Episodes

  • Ep288: Apocalypse Now? - Naomi Levine

    Ep288: Apocalypse Now? - Naomi Levine
    Jan 10 2025
    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
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    1 hr and 12 mins
  • Ep287: Dawn of Mind - James Cooke PhD

    Ep287: Dawn of Mind - James Cooke PhD
    Jan 3 2025
    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
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    1 hr and 54 mins
  • Ep286: Mystic Astrologer - Radha Krishna Upadhyaya

    Ep286: Mystic Astrologer - Radha Krishna Upadhyaya
    Dec 27 2024
    In this episode, filmed on location in Kathmandu, I am joined by Radha Krishna Upadhyaya, an astrologer, clairvoyant, Kriya Yogi, & disciple of Tibetan Buddhist master Sakya Trizin. Radha Krishna recalls his birth and childhood in Western Nepal, his traditional Brahmanical education & service to great saints, & initiation into his family’s Kuladevata lineage devoted to Mashta Devata. Radha Krishna recounts details of his years in forest retreat, his practice of Kriya Yoga and Advaita Vedanta & the process of purifying the energy channels, & why an encounter with Sakya Trizin radically reoriented his life towards Buddhist practice. Radha Krishna also discusses his own & his family’s history of siddhi powers, his encounters with spiritual beings & mysterious forest creatures, describes his unique astrological method, & shares five observations about the Westerners for whom he has provided divination services. For an explanation of the timestamps, visit episode page at guruviking.com. 01:04 - Benefits of Kora 02:27 - Why make offerings 03:31 - Power of blessed places 05:07 - 4 types of liberation 05:56 - Brahmin birth & upbringing (Q) 06:33 - N 07:31 - E 09:26 - Astrological significance of Panditji’s birth (Q) 09:36 - N 11:05 - E 12:49 - Unusual childhood traits (Q) 13:10 - N 15:02 - E 16:49 - Coming of age & Brahmanical education (N) 17:20 - E 18:40 - Why was Panditji sent? 19:25 - Serving great saints (Q) 19:42 - N 21:55 - E 23:43 - Brahmanical curriculum (Q) 23:47 - N 25:09 - E 25:52 - Initiation into the family Kuladevata lineage (E) 26:59 - Details about the family Kuladevata lineage (Q) 27:23 - N 29:28 - E 30:18 - Receiving guidance from the deity (E) 31:18 - Rites of propitiation of Mashta Devata and the deity as source of knowledge (N) 32:41 - E 34:01 - The deity enters a devotee’s body as a chosen vessel (N) 35:26 - E 36:43 - Panditji’s siddha grandfather (N) 39:23 - E 41:16 - Stories of the power of Mashta Devata (E,N) 46:17 - A story of Śaṅkarācārya’s encounter with Panditji’s grandfather (N,E) 51:23 - Has Mashta Devata ever entered into Panditji? (Q) 51:35 - N 52:31 - E 53:29 - The desire for deeper spiritual practice & retreat (Q) 53:53 - N 57:37 - E 01:00:23 - Encounter with a mysterious forest creature (E) 01:01:31 - Living in the forest, family intervention, & fleeing marriage (N) 01:03:06 - E 01:05:10 - Who was the mysterious forest creature? 01:09:09 - 7 years wandering in India; study of Advaita Vedanta & Kriya Yoga (Q) 01:09:26 - N 01:12:51 - E 01:16:50 - Effects of this period of yogic practice (Q) 01:17:17 - N 01:20:05 - E 01:22:11 - Panditji’s unusual astrology method (Q) 01:22:17 - N 01:23:46 - E 01:26:23 - Sadhana-based astrology lineage (Q) 01:26:29 - N 01:27:26 - E 01:28:24 - Responsibilities & requirements for the siddha practitioner (Q) 01:28:39 - N 01:31:23 - E 01:34:13 - Miraculous siddhi powers of Kriya Yoga & meditation (Q) 01:34:57 - N 01:36:39 - E 01:39:51 - Therapist’s intuition vs perception of karma (N,E) 01:41:04 - Liberating a patient’s karma (Q) 01:41:09 - N 01:41:42 - E 01:42:09 - Meeting Sakya Trizin & a profound turn towards Buddhism (Q) 01:42:34 - N 01:44:13 - E 01:46:51 - Physical pain & other obstacles during inner yoga (Q) 01:47:24 - N 01:48:23 - E 01:49:13 - Why was Panditji open to Sakya Trizen & Buddhism? (Q) 01:49:50 - N 01:51:54 - E 01:53:52 - Gradual opening, despite social cost (N) 01:54:33 - E 01:56:23 - Impressed by Sakya Trizen (Q) 01:56:34 - N 01:57:08 - E 01:58:18 - Did Panditji stop being a Brahmin priest? (Q) 01:58:29 - N 01:59:35 - E 02:00:28 - Dramatic loss of social position (Q) 02:00:42 - N 02:01:40 - E 02:02:18 - Accomplishment in Buddhadharma (Q) 02:02:30 - N 02:02:59 - E 02:03:14 - Explanation of Panditji’s current astrology practice (Q) 02:03:53 - N 02:07:23 - E 02:14:37 - 5 observations about Westerners & Western culture (Q) 02:15:05 - N 02:18:19 - E 02:20:52 - Advice for Steve (Q) 02:21:08 - N 02:22:59 - E
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    2 hrs and 26 mins
  • Ep285: Swayambhu Stūpa - Lama Glenn Mullin

    Ep285: Swayambhu Stūpa - Lama Glenn Mullin
    Dec 20 2024
    During a recent trip to Nepal, I met with frequent podcast guest Lama Glenn Mullin, spiritual teacher, Tibetologist, and author of over 30 books on Buddhism. Glenn was in Kathmandu to lead a group of over fifty pilgrims into tantric retreat in the nearby mountains and graciously agreed to film with me at various sacred sites before and after their retreat. In this video, Glenn and I travel to Swayambhu Stūpa, a sacred monument venerated by both Buddhists and Hindus. First, we circumambulate the base of the hill. Then Glenn is joined by some of his students and ascends the hill to the main stūpa. Along the way, Glenn explains the history of the site as well as the symbolism of its architecture, sacred statues, and inscriptions. Glenn also discusses Shaivite and Tantric Buddhist relations and their shared power centres, the three kāyas and the tulku tradition, and the use of psychoactive substances such as soma in spiritual practice. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep285-swayambhu-stpa-lama-glenn-mullin Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:10 - History of Swayambhu 04:07 - Recent development at Swayambhu 07:32 - Glenn jokes with the ladies of the cleaning team 09:29 - Legendary origins of the Tibetan people 10:52 - The Tamang people 11:28 - Maoist mountain guerrilla activities 14:51 - Je Tsongkhapa statue 15:28 - The death of the Buddha and the 8 Great Stūpas 16:54 - Glenn explains mantras of compassion, wisdom, and power 17:45 - Sang offerings and sang kilns 19:50 - On Bodhi trees 20:52 - Shaivite and Buddhist relationships and shared power centres 22:29 - Shiva Babas, chillum smoking, and use of drugs in spiritual practice 24:04 - 5 ways to generate clairvoyant power 24:38 - Buddhist use of mind-altering substances and sacraments 26:00 - Bengali masters in Swayambhu 26:56 - Religious exclusivity 29:01 - Use of substances such as soma in tantric Buddhism 31:08 - Nagi Gompa and Tulku Urgyen’s sons 33:10 - Circumambulating a perimeter stūpa 35:09 - The cultural significance of circumambulation 36:00 - Bönpo Triten Norbutse Monastery and dark retreat 37:02 - Teaching on the 3 kāyas 39:29 - Explanation of the tulku tradition 43:44 - Further explanation of the 3 kāyas in terms of method and enlightenment 46:53 - Meaning of offering butter lamps 48:45 - Glenn’s practice of giving money to beggars 51:10 - The monkey temple 52:05 - Exponential merit during Saga Dawa 53:52 - Ritualised scripture recitals 55:01 - Carving sacred mantras and symbols on slate 57:17 - The power of statues and temples 59:07 - The meaning of “Swayambhu” 01:01:11 - Explanation of stūpa design 01:02:36 - Explanation of dharmaśālās 01:05:10 - Buddhas past, present, and future; and the spread of Buddhism 01:10:14 - Teaching on the 5 animals 01:13:04 - Circumambulating the main stūpa 01:15:02 - Mantra and prayer offering site for protection of babies 01:16:14 - Teaching on the five elements and transforming emotions 01:18:07 - Challenging spiritual elitism 01:19:42 - Legends of previous Buddhas’ visits to Swayambhu … Previous episodes with Lama Glenn Mullin: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=glenn%20mullin 
To find out more about Lama Glenn Mullin, visit: - http://www.glennmullin.com/ - https://www.facebook.com/Maitripa.Glenn For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James
 Thanks to Norbu Samphel for checking my translation of the Tibetan language section.
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    1 hr and 25 mins
  • Ep284: Adventures of a Chan Master - Gilbert M Gutierrez 2

    Ep284: Adventures of a Chan Master - Gilbert M Gutierrez 2
    Dec 13 2024
    In this episode I am once again joined by Gilbert M Gutierrez, Chan Buddhism teacher and dharma heir of Master Sheng Yen. Gilbert recalls his discipleship under renowned Chan Master Sheng Yen, shares stories of gruelling retreat, private 1-1 exchanges, profound spiritual insights, mystical visions, and supernatural powers. Gilbert gives an overview of Chan philosophy, emphasises the importance of both study and practice, and illuminates the Buddhist doctrine of emptiness. Gilbert also details his process of becoming a Dharma Heir, defends telling stories of spiritual experiences, and reflects on his difficulties as an American in being accepted as a genuine teacher of Chan Buddhism. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep284-adventures-of-a-chan-master-gilbertm-gutierrez-2 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:51 - Becoming a disciple of Master Sheng Yen 04:49 - Eat bitter in your practice 05:54 - Loss of faith 08:21 - Profound encounter with the bodhisattva Quan Yin 12:48 - A contract of the heart 13:39 - A private meetings with Master Sheng Yen 18:30 - Receiving inka transmission from Master Sheng Yen 19:47 - A real master is a chameleon 22:36 - Master Sheng Yen’s compassion and mission 25:49 - About Chan Buddhism and emptiness 29:19 - The Heart Sutra 33:07 - We awaken people 35:10 - Master Sheng Yen’s emphasis on study 36:42 - Study and practice 38:33 - A reading from Daoxin 39:37 - Meditation experiences and a humbling lesson 45:39 - It’s a joke and a sham 47:34 - Becoming a Dharma Heir 49:54 - Everything is mind 51:03 - Special experiences and transcending pain 53:10 - Hearing one’s heart beat 53:38 - A state of ultimate bliss 55:08 - A famous master, a loyal attendant, and Gilbert’s powerful realisation 01:01:03 - Catching the bug 01:06:26 - The bug whisperer 01:08:44 - Why share stories of spiritual experiences? 01:10:17 - Gilbert’s biggest realisation 01:16:22 - Communicating with animals and entities 01:19:58 - Seeing peoples’ past and future lives 01:20:36 - Working with ghosts 01:21:39 - How to calm down a ghost 01:22:54 - Dealing with heaven dwellers 01:24:30 - Concerns about being accepted as a dharma heir 01:28:45 - Anti-Western prejudice 01:30:31 - Growing acceptance from the Taiwanese sangha 01:32:55 - The death of Master Sheng Yen 01:37:07 - A final encounter with the master 
… Previous episode with Gilbert M Gutierrez: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=gilbert To find our more about Gilbert M Gutierrez, visit: - https://www.youtube.com/@chanmindwork/playlists - https://mind-work.mn.co/ - https://riversidechan.org/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James
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    1 hr and 41 mins
  • Ep283: Seance, Summoning, & Goetic Demons - Duncan Barford 2

    Ep283: Seance, Summoning, & Goetic Demons - Duncan Barford 2
    Dec 6 2024
    In this episode I am once again joined by Duncan Barford, occult practitioner, counsellor, and author of ‘Occult Experiments in the Home’. Duncan details the different categories of spirits and entities, ranging from ghosts to demons to angels to elementals and land spirits. Duncan reveals his own encounters with these entities, recalls paradigm shifting fire kasina retreats with Daniel Ingram, and shares his own ideas about the importance and inevitability of working with the dead while on the spiritual path. Duncan also explains the Goetia, a controversial system of summoning demons for personal gain; recalls his own and others’ experiences of the system; and reflects on what drives practitioners to seek tangible contact with the realms beyond. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep283-seance-summoning-goetic-demons-duncan-barford-2 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:57 - Ontology of spirit entities 04:18 - How to categorise spirits 07:07 - Different spirit relationships 08:18 - Demonic entities and their demands 09:44 - What is the Goetic magickal system? 11:08 - Dangers of working with Goetic entities 13:48 - When Duncan used a Goetic demon for money 15:24 - Addictive quality of working with demons 16:55 - Goetia as magick of last resort 18:33 - Why do people work with Goetic demons? 21:41 - Duncan reflects on his Goetic rituals 24:43 - Barrier to entry for success in magick 29:37 - Duncan comments on the Enochian system 32:16 - Fey and fairies 33:28 - A challenging fire kasina retreat 35:18 - A powerful encounter with elementals and nature spirits 40:47 - Duncan reflects on his fire kasina retreats 43:59 - Encounter with Duncan’s guardian angel 45:27 - Why seek supernatural experiences after enlightenment? 47:49 - Shared magickal experiences with Daniel Ingram 49:52 - Duncan’s breakthrough and a compelling encounter with Spider Buddha 58:44 - Dreams as a portal 01:00:09 - Contacting the dead 01:01:31 - The hatred of the dead 01:02:27 - Death of Duncan’s father and dream visitations 01:08:25 - What the dead leave behind 01:10:18 - Helping the dead to let go vs judging them 01:14:15 - The fear of death 01:14:45 - Denying the dead 01:17:02 - We are accountable to the dead 01:18:53 - Carl Jung on relating to the dead 01:20:15 - Duncan’s affinity with the poet John Clare 01:21:18 - Duncan’s encounter with Badger 01:22:05 - The perfected dead 01:23:18 - Working with ancestors 01:24:55 - We live in a world of the dead 01:26:00 - Duncan’s advice for working with the dead 01:27:29 - Encountering the dead in the Odyssey and Aeneid 01:33:41 - The dead as bundles of karma 01:34:52 - National myths and history as propaganda 01:39:32 - Black Easter and occult means of obtaining power and influence 01:47:15 - Magick and politics 01:49:24 - Glory and honour 01:50:27 - Are magicians political? 
… Watch previous episode with Duncan Barford: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep265-occult-experiments-duncan-barford To find our more about Duncan Barford, visit: - https://www.duncanbarford.uk/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James
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    1 hr and 57 mins
  • Ep282: Spiritual Explorer - Shiv Mathur

    Ep282: Spiritual Explorer - Shiv Mathur
    Nov 29 2024
    In this episode I am joined by Shiv Mathur, Youtuber and spiritual explorer. Shiv recounts his life story including his upbringing in India, 16 years of military service, and international career in IT. Shiv describes how a growing spiritual calling saw him retire from the world of work to seek out spiritual masters in the Himalayas. Shiv shares stories from his search, including his encounters with Himalayan yogis such as Tat Wale Baba, and recalls how he began practicing in earnest the teachings he received. Shiv also discusses his current practice, the pros and cons of remote retreat, how to find and relate to a guru, the process of purification, and shares his views on the trajectory of world civilisation today. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep282-spiritual-explorer-shiv-mathur Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:56 - Shiv’s Youtube channel 02:06 - Shiv’s upbringing in India 03:56 - Education and 16 years of military service 05:25 - Leaving the navy and success in the private sector 06:33 - The spiritual calling and travel to the Himalayas 07:31 - Teaching international workshops 08:54 - Interest in Himalayan yogis 09:48 - Influence of Paul Brunton 10:26 - Travel to find authentic yogis 11:50 - Current life of solitude and self enquiry 12:48 - 3 ways of learning 13:38 - Shiv’s current retreat location 15:02 - Pilgrimage and the network of ashrams 16:22 - Shiv’s disillusionment with material riches 18:41 - Looking for an escape 19:59 - Meeting Tat Wale Baba and experiencing profound samadhi 21:36 - Traversing dimensions of experience 23:29 - Delusion and luxury beliefs 25:13 - Meeting yogis and purifying your energy 26:15 - Leaving the body and Shiv’s meditation goal 27:25 - Challenges of practicing in remote locations 29:52 - Personal prerequisites for practicing sādhanā 31:32 - Shiv’s practice method 32:44 - The practice of self enquiry 37:16 - Shiv’s interactions with Nasa and other scientists 39:04 - Indian astrology 40:09 - UFOs + did Nasa steal from India texts? 40:36 - The importance of self enquiry 41:55 - Real saints vs commercial yogis 43:55 - Spotting fake gurus 44:42 - How gurus fall into moral degradation 45:13- How to relate to a guru 46:48 - Lifestyle of a real guru 48:17 - How to prepare to work with a guru 51:11 - Shiv discusses siddhi and supernatural powers 53:57 - What is the purpose of siddhis? 55:00 - Purification 57:11 - Bugs in the human operating system 58:24 - Shiv comments on today’s social issues 01:00:00 - Feminism, trad wives, and Western capitalists 01:02:23 - The benefits of arranged marriage 01:03:59 - Civilisational collapse and universal correction 01:08:19 - Advice for yogis in times of world turmoil 01:10:06 - Closing remarks 
… To find our more about Shiv Mathur, visit: - https://www.youtube.com/@ShivMathur … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James
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    1 hr and 11 mins
  • Ep281: Taoist Spirit & Entity Practices - Mattias Daly 4

    Ep281: Taoist Spirit & Entity Practices - Mattias Daly 4
    Nov 22 2024
    In this episode I am once again joined by Mattias Daly, Taoist practitioner and translator of ‘Taoist Inner Alchemy’, published by Shambala. Mattias reflects on lessons learned from the series of exorcisms her underwent in his 20s, as described in episode 263 of this podcast, “My Demon Exorcism”, including the means by which entities may gain entry, and the surprising motives for their doing so. Mattias explains the vast hierarchy of spirit beings described in Taoism, considers the problems of obtaining special powers through relationships with entities and gods, and contrasts deity worship with voluntary shamanistic possession. Mattias also reflects on different types of Taoist practices, drawing a distinction between cataphatic and kenotic approaches, and recounts a remarkable story of spiritual healing. … Video version: Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
 … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:59 - Lessons learned after exorcisms 03:34 - Can entities give supernatural powers and siddhis? 06:44 - Entities enter through pride 08:15 - Entities piggyback on humans to accumulate merit 09:43 - The problem with gaining siddhi from entities 10:33 - A renowned Taiwanese siddha 11:59 - Do special powers come with spiritual attainment? 15:27 - Necessity to show off during rituals 17:54 - The vast celestial hierarchy of beings 22:10 - Abbess Liu’s spiritual journeys 24:11 - Making contact with higher beings 26:09 - Shamanism and voluntary entity possession 32:34 - Fr Michael Saso on cataphatic Taoist ritual 34:51 - Cataphatic vs kenotic practice 36:34 - Meeting a Taoist practitioner who had three spirit-helpers 43:13 - Requesting information from the spirit realm 49:59 - The cataphatic side of Taoism 52:43 - Learning a powerful somatic release technique and a remarkable healing 01:06:40 - Further healings and the purple cloud 01:17:43 - Mattias’ current views on entities and powers … Watch the previous episodes with Mattias Daly: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=daly To find our more about Mattias Daly, visit: - https://www.shambhala.com/authors/a-f/mattias-daly.html … 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James
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    1 hr and 25 mins