Ep314: Me & My Gurus - Ani Pema

In this episode I am joined by Ani Pema, an American nun in the Tibetan Buddhist religion and former swami in the Siddha Yoga organisation. Ani Pema recalls her childhood in Boise Idaho, her high flying career in fashion working for Vogue magazine, and how dissatisfaction with the American dream set her on a spiritual search. Ani Pema details her sixteen years of close discipleship and ordination under the renowned Siddha Yoga guru Swami Muktananda, her transformative encounters with the 16th Karmapa, and her subsequent discipleship under Tibetan Buddhist teachers such as Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche and Namkhai Nyingpo. Ani Pema also explains the powerful phenomena of shaktipat including the severe karmic consequences for its use, reflects on Western shaktipat gurus such as Rudi and Adi Da Samraj, and gives her heart advice for those who wish to follow the spiritual path. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep314-me-my-gurus-ani-pema Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
 … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:06 - High flying fashion career 02:41 - Questioning the American dream 03:24 - Taking up yoga 04:02 - Meeting Swami Muktananda 04:55 - A precognitive vision 05:40 - Close study with Swami Muktananda in India 07:29 - Rigorous practice regime at the ashram 08:38 - Obliterating the self 11:02 - Muktananda as a vortex of energy 12:09 - A past life connection 14:47 - Swami Muktananda’s 1974 USA tour 19:17 - The serious karmic burden of giving shaktipat 20:09 - Attending the 16th Karmapa 22:02 - Leaving Muktananda’s organisation 22:55 - Becoming a disciple of Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche 24:24 - Becoming a disciple of Namkhai Nyingpo in Bhutan 26:03 - Working for Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche after he became famous 27:19 - You hire the guru to assassinate your ego 28:44 - Lichivi House 30:02 - Reflections on past gurus 31:23 - Rudi and shaktipat 32:28 - Adi Da’s ego and meeting with Swami Muktananda 36:33 - 4 methods of shaktipat 38:31 - Health consequences of offering shaktipat 40:25 - Dangers of unauthorised shaktipat 41:48 - Mind to mind transmission in Tibetan Buddhism 42:32 - 4-6hrs of chanting per day 43:24 - Celibacy and guru controversies 47:27 - Comparing 16th Karmapa with Swami Muktananda 49:19 - Kashmir Shaivism vs Tibetan Buddhism 50:39 - Depression after Swami Muktananda’s death 52:47 - Profound periods of purification 54:48 - Consequences of the spiritual path 56:23 - Do Tibetan teachers recognise Muktananda’s dharma? 59:18 - Meditation is beyond tradition 01:00:46 - Ani Pema reflects on her experience as a practitioner 01:03:55 - Ani Pema’s advice for practitioners 01:06:19 - Difficulties in following famous gurus … To find out more about Ani Pema, visit: - https://www.facebook.com/karen.schaefer - https://dayananda-lifewithandafterbaba.blogspot.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 explains her activities as a modern spirit worker, reveals how to form and maintain working relationships with spirits, details the difference between spirit pacts and contracts, and warns about the unintended consequences of making deals with unknown beings. Mary explores the problems associated with using the word “shaman”, offers a critique of modern shamanism training courses, and explains why many people who pursue shamanism would be better suited to a religious orientation to animism. Mary also reveals her own aborted attempt at the infamous Abramelin ritual, details the resultant fallout and years of recovery, and reflects on the impact of magickal practice on mental and physical health. … Full episode link in bio. Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
 … 01:00 - What is a modern spiritual worker? 02:20 - Why Mary doesn’t like to use the word “shaman” 02:44 - Mary’s problems with Core Shamanism 04:31 - Shamanism and patriarchy 05:34 - Why Mary doesn’t call herself a shaman 07:54 - Core Shamanism, Christian conditioning, and legacies of colonisation 10:58 - Anthropologists as shamanic teachers 13:21 - Training in Core Shamanism 15:41 - Critique of Core Shamanism and wounded healers 18:43 - Post-colonial critiques of modern shamanism 20:00 - Some people really want animism 21:42 - When shamanism goes wrong 22:33 - Cherry-picking shamanism and reconstruction 23:47 - Discernment and tainted gnosis 24:22 - Words have energy and the need for respect 26:36 - Mary uses the word “shaman” in her business and books 27:33 - Pervasive Christian conditioning 28:30 - Patriarchy in shamanism 29:38 - Pop-shamanism vs direct experience 30:55 - 20 years of teaching shamanism 32:16 - People don’t believe in spirits any more 34:04 - Modernity and scientism 37:06 - Modernity and shamanism 40:40 - Martin Prechtel engaging with indigenous shamanism 43:06 - Indigeneity and the routes to become a shaman 46:52 - What Mary tells people who feel called to shamanism? 49:05 - Conflating personal religious practice with professionalising 49:53 - How to get started in animism 52:55 - Which spirits and entities does Mary work with? 55:27 - Spirit relations 57:42 - Mary’s way of relating to spirits 59:33 - Spirit communication in dreams and through rituals 01:00:27 - Spirits who come to Mary 01:01:23 - Spirit contracts 01:03:56 - Spirit ID and the danger of spirit contracts 01:04:53 - The Buddha in Sri Lanka 01:06:35 - Be careful what you wish for 01:07:31 - Spirit Lawyering 01:07:52 - Healthy skepticism when dealing with spirits 01:10:00 - Cultural misunderstandings about spirits 01:11:21 - Don’t make a pact with a spirit 01:12:29 - Warning about spirit contracts 01:13:18 - Pact vs contract 01:16:41 - Mary’s training in Western Occultism and time in the Void 01:20:14 - Mary’s spiritual crisis 01:24:17 - Orienting to the Dark Feminine 01:27:09 - Two attempts at the Abramelin ritual 01:29:16 - Abandoning the 18-month Abramelin ritual 01:29:50 - How did Mary exit the ritual? 01:30:48 - Magick and mental health 01:32:36 - Psychotherapists for magicians 01:33:32 - Struggles with the Golden Dawn and pivoting to shamanism 01:38:24 - Christian monks did magick 01:38:55 - Giving up seeking … 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 joined by Johan Hausen, Taoist teacher, translator, Chinese medicine practitioner, and founder of Purple Cloud Press. Johan shares his life story from years of competitive Tae Kwon Do, through his travels and travails in China in search of a master, and to his eventual training and discipleship in the Wu Dang mountains. Johan reflects on his years learning Classical and spoken Chinese, considers the challenges of translating ancient literature for modern readers, and reveals the unique metaphors and analogies used in textual descriptions of Internal Alchemy. Johan also describes the Taoist quest for immortality, explains his research into the dantien and the mineralogy of cinnabar, and recounts stories of his own encounters with spiritually advanced beings. … Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. ... Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:57 - Admiration for Mattias Daly 02:56 - Learning Chinese to better learn Taoism 04:53 - How Johan learned Classical vs Spoken Chinese 08:11 - Language is about communication 08:47 - Should we consult living masters about textual translation problems? 10:24 - Metaphors and analogies used in Internal Alchemy 12:53 - Why are there different ideas about the dantian? 14:12 - Is the dantian constructed or inherent? 16:12 - Elixir fields? 17:37 - Johan’s research on the mineralogy of cinnabar using Chinese texts 18:04 - The old alchemists’ surprisingly good understanding of organic chemistry 20:56 - Johan’s childhood and training in Tae Kwon Do 22:47 - Johan’s competitive Tae Kwon Do career of over 100 fights 25:18 - Injury and travel to China for healing 26:24 - Travelling to China at 20 years old to train Shaolin kung fu 28:48 0 Training methods of Shaolin kung fu 30:35 - Demystifying the myths of Shaolin training 33:08 - Recovery routine 34:26 - Illness and leaving China 36:15 - Returning to Germany and feelings of failure 37:47 - Leaving a film course in London to train in the Wu Dang mountains 40:32 - Meeting Li Shifu at the Five Immortals Temple 41:54 - Curriculum at the Five Immortals Temple 43:08 - Studying acupuncture and dedication to learning 44:19 - Years of study under Li Shifu and joining the lineage 47:26 - Struggles with being treated as a foreigner in China 50:50 - Growing resentment and leaving China 55:26 - Johan’s Dragon Gate Lineage 56:28 - The quest for immortality 58:53 - Details about Taoist Immortals 01:00:34 - Difficulty of becoming an Immortal 01:02:10 - Consolation prize if you fail to achieve immortality 01:03:38 - Ethical rules of the Dragon Gate Lineage 01:04:59 - A typical daily practice routine 01:06:47 - Singing the scriptures to communicate to spirits 01:09:26 - Taoist patron spirit of Wudang 01:14:45 - The remarkable qualities of Li Shifu 01:15:52 - Praise is bad in traditional Chinese teaching 01:17:05 - Is Li Shifu an Immortal? 01:18:02 - Johan’s reverence for his teacher 01:19:29 - Explaining culture clashes to Lif Shifu 01:20:33 - Is charisma and spiritual power inherent or cultivated? 01:24:45 - Li Shifu does not have attained disciples 01:26:05 - Is it really possible to achieve success in Taoism, or is it mostly just natural talent? 01:33:11 - Using gifted practitioners as inspiration 01:34:18 - Purple Cloud Press 01:35:56 - Johan’s goal to create community and preserve texts 01:37:09 - Search for location and funds
 To find out more about Johan Hausen, visit: - https://purplecloudinstitute.com/about-us/who-we-are-2/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit. - www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

This trialogue continues a series of discussion exploring the latest interdisciplinary research into tantric completion stage practices such as yogas of dream, sleep, and death. Dr Tawni Tidwell is a biocultural anthropologist and doctor of traditional Tibetan medicine. Dr Michael Sheehy is the Director of Research at the Contemplative Sciences Center at the University of Virginia. Dr Julian Schott is an Indologist, Tibetologist, and assistant professor at the University of Vienna. Dr Tidwell leads a deep-dive into the mysterious death practices of tantric yoga, the post-mortem state of suspended animation called tukdam, and the history of scientific investigation into these phenomena. Dr Sheehy explores the implications of tantric death practices on current scientific models of the body, Dr Schott reflects on Buddhist vs Cartesian notions of consciousness, and Dr Tidwell explains the cultural sensitivities of working with Himalayan gurus. The panel also discuss the importance of osel - clear light awareness - in completion stage practices, the relationship between nonduality and transformation, and consider new research directions on the cutting edge of contemplative neuroscience. … Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … 01:37 - Recap previously discussed themes 02:30 - Research in tukdam and yogic dying 05:17 - Researching dying spiritual masters 09:27 - Recruiting Tibetan monastics 10:33 - Cultural dynamics around studying tukdam 12:32 - Early phases & baseline measures 13:23 - Collaboration with the Russian Academy of Science 14:39 - What could tukdam contribute to science? 15:52 - American mortician shocked 18:40 - Biological aspects of tukdam 20:53 - Funding and reliance on Russian equipment 22:14 - What happens to the body after death 23:25 - Tukdam documentary 25:39 - Future direction for the project 27:15 - Skepticism about the project and growing body of evidence 30:45 - Siloed scientific disciples 31:22 - Catholic saints and attained mystics from other traditions 32:16 - Fundraising 33:05 - New learnings about the body and reflections on the Self 34:17 - The death process as a series of dissolutions 37:22 - Tracking heat, oxygenation, fluid movement, and visual imagery 44:27 - Buddhist vs Cartesian notions of consciousness 46:56 - Different tukdam methods across lineages 49:18 - Evan Thompson's theories of consciousness 51:24 - We can die in different ways 54:56 - Methodologically rich ways to attain wisdom 57:41 - The soteriological essence of Buddhism 01:01:35 - Human transformation and experiences of the edge 01:04:02 - Exaltation 01:05:03 - How do tantric techniques lead to tukdam? 01:09:04 - Tummo & vajra recitation to control subtle energies 01:10:41 - Dream, orgasm, and death 01:13:26 - Tukdam is counter-rational and challenges scientific reductionism 01:17:28 - The personal impact of witnessing tukdam 01:19:38 - Tantra is radical 01:20:38 - Julian quotes the Hevajra Tantra 01:22:40 - Can tukdam candidates be studied before death? 01:25:40 - Aggregate or sudden? 01:27:25 - Understanding osel, nondual awareness, and NDE 01:30:08 - Clear light sleep 01:33:04 - Challenging reductionistic paradigms 01:35:11 - The importance of nondual awareness 01:37:53 - Sentience and yeshe 01:41:44 - Exalted form in co-creation with consciousness 01:43:31 - Steve comments on scientific reductionist materialism 01:44:19 - What measurements has the project recorded? 01:47:04 - Julian’s closing remarks 01:47:31 - Tawni’s closing remarks 01:48:57 - Michael’s closing remarks Previous panel discussion: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep305-neuroscience-of-dream-yoga-dr-michael-sheehy-dr-tawni-tidwell-dr-julian-schott For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

I was recently interviewed by  ⁨@gabikoyenov⁩ about a wide range of topics for his podcast. ... Gabi's shownotes: In this enlightening episode, I'm joined by Steve James, known as Guru Viking, who delves into his unique life experiences and the genesis of his intriguing persona. Steve shares insights from living on a boat, his personal religious exploration, and the profound impact of martial arts on his approach to discipline and personal growth. He highlights key influences in his life, including the significant impact of Bruce Lee. Additionally he explains his movement the Movement Koan Method, which helps in navigating emotional and physical tensions through joint nourishing movements. Throughout our discussion, Steve explores the deeper layers of emotional pain, the risks of forced emotional exploration, and the benefits of an inquiry-based approach to meditation. He offers a critical look at the limits of meditation, the potential dangers of psychedelics, and the current state of spirituality in the Western world, providing historical perspectives and personal reflections on navigating modern challenges with ancient wisdom. The episode concludes with Steve's thoughts on the concept of self and enlightenment, describing spiritual experiences as moments of 'sacred ordinariness.' This conversation is packed with insights for anyone interested in the intersections of spirituality, personal development, and modern life challenges. Tune in for a thought-provoking journey with Guru Viking on The Gabi Koyenov Podcast. 00:00 Introduction to Steve James 00:24 Podcast Purpose and Audience Engagement 00:51 The Origin of Guru Viking 03:19 Living on a Boat 04:51 Insights from Memorable Guests 06:32 Steve's Personal Religious Journey 11:35 Influence of Martial Arts 17:14 Impactful Books and Wisdom Literature 24:13 Developing Discipline and Motivation 29:02 Bruce Lee's Influence 33:55 Movement Koan Method 44:09 Understanding Habitual Tension and Stress 44:21 The Deeper Layers of Emotional Pain 44:47 The Risks of Forced Emotional Exploration 45:29 Inquiry-Based Approach to Meditation 47:08 The Limits of Meditation and Need for Professional Help 47:29 Modern Spirituality and Healing 48:02 The Dangers of Psychedelics 48:42 Exploring the State of Spirituality in the Western World 49:04 Historical Perspectives and Personal Reflections 59:18 The Concept of Self and Enlightenment 01:15:21 Spiritual Experiences and Sacred Ordinariness 01:24:31 Podcast Reflections and Future Plans

In this episode, I am once again joined by Dhammarato: a lineage teacher in the Thai Buddhist tradition.  Dhammarato critiques Western and Asian Buddhist forms, including the Mahasi method, and addresses misconceptions about stream entry. Dhammarato comments on The Shorter Discourse to Mālunkyāputta, explains why the Buddha refused to teach on certain metaphysical subjects, challenges reincarnation, and questions mettā bhāvanā. Dhammarato also presents his understanding of the Buddha’s true teachings, how to find a guru, and reflects on his own training under Ajahn Po. … 
 Also available on Youtube - search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. ... 01:52 - Reflecting on 80 years of life 02:36 - Western Buddhism 03:02 - Buddhism with a lot of baggage 04:42 - Buddhism’s inferior spread in the West 05:25 - Alan Watts was more Christian than Zen 06:33 - Steve reads a sutta 09:12 - The imponderables and what the Buddha left undeclared 10:06 - Reincarnation is not part of the teachings 12:29 - Dhammarato on the 4 noble truths 13:23- Enlightenment is immediately available 14:08 - Right samadhi 15:18 - How to be free of suffering 15:33 - Buddha only taught one practice: ānāpānasati 17:28 - The noble mind 19:50 - The four noble truths are the only teaching 20:35 - Life is not suffering 21:48 - The Mahasi method is wrong 22:13 - The 16 stages of insight is a misguided model 23:18 - Western Buddhism is a ripoff 26:37 - Magical teachings and the folly of attainments 28:21 - Mahasi attainments vs what the Buddha taught 29:09 - Avoid these aspects of Western Buddhist meditation 30:16 - Mettā bhāvanā is not a teachings 32:44 - How to become a meditation teacher 34:02 - 5 ways to gain the Dhamma 35:15 - Critique of meditation retreats 37:28 - Buddha’s path is easy 40:44 - Attainments and mutual validation 42:03 - Peoples don’t see their greed 44:03 - Don’t brag about attainments 44:30 - How to know is someone is enlightened 49:32 - Huge understandings about stream entry 57:48 - Why do people claim stream entry? 01:00:37 - Christian Buddhism 01:02:33- How to demonstrate attainments 01:05:45 - How to expose fake stream enterers 01:08:52 - Meditation teacher trainings 01:10:37 - Certificates and the Wizard of Oz 01:18:11 - What are teacher trainings good for? 01:22:24 - How to become a good teacher 01:23:57 - Don’t train under a lay man for money - Discord: https://discord.gg/epphTGY - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjxg5GJFsRqnS-YLTzyrjLQ For more visit. - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode, I am once again joined by Lopon Yudron Wangmo, American teacher of Tibetan Buddhism and author of several books including her recent “Clearing the Way to Awakening”. Lopon Yudron Wangmo shares the story of her life, her childhood with a spiritualist mother, anecdotes of childhood psychic explorations in automatic writing and other techniques, and reflects on whether psychic abilities are inherent or cultivated. Lopon Yudron Wangmo recounts how she became a radical lesbian feminist at university, details the social and theoretical aspects of that movement and time, and reveals the surprising choices she made when relating to male Tibetan teachers as a feminist. Lopon Yudron Wangmo also discusses the pitfalls of performing death rites such as phowa for others, explains why she does not emphasise her feminism and politics in her dharma teaching, and considers the healing power of reparenting by taking the guru as a father figure. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep309-my-radical-life-lopon-yudron-wangmo-2 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … 01:08 - Yudron’s unusual spiritualist, new age mother 03:50 - Lawyer father 04:57 - Early attraction to Tibetan Buddhism 06:19 - Likelihood of past life connections 07:11 - Early interests in environmentalism and solar energy 08:51 - Psychic readings, automatic writing, and hands-on healing 10:06 - Are psychic powers gifts or can they be cultivated? 12:09 - More stories of Yudron’s psychic mother 14:28 - Yudron reflects on her mother’s final years and death 17:06 - Performing phowa and other death practices for others 18:21 - Remarkable death of Yudron’s father 19:28 - Affluent background affords opportunities for spiritual seeking 21:27 - Going to university and becoming a radical lesbian feminist 22:54 - Impressed by Yeshe Tsogyal’s life story and other female practitioners 25:34 - Letting go of radical feminism to pursue the dharma 26:21 - Relating to male Tibetan teachers as a feminist 27:26 - What attracted Yudron to radical lesbian feminism 30:40 - Today’s backlash against feminism 33:00 - Conflicting theoretical and philosophical approaches to radical feminism 35:11 - United in building woman power 37:12 - Working on anger and Vajrakīlāya practice 41:27 - Giving up female chauvinism and relating to male Tibetan lamas 43:49 - Stories of great female practitioners 44:24 - Being typecast as an angry feminist 45:24 - Why Yudron doesn’t criticise Tibetan culture 46:02 - Rage about abuse of women by Lamas 46:33 - Yudron’s desire to teach pure dharma and not mix in her politics 49:43 - Why Yudron didn’t challenge her lamas with feminist ideas 5149 - The lama as a father figure, reparenting, and the influence of Yudron’s lamas 54:10 - Dropping one’s storyline and going beyond trivialities 55:48 - Motivated to counteract abusive lamas 58:05 - Americans are discouraged from teaching Tibetan Buddhism 58:51 - What to look for in a dharma teacher 01:00:55 - Sycophants vs finding the inner lama 01:02:27 - Fading interest in Tibetan Buddhism 01:03:26 - Dharma teachers should be full time 01:04:16 - The ideal amount of money and pastoralist rhythms 01:05:34 - Two extremes of converts 01:07:22 - Becoming soft 01:08:26 - Dharma teachers vs mindfulness teachers 01:09:53 - Yudron reflects on Theravada meditation and the appeal of Sharon Salzberg 01:11:35 - Prophecies of an impending dark age 01:12:38 - Simplifying dharma teaching 01:15:36 - Yudron asks for Steve’s opinion 01:16:43 - Ben Joffe and relating with spirits 01:17:36 - Steve reflects on the five perfections 01:18:38 - Yudron on the pros and cons of ritual … Previous episode with Lopon Yudron Wangmo: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=yudron To find our more about Lopon Yudron Wangmo, visit: - https://www.yudronwangmo.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I host a dialogue between Stephen Snyder, meditation teacher and author, and Mark Mininberg, Zen master and dharma heir to Bernie Glassman. Stephen and Mark discuss their new podcast interview series, “Anatomy of Awakening”, in which they engage in peer-to-peer trialogue with other teachers of enlightenment. Stephen and Mark reveal why they chose the teachers they have featured, the degree to which various claims to spiritual attainment played a part in their selection, and how they navigated conversations with teachers from other Buddhist sects. Stephen and Mark reflect on the increase in meditation teachers who claim spiritual awakening, recall their own trainings in Zen communities in which discussion of enlightenment was taboo, and emphasise the need for rigorous training under an experienced guide. Stephen and Mark also warn about teachers who overestimate their abilities, offer suggestions to aspiring gurus, and emphasis the whole body commitment required to truly attain Buddhist awakening. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep308-anatomy-of-awakening-stephen-snyder-mark-mininberg Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
 … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:12 - Anatomy of Awakening 03:12 - How did Stephen and Mark decide which teachers to interview? 05:43 - Are these teachers enlightened? 06:13 - Enlightenment doesn’t belong to anybody 07:36 - A synergy of awakening 08:21 - How can you even tell if someone is enlightened? 09:46 - Teachers who promote themselves as teaching awakening 10:16 - No teacher is flawless 10:56 - The danger of speaking openly about awakening 12:14 - Buddhism and awakening traditions are evolving in the West 14:54 - Why are more teachers claiming enlightenment? 16:29 - Changes in American Buddhism and the New Age since the 70s 18:15 - The lost virtue of humility 19:50 The Absolute awakens to Itself 20:49 - Going public with ones’s awakening 22:59 - Holding this life in reverence 24:05 - Signs of a mature practice 26:02 - Becoming a meditation teacher 28:11 - The true job of a teacher 30:47 - Teachers should not overestimate their level 34:35 - Ways to know you are in too deep as a teacher 35:45 - Teachers need teachers 37:50 - Is there any substitute for a 1-1 relationship with a teacher 39:54 - Humility and the truth a spouse sees 41:04 - People assume their teacher is perfect 41:47 - Mark’s conservative Zen training 43:00 - Customer services spirituality 45:08 - Holding a teacher in reverence 47:13 - The pitfalls of leadership by committee 49:51 - Awakening is a whole body commitment 54:29 - Surprises when meeting enlightenment teachers 57:20 - Peer to peer trialogues 58:12 - How to find the interview series 59:24 - Host and guest 01:00:14 - Praise for the Guru Viking Podcast
 … Previous episodes with Stephen Snyder: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=snyder To purchase Anatomy of Awakening visit: - https://awakeningdharma.org/anatomy-of-awakening/ GV Podcast receives no affiliate commission from your purchase. … 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I host a dialogue between Lama Justin von Bujdoss and Charlie Morley. Justin and Charlie share their extensive experience as modern teachers of Vajrayana, compare notes on the state of Tantra in the West, and reflect on the responsibility of openly teaching previously restricted, esoteric practices. Justin and Charlie wrestle with the tension between conserving traditional religious forms and innovating to meet today’s moral sensibilities and technological currents. They suggest changes they would like to see in both Asian Buddhist cultures and Western society, consider the pros and cons of long meditation retreats in today’s world, and call for hierarchical equality for women practitioners and teachers. I invite Justin and Charlie to reveal the underlying principles that guide their desired reforms and consider the pitfalls of advocating change without awareness of one’s guiding rationale. Justin and Charlie also discuss the role of neuroscience in the furthering of Buddhist understanding, reveal the potential trauma-healing power of dream yoga and dark retreat, and share their thoughts on the impact of fatherhood on one’s religious life. … www.guruviking.com Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. 01:52 - State of the Dharma in 2025 06:12 - Secret practices now widely available 09:37 - Whiteness and misogyny 10:02 - Why are secret practices openly taught? 11:49 - Conservatism is the achilles heel of the Karma Kagyu sect 12:23 - Controversy about online empowerments 14:32 - Understanding emptiness 16:00 - Dream empowerments 17:48 - Technology and survival of Buddhism 19:22 - Amulets of protection 21:16 - 4th turning of the wheel of Dharma 23:58 - Trauma, racism, and classism, refugees 25:54 - Working for the NYC Department of Corrections 28:41 - Potential of dream yoga and dark retreat for healing trauma 29:19 - Why don’t Tibetan lamas talk about trauma? 29:55 - Cultural overlay, Tibetan identity, and religion 32:44 - Western calls for reform vs traditional Tibetan values 48:53 - Conservatism vs reform 51:43 - Real religion vs mere cultural overlay 52:31 - N vs 3-year retreat 58:14 - Different versions of ngondro 01:02:12 - Classical Indian approaches to tantra 01:03:12 - How to reform without losing the spirit of the religion 01:04:28 - The energy of the tradition 01:06:28 - Justin’s desire for social change in Vajrayana 01:08:41 - Wisdom keeper vs lineage holder 01:12:51 - 2-way revolution 01:14:20 - How to decide what should be changed vs what should be preserved 01:18:32 - Charlie’s collaboration with Choje Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche 01:22:05 - Charlie criticises misogyny in Tibetan Buddhism 01:23:50 - Transgender and non-binary people in Himalayan Buddhist contexts 01:27:49 - Religious traditions are diverse and evolving 01:30:11 - Yogis and practice results 01:33:41 - Fatherhood and Dharma 01:36:37 - Long retreats are not important if you can rest in rigpa 01:39:29 - Dharma Dads workshop 01:42:09 - How important is ordination? 01:43:31 - Why is ordination so emphasised? 01:46:04 - Justin almost became a monk 01:48:22 - Advice for parents 01:49:14 - Charlie reflects on impending fatherhood and not being a monk 01:50:38 - Steve’s concluding remarks 01:51:11 - Steve urges a deeper investigation into motives behind advocacy for change 01:52:01 - Culture and Dharma essence 01:53:01 - Charlie’s concluding remarks and encouragement for practitioners 01:54:04 - Justin’s concluding remarks 01:54:15 - Praise for Guru Viking Podcast, and encouragement to practitioners … Previous episodes with Justin: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=bujdoss 
 Previous episode with Charlie: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=morley … Find out more about Justin: - https://justinvonbujdoss.com/ Find out more about Charlie: - http://www.charliemorley.com/ … For more interviews: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

In this episode I am joined by Professor Mara Einstein, digital marketing critic; author and public speaker on cult brands and influencer scams; and tenured professor of media studies at Queens College (CUNY). Mara discusses her latest book “Hoodwinked: How Marketers Use the Same Tactics as Cults”, warns about manipulative marketing techniques used in media and religions, details the 9 steps of cult recruitment, and shares case studies of religious marketing models. Mara recalls her own life journey from an early interest in religions and cults, her path through academia studying religion and marketing, and her own discipleship under and subsequent disillusionment with spiritual teacher and political activist Marianne Williamson. Mara also considers religion as a product, analyses stealth Buddhism and prosperity gospel preachers, and offers her own thoughts on how religious groups can market themselves more ethically. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep306-marketing-tactics-of-religions-cults-prof-mara-einstein Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:08 - Hoodwinked, 01:21 - Religion as a product 02:17 - Early interest in religion and cults 03:36 - PhD about religion and policy 05:35 - Televangelists and the Passion of the Christ 06:52 - The Purpose Driven Church marketing 07:34 - The secularisation theory and why the US bucks the trend 08:13 - Joel Osteen vs Oprah Winfrey 09:34 - Why do secular organisations use religious themes? 11:41 - Cults and Multi-level marketing 13:14 - Brand cults such as Apple 14:46 - Marketing Hoodwinked 1536 - Social media vs television advertising 16:37 - Rage farming, increased anxiety, and becoming susceptible to messaging 20:20 - Brand purchases as expressions of individual identity 21:42 - Selling the sacred, how religion and marketing intersects 25:03 - Mara’s own religious journey through Judaism and the New Age 26:31 - Becoming a follower of Marianne Williamson 27:01 - Disillusioned by religion 27:13 - Studying evangelicals 27:58 - Interviewing Ralph White 28:29 - Mara analyses her own journey to becoming a follower of Marianne Williamson 32:00 - World Nutella Day 34:18 - Going deeper with Marianne Williamson 36:10 - 9 steps of cult recruitment 36:47 - Targeting the vulnerable 40:26 - Upselling and the Kabbalah Centre 42:02 - Love-bombing 43:14 - Tough love 44:34 - Creation of in and out groups 46:30 - Severe repercussions for leaving 47:22 - American Evangelism 49:33 - How should religions market themselves with integrity? 49:52 - “He Gets Us” and the Alpha Course 52:07 -2 year mission trips don’t work 52:41 - The best marketing is to live the message 54:49 - Shady marketing tactics to avoid 56:22 - Beware of panacea answers 57:02 - Beware the charismatic leader 57:56 - How would Mara advice a religious group to use marketing ethically? 59:33 - Know your target audience 01:01:13 - The brilliance of Rick Warren’s consumer research driven marketing 01:02:47 - Is stealth Buddhism shady marketing? 01:04:44 - Bait and switch of secular mindfulness 01:06:34 - Capitalist meditation 01:07:42 - Is MBSR a bait and switch? 01:09:09 - Mara’s advice for those selling corporate mindfulness 01:10:15 - Transparency vs deception 01:12:23 - Make it ok to question and ok to leave 01:13:31 - Hoodwinked 01:14:15 - Pervasiveness of cults 01:15:13 - Influencers and a spectrum of cults 01:16:29 - Teal Swan and lifestyle marketing 01:17:21 - Anyone can be pulled into a cult … To find our more about Professor Mara Einstein, visit: - https://www.drmaraeinstein.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James