Guru Viking Podcast

In this episode I am joined by Brandon Lee, philosopher, martial artist, and host of the Magus in the Media Youtube channel.

Brandon presents his view of art as magick, laments the loss of the sacred in modern entertainment, and reveals what he believes to be an esoteric thread of sacred tradition that connects the epics of Homer to Frank Herbert’s Dune.

Brandon explains why he considers Dune to be a sacred text, shares his belief that a spiritual feminine mystery underpins the Homeric tradition, and proposes an alchemical reading of Frank Herbert’s novels.

Brandon also expresses his frustration with how comic book characters have been depicted in Hollywood movies, wrestles with the implications of changes in propaganda and messaging, and reflects on his own nostalgia for the popular entertainment of his childhood.

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Also available on Youtube , iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.

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Topics include:

00:00 - Intro
00:58 - Farming childhood in the Midwest
03:16 - Early book and TV influences
04:57 - Horror at Hollywood’s treatment of beloved comic book characters
06:38 - Critique of the Marvel Cinematic Universe
12:19 - Fictional characters as archetypes
12:55 - Characters are discovered, not created
15:20 - Bad art or wrong propaganda?
21:20 - Changing the story
24:14 - Source material and Game of Thrones
25:32 - Art as magick
28:39 - We have lost the magick
32:38 - Black magick storytelling
46:02 - Is Brandon just nostalgic for his childhood indoctrination?
49:43 - Culture is not your friend
52:49 - Should Brandon grow out of comic books
56:07 - Why insist on artistic standards in popular culture?
57:48 - Homer as a mystery school tradition
01:01:47 - The Golden Path of Dune
01:05:55 - Today’s creators shirk their duty as initiators into the sacred
01:07:06 - Linking Homer and Dune as belonging to the same sacred lineage
01:14:51 - The Divine Marriage of the masculine and feminine
01:18:53 - Why Dune can be seen as a sacred text
01:22:10 - Relating to fictional characters in magickal practice and ritual
01:27:32 - Avatar the Last Airbender
01:31:59 - Magus in the Media

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Find out more about Brandon Lee:
- https://www.youtube.com/@MagusintheMedia

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For more interviews, videos, and more visit:
- https://www.guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

If you value the podcast and would like to support its continued production, you can do so here: https://ko-fi.com/guruviking.

In this episode I am joined by Dr Johannes Niederhauser, philosopher and Founder of Halkyon Philosophy Academy.

Dr Niederhauser recalls his childhood pursuit of a classical education, early interest in ancient languages, and training as a philosopher at Kings College London and the University of Warwick.

Dr Niederhauser considers the problems with religious conversion, reflects on the differences between heritage religious and convert religious attitudes, and considers whether meaning can be actively chosen.

Dr Niederhauser also critiques Traditionalist writers Julius Evola (1898–1974) and René Guénon (1886–1951), comments on philosopher of history Oswald Spengler (1880-1936), and challenges popular misunderstandings about critical thinking.

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Also available on Youtube , iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.

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Topics include:

00:00 - Intro
00:49 - Childhood and classical education
04:34 - Folk Catholicism
05:15 - Johannes’ father
07:19 - Living in Jordan and Syria
12:08 - Fundamentalism seeks supremacy over history
14:59 - Johannes’ character as a boy
18:21 - Learning ancient languages to gain access to secret knowledge
21:17 - Laissez-faire parenting style
23:52 - Gap year in Canada
26:38 - Undergraduate study in philosophy, politics, and economics
29:00 - Masters degree at Kings College London
29:41 - PhD at Warwick, the UK centre for continental philosophy
34:21 - Did Johannes’ world view change?
35:29 - Steppenwolf
38:14 - Plato’s Cave and Edward Bernays
42:25 - Civil liberties as a simulation of freedom
44:08 - This is not critical thinking
46:09 - Is religious conversion to Buddhism possible?
47:19 - “Friends of the European spirit”
52:17 - Johannes on Julius Evola
53:15 - Problems with conversion to Catholicism
55:21 - Approaching Buddhism with humility
56:21 - The metaphysical supermarket
57:21 - Goethe’s transformative appropriation
58:26 - After the death of Christianity
01:00:18 - You cannot choose what is meaningful
01:02:52 - Nolan’s Odyssey
01:05:03 - In praise of alienation
01:05:55 -A contemplative reading exercise for Plato’s Cave
01:07:54 - Different types of conversion
01:09:24 - Contrived meaning-making
01:09:57 - Spengler and embracing the metaphysical supermarket
01:14:59 - Critique of Spengler
10:18:17 - The human spirit needs resistance
01:20:17 - The prescription
01:21:47 - Hegel’s freedom of spirit
01:23:18 - Spengler universalises his own position
01:23:42 - Collingwood and Guénon
01:24:34 - Two options for the world
01:25:59 - Darwinism and the selfish gene
01:28:04 - Contemplating Dōgen
01:30:07 - Mindfulness is slave morality
01:30:55 - Keep calm and carry on
01:33:46 - Faust is everything
01:36:46 - How to practice

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Find out more about Dr. Johannes Niederhauser:
- https://www.youtube.com/c/ClassicalPhilosophy
- https://halkyonacademy.com/

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For more interviews, videos, and more visit:
- https://www.guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

If you value the podcast and would like to support its continued production, you can do so here: https://ko-fi.com/guruviking.

In this episode I am once joined by Christiana Polites for a bonus episode to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of her independent publishing house, Sky Press Publications.

Christiana recounts the origin of Sky Press Publications, her ongoing collaboration with Dr Nida Chengatsang, and reveals why their venture has never had a coherent business plan.

Christiana takes us through the entire catalogue with anecdotes and reflections about the publishing and reception of books such as “Karmamudra: The Yoga of Bliss” and “Foundations of Vajrayana Buddhism: A Guide to Yuthok's Healing Path”.

Christiana also gives her advice for assembling and leading creative teams and reflects on the future of religious publishing.

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Also available on Youtube , iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.

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Topics include:

00:00 - Intro
00:51 - A love of books
03:40 - Founding Sky Press Books with Nida Chenagtsang
07:36 - No business plan
10:16 - Print on demand strategy
12:26 - Dual mission of Sky Press Books
14:53 - Moral aim of the karmamudra book
17:25 - Showing Karmamudra: The Yoga of Bliss
18:14 - Medical perspective gives context to Buddhist teaching
20:32 - Religion and culture
22:22 - Criticism of the karmamudra book
24:00 - “Mirror of Light” book tour anecdotes
25:41 - Weapon of Light: Introduction to Ati Yoga Meditation
26:28 - Nejang: Tibetan Self-Healing Yoga
30:19 - Surprisingly powerful practice
31:40 - Nejang vs tsa lung trulkhor movements
33:50 - Foundations of Sowa Rigpa: A Guide to the Root Tantra of Tibetan Medicine 
36:18 - Working with Dr Ben Joffe
39:03 - Reflections on building a team
42:38 - Systems that support the vision
44:18 - Supporters and benefactors
47:17 - How does Sky Press fit into the dharma publishing scene?
49:30 - Let Meditation Be Thy Medicine: The Timeless Healing Wisdom of Tibet
50:50 - Foundations of Vajrayana Buddhism: A Guide to Yuthok's Healing Path
52:44 - Translations into foreign languages
53:48 - Using books for home retreat
55:30 - A Guide to Kunye and the External Therapies of Sowa Rigpa
56:40 - The Flight of the Garuda
58:02 - The Sowa Rigpa Journal, including Steve’s article
59:16 - Thoughts about book collecting
01:00:30 - Advice for those who wish to self publish
01:01:40 - The next decade of Sky Press Publications
01:04:47 - Audiobooks, music, and the arts
01:05:34 - Preserving Tibetan teachings

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Previous episodes with Christiana Polites:
- https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=polites

Find out more about Christiana Polites:
- https://skypresspublications.com/
- https://www.yangchenma.org/christiana
- https://purelandfarms.com/teachers

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For more interviews, videos, and more visit:
- https://www.guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

If you value the podcast and would like to support its continued production, you can do so here: https://ko-fi.com/guruviking.

In this episode I am joined by Christiana Polites, practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism, long time collaborator of Tibetan spiritual teacher Nida Chenagtsang, and founder of Sky Press Books, Pure Land Farms, the Sowa Rigpa Institute, and more.

Christiana recalls her privileged upbringing in Manhattan, New York; her education in comparative religions at Harvard University; and her deep involvement in the 90s New York yoga scene.

Christiana talks about her discipleship under and collaborations with Nida Chenagtsang, reflects on the tantric guru-disciple relationship, and considers the trend of asking one’s guru for advice about life choices.

Christiana shares her own journey to personal empowerment and self-direction, why working closely with a guru requires adaptability, and gives a potted history of the many religious and cultural organisations she has founded.

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Also available on Youtube , iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.

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Topics include:

00:00 - Intro
02:42 - Upbringing in Manhattan
05:54 - Beginnings of spiritual questioning
06:50 - History of religions class
09:08 - New York yoga in the 90s
10:55 - Spiritual side of yoga in the 90s
13:00 - Body bliss
16:37 - Quitting yoga overnight
22:05 - Studying comparative religions at Harvard
25:55 - Influential professors and deciding against academia
28:43 - Areas of study
30:18 - Life-changing 3 months in Bodhgaya
32:46 - A survey of the 3 yanas
35:02 - Connecting with Tibetan Buddhism
37:52 - Gradual vs sudden awakening
39:42 - Constitutional type vs karma
41:03 - Pros and cons of kapha/bad kan constitution
42:38 - Character change vs peak experiences
44:49 - Fruits of the path
45:47 - Adaptability and working with Dr Nida
47:52 - Dr Nida’s spontaneous creativity
49:28 - Life after Harvard, further study of Tibetan Buddhism, and Chinese medicine studies
52:14 - Gurus in Colorado
53:22 - Decision not to study @ Naropa
53:42 - When did Christiana become a Buddhist?
55:25 - Plant medicines and meeting Dr Nida
01:01:26 - Taoist medicine studies in China
01:05:33 - Asking Dr Nida for advice and founding Yanchenma Healing Arts
01:10:47 - Culture of asking the guru for life advice
01:13:37 - Becoming personally empowered and the burden of logistics
01:20:40 - Healthy separation
01:22:48 - Having a dharma centre
01:24:13 - Reflections on the guru-disciple relationship with Dr Nida
01:30:43 - What motivates Christiana’s practice?
01:34:48 - Basic teachings vs advanced practices
01:40:03 - Founding Sky Press Publications
01:48:02 - Founding the Sowa Rigpa Institute
01:50:17 - Founding Yangchenma Arts and Music with Simone Giuliani
01:52:51 - An auspicious year
01:54:55 - An unusual sangha

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Find out more about Christiana Polites:
- https://skypresspublications.com/
- https://www.yangchenma.org/christiana
- https://purelandfarms.com/teachers

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For more interviews, videos, and more visit:
- https://www.guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

If you value the podcast and would like to support its continued production, you can do so here: https://ko-fi.com/guruviking.

In this episode I am once again joined by Samuel Bercholz, a senior teacher in the Nyingma and Kagyu lineages of Tibetan Buddhism, founder of Shambala publications, and author of “Rude Awakenings:An Unconventional Guide to the Buddhist Path”.

Sam reflects on the controversial behaviour of his guru, Tibetan Buddhist teacher Chogyam Trungpa; explores the uneasy relationship between enlightenment and morality; and reports Thinley Norbu Rinpoche’s enthusiasm for cleaning and toilet hygiene.

Sam explains why he believes that the ground of meditation is hopelessness, shares his own past skepticism about Buddhist doctrines of awakening, and discusses the pros and cons of publicising one’s spiritual attainments.

Sam also recounts times when his gurus demonstrated omniscience and other siddhi powers, muses about a special sense of humour that comes with spiritual realisation, and reveals the centrality of working with spirits and other beings in Indo-Tibetan Tantra.

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Also available on Youtube , iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.

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Topics include:

00:00 - Intro
01:11 - High octane gurus
02:33 - Guru trends, edgy vs nice
04:07 - Dzogchen madness
05:45 - Things happen
07:43 - How lies become truth
10:04 - Claiming enlightenment
13:41 - Why meditate?
18:29 - Meditation and hopelessness
20:20 - Skepticism about the path
24:08 - Realising hopelessness
25:23 - From depression to liberation
26:18 - The middle way
29:09 - No problem amidst problems
32:29 - No more working hard
35:27 - Guru relationship vs personal practice
38:09 - Chod practice
39:46 - Ngondro, the preliminary practices
40:45 - Is more practice better?
44:13 - The mind of the 16th Karmapa
45:02 - Enlightened humour
47:46 - The cosmic joke
49:32 - Concepts about enlightenment
51:56 - Thiney Norbu Rinpoche’s fanaticism about cleaning and toilet practice
53:38 - Enlightenment vs moral development
55:20 - The ālaya, all-ground
55:59 - Wrathful and peaceful deities
59:04 - Spiritual bliss
01:00:32 - Esoteric and drop the scientific method
01:01:11 - Morality and gurus
01:03:30 - Vinaya is based on human error
01:05:00 - Vajrayana morality
01:06:06 - Why people hate Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche
01:09:02 - The Merwin incident
01:09:35 - Trungpa slept with his students
01:11:59 - Does Trungpa’s bad reputation bother Sam?
01:14:20 - Why Sam wrote Rude Awakenings
01:15:38 - Building an enlightened society
01:16:39 - Why Trungpa’s enlightened society crumbled
01:17:36 - Guided Tour of Hell
01:18:54 - Guru omniscience and psychic powers
01:23:06 - Thinley Norbu Rinpoche’s omniscience
01:25:53 - ESP and entity contact in Tantra
01:28:37 - Why Buddhist Tantra is failing
01:29:36 - Working with spirits
01:32:09 - Emphasising the Indo-Tibetan link
01:33:16 - Narpoa, Tilopa, and Padmasambhava

To purchase “Rude Awakenings: vist:
- https://www.shambhala.com/rude-awakenings.html

For more interviews, videos, and more visit:
- https://www.guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

If you value the podcast and would like to support its continued production, you can do so here: https://ko-fi.com/guruviking.