In this episode I am joined by Drukmo Gyal Dakini, an International singer, recording artist, and practitioner of Tibetan mantra healing. Drukmo discusses her childhood in Amdo, Tibet, and the early musical and spiritual influences of her family and community. Drukmo reveals how a chance meeting with the man who would become her root guru, Dr Nida Chenagtsang, kindled a passion for Tibetan medicine and spiritual practice in the Yuthok Nyingthig tradition. Drukmo talks about her experiences of cu...
Mar 22, 2021•55 min
In this episode I host part 4 of an ongoing dialogue between Shinzen Young, meditation teacher and neuroscience research consultant, and Chelsey Fasano, a Columbia University neuroscience student. But now the dialogue has become a trialogue as we have the great pleasure of being joined by Dr Jay Sanguinetti, Assistant Director for the Center for Consciousness Studies and Research Assistant Professor at the University of New Mexico where he directs the NICE Lab (Non-Invasive Cognitive Enhancement...
Mar 19, 2021•1 hr 41 min
In this episode, I am joined by Wendy and Ronnie Barry who discuss their quest to find the reincarnations of their two sons who, in 1997, died in a car crash. Upon learning of the deaths of their sons, Andy and Bobby, the Barrys immediately turned to the Tibetan Book of the Dead, and entered the world of the supernatural as they followed the instructions within to guide their sons through the after-death realms. The Barrys then vowed to find their sons next lives. Embarking on an international s...
Mar 12, 2021•2 hr 23 min
In this episode, I am joined by David Curtis, a Lama in the Shangpa-Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism and founder of the Tibetan Language Institute. David reveals how a radically transformative experience of LSD led to his leaving a career in military intelligence to dedicate himself to spiritual exploration We discuss David’s love for classical languages, the Western canon, and why conversion to Buddhism often includes a rejection of Western civilisation. David tells of hitchhiking across Europe...
Mar 05, 2021•2 hr 1 min
In this episode I host a dialogue between Daniel Ingram and Dhammarato on the question ‘Is there magic in the Dharma?’. Daniel Ingram is a contemporary Buddhist author who controversially declared himself to be an Arhat, one of the highest spiritual attainments in Buddhism, challenging cultural taboos against disclosing one’s enlightenment. Dhammarato is a lineage teacher in the Thai Buddhist tradition, a student of the famous meditation master Bikkhu Buddhadasa, and is known for his unique, 1-1...
Feb 26, 2021•2 hr 49 min
In late 2019 I was interviewed by Anna Rova of www.girlskill.com about various topics to do with relationships and more. From Anna's episode description: Join us for a conversation about navigating modern gender roles, embracing who we truly are and exploring intimacy as the constantly changing and challenging realm of relationships. Here are the details of our conversation: - What does Steve find attractive in a woman? - Fear as the state of readiness in the face of the unknown - What is mascul...
Feb 21, 2021•1 hr 2 min
In this episode, I am once again joined by Dhammarato – a lineage teacher in the Thai Buddhist tradition who is known for his unique, 1-1 teaching style conducted over Skype. This interview was recorded in the lead up to a dialogue I will be hosting between Dhammarato and Daniel Ingram on the question ‘Is there magic in the dharma?’. In this episode, Dhammarato explores the Mahātanhāsankhaya Sutta, and draws out themes of magical thinking, continuation of consciousness, and dependent origination...
Feb 19, 2021•1 hr 55 min
In this episode I host part 3 of a dialogue between Shinzen Young, meditation teacher and neuroscience research consultant, and Chelsey Fasano, a Columbia University neuroscience student. We discuss oneness vs emptiness experiences, gamma brain activity and binding, Posner’s model of attention networks, and more. Chelsey explores the surprising similarities between mystical experience, epilepsy, and orgasm; while Shinzen reveals the profound challenge of integrating esoteric states into practica...
Feb 12, 2021•1 hr 25 min
In this episode I am joined by Thomas Hübl, spiritual teacher, author, and international facilitator whose work integrates the core insights of mysticism with the discoveries of science. When Thomas’ team contacted me to interview Thomas about his new book, Healing Collective Trauma, I was very interested to read Thomas’ thoughts on this emerging area. In this interview Thomas shares his spiritual biography, including his time in Vienna training as a medical doctor, and his four-year meditation ...
Feb 02, 2021•1 hr 22 min
In this episode I am once again joined by Dr. Ian Wickramasekera as he recounts his dramatic nervous system collapse and near-death experience as a consequence of COVID-19. Dr Wickramasekera is a Bön Buddhist practitioner and associate professor of Mindfulness Based Transpersonal Counselling at Naropa University. On the 19th of March Ian woke up with a headache, dizziness, and fatigue - he had contracted COVID-19. While symptoms initially receded, and it seemed like this might be a light case, e...
Jan 29, 2021•1 hr 54 min
In this episode I am joined by John Yates, PhD, aka Culadasa. On the 19th of August 2019, the board of Culadasa’s organisation Dharma Treasure released a public letter which denounced Culadasa for the Buddhist moral failings of sexual misconduct, wrong speech, and taking what is not freely given. Culadasa issued two short statements at that time and then recently, on January 13th of 2021, released a 33-page account of the years leading up to the board’s letter. In this interview Culadasa discuss...
Jan 19, 2021•1 hr 34 min
In this episode am joined by Dolama Mantas, a hermit, yogi, and shaman with a remarkable story. Mantas reveals how he was recruited into an occult sect led by a charismatic leader, subjected to brainwashing and psychic domination, and kept as a slave to commit violent crimes on behalf of the Master. Mantas tells of his eventual escape, and the subsequent 4 years living as a hermit in the Lithuanian forests where he learned to meditate and underwent extreme austerities to recover his broken mind....
Jan 15, 2021•1 hr 24 min
Some weeks ago I was interviewed by Ashley from Inspire Initiative for his podcast. Ashley has diverse interests and so he asked me about a wide range of topics including relationships, meditation practice, the pros and cons of polyamory, business strategy for meditation teachers, and more. ... Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/steve-interviewed-by-ashley-of-inspire-initiative/ Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Stitcher – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. ... 0:00 Wh...
Jan 12, 2021•1 hr 29 min
In this episode I host part 2 of a dialogue between Shinzen Young, meditation teacher and neuroscience research consultant, and Chelsey Fasano, a Columbia University neuroscience student. We get a front row seat for what Shinzen calls ‘early science’ as Chelsey consults Shinzen on her current research project, a review of the neuroscience literature that examine states of self-identification and non-dual awareness. In the course of the discussion, we discuss different paradigms of enlightenment,...
Jan 08, 2021•1 hr 19 min
In this episode I am once again joined by Daizan Skinner, a British Zen Roshi trained in both the Soto and Rinzai schools. Daizan reveals the iconic Zen training technique of the Koan, and explains its manifold uses within the tradition. Dazian explains how waking up works, how he diagnoses his students’ enlightenments, and why he is very demanding on his trainee teachers’ psychological maturity. Daizan also discusses how awakening relates to moral purification, why so many famous Zen teachers h...
Jan 01, 2021•1 hr 6 min
In this episode I am once again joined by Dr. Ian Wickramasekera, Bön Buddhist practitioner and associate professor of Mindfulness Based Transpersonal Counselling at Naropa University. We learn how a mirror divination from a mysterious Lama, and a powerful lucid dream, saw Ian travel to Sikkim in search of the monastery of his previous incarnation. Ian discusses the similarities between the Western tradition of hypnosis and the system of Dzogchen, and why he considers hypnosis to be the best mea...
Dec 26, 2020•2 hr 1 min
Susan Guner recently interviewed me again for her 'Fireside Chats', a series of conversations for her 21 Day Meditation Challenge Community. https://www.guruviking.com/steve-interviewed-by-susan-guner-of-fireside-chats/ Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Stitcher – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. 0:00 - Intro 1:00 - Why livestream meditation? 5:30 - Steve's meditation biography 11:55 - What kind of meditation does Steve practice? 14:47 - Susan's meditation journey 17:37 - H...
Dec 21, 2020•1 hr 7 min
In this interview I am once again joined by Daniel Ingram, meditation teacher and author of ‘Mastering The Core Teachings Of The Buddha’. In this episode Daniel responds to Bikkhu Analayo’s article in the May 2020 edition of the academic journal Mindfulness, in which Analayo argues that Daniel is delusional about his meditation experiences and accomplishments, and that his conclusions, to quote, ‘pertain entirely to the realm of his own imagination; they have no value outside of it.’ Daniel reco...
Dec 18, 2020•2 hr 42 min
I recently appeared on the ‘I Am Paulius’ podcast. Paul is an incisive interviewer and we talked in some detail about my early life, including martial arts, my apprenticeship to a Christian mystic, money & business, and more… Check out 'I Am Paulius' channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTxywX9Qn0gzu9kbjhmezhA ... From the 'I Am Paulius' shownotes: We talk to with Steve James known as Guru Viking, who teaches self-development, has vast experience in contemplative disciplines, outdoor su...
Dec 13, 2020•1 hr 55 min
In this episode I host a conversation between Shinzen Young, a meditation teacher and neuroscience research consultant, and Chelsey Fasano, a Columbia University neuroscience student. We take an inside look as Chelsey consults Shinzen on her current research project, a review of the neuroscience literature that examine states of self-identification and non-dual awareness. In the course of the discussion, Shinzen details the many meanings and connotations of the word ‘tantra’ (including its conne...
Dec 11, 2020•56 min
In this episode I am once again joined by Dr Nida Chenagtsang, master of Tibetan Medicine and spiritual teacher of the Yuthok Nyingthig, to discuss karmamudra: Buddhist spiritual s3x. Dr Nida reveals his own training in karmamudra, under the Aku Lhamo, the so called ‘h0rny professor’, and the Longchen Nyingthig nun Ani Ngawang Gyaltsen. We learn about the difference between karmamudra and kamasutra, the role of tummo and tsa lung trulkor training, and the purpose of tantric feats such as vajroli...
Dec 04, 2020•1 hr 59 min
In this episode I am once again joined by Stephen Snyder, a meditation teacher, author, and the first non-monastic Western man to master the virtuoso-level shamata meditation system of Pa Auk Sayadaw. In this interview we discuss Stephen’s new book ‘Buddha’s Heart’ a modern presentation of the Brahma Viharas, Buddhist heart meditations, from the perspective of Absolute Reality/ Awake Awareness. Stephen reveals how deficiencies in his early practice and the inaccessibility of his heart saw him en...
Nov 27, 2020•49 min
In this episode I’m joined by Dr Miles Neale Buddhist psychotherapist and author of Gradual Awakening. When Dr Neale contacted me to offering appear on the podcast, I was intrigued by his impressive list of mentors - including Columbia University’s Professor Robert Thurman and Geshe Tenzin Zopa. Miles recounts how an affluent but disturbed childhood with alcoholic parents and a narcissistic father drove him to self harm and dissatisfaction, and how he found solace and healing in religious practi...
Nov 20, 2020•1 hr 48 min
In this episode I am once again joined by Daniel Ingram, meditation teacher and author of ‘Mastering The Core Teachings Of The Buddha’. Daniel is best known for his controversial claim to arhatship, one of the highest levels of enlightenment in Buddhism. Less well known is Daniel’s lifetime of practice in magick and the occult. In this interview Daniel reveals his magical biography, and comments on various systems including Goetia, Enochian, Kabbalah, Castaneda, Buddhist Magick, and more. Daniel...
Nov 13, 2020•2 hr 13 min
In this episode I am once again joined by Dr. Ian Wickramasekera, Bön Buddhist practitioner and associate professor of Mindfulness Based Transpersonal Counseling at Naropa University. We learn how a divination from a Tibetan master radically changed the direction of Ian’s life, and how he encountered the man who would later become his teacher, Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche. Ian recounts how, on an intense tummo meditation retreat, he attained to the Dzogchen spiritual realisation known as rigpa, and i...
Nov 07, 2020•1 hr 56 min
In this episode I am once again joined by Tibetologist, author, and Tantric Buddhist Lama Glenn Mullin. We learn how a mystical vision at Tibet’s oracle lake Lhamo Latso directed Glenn to move to Mongolia for 10 years, where he would eventually receive the nation’s highest honour, the Mongolian Star. We discuss Glenn’s encounters and friendships with the great Shamans of the Steppes, Himalayan Oracles, and the last Princess of Mongolia. Glenn reveals the inner workings of Mongolian Shamanism inc...
Oct 31, 2020•1 hr 41 min
In this episode I am joined by Khandro Déchen, Lineage Lama, alongside her husband and teaching partner Ngak’chang Rinpoche, of the Aro gTér tantric house holder tradition of Tibetan Buddhism. We learn about Khandro Déchen’s upbringing and career in nursing, and how working with the sick and dying prepared her for her role as a spiritual teacher. Khandro Déchen recounts her first meeting and subsequent courtship with the man who would later become both her teacher and husband, Ngak’chang Rinpoch...
Oct 23, 2020•1 hr 33 min
In this episode I am joined by Nathaniel Menninger, creator of the documentary film ‘The Porter’ which follows him on an 11-day trek to Everest base camp, living and working alongside the Tamang porters. When tourists climb Everest, they don’t carry their own equipment. That job is done by local porters who, in difficult conditions for minimal pay and out of the site of the clients, carry loads of up to 100kg each. We learn about Nathaniel’s experiences immersing himself in this world, carrying ...
Oct 16, 2020•1 hr 10 min
In this interview I am once again joined by Daizan Skinner, a British Zen Roshi trained in both the Soto and Rinzai schools. We learn why seeing so many senior monks become exhausted and ill sent Daizan on a search to Japan for the secret energy practices of Zen Master Hakuin. Daizan reveals why he left the Soto school to join controversial Rinzai Roshi Shinzan Miyamae, who’s motto was ‘First priority is kensho, second priority is kensho, third priority is kensho’. Daizan recounts stories of stu...
Oct 10, 2020•1 hr 12 min
In this episode I am joined by Cinthia Font Zorilla - polyglot, translator, and chief Spanish interpreter for Mindrolling Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche. We learn about Cinthia’s remarkable upbringing as the daughter of a diplomat, raised a citizen of the world and becoming fluent in 7 languages. We discover how, when her father was stationed in India, an introduction to Lopon Tsechu Rinpoche by the King of Nepal would change Cinthia’s life forever. Cinthia recounts her close personal relationship with...
Oct 03, 2020•1 hr 25 min
