Episodes

  • Steve James Interviewed on the Gabi Koyenov Podcast

    Steve James Interviewed on the Gabi Koyenov Podcast
    Jun 9 2025
    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
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    1 hr and 24 mins
  • Ep310: 10 Unanswered Questions - Dhammarato

    Ep310: 10 Unanswered Questions - Dhammarato
    Jun 6 2025
    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
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    1 hr and 29 mins
  • Ep309: My Radical Life - Lopon Yudron Wangmo 2

    Ep309: My Radical Life - Lopon Yudron Wangmo 2
    May 30 2025
    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
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    1 hr and 20 mins
  • Ep308: Anatomy of Awakening - Stephen Snyder & Mark Mininberg (Bonus Episode)

    Ep308: Anatomy of Awakening - Stephen Snyder & Mark Mininberg (Bonus Episode)
    May 28 2025
    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
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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Ep307: Modern Vajrayana Buddhism - Lama Justin von Bujdoss & Charlie Morley

    Ep307: Modern Vajrayana Buddhism - Lama Justin von Bujdoss & Charlie Morley
    May 23 2025
    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
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    1 hr and 57 mins
  • Ep306: Marketing Tactics of Religions & Cults - Prof. Mara Einstein

    Ep306: Marketing Tactics of Religions & Cults - Prof. Mara Einstein
    May 16 2025
    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
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    1 hr and 19 mins
  • Ep305: Neuroscience of Dream Yoga - Dr Michael Sheehy, Dr Tawni Tidwell, Dr Julian Schott

    Ep305: Neuroscience of Dream Yoga - Dr Michael Sheehy, Dr Tawni Tidwell, Dr Julian Schott
    May 9 2025
    This trialogue is the first in a series exploring the latest interdisciplinary research into tantric completion stage practices such as yogas of dream, sleep, and death. Dr Michael Sheehy is the Director of Research at the Contemplative Sciences Center in the Department of Religious Studies in the University of Virginia. Dr Tawni Tidwell is a biocultural anthropologist and doctor of traditional Tibetan medicine. Dr Julian Schott is an Indologist, Tibetologist, and assistant professor at the University of Vienna. Dr Sheehy shares his cutting edge research into the tantric completion stage yogas of dream and sleep, reveals the implication of new directions in neuroscience and micro-phenomenology, and warns of the danger of esoteric practices becoming extinct. Dr Sheehy proposes a two-way split in the future of religious practice, Dr Tidwell reflects on the decline in the number of spiritual masters, and Dr Schott considers the real meaning of secrecy in Tibetan tantra. Video version: www.guruviking.com Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:22 - Current research about yogic practices of dream and sleep 02:46 - Overview of Tibet and Indian dream and sleep practices 04:15 - Michael’s scientific studies of yogic lucid dreaming practice 07:53 - Opening a 2-way channel of communication between dreamer and scientist 08:46 - Rigorous micro-phenomenology 10:04 - Comparisons with classic descriptions and prescriptions found in Tibetan dream manuals 11:34 - Dreams are unpredictable spaces 13:53 - Understanding lucidity 16:27 - Psychological flexibility, imaginal simulation, and somatic awareness 22:28 - The impact of dream yoga on daily life 23:59 - 6 similes of reality and dream yoga 26:26 - Lucid waking practices & the illusory body 29:45 - 2-fold practice curriculum of day and night 31:16 - A devastating pitfall 32:07 - New ways to amplify practice 35:38 - Designing virtual reality simulations for dream yoga exercises 39:49 - Intersections with psychedelic research 42:16 - 2 ways to approach contemplative practice 47:05 - Generating interdisciplinary hypotheses 48:14 - Utilising VR meditations as practice supports 52:37 - Drawing on traditional expertise 53:27 - Bringing traditional practice categories into neuroscience research 55:27 - Neuroscience as the next level of translation 59:40 - Michael challenges ahistorical perspectives; Tibetan tradition has been highly experimental 01:02:32 - Community-based partnerships 01:05:02 - What does it mean that a practice is “secret”? 01:07:01 - The body in tantric traditions and secularising tantra 01:09:33 - A 2-way split in the global culture of religious practice 01:12:10 - Esoteric traditions are in danger 01:16:56 - Bold experimentation is historically consonant with the tradition 01:18:23 - Great masters are decreasing in number 01:23:17 - Esoteric practices have a coherent logic 01:26:22 - Traditional practices have undergone evolution and change 01:28:36 - Ethics of scholar-practitioners To find our more about the panel, visit: - https://michaelrsheehy.com/ - https://centerhealthyminds.org/about/people/tawni-tidwell - https://stb.univie.ac.at/en/about-us/team/julian-schott/user/schottj85/inum/1083/backpid/198178/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James
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    1 hr and 32 mins
  • Ep304: Crumbs from the Parrot’s Beak - Tulku Sherdor

    Ep304: Crumbs from the Parrot’s Beak - Tulku Sherdor
    May 2 2025
    In this episode I am joined by Tulku Sherab Dorje, Buddhist teacher, translator, and author of scholarly and popular books about Tibetan Buddhism. Tulku Sherdor reflects on the changes in the spiritual journey over a lifetime, whether or not the world is becoming more turbulent, and the effects of ageing on yogic practice and view. Tulku Sherdor explains why mind training is superior to mystical experiences, emphasises the reality of impermanence, and shares the best tests of successful retreat and spiritual growth. Tulku Sherdor also warns about the prognosis of tulkus who do not conduct extensive retreat; critiques the shortcomings of the 3-year retreat model as conducted in the West; and details the temptations for dharma teachers in pleasure, profit, praise, and popularity. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep304-crumbs-from-the-parrots-beak-tulku-sherdor Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:04 - Crumbs from the Parrot’s Beak 02:43 - The spiritual journey and the phases of life 04:24 - Is the world becoming more turbulent? 05:56 - The effects of ageing on spiritual practice 07:53 - How to relate to physical limitations 09:56 - Ambition for enlightenment 12:26 - This is more fundamental than Bodhicitta 13:23 - Reality of impermanence 15:20 - The unique challenges of intensive practice and retreat 18:39 - Distinguishing appearance from substance 19:41 - The title “lama” is not a guarantee of quality 21:12 - The best proof of progress 23:17 - The role of a demanding retreat schedule 26:24 - Mature practice 28:03 - Tulkus must conduct extensive retreat but sometimes don’t 30:28 - Prognosis for high lamas who don’t do extensive retreat 32:30 - Hopes for corrections in the tulku system 34:58 - The Tibetan Buddhist tradition is unique and precious 35:41 - Signs of a successful retreat 38:01 - Completing a 3 year retreat is not a guarantee of quality 38:56 - Substandard Western 3 year retreats 40:49 - Pre-1950s Tibet and the renunciate yogi system 46:11 - Today’s economic challenges when practicing the dharma 49:47 - Mind training is superior to glimpses of the nature of mind 55:45 - The best test of success in practice 57:00 - Does practice ever get easier? 01:01:28 - The 4 payoffs: pleasure, profit, praise, popularity 01:06:49 - Guru devotion and the guru relationship 01:12:31 - A story about Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche 01:14:41- Peace Prayer Gathering in June 2025 … Previous episode with Tulku Sherdor: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep276-canadian-tulku-translator-tulku-sherab-dorje To find our more about Tulku Sherdor, visit: - https://blazingwisdom.org/tulku-sherab-dorje/ - https://dharmakayacenter.org/all-programs/2637/sadhana-practice-expanding-our-compassion-for-all-beings/?fbclid=IwY2xjawKAGaRleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFXZEJ2cmRmb0U3VTExUWpmAR729nsWXoI6VZEb9GkrzCeajdhS6ze_zGrQZUTvLpsphQJQHPSdJABxQ0brag_aem_dWMYHIGmMRk_dxeWxEuL7A For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James
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    1 hr and 18 mins
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