In this episode special guest Leigh Brasington, Buddhist meditation teacher and author of ‘Right Concentration, A Practical Guide to the Jhanas’, joins the ongoing conversation featuring: - Shinzen Young, meditation teacher and neuroscience research consultant - Chelsey Fasano, a Columbia University neuroscience student - Dr Jay Sanguinetti, Assistant Director for the Center for Consciousness Studies and Research Professor at the University of New Mexico In this episode Shinzen and Leigh engage ...
Oct 01, 2021•1 hr 46 min
n this episode I host a dialogue between Dhammarato and Daniel Ingram on the question ‘Lineage: Who May Teach The Authentic Dharma?’. Dhammarato is a lineage teacher in the Thai Buddhist tradition, a student of the meditation master Bikkhu Buddhadasa, and is known for his unique, 1-1 teaching style conducted over Skype. Daniel Ingram is an independent Buddhist author and co-founder of the Emergent Phenomenology Research Consortium (EPRC), a multidisciplinary, multinational alliance of researcher...
Sep 24, 2021•1 hr 57 min
In this interview, I am once again joined by Professor Arthur Versluis, a professor and Department Chair of Religious Studies in the College of Arts & Letters at Michigan State University, author of over 25 books on subjects ranging from Western esotericism, magic, Christian Theosophy, ancient mystery schools, and more. In this episode we discuss Arthur’s 2015 book, ‘American Gurus’ and trace the uniquely American cultural and philosophical factors that lead to the prevalence of independent ...
Sep 17, 2021•1 hr 20 min
In this interview I am joined by Bhante Vimalaramsi: author, American Buddhist monk, and abbot of the Dhamma Sukha Meditation Center in Annapolis, Missouri. In this episode Bhante Vimalaramsi describes how twenty years of dedicated practice of Mahasi-style vipassana meditation left him unsatisfied and how discarding that method and learning to relax and smile unlocked the spiritual path. Bhante describes how his current teaching approach, based not on Buddhaghosa’s Visuddhimagga but on Vimalaram...
Sep 10, 2021•1 hr 15 min
In this interview I am joined by Mike Crowley, Buddhist Lama, musician/composer, and author of ’Secret Drugs of Buddhism: Psychedelic Sacraments and the Origins of the Vajrayana’. We learn about Mike’s childhood as the son of a psychopath, and his extensive experimentation with all manner of drugs and psychoactive substances. Mike recalls his encounters with Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, and his 7 year apprenticeship with Lama Yungdrung which eventually resulted in Mike becoming a lama himself. Mike...
Sep 03, 2021•1 hr 55 min
In this episode special guest Leigh Brasington, Buddhist meditation teacher and author of ‘Right Concentration, A Practical Guide to the Jhanas’, joins the ongoing conversation featuring: - Shinzen Young, meditation teacher and neuroscience research consultant - Chelsey Fasano, a Columbia University neuroscience student, - Dr Jay Sanguinetti, Assistant Director for the Center for Consciousness Studies and Research Professor at the University of New Mexico In this episode Leigh shares his work wi...
Aug 26, 2021•2 hr 5 min
In this interview I am once again joined by Tibetologist, author, and Tantric Buddhist Lama Glenn Mullin. Glenn takes a deep dive into the use of yidam, or meditation deities, in Buddhist tantra including the role of personal preference, karmic coincidence, and divination in choosing the right yidam for you. Glenn reveals his own primary yidam practice and details the unusual experiences around his initiation as well the effects of the yidam practice over his lifetime. Glenn also explains the us...
Aug 20, 2021•1 hr 42 min
In this episode I am joined by Erik Jampa Andersson, a teacher of Tibetan medicine, astrology, and meditation endorsed by luminaries of the field such as Dr Nida Chenagtsang and Lama Tsultrim Allione. Erik recounts how childhood tragedy and an early interest in the occult saw him deeply influenced by the works of J.R.R Tolkien, and to eventually become a Buddhist in the Nyingma lineage of Tibet. Erik reveals his personal journey in resolving friction points with the Buddhist religion, including ...
Aug 13, 2021•2 hr 29 min
I was recently interviewed by James Iandoli at 'Engaging the Phenomenon', where we discussed meditation, psychic powers, and UFOs 👽 00:00 - Who is Steve? 02:10 - Why ‘Guru Viking’? 05:05 - Becoming interested in meditation 07:52 - Contemplative Christianity 10:13 - UFOs 18:08 - Close encounters as catalysts for awakening 21:58 - Siddhi and psychic experiences 34:15 - CE5 and contacting entities 48:27 - Meditation, perennialism, and being fun at parties 58:59 - Advice when starting meditation Ch...
Aug 10, 2021•1 hr 6 min
In this episode I am once again joined by Henry Shukman, award-winning poet, Zen teacher, and author of ‘One Blade of Grass; a Zen memoir’. In this interview Henry reveals what he calls Zen’s true miracle, and shares his own personal journey of healing childhood trauma in the context of spiritual awakening and integration of enlightenment. Henry also explores the two purposes of Zen koan training, contrasts different models of enlightenment, and explains how to awaken in the midst of intense suf...
Aug 06, 2021•1 hr 11 min
In this interview, I am joined by Professor Arthur Versluis, a professor and Department Chair of Religious Studies in the College of Arts & Letters at Michigan State University, author of over 25 books on subjects ranging from Western esotericism, magic, Christian Theosophy, ancient mystery schools, and more. In this episode we discuss Arthur’s latest book, ‘Conversations In Apocalyptic Times’ and trace a thread of esoteric Christianity that stretches back to the mystery schools of Ancient G...
Jul 30, 2021•54 min
In this interview, I am joined by Dr Angelo Dilullo, anaesthesiologist, spiritual teacher, and author of ‘Awake! It’s your Turn’. We learn how a profound existential angst in childhood and adolescence propelled Angelo into spiritual practice and, at the age of 24, precipitated a radical spiritual awakening. Angelo details the practices, shifts, and consequences of his awakening, and shares the process of coming face to face with deeply held conditioning. Angelo also discusses certainty and relig...
Jul 23, 2021•2 hr 19 min
In this episode, I am once again joined by David Curtis, a Lama in the Shangpa-Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism and founder of the Tibetan Language Institute. In this interview, David shares his passion for the Tibetan language and insights gained from his 27 year career teaching Tibetan to thousands of students. We learn about David’s unique approach to language learning, the unique characteristics of the Tibetan language that David loves, and how different approaches to grammar can open up meani...
Jul 16, 2021•51 min
In this episode I host part 6 of an ongoing conversation between Shinzen Young, meditation teacher and neuroscience research consultant, Chelsey Fasano, a Columbia University neuroscience student, and Dr Jay Sanguinetti, Assistant Director for the Center for Consciousness Studies and Research Professor at the University of New Mexico. In this episode we take a deep dive into the dopaminergic reward system, including current thinking on its function and role, and its interaction with meditation p...
Jul 09, 2021•1 hr 27 min
In this interview I am joined by Dr Jay Sanguinetti, Research Professor at the University of Arizona, Assistant Director at the Center for Consciousness Studies, and co-director of the SEMA Lab with Shinzen Young. In this episode, Jay recalls his upbringing in Mississippi, falling in love with science, and how his work synthesising MDMA as a promising undergraduate brought him o an ethical crisis . Jay recounts a life changing encounter with the Dalai Lama that radically altered his research pat...
Jul 02, 2021•1 hr 39 min
In this episode I am joined by Henry Shukman, award-winning poet, Zen teacher, and author of ‘One Blade of Grass, a Zen memoir’. In this interview Henry discusses his upbringing in Oxford, as the son of a don and a graduate of the illustrious Dragon School, and how in poetry he found the liberating aspect of literary life. Henry reveals his first awakening experience, the breakdown that occurred thereafter, and how finding meditation saw him begin a quest to deepen his spiritual life. Henry disc...
Jun 25, 2021•58 min
In this episode I am once again joined by Dr Ian A. Baker, international fellow of the Explorers Club and the Royal Geographic Society, author of 7 books, and an initiate of Buddhist, Taoist, and Hindu Tantric lineages. In this interview Ian recounts a life-changing encounter with a Shakta tantric Siddha in Nepal, who healed Ian of severe climbing injuries and initiated him into the Kaula Tantric order. Ian compares the hitherto secret practices of this sect - such as pranayama, asana, and kunda...
Jun 18, 2021•1 hr 59 min
In this episode, I am once again joined by David Curtis, a Lama in the Shangpa-Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism and founder of the Tibetan Language Institute. In this interview, we pick up David’s story as he emerges from 3 years of closed retreat as a fully qualified Lama, and see his return to America to teach both the Tibetan language and the Buddhist religion. David also recounts many unexpected meetings and powerful mystical experiences with Buddhist masters including Mindrolling Jetsün Khand...
Jun 11, 2021•1 hr 3 min
In this interview I am joined by Meido Roshi, Rinzai Zen Abbot of Korinji Monastery, Wisconsin, and author of ‘Hidden Zen: Practices for Sudden Awakening and Embodied Realisation’. In this episode we discuss how childhood existential panic set Meido Roshi on a quest for spiritual meaning, travelling Asia to meet famous meditation masters such as Shri Munindra, Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche, & Sheng Yen before finally finding a home in the practice of Zen. Meido Roshi details h...
Jun 04, 2021•1 hr 44 min
In this episode I am once again joined by Tibetologist, author, and Tantric Buddhist Lama Glenn Mullin. Glenn explains the 4 Classes of Buddhist Tantra - Kriya, Charya, Yoga, and Anuttarayoga - including their history and development, and what distinguishes them from each other in practice and view. Glenn reveals the structures of each level of Tantra, compares their creation and completion stage practices, and discusses the possible Persian origin of the Bön and Nyingma schools and their classi...
May 28, 2021•1 hr 28 min
In this interview I am joined by Gregory Blann: mystic, artist, author, and initiate of the Inayati and Halveti-Jerrahi orders of Sufism. Gregory reveals the rich history and practices of Sufism, including meditation techniques, Zikr, and the dream practices of the Halveti-Jerrahi. Gregory also recounts his own spiritual journey from Evangelical Christianity to Gurdjieff to encounters with great Sheiks of the 20th century such as Pir Vilayat Khan, Sheik Nur, and Muzaffer Efendi. Gregory also exp...
May 21, 2021•1 hr 55 min
In this episode I am once again joined by Dr Ben Joffe, anthropologist and scholar practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism. In this interview Ben takes us on a deep dive into the theory, practice, and scholarship of coitus reservatus as a Tantric religious practice. Ben compares these practices within various Buddhist lineages, as well as exploring the similarities and differences between Shaiva Tantra, Western Occultism, and modern Neo-Tantric approaches. Ben also discusses the various applications of...
May 14, 2021•3 hr 21 min
In this episode I host part 5 of an ongoing trialogue between Shinzen Young, meditation teacher and neuroscience research consultant, Chelsey Fasano, a Columbia University neuroscience student, and Dr Jay Sanguinetti, Assistant Director for the Center for Consciousness Studies and Research Assistant Professor at the University of New Mexico. In this episode we discuss topics such as is there an enlightenment button and is it enough, extracting the essence of religious approaches, multi-dimension...
May 07, 2021•1 hr 14 min
In this episode I am joined by Amalia Rubin - internationally known singer, Buddhist practitioner, 8 language polyglot, and scholar currently conducing her PhD research on ‘Gesar as an ongoing mode of reality in the lives of modern Tibetan youths in Eastern Tibet’ at the University of Leeds. In this interview, Amalia reveals her unusual upbringing and subsequent life of adventure, intensive language immersion, life and work throughout Asia, and encounters with high Lamas including an ongoing fri...
Apr 30, 2021•1 hr 25 min
In this episode I am joined by Alejandro Chaoul PhD, author, meditation teacher, Huffington Foundation Endowed Director of the Mind Body Spirit Institute at the Jung Center of Houston. Alejandro is an expert in tsa lung trulkhor, also known as Tibetan Yoga, and in this episode we discover the practices and encounters that kindled Alejandro’s fascination with this subject. We learn about Alejandro’s travels through India and encounters with gurus such as UG Krishnamurti, Namkhai Norbu, and the ex...
Apr 23, 2021•1 hr 15 min
In this episode I am joined by Anna Lutkajtis author of ‘Dark Side of the Dharma: Meditation, Madness, and Other Maladies on the Contemplative Path’. Anna is a postgraduate researcher at the University of Sydney who’s research focuses on mysticism, the dark night of the soul, and the healing potential of altered states of consciousness. We learn how Anna’s own existential crisis saw her embark on a spiritual quest, including deep exploration of meditation and yoga, and close contact with pragmat...
Apr 16, 2021•1 hr 16 min
In this episode I am joined by Andrew Holecek, author, spiritual teacher, and expert on lucid dreaming and the Tibetan yogas of dream and sleep. In this interview, Andrew reveals his childhood fascination with the occult, including seances, Ouija boards, and channellers such as Edgar Cayce and Jane Roberts. We learn how a series of powerful spiritual openings set Andrew on a quest into the world’s mystical traditions, eventually to find a home in the practices of Tibetan Buddhism. Andrew discuss...
Apr 09, 2021•1 hr 23 min
In June 2020 I was interviewed for the second time by Dan Doty of DanDoty.com. Topics include: 0:00 - Living on a boat 2:59 - ‘Is Steve living the dream?’ 05:51 - Steve’s premonition 08:04 - A strange dream 12:00 - Unravelling and thinning out 15:12 -Steve’s practice approach 19:00 - Service and attention 22:38 - Being in shape 25:08 - Braindump on how to get a daily practice 31:51 - Confidence and tasting the result 36:43 - Different types of meditation 43:48 - Men, helping, and society Dan is ...
Apr 06, 2021•58 min
In this episode I host a dialogue between Dr Ian Wickramasekera, Bön Buddhist practitioner and associate professor of Mindfulness Based Transpersonal Counselling at Naropa University, and Petra Tauchner, a student at the University of Vienna with a degree in microbiology and genetics, whose current batchelor’s thesis in psychology is based on Dr Ian’s ‘Empathic Involvement Theory’ of hypnosis. In the first part of this interview, Dr Ian gives an overview of the history of the mysteries and theor...
Apr 02, 2021•2 hr 32 min
In this episode I am joined by Har-Prakash Khalsa, artist, meditation teacher, and founder of the Expand Contract Youtube Channel, which hosts the video teachings of Shinzen Young. Har-Prakash discusses his early life, including ten years of heavy drug use, near death experiences in the Andes and India, and a life changing encounter with Yogi Bhajan’s Kundalini Yoga. We learn of Har-Prakash’s research into Yogi Bhajan’s questionable historical claims, and how Har-Prakash reconciled his own pract...
Mar 26, 2021•2 hr 16 min
