Guru Viking Podcast

By: Guru Viking
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  • Summary

  • The Guru Viking Podcast specializes in in-depth interviews with remarkable figures in the world of meditation, spirituality, and self development. Steve travels internationally teaching somatic practices and meditation, and leads explorations in contemplative, mystic, & relational realms.
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Episodes
  • Ep273: Spirit Conjuration - Dr Ben Joffe

    Ep273: Spirit Conjuration - Dr Ben Joffe
    Sep 27 2024
    In this interview I am once again joined by Dr Ben Joffe, anthropologist and scholar practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism. Dr Joffe leads a deep dive into the Western magickal tradition of spirit conjuration, traces their diverse forms through the centuries, and considers the range of beings described, from the land sprites of localised traditions to the high angels of the Enochian system of Renaissance polymath John Dee. Dr Joffe reflects on the origin and changing usage of terms such as “demon” and “devil”, laments the prevalence of dangerously lax invocation practices, considers the cultural impact of the grimoire tradition, compares the systems of demonology found in world religions, and notes striking similarities between Buddhist tantric mystic Padmasambhava and King Solomon. Dr Joffe also shares his own occult experiences including tales of spirit contact, servitor creation, dream visitations from the recently deceased, and ritual workings in several magickal systems. ... Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:12 - Western Esotericism 04:42 - Spirit conjuration and the grimoire tradition 05:49 - Analysing spirit conjuration tropes in horror movies 09:46 - Diverse magical practice 10:51 - Professor Ronald Hutton’s history of Western Esotericism 12:05 - History of spirit conjuration from Ancient Egypt to today 14:49 - Mesopotamian laws against witchcraft 16:08 - The status of magick in the Abrahamic traditions 16:58 - Clerical underground of wizards 18:20 - Literacy and the power of a magickal book 21:03 - Prioritising of the book and of language itself 23:08 - Gathering one’s magickal tools 25:00 - Preparation is key 26:20 - Do spirits find humans repulsive? 30:29 - Self-purification and strategies for self-deification 31:24 - Similarities between Padmasambhava and King Solomon 32:43 - Dzamling Chi Sang and subjugating spirits 33:41 - The Testament of Solomon and subduing spirits 35:34 - Magick and frat-boy fantasy 37:47 - John Dee and the quest for knowledge 39:40 - Christian ceremonial magick and Jesus as a sorcerer 41:55 - Pre-Christian Pagan European spirit traditions 43:09 - Magick vs religion 45:12 - Hamlet and old spirit frameworks 48:03 - Arguments for and against the grimoire tradition 53:56 - Cultural impact of the grimoire tradition 56:05 - Wisdom of the past 58:33 - Different types of spirits and supernatural beings 01:02:33 - Muslim views of Iblīs (the devil) and djinn. 01:04:22 - Evil spirits in Christianity and Tibetan Buddhism 01:06:01 - Different ideas of the Devil 01:07:17 - What is a demon? 01:07:50 - Lazy demonology 01:15:05 - The perspective of nondual Tibetan tantra 01:18:31 - Limitations of dualistic cosmology 01:20:56 - Angels and pre-modern Christian views 01:25:03 - Why demons are useful for practical magick 01:27:47 - Ben’s personal reflections on working with spirits 01:31:17 - Rites of passage and creating servitors 01:33:00 - Ben explains the Goetia 01:34:16 - Ben reflects on his magickal career 01:36:45 - Summoning spirits at 12 years old 01:43:11 - ADHD approach to magick 01:44:09 - Ben recalls powerful, unexpected spirit contacts 02:00:51 Group corroboration 02:02:17 -Dream visitations from the recently deceased 02:04:56 - Are these experiences real? 02:07:30 - The social aspects of magickal practice 02:10:48 - Ben’s relationship with an invented spirit 02:15:42 - Wyatt the servitor 02:21:02 - Models of magick and questions of purity 02:29:09 - The two wolves inside of Ben 02:31:25 - Universal principles or relative frames? 02:34:33 - Artisanal magick and honing attention 02:36:18 - Is magickal training reliable? 
… Previous episodes with Dr Ben Joffe: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=joffe To find out more about Dr Ben Joffe, visit: - https://perfumedskull.com/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James
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    2 hrs and 40 mins
  • Ep272: Mystical Path of Sufism - Professor William Rory Dickson

    Ep272: Mystical Path of Sufism - Professor William Rory Dickson
    Sep 20 2024
    In this episode I am joined by Dr. William Rory Dickson an associate professor of Islamic Religion and Culture at The University of Winnipeg and author of “Dissolving into Being: The Wisdom of Sufi Philosophy”. Professor Dickson recalls his Christian upbringing, teenage atheism, and how powerful psychedelic experiences saw him embark on a religious search. Professor Dickson recounts his initial explorations of Tibetan Buddhism, his conversion to Islam, and how his dissatisfaction with conservative and Salafi revivalist trends saw him embrace the Sufi path. Professor Dickson also explains the history of Sufism; considers the influence of Ancient Egyptian, Persian, and Neo-Platonic thought; reflects on the role of language proficiency in the study of religions; and addresses common misconceptions about Sufism and Islam. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep272-mystical-path-of-sufism-professor-william-rory-dickson Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 00:59 - Upcoming book 01:42 - Religious upbringing 03:39 - Becoming a precocious atheist 04:36 - Late teen mystical experiences 05:29 - Rebellious teen years and interest in Japan 06:29 - Working as a social worker in child protection 07:57 - Drawn to academia 08:29 - Returning to graduate school in late 20s 09:58 - Becoming a professor 11:02 - Psychedelics as spiritual doorways 13:10 - Lessons from trauma 14:24 - Spiritual reading and engaging with Tibetan Buddhism 17:42 - Passion for reading 18:42 - From Tibetan Buddhism to Islam 20:44 - Dissatisfaction with local mosque Islam 22:50 - Friends and family reactions to conversion to Islam 23:52 - Involvement with Salafi Muslim revivalist movements 24:53 - First flush of fundamentalism 26:26 - Burning out, renewed spiritual exploration, and seeking a teacher 28:37 - Meeting Ngak’chang Rinpoche of the Aro gTer 31:32 - Gradual or sudden conversion to Islam? 32:23 - The role of Arabic language study 35:05 - Is source language study necessary to really understand and practice religions? 37:08 - Three idiots on an island 38:04 - Language skills and scholarship 40:21 - Decay of language skills in academia 41:59 - Shift from textual study to lived religion 44:56 - Elite vs popular Sufism 47:44 - Common misconceptions about Sufism and Islam 49:53 - Rich mystical philosophy and the post-colonial dilemma 51:17 - Meeting Sufi teachers and the question of Islamic identity 53:26 - Origin story of Sufism 57:515 - Historical perspective of Sufism and connections to Ancient Egypt, Neo-Platonism, and Persia 58:35 - Enoch as a progenitor of the mystical tradition 59:51 - Inner circle perspective 01:00:52 - Evolution and methods of Sufism 01:03:43 - Diversity of Sufi forms through cultural adaptation 01:06:28 - Ibn ‘Arabi 01:07:58 - Methods and metaphors 01:09:11 - Overwhelmed by the visceral presence of love 
… To find our more about Professor William Rory Dickson, visit: - https://www.uwinnipeg.ca/experts-guide/william-rory-dickson.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 11 mins
  • Ep271: Zen Confessions - Brad Warner & Shozan Jack Haubner

    Ep271: Zen Confessions - Brad Warner & Shozan Jack Haubner
    Sep 13 2024
    In this episode, I host a dialogue between Brad Warner, Zen teacher, Youtuber, and best-selling author of “Hardcore Zen”; and Shozan Jack Haubner, ex-Zen Monk, Youtuber, and prize winning author of the memoir “Zen Confidential: Confessions of a Wayward Monk”. Brad and Jack explore their own journeys as writers, the humorous and confessional elements in their work, and the complications of writing about real life events that involve other people. Brad and Jack reflect on what they see as the politicisation of American Zen, describe how religious institutions can compromise their principles when faced with financial and political pressure, and explain their own efforts on Youtube and elsewhere to challenge hegemony and encourage a return to essential Zen. Brad and Jack also discuss facing criticism as public figures, consider some of their more controversial videos and views, and reveal how they stay centred amidst the polarising forces of today’s internet and social media world. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep271-zen-confessions-brad-warner-shozan-jack-haubner Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:10 - Radical self disclosure 02:49 - Why Brad began writing about Zen 05:59 - Hardcore Zen and success 06:48 - Noah Levine’s Dharma Punx 07:50 - Jack’s initial Zen writing 10:43 - Complications of being ordained 12:34 - When people find out 13:40 - Protecting others’ identity 16:29 - Compromise thru affiliation with Zen organisations 18:08 - Selling meditation as a product 21:03 - Austrian Zen and hard retreat 22:44 - Mainstream mindfulness 23:37 - Wearing Zen robes 24:55 - Why Brad stopped teaching in the USA 25:45 - Hostility in NYC 27:50 - Zen apprenticeship and closing the doors 30:53 - Boomer hippy ideals vs real Zen 31:45 - US Zen hegemony 35:11 - Politicised Zen and 80s televangelists 36:20 - Bullying and fixed views 37:25 - Sasaki Roshi’s scandal and encounters with boutique Zen teachers 39:02 - Politicisation of US Zen 41:07 - Financial pressure and running an institution 44:59 - Brad on Sasaki Roshi 47:16 - Sweeping Zen 48:08 - Challenging socio-political trends in American Zen 50:08 - Hijacking Zen 56:06 - The Jack Kornfield problem 59:20 - Attacked from both sides 01:01:16 - Right wing Zen 01:03:54 - Demonising the other side and facing your shadow 01:09:40 - Abuse and pushing your buttons 01:12:10 - Being too nice 01:13:28 - Self-justification 01:14:57 - Co-opting Zen 01:16:09 - Sasaki beats a lazy student 01:19:06 - The danger of Zen practice 01:23:06 - Patron priest corruption 01:24:58 - Dealing with negative feedback on social media 01:33:24 - Internet radicalisation and keeping your head 01:38:52 - Watching your equilibrium 01:39:49 - Jordan Peterson vs Zen 01:43:07 - Teachings vs entertainment 01:46:00 - Why Rinzai is evil and Soto sucks Previous episode with Brad Warner: - www.guruviking.com/podcast/155-hardcore-zen-brad-warner Previous episodes with Shozan Jack Haubner: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=haubner … To find out more about Brad Warner, visit: - http://hardcorezen.info/ - https://www.youtube.com/c/HardcoreZen To find our more about Shozan Jack Haubner, visit: - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt9Q74t3o7AUCJ_bKTc5CgA … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James
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    1 hr and 49 mins
Spirituality
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