Ep296: Sufi Music Master - Gerald Ilyas Klawatsch

In this episode, I am joined by Gerald Ilyas Klawatsch, Sufi musician, music therapist, and founder of the international Ensemble Ak Pirim. Ilyas recalls stories of his Sufi path, his meeting and discipleship under his Sufi sheik, and stories of profound spiritual connection and transcendence through devotional music and religious practice. Ilyas describes Sufism as a love relationship, reveals his own difficult childhood, and explains how to stabilise divine ecstasy in the human body. Ilyas also tells the remarkable life story of his spiritual teacher, emphasises the importance of testing a guru, and reflects on the healing potential of religious practice. … Video version: www.guruviking.com Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
 … 00:00 - Intro 00:50 - Names and titles in Sufism 02:46 - The death of Gerald’s master, Dr Rahmi Oruc Guvenc 03:51 - - Death of the lineage 05:54 - Why didn’t Dr Rahmi Oruc Guvenc pass on his lineage? 07:18 - The intended heir 07:40 - Gerald’s guitar studies and finding Sufism 11:40 - Meeting the master 15:00 - Early Sufi training with the master 17:22 - Sufism is a love relationship 21:47 - Dynamics in the early relationship with the master 23:43 - The remarkable life of Dr Rahmi Oruc Guvenc 36:21 - Islamic Sufism vs Universalist Sufism 38:41 - The love relationship and awakening the heart 44:29 - Stabilising the ecstasy 48:03 - Effects of being in relationship with a master 51:25 - How Gerald dealt with the pain of a difficult upbringing 55:15 - Healing the pain 57:49 - Gerald falls to his knees in front of the master 01:07:58 - Testing the teacher 01:10:33 - Sufi music therapy … 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 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 reveals the rich world of Newari life rituals, in which major life events such as birth, coming of age, marriage, and death are celebrated by religious and community rites. Prajwal Vajracharya explains the initiation rituals for boys and girls, including a 12-day dark retreat in which girls are taught essential knowledge by community members, and reveals how divination and astrology are used to determine a child’s name and life path. Prajwal Vajracharya also discusses the importance of purity and discipline, bespoke rituals to clear obstacles, find a partner, and heal illness, and reflects on the challenges in bringing his ritual tradition to the USA. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep295-life-cycle-rituals-prajwal-ratna-vajracharya-3 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:02 - Life cycle rituals of the Newari tradition 02:17 - Pregnancy and birth rituals 04:40 - Is Western culture traumatising? 05:21 - Creating a happy pregnancy 06:28 - Rituals for infancy 08:28 - The baby knows what it needs 09:31 - Naming and earring rituals 11:39 - Divination and adornment rituals 12:50 - The 1 year ritual 13:41 - Egg, fish, and wine 14:26 - 2nd year ritual 16:!6 - 7th year initiation ritual for boys 17:54 - 12-day dark retreat initiation ritual for girls 20:28 - Variations among castes in Nepal 21:23 - Special, old age ritual for the 77th year 23:02 - 88th year and a rebirth ritual 25:42 - Grieving customs for parent’s death 27:36 - Science of rituals and living a happy life 28:29 - In Nepal, everyone takes care of their parents 29:07 - Lack of dementia in Nepal 29:44 - Ritual as a family and community activity 31:20 - Obstacle removal, house blessing, and healing rituals 32:44 - Clay-pot rebirth ritual at 99 years old 35:53 - Respecting the elderly 36:48 - How to choose a child’s name 38:25 - Spiritual names 38:58 - Divination to determine the child’s career and life path 40:39 - What did Prajwal’s son choose? 42:02 - Astrology chart for a new baby 42:53 - The Chudakarma ritual and monastic training 43:49 - Ritual obligations as a Vajrācārya 48:40 - When rituals go wrong! 50:28 - Origin of and textual sources for Newari rituals 52:37 - Purity and preparing for ritual 54:47 - Discipline and respecting others 55:52 - Rituals to get a girlfriend and other life situations 58:08 - The many benefits of rituals 01:01:35 - The complexities of married life 01:03:06 - Bringing Newari ritual traditions to the West 01:05:34 - Innovation and training Westerners in Vajrācārya rituals 01:08:10 - Self-initiation and awakening the channel and nerves 01:09:13 - An American Vajrācārya? 01:10:00 - Challenging reactions in Nepal 01:11:52 - Gurū maṇḍala, the heart of Newari ritual 01:13:40 - Mudrā healing … Previous episodes with Prajwal Ratna Vajracharya: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=prajwal 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

In this episode I am once again joined by Mary Shutan: author, occultist, and spiritual teacher. Mary discusses her new book “Shadow Work for the Soul”, shares her lifelong fascination with the psychological power of dark fairytales, and explains the function of social masks and personae. Mary remarks on a notable increase in spiritual emergencies, a rise in nihilism and the “dark feminine”, and offers advice for those facing spiritual crisis. Mary then takes a deep dive into shadow work, challenges common misconceptions, and offers surprising reflections on both new age masculine-feminine trends and “The Work” of Byron Katie. Mary also reveals how to perceive the shadow in popular culture, warns about the danger of spiritual bypass, and explains how to identify and disarm the ego defences to go beyond one’s limitations. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep294-shadow-work-for-the-soul-mary-shutan Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
 … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:03 - An notable increase in spiritual emergencies 03:51 - Nihilism and other trends on the increase 05:30 - Collective shadows and the dark feminine 07:25 - How to work with nihilism 08:27 - Mary’s advice for those in spiritual crisis 09:39 - The psychological power of myths and fairy tales 11:26 - What can myths and fairy tales teach us? 12:19 - Archetypes and mythic figures 13:18 - Princess and the Pea and Sisyphus 15:21 - Seeing oneself reflected in myths and fairy tales 16:50 - Trauma isolates 18:00 - What is the shadow? 19:43 - What is shadow work? 20:08 - How concepts change when they become mainstream 21:36 - The evolution of acupuncture 23:51 - Limitations of the pop-culture version of shadow work 26:58 - Comments on Byron Katie and “The Work” 31:27 - The healthy ego and ego defences 33:33 - How to identify the ego’s defence mechanisms 34:33 - Intellectualisation vs embodiment 35:32 - Superiority/inferiority loop 37:09 - The world as a mirror 40:02 - Pop culture and politics 41:29 - Dangers of spiritual bypass 45:50 - Masks, personae, and perfectionism 47:36 - The importance of mentors 48:47 - Self enquiry traps and the dangers of labels 50:47 - Identifying with spiritual attainments 53:30 - When did Mary call off the search? 55:35 - Letting go of the high-achiever identity 58:03 - Anima, animus, and the masculine-feminine continuum 59:34 - Masculine and feminine dynamics in the occult 01:02:13 - Identifying collective shadows through pop culture figures 01:04:12- Today’s cultural focus on narcissism 01:05:41 - Noting your personal reactions to celebrity 01:06:02 - The cultural phenomenon of Taylor Swift 01:08:36 - Shadows of light 01:10:02 - Dark feminine rising 01:10:56 - Why “dark feminine?” 01:12:48 - How do we emerge from times of change? 01:14:48 - Mary’s view of the future … Previous episode with Mary Shutan: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=shutan To find out more about Mary Shutan, visit: - http://maryshutan.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 Khandro Kunzang Dechen Chodron, teacher of Tibetan Buddhism and executive director of Saraswati Bhawan Publications. Khandro Kunzang reveals her experience as a spiritual consort to a Tibetan lama, and shares her understanding of this controversial practice. Khandro Kunzang recalls how she became a consort, details her extensive preparations, and explains the coarse and subtle body yogas involved. Khandro Kunzang also discusses the use of consort practice for life extension, how to respond if a guru suggests you become his consort, and why it is that she is now talking publicly about this hitherto secret practice. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep293-secrets-of-consort-practice-khandro-kunzang-dechen-chodron-3 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:48 - The graduated path 04:28 - The fruition of Dzogchen and Ati Yoga 05:41 - The effortless path 06:34 - Dzogchen mistakes 07:40 - Is a 3 year retreat necessary? 08:42 - Personalised retreat with guru 09:32 - Signs of accomplishment on retreat 14:31 - Secret training with Kunzang Dorje Rinpoche 16:03 - Jealousy of Tibetan students 17:33 - Pure Dzogchen vs gradual path 21:04 - How do I know my practice is working? 23:50 - The ultimate test of practice 25:30 - Lama Dawa’s terminal cancer and yogic death 31:17 - The practice of yogic dying 33:11 - Physiological signs of tukdam 34:07 - Death of Kunzang Dorje Rinpoche 35:42 - Miraculous behaviour of Lama Dawa’s relics 37:42 - Difficulties and challenges during Lama Dawa’s end of life 42:08 - Personal restoration during the pandemic 42:48 - The ultimate teaching 43:25 - Displacing grief to keep the show on the road 46:48 - When to begin consort practice? 50:37 - Authentic consort practice is very rare 52:01 - Classic consort stories 53:41 - Abusive lamas and gurus who claim expertise in consort practice 55:10 - The support role of a guru’s consort 56:50 - An “activity consort” 58:19 - Preparing to be Lama Dawa’s consort 59:13 - Using a consort to extend your life 01:00:59 - Using pipes to open the urethra 01:04:49 - Training to purify the lower chakras and draw in the essence fluid 01:06:49 - Working with the thigle drops 01:07:17 - Using eros to experience emptiness 01:08:20 - Consort practice is not romantic 01:08:49 - Extreme consort practice 01:10:06 - Unresolved traumas in consort practice 01:11:05 - Is vajrolī mudrā really possible? 01:13:22 - Jñānamudrā and self practice 1:17:06 - Test your lama if he suggests consort practice 01:20:48 - Why talk openly about secret consort practice? 01:21:24 - Disrobing as a nun to engage in tantric practice 01:23:17 - Seeing your teacher as a living Buddha 01:24:16 - Motives for marrying Lama Dawa 
… Previous episodes with Khandro Kunzang Dechen Chodron: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=khandro%20kunzang To find our more about Khandro Kunzang Dechen Chodron, visit: - https://www.phurbathinleyling.org/khandro-kunzang/

In this episode I once again host a dialogue between Daniel Ingram and Delson Armstrong. Daniel Ingram is an independent Buddhist writer, author of ‘Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha’, and co-founder of the Emergent Phenomenology Research Consortium (EPRC). Delson Armstrong is a spiritual teacher, author of ’A Mind Without Craving’, and founder of the Freedom of Mind foundation. Daniel offers his response to Delson’s recent renunciations, warns about the power of self hypnosis, and explains why it is so common for people to revise their enlightenment claims. Delson considers how it was that he mistook the nature of his spiritual achievements, considers the impact of his renunciation on his practice community and students, and looks ahead to his own future as a teacher and guide. Daniel and Delson address criticisms they have both received for their revisions of important Buddhist doctrines such as the 4 path model of awakening, comment on gatekeeping and fundamentalism in Buddhism, and consider whether advances in contemplative neuroscience may pose a serious threat to traditional religions and their institutions. … Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify. … 01:51 - The situation 04:36 - Daniel’s response to Delson’s renunciation 07:14 - Early schism in Buddhism 08:20 - Does Daniel feel vindicated? 09:42 - Delson reflects on what he has learned from Daniel 12:34 - The snake has shed its skin 13:29 - Profound not simple 14:26 - Neurodiversity and the spiritual path 16:54 - Hypnotising yourself into believing you’re enlightened 19:17 - How did Delson get his enlightenment wrong? 22:22 - Social factors 24:13 - A gradual process 25:06 - Gatekeepin in Buddhism 27:35 - Jack Kornfield and Christopher Titmuss 30:51 - Social influence on perceptions of spiritual progress 33:35 - Relationships 35:21 - The World Without Sin 38:43 - Can you ever go back? Spoiling the party 40:38 - Delson on negative reactions from his community 43:57 - Attached to models, experiences, and perfection? 46:17 - Stages of development 47:17 - Leading with vulnerability 48:45 - A different type of practitioner 49:55 - The appeal of Vajrayāna 52:21 - Specific criticisms of Daniel and Delson 54:19 - Why do Daniel & Delson revise Buddhism? 56:43 - Delson's critics 59:51 - Transference and counter-transference 01:01:18 - Tantric guru yoga 01:01:47 - When your guru disappoints 01:02:05 - Bhikkhu Anālayo and Daniel's other critics 01:02:27 - Neuroscience and religious orthodoxy 01:06:34 - Will neuroscience destroy Buddhism? 01:10:24 - Praise for the Theravāda 01:11:45 - Theravādan exceptionalism 01:12:37 - Validating or defeating religion? 01:15:43 - Finders’ Course and retrenchment to orthodoxy 01:17:57 - Delson on contemplative neuroscience 01:20:39 - What does Daniel think will next happen to Delson? 01:23:23 - Maturing as a spiritual explorer 01:26:33 - Attachment styles & kalyāṇa-mittatā 01:28:40 - Loss of enthusiasm for practice in advanced practitioners 01:31:18 - Micro-renunciations and disgust for the quest 01:33:42 - When spiritual teachers lose their faith 0135:28 - How Delson keeps his interest in teaching 01:38:20 - Why Daniel decided not to become a teacher 01:40:32 - Delson’s closing remarks 01:40:45 - Daniel’s closing remarks 01:41:04 - Praise for the religious orthodoxy 01:42:21 - Acknowledging critics 01:43:17 - Disagreeing with grace and respect … Previous dialogue between Daniel and Delson: - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znX6w6shQ7c Previous episodes with Daniel: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=daniel Previous episodes with Delson: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=delson To find out more about Daniel, visit: - https://theeprc.org/ - integrateddaniel.info To find out more about Delson, visit: - https://www.delsonarmstrong.com/ - https://www.youtube.com/@delson999 - https://www.freedom-of-mind.org/ www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this interview I am once again joined by Ron Serrano long time meditation practitioner, contemplative neuroscience subject, and co-founder of the online meditation group Dharmachanics. Ron gives a summary of the major studies in contemplative neuroscience in the last several years, in many of which he was a key subject. Ron explains several historical and ongoing studies including Dr Jud Brewer’s landmark Yale University study into the default mode network, hypotheses about the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and the sense of self, and the promise of brain scan technology and real-time neurofeedback devices to fast-track enlightenment. Ron also draws from his experience leading the online meditation group Dharmachanics to offer insight into the typical trajectory towards transformative spiritual experiences, patterns of development in meditators, and how he responds when somebody claims they are enlightened. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep291-neuroscience-of-enlightenment-ron-serrano-2 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:04 - Reflections on life and practice 2020 02:37 - Growth of the Dharmachanics online sangha 03:19 - Dharmachanics discussion group about Guru Viking Podcast 03:50 - Sangha is the toughest of the three jewels 04:51 - Patterns of development for meditators 05:59 - The typical trajectory towards awakening 08:48 - How to relate to special meditation experiences 12:34 - Testing enlightenment 13:37 - Ron’s history of participation in contemplative neuroscience 14:09 - Primary subject for Dr Jud Brewer’s landmark study at Yale University 16:26 - The PCC and the no-self 18:24 - Developing the brain scan technology and equipment 19:31 - The accelerating power of real-time meditation feedback 22:18 - How 2020 derailed contemplative neuroscience 23:38 - Ron on commercially available brainwave-feedback products 26:59 - How neuroscience studies really work 28:01 - Debate with Daniel Ingram 28:44 - Daniel’s contributions to contemplative neuroscience 29:41 - A gold standard phenomenology and technological Harvard study 32:43 - A comprehensive blueprint of the enlightened mind 34:54 - 2 major brain networks 26:56 - Secrecy and hidden players 39:15 - A treasure trove of data 40:32 - The holy grail of contemplative neuroscience 41:38 - Why Ron is pessimistic about finding neuro-correlates of awakening 43:14 - The blessing and curse of the Dalai Lama brand 46:08 - Politics and why neuroscientists need the Dalai Lama’s 47:47 - Will neuroscience render religious teachers obsolete? 49:38 - Will AI replace meditation teachers? 50:35 - What will happen to religion if neuroscience cracks the enlightenment code? 52:32 - A history of disruption 54:05 - Does astronomy offer a historical parallel to contemplative neuroscience? 55:46 - The costly problem of data analysis 58:14 - Can this technology be weaponised? 01:00:48 - Technology dependency 01:01:25 - Addictive meditation technology 01:04:39 - Ron reflects on Steve and the podcast … Previous episode with Ron Serrano: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=prajwal To find out more about Ron Serrano, visit: - https://www.facebook.com/groups/Dharmachanics/ 
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 Delson Armstrong, spiritual teacher, meditation virtuoso, and author of ‘A Mind Without Craving’. In this interview, Delson responds to criticism and answers questions about his recent renunciation of attainments and revision of the Buddhist 4 path enlightenment model. Delson reflects on the pros and cons of questioning established religious doctrines and on the role of direct experience in challenging fixed views. Delson comments on a recently leaked interview, shares his current position on Bhante Vimalaramsi and his TWIM meditation method, and compares Buddhism to traditional yoga. Delson also recalls his own training in Kriya yoga, details the features of the particular lineage which he has begun to teach, and reveals methods of working with karma, chakras, and forgiveness. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep290-answering-critics-kriya-yoga-delson-armstrong Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:00 - Responses to Delson renouncing his spiritual attainments 02:56 - Criticism of Delson 04:08 - Has Delson abandoned the 10 fetter model and the 4 attainments? 05:18 - Delson’s leaked interview 07:58 - Breach of trust and betrayal of friendship 09:32 - Why redefine the Buddhist doctrines rather than reassess oneself? 12:46 - Delson’s experience vs cultural consensus 13:50 - Is Buddhist doctrine beyond cultural? 16:25 - Going beyond maps and Integral Theory 17:35 - Challenging fundamentalism and fixed views 18:43 - The jīvanmukta and other mystical traditions 20:22 - Transcending doctrinal chains of imprisonment 21:37 - Daniel Ingram’s revisions 23:07 - Delsonism vs Buddhism 24:44 - Should Delson leave the traditions alone? 26:09 - The role of tradition and Delson’s contribution 27:31 - Comments on TWIM 28:32 - Drawing on different traditions 30:03 - Current view 32:05 - Delson’s current opinion on TWIM and Bhante Vimalaramsi 36:26 - Delson’s training in Kriya yoga 40:16 - Which Kriya yoga lineage does Delson teach? 42:17 - Anyone can do Kriya yoga 44:09 - Short learning curve to samadhi 45:03 - Relaxing into awakening 46:39 - What is the point of the jhanas? 48:13 - Chakras and siddhi powers 51:37 - Deities and chakras 53:26 - The Yoga Sutras on siddhi power 55:07 - Karmic acceleration and misconceptions about chakra work 58:00 - How to release karma 01:00:03 - Kriya yoga approach to work with chakras 01:00:34 - The power of forgiveness 01:01:51 - TWIM vs Kriya, Yoga vs Buddhism 01:07:37 - Delson’s recent experience teaching Kriya yoga 01:11:35 - Initiation in Kriya yoga and tantra 01:15:51 - Secrecy as a marketing tool 01:17:17 - Delson reflects on his teaching career 01:19:23 - Scientific tests on Delson, can he still meditate? `
… Watch previous episodes with Delson Armstrong: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=delson Find out more about Delson Armstrong: - Personal Site: https://www.delsonarmstrong.com/ - YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@delson999 - Delson's Foundation: https://www.freedom-of-mind.org/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am joined by Dr. William Rory Dickson an associate professor of Islamic Religion and Culture at The University of Winnipeg and author of “Dissolving into Being: The Wisdom of Sufi Philosophy”. Professor Dickson takes a deep dive into the life and works of Jalāl al-Dīn Muḥammad Rūmī (1207-1273 AD), a 13th century Sufi poet whose works have become famous all around the world. Professor Dickson recounts the fascinating life of Rūmī, including his flight from Mongol invasion, his education in Islamic law, his life-changing encounter with the wild, mystical dervish Shams-i Tabrīzī, and his far-reaching legacy in Asia and beyond. Professor Dickson also explains the anti-Rūmī movements within modern Islam, challenges criticism of Coleman Barks’ popular renderings of Rūmī’s verse, and explores the controversial Sufi metaphors of intoxication by wine and passionate desire to describe the practitioner’s relationship with God. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep289-mystic-poetry-of-rumi-professor-william-rory-dickson-3 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:25 - The life of Jalāl al-Dīn Muḥammad Rūmī 03:39 - Neither universalist nor orthodox 05:09 - Rūmī, sharī’ah law, and radical Islam 07:08 - The range of Sufi expression over history 07:56 - The wandering dervishes 08:42 - Rūmī’s life-changing encounter with the radical dervish Shams-i Tabrīzī 09:56 - 3 stages of self-annihilation through love 11:14 - Shams-i Tabrīzī’s illicit alcohol use 13:36 - Rūmī’s spiritual poetry 16:13 - Rūmī’s explicit invectives 17:07 - Rūmī’s mystic father 19:08 - Mongol domination of Central Asia and Rūmī’s flight 21:29 - Rūmī’s colourful insults 22:52 - Challenging empty, orthodox religious forms 26:51 - Lack of nuance in the Rūmī wars 29:22 - Rūmī’s two major legacies 31:37 - The role of Sufi orders in different cultural contexts 33:48 - The anti-Sufis and a radical forgetting of Rūmī within Islam 35:37 - Coleman Barks and the Rūmī wars 37:23 - Criticism of Coleman Barks 39:06 - Coleman Barks was a Sufi 39:50 - Coleman Barks as an entry point 41:21 - The conundrum of translated literature 43:46 - How to communicate across cultures without losing the essence 45:12 - Rory’s enjoyment of Chogyam Trungpa 46:27 - Passionate desire and intoxication on wine 48:30 - Pre-Islamic Arab poetry, “gangster rap” 49:33 - Passionate love poetry 50:55 - Romantic streak in Arab culture 51:53 - Influence of Persian culture on Muslim mystic metaphors 52:46 - Sufism’s Neo-Platonism 55:50 - Remembering the One and Tantric practice 56:59 - Integrating the sensual and the spiritual 59:18 - Appreciation of pleasure as a vehicle to God 01:00:07 - Sufi sexuality and the paths of Jesus vs Mohammad 01:05:28 - Scandalous to orthodox Islam 01:07:48 - Knowing God directly 01:09:53 - Categorising God vs Sufi gnosis 01:11:18 - Executed Sufi master 01:11:54 - Is Sufism inappropriate? 01:13:26 - Wine in Sufism and Islam 01:17:39 - Love is brutal 
… Previous episodes with Professor William Rory Dickson: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=dickson To find our more about Professor William Rory Dickson, visit: - https://www.uwinnipeg.ca/experts-guide/william-rory-dickson.html - https://anqa.co.uk/publications/dissolving-being … 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 Naomi Levine, author, under her birth name Norma Levine, of several books including ‘The Miraculous 16th Karmapa’, ‘A Quest For The Hidden Lands’, and ‘Chronicles of Love and Death: My Years With The Last Spiritual King of Bhutan’. In this interview, Naomi discusses her latest writing about the apocalyptic prophecies of the Kālacakra tantra, a Tibetan Buddhist scripture promoted by the Dalai Lama. Naomi discusses the doctrine of the dark age known as the “Kali Yuga” including its origins, its signs and symptoms, and Buddhist ideas about its unfolding. Naomi tells the story of Shambala, a mystical kingdom ruled by enlightened, bodhisattva kings, and reveals the prophesied holy war which the Kālacakra tantra claims will see the Shambala army face off against barbarian hordes. Naomi also discusses the surprising implications of the Dalai Lama’s mass Kālacakra initiation rituals, the role of stūpas and other religious monuments in geomantic magick, and how she personally deals with a sense of impending apocalypse. … https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep288-apocalypse-now-naomi-levine Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 01:18 - What is the Kali Yuga? 06:38 - Moral and environmental degeneration 10:14 - When did the Kali Yuga begin? 12:39 - Signs of the Kali Yuga and climate change 15:55 - Multi-dimensional reality and hidden lands 17:44 - Naomi’s pilgrimage to the hidden land of Pemako 20:42 - The Pure Lands in Buddhist cosmology 21:57 - The kingdom of Shambala 26:25 - Seeking Shambala 27:28 - The Kālacakra Tantra 30:28 - Prophecy of the battle of Shambala 33:42 - Good vs evil 35:26 - Does the Kālacakra refer to Islam? 37:42 - Why does the 14th Dalai Lama give Kālacakra initiations? 39:33 - Inner or outer battle? 43:01 - Tai Situ’s interest in the timespan between Buddhas 44:55 - Is Shambala just a myth? 46:09 - What is Shambala? 47:35 - Shangri-La and Hilton’s “Lost Horizons” 48:28 - Chogyam Trungpa’s version of Shambala 51:50 - How geomancy and building stupas affect world events 52:48 - Stupas as geomantic magic 56:56 - Cancelling Jane Austen 57:52 - Dissolution of the elements 59:45 - Tukdam 01:01:47 - How Naomi responds to the end times 01:05:33 - The constantly shifting drama of world events 01:06:43 - Suggestion for non-Buddhists 01:07:48 - Naomi asks Steve’s opinion 01:09:14 - Prophecies of lamas and other mystics 01:10:09 - Apocalyptic thinking and displaced death anxiety 01:10:31 - Naomi’s attitude towards death … Previous episodes with Naomi Levine: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=naomi To find out more about Naomi Levine, visit: - https://www.facebook.com/naomilevine111 - https://www.amazon.com/stores/Norma-Levine/author/B001K86LZ4?ref=ap_rdr&store_ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am joined by Dr James Cooke, Oxford-trained neuroscientist, spiritual teacher, and author of “Dawn of Mind: How Matter Became Conscious and Alive”. James recounts how, at aged 13, an existential crisis driven by fear of hell saw him emerge into a profound mystical opening. James shares the radical changes he experienced and traces his subsequent years spent exploring and integrating this spiritual breakthrough. James recalls his improbable journey to winning a place at Oxford University, discusses the remarkable overlaps he found there between cutting-edge neuroscience and his own awakening, and reveals the social structures of elite education in the UK. James details the arduous and often overlooked post-awakening work of surrendering egoic structures and releasing attachments, explains why enlightenment is both a gain and a loss, and reflects on the challenges of teaching nonduality as a natural mystic. … Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. 01:07 - Why did James write Dawn of Mind? 03:43 - Making consciousness science accessible 04:41 - Catholic upbringing, an overly conscientious child 05:49 - Disturbed by hell 06:38 - Existential rumination, a crisis of faith 08:27 - Spiritual awakening at age 13 09:54 - Aftermath of James’ awakening 12:59 - Life affirming vs death affirming phases of awakening 15:16 - Letting go of attachments 17:24 - What happened to James’ excessive conscientiousness? 20:00 - Two mistakes about the no-self 21:15 - Freedom from extremes, letting go 23:39 - The dissolving self 24:44 - Is therapy necessary? 26:44 - Meditation as a gradual path 27:15 - Meditation vs therapy 28:37 - Practice in life vs joining a monastery 30:11 - Can a natural mystic really teach others? 32:37 - Alienation through spiritual language 33:21 - Enlightenment as loss 34:27 - 3 types of spiritual teacher 36:30 - James’ profile as a teacher 37:47 - Self-aggrandising nondual teachers 38:38 - Spiritual influences 40:40 - Adyashanti & the end of suffering 42:08 - Buddhist progress of insight model 43:59 - Volatile teenage years 44:57 - Extreme somatic tension 36:25 - Difficult integration phase 47:39 - Oxford University, dealing with pressure 50:26 - How James got into Oxford against all odds 54:07 - Social context of elite education in the UK 56:52 - The Oxford wound 58:11 - The mystic’s mistake, post-awakening 01:00:15 - James’ research path at Oxford 01:01:39 - Opening a path for others + psychedelic experimentation 01:04:13 - James’ last psychedelic trip 01:05:12 - Working with Beliefs 01:07:29 - Unravelling resistance & faking it 01:10:40 - Is there an end to post-awakening work? 01:13:54 - James’ experience of intimate relationships 01:17:25 - Charlatans and why awakening can be off-putting for friends 01:19:30 - Alienating terminology 01:19:48 - Feeling isolated after awakening 01:20:33 - Mimicking awakening, the nondual teaching circuit 01:22:05 - Why did James wait so long to go public 01:25:57 - Reaction of James’ family 01:26:51 - Moral perfection 01:30:37 - Why James doesn’t like the word “enlightenment” 01:31:10 - The problem with “awakening” 01:32:31 - Language phases, changing the lingo 01:33:20 - The Borg and analogies for awakening 01:34:42 - Siddhi, intuition, supernatural powers 01:36:48 - Insecure rockstars, kundalini 01:38:39 - The language game 01:39:11 - Hearing voices, the dramatising brain 01:40:58 - World as a shared hallucination 01:42:45 - Does James suffer? 01:44:56 - Gross vs subtle suffering 01:45:52 - An experience of physical pain 01:47:08 - Meditative austerities vs life practice 01:50:46 - Trainings in equanimity 01:51:49 - Ideas in Dawn of Mind 01:53:20 - An instinct for empowerment 
… To find our more about James Cooke PhD, visit: - https://www.drjamescooke.com/ - https://www.innerspaceinstitute.org/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James