changing meditation encounter 03:00 - The gradual training 05:05 - Training in insight practice under Ayya Khema 05:49 - Leigh’s insight journey 07:31 - Why isn’t gradual training taught in Western Buddhism? 07:55 - Buddhist teacher schtick 09:00 - People don’t teach the suttas 09:47 - 13 steps to awakening 12:23 - Origin and evolution of the 13-step Gradual Training 13:23 - The Buddhist scriptures have been tampered with 15:23 - Evolution of the doctrine of 12 links of dependent origination 16:34 - Philological implications 17:51 - Did the Buddha have supernatural powers? 21:59 - Contradictions in Buddhist scripture 24:11 - Early vs late suttas 26:20 - When were the suttas composed? 29:39 - When was the gradual training devised? 31:11 - Gradual training vs Lamrim 32:35 - Fruits of the spiritual life 36:38 - Keeping the precepts 40:08 - Guarding the senses 42:41 - Mindfulness and clear comprehension 44:47 - Contentment with little 47:04 - Overcoming hinderances 49:12 - Are psychic powers real? 50:14 - Meditation or morality? 54:13 - Consequences of skipping ethics 58:05 - Do the precepts spoil the fun of life? 01:01:19 - What makes practice life changing? 01:02:36 - Enjoyment without attachment 01:04:17 - The power of motivation to change habits 01:06:19 - How Leigh gave up pot and sweets 01:08:19 - How to do insight practice 01:09:08 - Future writing projects 01:13:30 - Why Leigh publishes his books for free … Previous episodes with Leigh Brasington: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=brasington To find our more about Leigh Brasington visit: - http://www.leighb.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James
10 Maj 20241h 23min
