Ep343: The Mystic Arthur Machen - RB Russell

R.B. Russell, author and founder of Tartarus Press, takes us on a deep dive into the life and works of Welsh author and mystic Arthur Machen.  Ray traces the religious life of Machen, his involvement with the occult society the Golden Dawn, and his friendship with famed occultist A.E. Waite. Ray details Machen’s fascination with the esoteric symbolism of the Grail mythology; his role in originating and spreading the supernatural, urban myth of the Bowman; and impact of his notorious horror-fantasy novella ”The Great God Pan”. Ray also shares his reflections on literary theory, the various interpretations of Shakespeare, and the prevalence of psychoanalytic readings of classic genre fiction. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep343-the-mystic-arthur-machen-rb-russell Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
 … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:07 - First encounter with the works of Arthur Machen 05:25 - Hill of Dreams and an abiding interest 06:21 - Mysteries of Machen 07:12 - Life of Arthur Machen 09:29 - Involvement with occultism 17:11 - The Great God Pan 22:19 - Machen, Lovecraft, and the mystical 26:17 - Reflections on literary theory 27:26 - Why so many psychoanalytic readings of horror? 29:13 - Historicism vs textualism 31:40 - Shakespeare and classic vs modern productions 34:38 - The Great God Pan needs to be Victorian 35:25 - Machen’s involvement in the Golden Dawn 38:43 - Grail Myth as a spiritual path and an early Welsh church 39:26 - Friendship with occultist A.E. Waite 40:05 - The Great Return and the evolution of awe 43:41 - Why were so many writers fascinated by the Grail Myth and King Arthur? 46:15 - Esoteric symbolism of the Grail 48:52 - Links to Roman Britain 49:58 - Machen’s Oxford disappointment and subsequent work 53:05 - The Bowmen and urban myths 57:28 - Reading vs collecting books 01:02:27 - Ray’s prized item and Machen collection 01:03:34 - Tartarus Press and Machen publishing projects 01:05:28 - Friends of Arthur Machen society 01:07:06 - Faunus journal 01:07:22 - Where to start with Machen for those interested in the occult and mysticism … Previous episode with Ray: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/p319-mystery-of-t-lobsang-rampa-rb-russell Find out more about Ray here: - http://tartaruspress.com/russell-rampa.html - https://www.arthurmachen.org.uk/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode, I am once again joined by Dhammarato: a lineage teacher in the Thai Buddhist tradition who is known for his unique, 1-1 teaching conversations conducted with students online.  Dhammarato guides us through the Ānāpānassatisutta, a much loved scripture which describes Buddhism’s famous breath meditation practice. Dhammarato describes the technique in detail, challenges common misconceptions about this practice and the sutta, and explains how the whole Buddhist path is contained within it. Dhammarato also argues that loving kindness meditations and remembering past lives are not Buddhist practices, addresses jhana and other meditation practice mistakes, and reflects on the fruits of his own practice when faced with illness and physical pain. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep342-npnassati-dhammarato Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. ... Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:52 - Various breathing meditations 02:28 - MN 118: Ānāpānassatisutta - about the sutta 04:58 - 4 foundations of mindfulness 05:37 - Factors of Enlightenment 06:39 - Mistaken readings of the sutta 08:01 - Critique of loving kindness meditation 10:12 - Sitting meditation vs ānāpānassati 11:22 - Sati vs loving kindness meditation and recalling past lives 13:00 - Right noble looking 13:55 - Entering the first jhana and gladdening the mind 17:19 - Victim attitude 19:31 - How to make the body comfortable 22:36 - The skill of developing sukha, satisfaction 26:02 - Thoughts, feelings, and body are interrelated 27:35 - Ānāpānassati is not a breathing meditation 28:42 - Pragmatic Dharma vs Engaged Buddhism 30:25 - How to apply ānāpānassati 33:27 - The first step of nobility 36:22 - A feeling of success 39:14 - Attaining knowledge and deliverance 41:58 - Common jhana practice mistakes 46:52 - Loving kindness meditation mistakes 51:50 - Metta is a consequence not a practice 53:06 - Vipassanā vs samatha 57:10 - Explaining other Buddhist masters’ enlightenments 59:23 - Comments on Ajahn Chah and correct practice 01:01:53 - Working with pain and sickness 01:03:06 - Cancer and meditation 01:05:31 - Dhammarato’s aging and health 01:06:03 - Criticism of Goenka and sitting through pain 01:07:11 - Magical thinking of sitting through pain 01:08:28 - Advice for approaching death 01:10:53 - Dhammarato reflects on the deaths of his loved ones 01:13:37 - How to die happy 
Dhammarato Episode Playlist - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=DHAMMARATO To find out more about Dhammarato, visit: - Email: [email protected] - Discord: https://discord.gg/epphTGY - https://dhammaratoblog.wordpress.com/ - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjxg5GJFsRqnS-YLTzyrjLQ Read the Ānāpānassatisutta: - https://suttacentral.net/mn118/en/sujato?lang=en&layout=plain&reference=none&notes=asterisk&highlight=false&script=latin … For more interviews, videos, and more visit. - www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this bonus episode, I share with you a Guru Viking remix video created by Zakery Mizell from the Youtube channel Zakery Mizell. Zakery’s channel focuses on knowledge and beauty and he has made several videos commenting on and even remixing episodes of the Guru Viking podcast. When I came across his remixes, I enjoyed his approach very much and we agreed to share his work here. In this video, Zakery records a five hour livestream sharing his perspectives on various Guru Viking poetry episodes. I will also share another of his Guru Viking videos in which Zakery remixes my poetry interviews with poets John Brehm and Henry Shukman, rearranging the material and adding his own visual effects to create a new interpretation of that episode. So look out for that video on the Guru Viking channel too. Find out more about Zakery: - https://www.youtube.com/@ZakeryMizell Watch the original Guru Viking episodes used in Zakery’s videos: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep274-poetry-the-sacred-henry-shukman-john-brehm - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep230-the-dharma-of-poetry-john-brehm For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this bonus episode, I share with you a Guru Viking remix video created by Zakery Mizell from the Youtube channel Zakery Mizell. Zakery’s channel focuses on knowledge and beauty and he has made several videos commenting on and even remixing episodes of the Guru Viking podcast. When I came across his remixes, I enjoyed his approach very much and we agreed to share his work here. In this video, Zakery remixes my poetry interviews with poets John Brehm and Henry Shukman, rearranging the material and adding visual effects to create a new interpretation of that episode. I will also share another of his Guru Viking videos in which he records a five hour livestream sharing his perspectives on various episodes. So look out for that video on the Guru Viking channel too. Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep340-poetry-and-the-sacred-remix-bonus-episode-john-brehm-and-henry-shukman ... Find out more about Zakery: https://www.youtube.com/@ZakeryMizell Watch the original Guru Viking episodes used in Zakery’s videos: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep274-poetry-the-sacred-henry-shukman-john-brehm - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep230-the-dharma-of-poetry-john-brehm For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this interview I am joined by Dr Thomas Clough Daffern, philosopher, educator, peace activist, and peace officer for the Council of British Druid Orders. Dr Daffern explains the meaning of Christmas and the Winter Solstice, reflects on cyclic time and indigenous wisdom, and shares his own recent reckonings with death and loss. Dr Daffern reveals the esoteric and mythic symbolism of the Christmas tree, mistletoe, gift giving, and even Father Christmas himself. Dr Daffern also shares his thoughts on the current world situation, why he is an optimist about the future of civilisation, and why he believes it is the moral duty of those with knowledge and power to share it with the world. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep339-christmas-the-winter-solstice-dr-thomas-clough-daffern Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:50 - How Thomas spends this time of year 03:02 - The worst year of Thomas’ life 04:19 - Death of Thomas’ daughter 07:30 - Reckoning with death 10:14 - What the traditions say about the current world situation 12:14 - Druids and cyclical time 12:52 - Increasing wisdom in the world 13:18 - Sophia-phobia 15:11 - Why Thomas is an optimist about the future 18:07 - The meaning of Winter Solstice 18:12 - Christmas and Mithraism 19:34 - Megalithic civilisations and prehistorical religion 25:39 - The Golden Bough and indigenous European wisdom 26:54 - Death and rebirth 29:21 - Rituals and symbols of Christmas 31:23 - Symbolism of the Christmas tree 33:34 - The meaning of “Christmas” 34:31 - Symbolism of mistletoe 35:40 - Symbolism of present giving 36:37 - Thomas comments on peace in the Middle East 37:59 - Is symbolism and the esoteric only for an elite minority? 41:29 - The aristocratic hippy and sharing wisdom 42:37 - The moral duty to share knowledge and power 44:52 - Symbolism of Father Christmas / Santa Claus 46:15 - Concluding thoughts … Previous episodes with Dr Thomas Clough Daffern: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=daffern … To find our more about Dr Thomas Clough Daffern, visit: - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-clough-daffern-phd-6a3463a - https://interfaithpeacetreaty.wordpress.com/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode, I am once again joined by Gerald Ilyas Klawatsch, Sufi musician, music therapist, and founder of the international musical ensemble Ak Pirim. Ilyas presents the sacred music of Sufism, explains its various instruments and principles, and performs musical pieces live. Ilyas tells stories of discipleship under his Sufi master, recounts profound moments of spiritual bliss, and reflects on the power of music for emotional healing. Ilyas also explains the role of ecstatic trance in Sufism and reveals special breathing techniques to induce transcendent states. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep338-sacred-sufi-music-the-art-of-ecstasy-gerald-ilyas-klawatsch-2 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
 … 00:00 - Intro 00:47 - Combining spiritual life with the arts 04:46 - Beauty as a quality of the Divine 07:37 - Sacred calligraphy 11:36 - Music as the main spiritual art 13:!6 - A Sufi creation story 16:32 - How Ilyas learned Sufi music 22:52 - Mystical drunkenness 26:59 - Ney, the Sufi flute 32:03 - Performance: Ney flute 32:52 - A story of a Ney master 35:03 - Music and poetry 36:44 - Arabian maqam 38:51 - About the Oud 40:42 - Performance: Oud 42:25 - Zikr 43:41 - About the Bendhir 44:06 - Performance: Bendhir 44:29 - Performance: Oud 45:37 - Trance, ecstasy, and hyperventilation 50:22 - Awakening the heart 53:08 - Two personal stories of Ilyas’ spiritual and music master 59:53 - About the Rebâb 01:02:34 - Performance: Rebâb 01:03:46 - Music therapy 01:05:28 - Healing and personal expression 01:10:06 - A story of Ilyas’ music master 01:12:55 - Shamanism and music 01:14:13 - Performance: Bendhir Sufi song 01:15:25 - Performance: Bendhir shamanic song 01:17:05 - About the Qyl-Qobyz, a shamanic instrument 01:18:28 - About the Çeng harp 01:19:43 - Performance: Çeng harp 01:21:08 - Where to hear more of Ilyas’ music … Previous episode with Gerald Ilyas Klawatsch: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=ilyas To find out more about Gerald Ilyas Klawatsch, visit: - https://bengusu.com/g-ilyas-klatsch/ - https://www.youtube.com/@akpirimensemble For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this interview I am once again joined by Dr Ben Joffe, anthropologist, occultist, and scholar practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism. Ben reveals the industry convention of guru ghostwriting in which spiritual teachers employ one or a team of writers to produce their dharma books, explains his collaborative process with Nida Chenagtsang on their latest Vajrayana book, and sheds light on his own editorial process. Ben discusses whether a scholar should have practice experience before translating religious texts, considers whether historical inaccuracies debunk the spiritual value of Buddhist scriptures, and raises questions about the origin of terma treasure texts. Ben also compares the Yuthok Nyinthig retreat format to the Abramelin Ritual of Western Occultism, details the signs of success in tantric practice, and shares Yuthok’s promise to appear in bodily form to practitioners with sufficient devotion and attainment. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep337-guru-ghostwriting-tantric-retreat-dr-ben-joffe Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:12 - Ghostwriting for gurus 08:03 - Lamas often don’t write their books 10:24 - Ben’s editorial process 18:32 - Is guru ghostwriting a dirty secret? 19:17 - Vajrayana jargon vs a felt sense 29:56 - What is a scholar practitioner? 37:39 - Ben’s retreat experiences 41:13 - Did Yuthok the Elder really exist? 50:06 - Anachronisms and retroactive attribution in Tibetan historiography 51:57 - Origins of the Tibetan medical tantras (rgyud bzhi) 58:08 - Terma treasure texts: mystical revelation or an editorial process? 01:02:08 - Why have Western scholars been hesitant to question terma texts? 01:05:04 - Does critical scholarship debunk Buddhism? 01:10:55 - Medicine Buddha ex machina 01:12:45 - Referring out 01:13:24 - Encountering Yuthok vs the Holy Guardian Angel in the Abramelin Ritual 01:20:10 - Special 7-day Yuthok ngondro 01:24:10 - Is Yuthok Nyingthig the best tantric system? 01:28:27 - The power of aspiration prayers 01:30:53 - How long does it take to become fully enlightened? 01:33:51 - Practice according to number, time, or signs 01:34:54 - Mythic resonance of lineage 01:36:33 - Signs of spiritual progress 01:41:35 - Ben comments on the Abramelin Ritual 01:43:59 - Sumton’s Yeshe Zung’s devotional prayer 01:46:50 - Yuthok as a Mighty Dead 01:48:47 - Do Yuthok’s promises cause ego inflation and delusion? 01:52:09 - Verifying dreams and spiritual signs 01:58:26 - How to connect with spiritual blessings 02:05:09 - What are blessings? 02:06:32 - Spiritual signs in the Jesuit tradition 02:08:49 - Ngondro as a hazing 02:10:55 - Do people expect to encounter Yuthok at Dr Nida’s retreats? 02:15:38 - Dr Nida’s approach vs traditional contexts 02:21:00 - Typical student profile and outcomes 02:29:28 - Permissive approach to tantric vows 02:32:37 - Pros and cons of laissez-faire tantric practice 02:33:28 - Charismatic founder stage 
… Previous episodes with Dr Ben Joffe: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=joffe Previous episodes with Dr Nida Chenagtsang: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=nida 
… 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

In this episode I am once again joined by Duncan Barford, occult practitioner, counsellor, and author of “Occult Experiments in the Home”. Duncan begins with an analysis of the 2016 film, “A Dark Song”, which he believes is the most accurate depiction of occult practice in cinema. Duncan details the plot, breaks down its depictions of ritual, and shares his own emotional reaction to the film's climax. Duncan then shifts gear and gives a detailed explanation of the infamous Abramelin ritual, a multi-month ritual considered by many to be the most ambitious working a magician can attempt. Duncan gives a survey of the major written accounts of those who have attempted it including Aleister Crowley, Lionel Snell, and William Bloom; reveals why the ritual has such a high failure rate; and shares what he believes is the key to success. Duncan also analyses the esoteric structure of Coleridge’s poem “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” and interprets it as a description of the spiritual path, proposes an equivalency between success in the Abramelin and Buddhist stream entry, and reveals why he believes the study of history is an obstacle to magickal success. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep336-the-magick-of-abramelin-duncan-barford-3 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:28 - The Magick of A Dark Song 02:45 - The film 04:41 - The Abramelin Ritual 07:23 - Cinematic depictions of magick 08:04 - Spoiler warnings and the plot 08:24 - Hiring the magician 10:03 - Sophia’s motive for the ritual 11:36 - A deep understanding of how ritual works 14:40 - Describing the magickal working 17:04 - Meeting the Holy Guardian Angel 21:01 - The practitioner’s journey 25:58 - Characer arcs 30:03 - The key of devotion 33:02 - The esoteric structure of Coleridge’s “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” 33:34 - The cycle of insight 38:37 - Crisis, breakthrough, ordeal, union 43:38 - Unsettling themes 44:12 - Interventus Caninus 44:57 - What next after absolution? 45:33 - What is the point of the Abramelin Ritual? 46:46 - Reflecting on the ending of the film 49:39 - Crowley, Snell, Bloom, and Katz - those who attempted the Abramelin 49:54 - Mysterious history of the Abramelin Ritual 52:39 - Recensions of the Abramelin 53:56 - Duncan describes the Abramelin text and ritual 01:00:20 - Why does the Abramelin ritual have such a high failure rate? 01:02:12 - Meeting Lionel Snell 01:04:51 - A tarot reading and why history is an obstacle to real magick 01:06:53 - Daniel Ingram’s revision of traditional fire kasina meditation 01:11:00 - Crowley’s attempts at the Abramelin ritual 01:14:37 - Other accounts 01:16:40 - William Bloom’s attempt 01:20:45 - Secret to success with the Abramelin Ritual 01:24:13 - How to increase the success rate of rituals 01:29:18 - Are you ready to attempt the Abramelin? 01:31:52 - Stream entry and Abramelin 01:34:35 - Duncan reflects on his past claims to attainment 01:37:16 - Questioning pragmatic dharma assumptions and the vogue of stream entry 01:41:00 - Insider vs outsider views 01:42:13 - Does magick really work? 01:43:31 - A story of powerful magickal effects 
… Watch previous episodes with Duncan Barford: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=barford To find our more about Duncan Barford, visit: - https://www.duncanbarford.uk/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am once again joined by Alex W, long term practitioner of Zen, Pragmatic Dharma, and Western Occultism. Alex lays out his ideal curriculum of practices to achieve awakening including a full technique sequence, explanation of the signs of success at each stage, and the various post-awakening paths that are available. Alex details the energetic openings that occur after awakening and how to nurture them, contrasts Buddhist tummo to Daoist inner alchemy, and explains the process to open the psychic senses. Alex challenges the meditation retreat model of practice which he sees as putting economic concerns over student benefit, offers his opinion on the amount of time one should spend in daily meditation, and emphasises the importance of retaining one’s autonomy in the spiritual market place. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep335-how-to-guide-for-awakening-beyond-alex-w-3 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
 … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:05 - What is the ideal curriculum for awakening? 02:55 - Alex’s teaching experience 03:30 - Core skills for all traditions 04:42 - Never surrender your autonomy 06:32 - You must learn to sit 08:56 - The first meditation technique 12:32 - Recommended traditions and books 16:11 - First signs of success 19:45 - A major shift 23:39 - Should you pursue enlightenment? 24:51 - Soto vs Rinzai vs Dzogchen vs Mahāmudrā 37:50 - The goal of Dzogchen and Mahāmudrā 39:54 - How to embody realisation 45:35 - Moving from abdomen to heart space 47:04 - Saccidānanda 48:17 - Result of awakening the three energy centres 53:04 - Gurdjieff and self-remembering 55:35 - Using stress to strengthen the energy body 01:00:37 - Tummo and inner alchemy 01:05:55 - Warning about energy practice 01:08:19 - A summary of Alex’s recommended path 01:09:54 - How long does the path take? 01:13:24 - The Chinese view of inner alchemy 01:17:32 - Opening the psychic senses 01:22:55 - How much should one practice? 01:25:04 - The economic trap of meditation retreats 01:34:50 - Solo retreats and the limitations of lay life 01:41:21 - Economic logic vs practice effectiveness 01:46:53 - How to relate to strong experiences? 01:49:20 - St John of the Cross 01:56:04 - Deconstructing the Self 02:04:57 - Recognising what is already here 02:07:26 - Closing remarks … Previous episodes with Alex W: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=alex For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am once again joined by Myriam Szabo, also known as Ngakma Yumma Mudra: dancer, producer, model, teacher of Tibetan Buddhism, and founder of the international Danza Duende Network. Ngakma Yumma Mudra recounts the story of her life from a childhood of domestic abuse, intense discipleship under Russian dance teachers, and years of living on the streets. Ngakma Yumma Mudra recalls her relationships, her mystical and psychic experiences, and her breakthrough to international fame as the model in a provocative marketing campaign. Ngakma Yumma Mudra shares her conversion to Buddhism, how her devotion to Padmasambhava helped her confront her fear, and how a period of intensive retreat led her to rediscover dance as a spiritual practice. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep334-the-dakinis-journey-ngakma-yumma-mudra Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:55 - An unusual conception 04:56 - Beginning classical dance training at 2 years old 06:42 - Mother beaten every day 08:19 - Fleeing to Paris 10:21 - Dance as refuge 12:32 - Discipleship under two Russian dance gurus 19:58 - Studying music and classical guitar 20:35 - Living on the streets for 3 years 22:17 - An abusive relationship at 17 years old 24:20 - Karma and abuse 26:32 - LSD and a mystical awakening 30:16 - Living with artists and drug dealers 32:45 - Attacked by rival drug gang 33:41 - Psychic abilities 36:05 - Reading Chogyam Trungpa 38:01 - Travel to India to seek Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche 40:39 - Moving to Portugal 42:11 - Modelling career in Paris 46:06 - Devotion to Guru Padmasambhava and releasing fear 49:15 - Space and time 52:44 - Relationship with famous photographer Jean-François Jonvelle  55:25 - Orgies, dharma, and rise to fame 58:36 - Modelling for the famous advertisement, “Demain j'enlève le bas” 01:02:15 - Further Buddhist training and 1 year retreat 01:05:07 - Return to dance 01:07:58 - Discovering the feminine 01:09:08 - Dance as sādhanā 01:16:!6 - Performing without choreography 01:21:20 - Teaching and burning out 01:25:21 - Dharma art 01:29:16 - Relationship with Michel Raji  01:36:28 - Breathwork and healing the inner masculine 01:38:08 - Dharma dance study programme … Previous episode with Ngakma Yumma Mudra: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=yumma To find our more about Ngakma Yumma Mudra visit: - https://www.danzaduende.org/yumma-bio-en.htm For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James