In this episode I am joined by Dr Julian Schott, Indologist & Tibetologist, trained at institutions such as the renowned Center for the Study of Manuscript Culture at the University of Hamburg. Julian recalls his early interest in philosophy and meditation, and recounts how he emerged from a period of self destruction and found meaning and purpose in academic studies. Julian describes how he fell in love with classical Indic and Tibetan languages, and details the rigorous academic atmosphere...
Apr 14, 2023•1 hr 19 min
In this episode I am joined by Justin Von Bujdoss, an American Buddhist teacher and chaplain. Justin recalls his upbringing in Soho, Manhattan as the son of a multi-generational family of painters, immersed in the New York art scene, attending a specialist high school, and engaging in study abroad programs across Europe and Asia. Justin recounts his childhood dreams of saints and spiritual masters, and his early fascination with Ancient Egypt and Western Occultism, which saw him transcribing mag...
Apr 07, 2023•1 hr 33 min
In this episode I am once again joined by Morgan O Smith, teacher of non-duality, and under the stage name ‘Mista Mo’, was a stand-up comedian and host of the Gemini award winning television show ‘Buzz’. In this episode Morgan reflects on his creative journey and its clash with his spiritual awakenings. Morgan recounts his childhood creative impulses and traces his career from his first time on stage to national success. Morgan contemplates the pros and cons of fame and reveals the inner working...
Mar 31, 2023•2 hr 31 min
In this episode I am once again joined by Dr Yannis Toussulis, Sufi lineage holder, psychotherapist, and author of ‘Sufism: The Way of Blame’. Dr Toussulis takes a deep dive into the practice and history of Sufism, including its historical interactions with Buddhism, Vedantism, Zoroastrianism, and posits a neoplatonic and Hellenic substructure underpinning Sufi mysticism. Dr Toussulis outlines the 4 phases of Sufism as a living practice, details its 7 stages of wisdom, and explains the role of b...
Mar 24, 2023•1 hr 33 min
In this episode I am once again joined by Dr Evan Thompson: Professor of Philosophy at the University of British Columbia, an Associate Member of the Department of Asian Studies and the Department of Psychology, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. Dr Thompson discusses his 2014 book ‘Waking, Dreaming, Being’ and takes a deep dive into the self from the point of view of the world’s contemplative traditions as well as neuroscience and philosophy of mind. Dr Thompson shares his life-long f...
Mar 17, 2023•1 hr 15 min
In this episode I am once again joined by Tara Springett, a Buddhist psychotherapist who specialises in treating Kundalini Syndrome. Tara takes a deep dive into the supernatural and reveals why it is so common for those undergoing a kundalini awakening to have paranormal experiences. Tara lists the paranormal abilities and siddhi powers that are available, explains in detail about how to develop them, and sheds light on topics such as remote influence, exorcisms, and astral sex. Tara also offers...
Mar 10, 2023•1 hr 9 min
In this interview I am once again joined by Martin Faulks: author, hermeticist, meditation adept, and memory expert. Martin takes us through a journey of the remarkable people he has encountered in his life as an occultist and meditation practitioner. Including his close inner circle of adepts, a famous American Ninja, Bohemian occult masters, Freemason private detectives, nature mystics, and more. Martin also discusses his own career as a teacher, how he deals with online haters and stalkers, a...
Mar 03, 2023•2 hr 23 min
In this episode I am joined by Naomi Levine, author, under her birth name Norma Levine, of multiple books including ‘The Miraculous 16th Karmapa’, ‘A Quest For The Hidden Lands’, and ‘Chronicles of Love and Death: My Years With The Lost Spiritual King of Bhutan’. Naomi recalls why she dropped out of academia to pursue an alternative lifestyle, and through a series of life-changing encounters with Tibetan gurus such as Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, 16th Karmapa, and Tai Situpa, converted to Buddhism a...
Feb 24, 2023•1 hr 18 min
In this episode I am once again joined by Dean Sluyter: meditation teacher and best-selling author of several books including ‘Cinema Nirvana: Enlightenment Lessons from the Movies’. Dean explores the distinction between the art and craft of meditation, what it means to rest in effortlessness, and critiques much meditation practice is egoic aggrandisement and fetishisation. Dean discusses the edifying effect of finding religious themes in literature and cinema, and discusses the approach he take...
Feb 17, 2023•1 hr 10 min
In this episode I am once again joined by Bruce Frantzis, world renowned Taoist master and author of books such as ‘Opening the Energy Gates of your Body’ and ‘Taoist Sexual Meditation’. Bruce recounts his training as a Taoist priest in an ancient secret society, including psychic training, sexual training, spiritual training, and more. Bruce discusses his training in Taoist exorcism, recalls the first exorcism he witnessed, and tells stories about exorcising trapped spirits in concentration cam...
Feb 10, 2023•2 hr 3 min
In this episode I am once again joined by Dr K.A Shakoor: spiritual life coach, doctor of traditional Chinese medicine, and author of several books such as ‘Ghetto Sutras’ and ‘Maahaah Yoga’. Dr Shakoor discusses his own meditation practice, including periods of extreme mantra recitation, and recounts his struggles to reconcile the Bodhisattva ideal with corporate culture and for-profit medicine. Dr Shakoor shares his experiences teaching energy and meditation techniques to the mentally ill, and...
Feb 03, 2023•1 hr 10 min
In this episode I am joined by Camille Maurine, meditation mentor, dancer, and author of ‘Meditation Secrets For Women’ written with her husband Dr Lorin Roche. Camille describes her turbulent upbringing and how her discovery of practices of mediation and embodiment saw her embark on over 50 years of adventure and exploration. Camille recalls her performance career in dance and theatre, how she used movement to learn to feel her emotions, and the practices she uses to process strong feeling. Cam...
Jan 27, 2023•1 hr 28 min
In this episode I am once again joined by Lorin Roche PhD, meditation teacher and author of ‘The Radiance Sutras’. Lorin describes meditation as an affair with life force itself, explores the role of sleep and rest, and explains the discipline of following the cosmic impulse in one’s practice. In the context of this meditative view and drawing from his experience of 40 years of marriage, Loren reflects on intimate relationship, including his own journey in understanding intimacy, meditation keys...
Jan 20, 2023•1 hr 28 min
In this episode I host a dialogue between doctor of Tibetan Medicine and Buddhist spiritual teacher Dr Nida Chenagtsang and Dr Ian A. Baker, author, scholar, and initiate of Buddhist, Taoist, and Hindu Tantric lineages. Drs Nida and Ian explore the theme of Vajrayana in the 21st century, including issues such as tradition and innovation, mass empowerments vs 1-1 discipleship, and what is essential for successful practice. Drs Nida and Ian discuss common mistakes in practicing the 6 Yogas of Naro...
Jan 13, 2023•1 hr 41 min
In this interview I am joined by Dr Caroline Van Damme, an adult psychiatrist and family and systemic psychotherapist specialising in chronic psychotic disorders, and co-teacher of Buddhist guru and Sowa Rigpa doctor Nida Chenagtsang. Dr Caroline draws on her extensive clinical experience as a psychiatrist, as well as her personal meditation practice, to explore the adverse effects of meditation, including psychosis, depersonalisation/derealisation, and spiritual bypass. Dr Caroline considers th...
Jan 06, 2023•1 hr 33 min
In this interview I am joined by Adam Mizner, internationally renowned tai chi practitioner and meditation teacher. Adam recounts how a troubled childhood saw him begin martial arts and meditation training, and he reflects on his childhood psychic visionary experiences. Adam discusses the nature of internal cultivation, the role of standing practice, and provides a detailed analysis of the remarkable abilities and attainments of his teacher, the Thai Buddhist Arahant, Luang Por Jamnian. Adam als...
Dec 30, 2022•2 hr 8 min
In this interview I am once again joined by Dr Thomas Clough Daffern philosopher, educator, peace activist, and peace officer for the Council of British Druid Orders. In this episode, Thomas shares his lifetime of research into the druid tradition of the British Isles and Europe, including his historical research and personal contact with druids today. Thomas reveals why most modern day druid groups are reconstructionists, and probes the possibility of a living druid lineage in certain areas of ...
Dec 23, 2022•1 hr 13 min
In this interview I am once again joined by Jack Haubner, ex-Zen Monk and prize winning author of the memoirs Zen Confidential: Confessions of a Wayward Monk; and Single White Monk: Tales of Death, Failure, and Bad Sex. In this interview Jack reveals the interaction between his creative process and his Zen journey, from his screenwriting days in Hollywood, to journalling as a Zen monk, to penning his award winning spiritual memoirs. Jack also considers the role of self-disclosure and comedy in h...
Dec 16, 2022•1 hr 22 min
In this episode I am joined by Dr Yannis Toussulis, Sufi lineage holder, psychotherapist, and author of ‘Sufism and the Way of Blame’. Dr Toussulis recounts his upbringing in Manhattan, New York and how a childhood vision of Jesus Chris changed his life forever. Dr Toussulis recalls several profound mystical experiences and traces his life of travel and study with gurus and sheiks, including his time at the Esalen Institute, close studies with Tibetan Lama Khenchen Palden Sherab, experiments in ...
Dec 09, 2022•1 hr 31 min
In this episode I host a dialogue between Dr Ian Wickramasekera, Bön Buddhist practitioner and professor at Naropa University, and Julia Shannon, trainee clinical psychotherapist and researcher. In the first part of this interview, Dr Ian discusses his current thinking on what the traditions of Dzogchen and Western hypnosis can learn from each other, challenges Herbert Benson’s relaxation response theory of meditation, and questions dualistic frameworks in science and experimental psychology. Th...
Dec 02, 2022•2 hr 34 min
In this interview I am once again joined by Amoda Maa, spiritual teacher and author of books such as ‘Embodied Enlightenment’ and ‘Falling Open in a World Falling Apart’. Amoda Maa shares her experience of falling into the abyss of emptines and the consequences that followed. She describes the dark night of the soul that preceded this experience, and how its aftermath healed her childhood abandonment trauma. Amoda Maa also talks about the life of a spiritual teacher, how she went from living an ...
Nov 25, 2022•1 hr 36 min
In this episode I am joined by Morgan O Smith, teacher of non-duality, and under the stage name ‘Mista Mo’, was a stand-up comedian and host of the Gemini award winning television show ‘Buzz’. Morgan recalls his painful childhood of trauma growing up in what he describes as a Christian cult, and discusses how the damaging consequences of that environment affected him into adulthood. Morgan recounts how, even at the height of his professional success in television and comedy, he felt spiritually ...
Nov 18, 2022•1 hr 48 min
I was recently interviewed by Artem Zen for his 'Elevating Consciousness' podcast. Video version: www.guruviking.com/podcast/steve-james-interviewed-on-the-elevating-conciousness-podcast [Artem's Show notes] 0:00 - Introduction 1:00 - Steve speaks about his early experiences with martial arts, meditation, and contemplation 5:55 - The downside of organized religion 8:45 - Steve’s interest in both western and eastern religious traditions 13:47 - The benefit and challenge of extreme outdoor surviva...
Nov 13, 2022•1 hr 51 min
In this episode I am joined by Adele Tomlin, Buddhist practitioner, writer, poet, independent scholar-translator of Tibetan Buddhist texts, and founder of the Dakini Translations website. Adele recalls her upbringing in England, training as a barrister, and work as a strategist in the city of London, before a chance meeting with the 17th Karmapa changed her life forever. Adele traces her beginnings in becoming a Buddhist, her studies of the Tibetan language in Nepal, and thriving in the academic...
Nov 11, 2022•1 hr 25 min
I was recently interviewed by Andres Valdivieso for his 'Innercraft' podcast. Topics include: 0:00 – Episode Intro 2:10 – The Guru Viking Podcast: origins and vision going forward 4:45 – Steve’s learnings from conducting The Guru Viking Podcast 13:30 – Steve’s current main priorities, activities and hobbies 24:51 – The intersection of music and meditation 37:00 – Steve’s background and how he got started in contemplative practices 51:50 – Steve’s goals and intentions regarding meditation/spiritu...
Nov 06, 2022•1 hr 59 min
Damo Mitchell is an author, teacher, and student of the internal arts of Asia including Tai Chi and Daoist Inner Alchemy. Damo recounts his childhood of fear, inadequacy, and martial arts. And recalls how his rage, born from childhood trauma, was healed by the direct energetic intervention of a Daoist master. Damo shares his adventures throughout Asia, seeking authentic teachings of inner spiritual alchemy and internal martial arts, baiting teachers into fights to test their skills, and eventual...
Nov 04, 2022•1 hr 41 min
In this episode I am once again joined by Tulku Yeshi Rinpoche, Dzogchen master, teacher of Tibetan Buddhism, and author of over 15 books. Tulku Yeshi Rinpoche recounts his gruelling journey fleeing Tibet across the Himalayas, his years in refugee camps and monasteries in Nepal and India, and his eventual arrival in the United States. Tulku Yeshi Rinpoche discusses his love of poetry, the cultural divide between Tibet and America, and why he still experiences nightmares about his time as a refug...
Oct 28, 2022•1 hr 24 min
In this episode I am once again joined by Tara Springett, a Buddhist psychotherapist who specialises in treating Kundalini Syndrome. Tara reveals how she works with her private clients, including how she assesses kundalini symptoms, her 5 step kundalini test, and emergency strategies for acute distress. Tara discusses the 3 part foundation for psychological and spiritual health, as well the essential role that relationship plays in the enlightenment process. Tara also shares her experience worki...
Oct 21, 2022•1 hr 16 min
In this episode I am joined by Bruce Frantzis, world renowned Taoist master and author of books such as ‘Opening the Energy Gates of your Body’ and ‘Taoist Sexual Meditation’. Bruce recalls his turbulent childhood living with a schizophrenic mother, witnessing murders in New York city, and early training in martial arts and meditation. Bruce recounts a lifetime of adventurous travel and powerful encounters with spiritual and energetic masters in Japan, China, and India. Bruce describes his induc...
Oct 14, 2022•2 hr 54 min
In this episode I am joined by Nadia Rafaat, yoga and meditation teacher, doula, and former journalist with a special interest in female empowerment and female spirituality. Nadia recounts her difficult childhood, early career in gymnastics, and multi-year rebellious phase of class A drug use in London. Nadia recalls how attending her first yoga class radically changed her life direction, and how bringing her spiritual practices of meditation and pranayama into her own pregnancy journeys unlocke...
Oct 07, 2022•1 hr 47 min
