Guru Viking Podcast - podcast cover

Guru Viking Podcast

Guru Vikingwww.guruviking.com
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.
Last refreshed:
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

Ep35: Culadasa - Pandemic Edition - Guru Viking Podcast

Culadasa, meditation teacher and author of ‘The Mind Illuminated’, is my featured guest in this episode of the Guru Viking Podcast: Pandemic Series. Please share these episodes among those who might find them helpful, and let me know what you think in the comments below. ... https://www.guruviking.com/ep35-culadasa-pandemic-edition-guru-viking-podcast/ Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Stitcher – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … I am producing a special series of the Guru...

Mar 20, 202034 min

Ep34: Paul Cavel - Pandemic Edition - Guru Viking Podcast

Paul Cavel, author and Taoist teacher, is my featured guest in this episode of the Guru Viking Podcast: Pandemic Series. Please share these episodes among those who might find them helpful, and let me know what you think in the comments below. ... Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep34-paul-cavel-pandemic-edition-guru-viking-podcast/ Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Stitcher – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … I am producing a special series of the Guru Viking Pod...

Mar 19, 20201 hr 10 min

Ep33 Stephen Snyder - Pandemic Edition - Guru Viking Podcast

Stephen Snyder, meditation teacher and co-author of ‘Practicing the Jhanas’, is my featured guest in this episode of the Guru Viking Podcast: Pandemic Series. Please share these episodes among those who might find them helpful, and let me know what you think in the comments below. ... Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Stitcher – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … I am producing a special series of the Guru Viking Podcast to support those affected by the pandemic. I'll be as...

Mar 18, 202024 min

Ep32: Michaela Boehm - Pandemic Edition - Guru Viking Podcast

Michaela Boehm, world-renowned counsellor, workshop teacher, and author of ‘The Wild Woman’s Way’, is my featured guest in this episode of the Guru Viking Podcast: Pandemic Series. Please feel free to share these episodes among those who might find them helpful, and let me know what you think in the comments below. ... Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep32-michaela-boehm-pandemic-edition-guru-viking-podcast/ Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Stitcher – search ‘G...

Mar 17, 202030 min

Ep31 Tina Rasmussen - Pandemic Edition - Guru Viking Podcast

Tina Rasmussen Ph.D, meditation teacher and co-author of ‘Practicing the Jhanas’, is my featured guest in this episode of the Guru Viking Podcast: Pandemic Series. Please feel free to share these episodes among those who might find them helpful, and let me know what you think in the comments below. ... Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep31-tina-rasmussen-pandemic-edition-guru-viking-podcast/ *Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Stitcher – search ‘Guru Viking Podca...

Mar 16, 20201 hr 15 min

Ep30: Lorin Roche - Pandemic Edition - Guru Viking Podcast

Lorin Roche PhD, meditation teacher and author of ‘The Radiance Sutras’, is my featured guest in this episode of the Guru Viking Podcast: Pandemic Series. I'd love to know what you think about the episodes, and please feel free to share them among those who might find them helpful. ... Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep30-lorin-roche-pandemic-edition-guru-viking-podcast/ Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Stitcher – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … I am producing...

Mar 15, 202038 min

Ep29 Dhammarato - Pandemic Edition - Guru Viking Podcast

In this episode, I talk with Dhammarato – a lineage teacher in the Thai Buddhist tradition who has gained an enthusiastic internet following for his unique, 1-1 teaching style conducted over Skype. Video version here: https://www.guruviking.com/ep29-dhammarato-guru-viking-podcast-pandemic-edition/ Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Stitcher – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … At the time of writing, the world is in the midst of a viral pandemic. Many people are afraid and m...

Mar 14, 202041 min

Ep28: Glenn Mullin - Dream Yoga, Solo Retreat Guide, and Unlocking the Human Potential

In this episode I talk with Tibetologist, translator, and Tantric Buddhist meditation teacher Glenn Mullin about the fascinating subject of dream yoga. We begin by discussing Glenn’s own training in the 6 Yogas of Naropa, with specific detail about his own solo retreats -including a special dream yoga retreat in which Glenn remained upright for weeks - never lying down - to deeply penetrate the world of dreams. We also talk about how to unlock the historically suppressed human inheritance of dee...

Mar 13, 20201 hr 21 min

Ep27: Lama Palden - Mystic of Sukhasiddhi - Guru Viking Interview

In this episode I talk with Lama Palden, author and Lama in both the Shangpa and Karma Kagyu lineages of Tibetan Buddhism. We learn about Lama Palden’s childhood memories of past reincarnations, and how a spontaneous experience of Jesus healed her of early trauma. We hear stories of powerful personal encounters with some of 20th century’s most renowned lamas, including Kalu Rinpoche, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, and the 16th Karmapa. We also explore details of Lama Palden’s 3 year retreat under the ...

Feb 24, 20201 hr 58 min

Ep26: Glenn Mullin - Illusory Body Yogas of Waking, Sleep, & Death - Guru Viking Interviews

In this episode I talk to Glenn Mullin, returning for a third appearance and let me tell you this one is a goldmine. Glenn is a Tibetologist, translator, and Tantric Buddhist meditation teacher, who studied for many years in Dharmsala with the Dalai Lama’s own gurus. Continuing on from our previous discussions on the 6 Yogas of Naropa, we move beyond tummo into the illusory body yogas - including the illusory nature of appearances, the yogas of dream and sleep sleep, and bardo yoga. Glenn lays o...

Feb 19, 20201 hr 15 min

Ep25: Paul Cavel – Taoist Energy Arts – Guru Viking Interviews

In this interview I talk with Paul Cavel, author and Taoist teacher in the Water Tradition of Lao Tse. For video version, visit: https://www.guruviking.com/ep25-paul-cavel-taoist-energy-arts-guru-viking-interviews/ We discuss how a serious motor cycle accident left Paul in chronic pain. Searching for a solution, Paul met the man who would go on to become his teacher in the energy arts, Bruce Frantzis, lineage holder of the Taoist Water Tradition. Living full time in Bruce’s home, in a year they ...

Feb 12, 20201 hr 53 min

Steve James Interviewed On 'Warrior Within' Podcast

I was recently interviewed by Wim Hof instructor, men's group leader (and much more) Asher Packman for his 'Warrior Within Podcast' about all kinds of topics including embodiment, extreme outdoor survival, leadership, the Me Too movement, meditation, the practice of practice, and my near death experience (NDE). Topics Include: 0:00 - About Steve 03:38 - Steve on Embodiment 11:12 - Pleasure / pain calculation 13:30 - Extreme outdoor survival 18:50 - Men’s work and leadership 21:15 - ‘What does be...

Feb 09, 20201 hr 33 min

Ep24: Stephen Snyder - A Stroke of Realisation - Guru Viking Interviews

In this episode I talk with Stephen Snyder, meditation teacher and author who is perhaps best known as being the first non-monastic Western man to master the virtuoso-level shamata meditation system of Pa Auk Sayadaw. Video version here: https://www.guruviking.com/ep24-stephen-snyder-a-stroke-of-realisation-guru-viking-interviews/ In this interview we learn about Stephen’s early fascination with meditation, teaching himself Zen practice from books for years before attending his first traditional...

Feb 08, 20201 hr 30 min

Ep23: Ian A Baker - The Secret Yogas of Tibet - Guru Viking Interviews

In this episode I talk with Ian A. Baker, author of 7 books and an initiate of Buddhist, Taoist, and Hindu Tantric lineages. Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/ep23-ian-a-baker-the-secret-yogas-of-tibet-guru-viking-interviews/ Ian is an international fellow of the Explorers Club and the Royal Geographic Society and was joint curator of the 2016 exhibition “Tibet’s Secret Temple” at the Wellcome Collection, London. In this interview we discuss Ian’s 25 years living in India and Nepal, seek...

Feb 03, 20201 hr 56 min

Ep22: Tina Rasmussen Ph.D - Guru Viking Interviews

In this episode I talk with Tina Rasmussen Ph.D, a meditation teacher and author who is best known as being the first Western woman to master the virtuoso-level shamata meditation system of Pa Auk Sayadaw. In this interview we learn about Tina’s life-defining quest for enlightenment which inspired her 1-year solo retreat in which her practice of Dzogchen triggered not only massive energetic phenomena but also a profound spiritual awakening. We hear all about Tina’s training and authorisation und...

Jan 25, 20201 hr 46 min

Ep21: Bar-ché Dorje - Guru Viking Interviews

In this episode I talk with Bar-ché Dorje, a Dutch Lama in the Aro gTer tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. We discuss Bar-ché Dorje’s early interest in kebatinan, an Javanese esoteric tradition, that saw him plunge his hands into boiling oil and deflect strikes from poisonous machetes. We find out how Bar-ché Dorje first made contact with Ngakchang Rinpoche, who was to become his tantric guru for over 25 years. We hear stories of the infamous wrahthful teaching style of the wandering ngakpa Kunzang ...

Dec 23, 20191 hr 18 min

Ep20: Dhammarato - Guru Viking Interviews

In this episode, I talk with Dhammarato - a lineage teacher in the Thai Buddhist tradition who has gained an enthusiastic internet following for his unique, 1-1 teaching style conducted over Skype. We discuss Dhammarato’s adventures throughout India studying in search of magic and meditation; his encounters with gurus such as Muktananda, Sai Baba, and Osho; why meeting famed meditation master Buddhadasa turned his search for magic upside down and saw him ordain as a Buddhist monk in the Thai Tra...

Dec 18, 20191 hr 16 min

Ep19 Glenn Mullin - Guru Viking Interviews

This episode of the Guru Viking Podcast sees the return of one of my absolute favourite guests, Glenn Mullin. Glenn is a Tibetologist, translator, and Tantric Buddhist meditation teacher, who studied for many years in Dharmsala with the Dalai Lama’s own gurus. In our last conversation, way back in Episode 9, we talked all about this fascinating period of Glenn’s life. We ended that podcast just beginning to touch on the inner yogas of Tantric Buddhism. In this episode we dive deeper into the com...

Oct 08, 20191 hr 45 min

Ep18: Leigh Brasington - Guru Viking Interviews

Ep18: Leigh Brasington - Guru Viking Interviews In this episode I am joined by Leigh Brasington, Buddhist meditation teacher and author of ‘Right Concentration, A Practical Guide to the Jhanas’. Leigh talked about how he transformed from a self described pot-head to a serious meditation practitioner in his very first retreat. We learn how learning the jhanas - 8 altered states of consciousness, brought on by deep meditative concentration - from meditation master Ayya Khema radically changed his ...

Aug 12, 20191 hr 30 min

Ep17 Stephen K Hayes - Guru Viking Interviews

In this episode I talk with Stephen K Hayes, martial arts master and ex security advisor to the Dalai Lama. We discuss Stephen’s early interest in the martial arts and his journey to Japan in search of the Ninja. We learn about his training and relationship with the iconoclastic sensei Masaaki Hatsui, and how it was the Stephen first met the Dalai Lama. Stephen then gives a detailed analysis of the Dalai Lama’s skill in social engagements, as well as the lessons learned serving in the close prot...

May 14, 20191 hr 15 min

Ep16 Ngakpa Chögyam and Khandro Déchen - Guru Viking Interviews

In this episode I travel to the deepest Wales to meet Ngakpa Chögyam and Khandro Déchen, English Lamas and lineage holders in a non-celibate Tantric Buddhist order. For the video version of this Episode, click here: https://www.guruviking.com/ep16-ngapka-chogyam-and-khandro-dechen-guru-viking-interviews/ I interviewed Ngakpa Chögyam about his early life and training with Kunzang Dorje Rinpoche way back in Episode 8, which was one of the most discussed and downloaded of the series so far. Here, w...

May 06, 20192 hr 45 min

Ep15 Godfrey Devereux - Guru Viking Interviews

In this episode I interview Godfrey Devereux, yoga and meditation teacher of over 45 years experience, and author of several books - including ‘Dynamic Yoga’ and ‘Yoga Unveiled’, a translation and commentary of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. In this fascinating conversation we discuss how watching his uncle, an Anglican minster, pray in tree-pose sparked an overwhelming sense of reverence, how Godfrey’s teenage attempts at learning from books produced surprising results, why meeting his Indian yoga gu...

Apr 10, 20191 hr 22 min

Ep14 Daniel Ingram - Guru Viking Interviews

New episode! In this interview I am joined by meditation teacher and author Daniel Ingram. Daniel sparked great controversy when in 2008 he published his first book ‘Mastering The Core Teachings Of The Buddha: An Unusual Hardcore Dharma Book’, signing it as the Arahant Daniel Ingram. Naming himself an arahant, which is one of the highest attainments in Buddhism, flew in the face of cultural taboos against disclosing one’s enlightenment. In this fascinating conversation we delve into Daniel’s chi...

Feb 25, 20191 hr 29 min

Ep13 Culadasa - Guru Viking Interviews

In this episode I am joined by John Yates, PhD, aka Culadasa. Culadasa is a meditation master with more than four decades of experience in the Tibetan and Theravadin Buddhist traditions. A former professor, he taught physiology and neuroscience for many years, and later worked in the field of complementary and alternative medicine. His book ‘The Mind Illuminated’ has been described as ‘a rare and valuable treasure’ and has been enormously popular among dedicated meditators for it’s incredible cl...

Feb 15, 20191 hr 18 min

Ep12 Bhante Jason - Guru Viking Interviews

37-year old Bhante Jason is an Australian monk who left a career in law to wander the countryside as an aescetic Buddhist monk. Ordained in the Theravanda tradition in Sri Lanka over eight years ago, he lives outdoors without possessions except for his robes and begging bowl. Seeing hypocrisy in much of modern Buddhism's approach, Bhante Jason describes his approach to Buddhist practice as 'Classic' and chooses to live as closely as he can to the strict monastic rules of the historical Buddha. F...

Oct 04, 201841 min

Ep10 Robert Beer - Guru Viking Interviews

In this interview I talk with Robert Beer, an internationally renowned artist who has dedicated his life to both the study of Indo-Tibetan sacred art and to experiential contact with the afterlife. Robert is the author and illustrator of the The Encyclopedia of Tibetan Symbols and Motif, and The Handbook of Tibetan Buddhist Symbol, as well as having his work featured in countless publications and websites. In our discussion we delve into Robert's childhood mystical experiences, his psychedelical...

Jun 19, 20181 hr 13 min

Ep9 Glenn Mullin - Guru Viking Interviews

Glenn H. Mullin is a Tibetologist, Buddhist writer, translator of classical Tibetan literature, and teacher of Tantric Buddhist meditation. He divides his time between writing, teaching, meditating, and leading tour groups to the power places of Nepal and Tibet. In this interview we discuss Glenn’s early fascination with Tibet, his decades of rigorous study in India with the Dalai Lama’s two personal gurus, Glenn’s life-changing meditation experiences, enlightenment and orgasm, and we delve into...

May 23, 20181 hr 44 min

Ep8 Ngakpa Chögyam - Guru Viking Interviews

In this interview I am joined by Ngakpa Chögyam a blues loving, horse riding Ngakpa, who with his wife Khandro Déchen, is the Lineage Lama (principal teacher) of the Aro tradition, a tantric Buddhist house holder tradition. Ngakpa Chögyam is the author of many books and today we discuss Wisdom Eccentrics. It is ‘a rare account of remarkable lamas in the final years of a lost era’ …which chronicles his education with Kunzang Dorje Rinpoche, ‘a highly reclusive master known for mercurial wrath and...

May 11, 201856 min

Ep7 Michaela Boehm - Thomas Wildfire Special - Guru Viking Interviews

Today I’m joined by my co-teacher Michaela Boehm for a special interview about facing adversity. Michaela's house was destroyed in the Thomas fire, the largest wild fire in California state history. We discuss the story of what happened, how Michaela used her extensive training and lifetime of practice to face this crisis, and the surprisingly inspiring themes of determination and community. Disasters of any kind are something we all hope to avoid but that can happen to any of us at any time. Th...

Jan 02, 20181 hr

Ep6 Lorin Roche PhD - Guru Viking Interviews

In this episode I'm joined once again by meditation teacher and Sanskrit translator Lorin Roche PhD. Our last interview was so popular, with so many requests for more, that Lorin agreed to another one! In this conversation we dive into Lorin's unique approach to meditation, look at why the way meditation is usually taught is actually damaging for most people, why monasteries psychologically castrate monks and what that means for their non-monastic students, and how to meditate in a way that embr...

Dec 21, 20171 hr 6 min
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android