Guru Viking Podcast

• Ep303: Clearing the Way to Awakening - Lopon Yudron Wangmo

  In this episode, I am 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 offers an analysis of the shortcomings of today’s Buddhist literature, details the writing process for “Clearing the Way to Awakening”, and reveals the stylistic and language choices she made to better reach the average reader. Lopon Yudron Wangmo describes the power of the ngondro preliminary practices of Tibetan Buddhism and explains the techniques of mantra recitation, prostrations, mandala offerings, bodhicitta generation, tummo, śamata, and more. Lopon Yudron Wangmo extols the benefits of turning away from worldly life and towards religion, reports the fruits of her own practice such as profound peace and joy, warns about the danger of following a guru without first testing him, and advises on how to work with the supernatural dimension of Buddhism. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep303-clearing-the-way-to-awakening-lopon-yudron-wangmo Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:04 - Clearing the Way to Awakening 01:52 - The problem with today’s Buddhist literature 03:20 - Sublime topics 04:22 - Style considerations for today’s reading level 06:03 - Learning to write more simply for the average reader 07:18 - Patrul Rinpoche and avoiding imitation 08:30 - What is awakening? 09:09 - Local context in Buddhist cultures 10:34 - Buddha’s description of his awakening 12:37 - Working with the supernatural dimension of Buddhism 14:25 - The ālaya vijñāna and the unconscious mind 17:34 - Buddha nature vs being driven and unconscious 18:57 - Gradualist vs subitist awakening 20:22 - The role of ngondro and the power of visualisation 22:51 - The power of recitation 24:05 - The power of prostrations 26:17 - The power of maṇḍala offerings 28:13 - Why esoteric practices are not appropriate for most people 30:00 - The secrets to completing your ngondro 32:27 - The importance of motivation 33:15 - The anti-climax of realising the nature of mind 35:33 - Tummo and śamata 36:50 - Origin of the ngondro system + Theravada critique 39:17 - Taking refuge 40:30 - Generating bodhicitta and practicing the four immeasurables 41:12 - Vajrasattva and purification practice 42:21 - Merit making and guru yoga 44:06 - If you don’t like it, don’t practice it 45:04 - Yudron asks for Steve’s opinion 46:58 - Choose your Buddhism 48:23 - Disillusionment with saṃsāra and choosing Buddhism later in life 50:03 - The power of choice and acquired ADHD 51:43 - Get on it 52:38 - The power of disillusionment and renunciation 55:07 - The peace and joy of turning away from the world 57:41 - The suffering of loneliness and the fruits of practice 01:00:09 - The mechanism of spiritual contentment 01:02:04 - Yudron on the importance of disclosing attainments 01:03:28 - Spiritual saints 01:04:13 - Political lamas and checking out gurus 01:05:32 - Personal relationship with the guru 01:07:13 - We’re all devoted to something 01:09:09 - Pitfalls of ngondro: anxiety, OCD, depression, and PTSD 01:14:06 - Yudron’s struggles with depression and anxiety 01:19:34 - Boomer Buddhists 01:20:04 - Preliminary or foundational? 01:22:06 - Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo’s advice about retreat 01:23:38 - Congratulated by Vajrasattva and the ontology of deities 01:26:45 - Spontaneous feelings of love To find out 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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• Ep302: My Conversion to Orthodox Christianity - Rebekah Sturgill

  In this episode I am joined by Rebekah Sturgill, mother, school teacher, and convert to Orthodox Christianity. Rebekah details her upbringing in a Texan evangelical church and how encounters with authoritarianism and questions about her sexuality saw her leave the religion. Rebekah describes a period of passionate teenage atheism before becoming deeply involved in feminist activism beginning in university. Rebekah explains why she remains a feminist but left activism and how, through a powerful visionary experience, she converted to Orthodox Christianity. Rebekah also explores the mechanisms of conversion, considers the line between faith and extremism, and comments on the pros and cons of a new trend of conversions to Orthodox Christianity driven by internet influencers and discussion communities. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep302-my-conversion-to-orthodox-christianity-rebekah-sturghill Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:00 - Evangelical Christian upbringing in Texas 04:17 - Studying theology and philosophy at St Johns College 04:38 - Encountering Jesus through reading the Gospels 05:39 - Feminist activism 06:09 - Joining the Orthodox Church 08:18 - Anger at religion and questioning sexuality 11:22 - Authoritarianism in the church 12:26 - Why Rebekah’s family left the church 14:05 - Religious community vs contemplative practice 16:19 - Contemplative emphasis in the Orthodox Church 17:10 - Youth groups and community emphasis 18:16 - Radical atheism phase and the impact on family 23:18 - Becoming a feminist activist 25:50 - Questioning feminist theory, struggles with relativism and essentialism 26:52 - Becoming a 2nd wave feminist 28:34 - Influence of the internet on Rebekah’s various conversions 31:35 - Conversion or coming home? 33:42 - What feminism really is 35:18 - Frustrations with 3rd wave feminism 40:08 - Why feminist activism? 44:34 - Still a feminist? Which views Rebekah still holds 48:00 - Orthodox Christian view of the individual and equality 49:47 - Are Rebekah’s views controversial? 51:43 - In-fighting and leaving activism 54:17 - Religious extremists and extreme activism 55:53 - Losing oneself in extremism 57:50 - Critical mass of buy-in needed for conversion 58:13 - Embracing the dharma or losing oneself? 01:01:46 - CS Lewis’ “The Great Divorce” 01:03:36 - Dying to oneself 01:04:54 - Theosis and losing oneself 01:05:42 - Popularity of Orthodox Christianity online, a new wave of converts 01:07:26 - The practice of Orthodoxy Christianity and the supernatural 01:09:05 - Lent 01:09:55 - High profile conversions to Orthodoxy and an internet pipeline 01:11:22 - Rebekah’s conversion through relationships and community 01:13:15 - The moment of conversion 01:14:41 - Powerful first conversation with an Orthodox priest … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

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• Ep301: Angels in my Hair - Lorna Byrne

  In this episode I am joined by Lorna Byrne, spiritual teacher and best selling author of “Angels in my Hair”. Lorna describes her childhood in Ireland when she first began to see and interact with angels and souls of the dead, and recalls how she navigated these visionary experiences. Lorna discusses the different types of angels that she sees, as well as other beings such as souls of the deceased, land spirits, elementals and more, and how others might learn to see as she does. Lorna also reflects on feeling the energy of a place; her lifelong experience of being different to others; unusual reactions people have towards her; and the importance of love, hope, and compassion. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep301-angels-in-my-hair-lorna-byrne | Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:52 - Growing up different 04:17 - Learning from angels 05:27 - Be your unique self 06:36 - Seeing angels physically 07:50 - Holding things back and confusion about mankind 09:07 - Consulted by clerics, theologians, and academics 10:04 - Is God real? 11:32 - Responses from people all over the world 13:02 - Deep interactions with strangers 15:20 - Lorna’s view of human beings 16:39 - Can anyone see angels and spirits? 19:10 - Being open to new knowledge 21:39 - Intertwining of the human body and soul 23:43 - Everything is possible 25:57 - Has Lorna met others who can see angels? 28:32 - People who pretend to see spirits for money 39:37 - Feeling the energy of a place 30:35 - Local traditions, land spirits, and the range of beings Lorna encounters 35:59 - How to see spirits 37:53 - The Spirit of the Water 39:52 - Everything has energy 41:51 - Angel at the Centre of the Earth 43:25 - Detecting the influence of Satan 45:59 - A story of boy soldiers 49:06 - Cycles of abuse 50:12 - Thoughts about the future of mankind 52:50 - Love, hope, and compassion 54:43 - Lorna’s retreat centre, Sanctuary 
… Find our more about Lorna Byrne: - https://lornabyrne.com/ - … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

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• Ep300: The Spiritual Practice of Alchemy - Katarina Falkenberg & Tommy Westlund

  In this episode I am once again joined by Katarina Falkenberg & Tommy Westlund, alchemists, practitioners of Western Esotericism, and authors of ‘Alchemy, The Divine Work’. Katarina and Tommy detail the stages and methods of the spiritual path of Western alchemy. They explain the movement through four phases, describe the operations employed during each, and reveal the signs of progress that indicate success. Katarina and Tommy reveal how to pray to the Madonna, how to purify karma, how to work with fire and emotions such as anger and sadness, the role of tinctures and elixirs, and methods of astral travel and archetypal work. Katarina and Tommy also consider the power of the imagination, the interaction with external alchemical operations and inner personal refinement, and recount stories of entity encounters and reality creation. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep300-the-spiritual-practice-of-alchemy-katarina-falkenberg-tommy-westlund Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:04 - “Alchemy, The Divine Work” 02:30 - Practices of the alchemical path 03:38 - Prima materia and meditation 05:42 - Meditating on alchemical emblems 06:43 - The metaphysics of prima materia consciousness 07:30 - Praying to Black Madonna 08:38 - How to pray 10:07 - Use of the imagination 11:42 - Signs of contact with the Black Madonna 13:44 - Purifying karma and releasing traumas 15:08 - Inhaling suffering and exhaling love 16:50 - Purification and divine providence 19:09 - The Nigredo phase 20:50 - The seven planets and chakras 21:49 - Theosophical ideas about seven governing forces 26:15 - Moving into the Albedo phase 27:11 - Mercurial consciousness 28:22 - Nigredo vs Albedo phases 29:43 - Working with the astral body 30:17 - Work with herbs and creating tinctures 34:18 - An alchemical elixir toast 36:39 - The Citrinitas phase 38:27 - Working with fire 40:16 - Using anger and sadness 41:48 - Death is not the end 43:33 - Reintegrating the Dark Angel 44:04 - The magic of imagination 48:14 - Fourfold processes and the quintessence 49:37 - Making the soul bigger 51:22 - Working with the Egyptian and Gnostic traditions 52:24 - Projecting the four elements 53:53 - Pilgrimages to magical locations 55:19 - Visitations from giants and other beings 57:42 - Meeting inner archetypes in the outer world 59:37 - The Rubedo phase 01:01:41 - Microcosm and macrocosm 1:04:109 - Fasting and insight into the shadow 01:07:51 - Signs of process on the path 01:10:14 - Working at a deeper level 01:11:31 - Katarina’s novel manifesting into real life 01:13:41 - Creating your own universe 01:15:25 - Life as a creative project 01:17:23 - Working with the ego 01:19:40 - Death and resurrection 01:20:27 - Bad gurus with siddhi powers 01:22:11 - The power of partnership 01:23:34 - Humility and the flaming heart 01:24:40 - Practice advice for the eager student 01:30:36 - Balance vs obsession 01:33:50 - 10-15 years to a successful white wedding 01:36:32 - Working for the next life … Previous episode with Katarina Falkenberg & Tommy Westlund: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep238-alchemy-the-divine-work-katarina-falkenberg-tommy-westlund To find out more about Katarina Falkenberg & Tommy Westlund, visit: - https://www.alkemiskaakademin.se/eng/about-us/ 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

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• Ep299: Karma - Mordy Levine 2

  In this interview I am once again joined by Mordy Levine, serial entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and author of ‘The Beginner’s Guide to Karma’ with Lama Lhanang. Mordy discusses the Buddhist doctrine of karma, explores its history in Indian thought, and differentiates the various types of karmic actions and their consequences. Mordy reveals special, esoteric methods to purify bad karma, compares the Tibetan tradition to Zen, and grapples with the importance of motive in karmic justice. Mordy also discusses the six realms, whether Buddhist hell should be understood as a place or a psychological state, and why he believes an understanding of karma is a pathway to true freedom. NB: Lama Lhanang was originally scheduled to appear in this interview alongside Mordy, but was unable to attend due to a last minute scheduling conflict. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep299-karma-mordy-levine-2 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:52 - Why Mordy wrote “The Beginner’s Guide to Karma” 02:17 - Understanding of karma regulates human behaviour 03:38 - Creative collaboration with Lama Lhanang 04:48 - A powerful insight about karma and consciousness 06:53 - The history of the doctrine of karma in India 09:50 - Mordy’s research into karma, using primary sources 11:50 - Different types of karmic actions and their consequences 13:29 - Selfishness vs selflessness as motive 15:08 - Is intention all? 16:19 - How great masters read karmic history 19:34 - Does Buddhism disincentivise effective action? 21:19 Does self-interest negate efforts to generate good karma? 23:24 - The desire to help others is an exception 26:00 - Motivations are complicated 28:57 - How karma helps us face negative situations 31:25 - The story of the Zen farmer 33:48 - Does the doctrine of karma blame the unfortunate? 36:02 - Explanation without accusation 37:09 - Mordy’s message about karma 38:38 - Working the karmic system to reduce negative karmic consequences and accrue merit 41:06 - Esoteric methods to purify negative karma 44:24 - The special power of meditation 45:44 - Does motivation affect the karmic consequence of meditation? 44:34 - Can meditation create negative karma? 48:28 - Generating and dedicating merit 50:45 - Is enlightenment the result of good karma? 52:42 - How to work the karma system to become enlightened 53:43 - What is collective karma? 56:24 - Can we hold groups accountable for their karma? 58:18 - Mordy on Donald Trump 59:41 - Can bad karma send you to hell? 01:02:07 - Are the 6 realms real locations or psychological states? 01:03:29 - Does Mordy believe in the 6 realms? 01:04:13 - Is belief in the 6 realms necessary? 01:05:21 - Is karma believable? 01:06:26 - Is there a place for chance in the Buddhist view? 01:07:00 - Mordy’s hopes for the book 01:07:58 - Does karma give freedom or a burden? 01:08:38 - American karma, “Have it your way”. … Previous episode with Mordy Levine: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=mordy Previous episodes with Lama Lhanang: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=lhanang To find out more about Mordy Levine, visit: - https://www.mordylevine.com/ 
… 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

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