Hidden Gems (Copy) — Guru Viking

Ep49: Heart Of A Nomad - Dr Nida Chenagtsang

In this episode we explore the life story of Dr Nida Chenagtsang, master of Tibetan Medicine and lineage holder of the spiritual teachings of the Yuthok Nyingthig.

We learn about Dr Nida’s childhood as a nomad on the high grasslands of Tibet and the lessons he learned immersed in nature. We follow him to Lhasa, where he trained as a doctor of Tibetan medicine, and engaged in private spiritual training in lineages such as the Longchen Nyingthig, Dudjom Tersar, Yuthok Nyingthig and more.

Ep117: A Life In Yoga - Angela Farmer

I am joined by internationally renowned yoga teacher Angela Farmer. Angela recounts the story of her life in yoga, from her birth in 1939 pre-war England, to her studies under yoga guru BKS Iyengar, to her international teaching career spanning over 50 years.

Angela reveals how after a decade of rigorous training under Iyengar, she broke away from strict asana practice to find her own path of listening to the body. Despite the resultant blacklisting by the yoga community, Angela uncovered a radically different way of practicing yoga.

Ep16: English Dzogchen Masters - Ngakpa Chögyam & Khandro Déchen

In this video documentary, we gain an intimate glimpse into the lives of Ngakpa Chögyam and Khandro Déchen as they open their home, shrine room, and writing spaces.

Ngakpa Chögyam reveals the art and practice of clothing and we learn why the Fender Telecaster is a doorway to compassion. The Lamas talk candidly about the skepticism of their authenticity, we hear stories about Mahasiddhas and Crazy Wisdom masters.

Ep46: Spirit And Song - Nicki Wells

I am joined by Nicki Wells, internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter and composer. We learn about Nicki’s Himalayan upbringing in Dharmsala, India as part of the Sahaja Yoga group, a tradition of awakening that exposed Nicki to profound states of meditation as well as Indian classical music.

We go into depth about the Sahaja Yoga system, including its approach to kundalini energy, darshan, and spiritual evolution, as well as Nicki’s own spiritual epiphanies.

Ep12: Meeting A Wandering Ascetic - Bhante Jason

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.

I travel out to his rain season retreat cave in the Blue Mountains, Australia to meet this unusual and charismatic wanderer.

Ep1: Meditation Part 1 - Lorin Roche PhD

In this interview I had the pleasure of talking with my good friend Lorin Roche. Lorin is an author, a translator, and has been teaching meditation since 1968.

In our discussion we cover the multi-dimensional meanings of Sanskrit, Lorin’s early years as a renegade meditation teacher in the 60s, the possibilities and dangers of meditation, the oppressed spiritual genius of women, and why each individual has a unique, personal doorway to the meditative state.

Ep120: Meditation Virtuoso – Delson Armstrong

Delson recalls his early life training in the Himalayas where he mastered the system of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, attaining to all of its highest states of Samadhi; attained all 6 levels of Kriya Yoga under three separate lineages; studied Sanskrit; and was exposed to practices of Shaiva Tantra through students of Osho.

Delson shares his subsequent explorations of Buddhism, including Mahamudra, Dzogchen, and the TWIM practice of Bhante Vimalaramsi. Delson recounts his experiences accomplishing the 8 jhanas, attaining the 4 levels of Buddhist awakening, and realising Rigpa.

Ep87: Tibetan Mantra Healing - Drukmo Gyal Dakini

In this episode I am joined by Drukmo Gyal Dakini (འབྲུག་མོ་རྒྱལ), 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.

Ep124: Art of Awakening – Rupert Spira

I am joined by Rupert Spira: a teacher of the direct path method of Advaita, and an internationally acclaimed ceramic artist. Rupert discusses his childhood in British boarding school, his disenchantment with science, & his discovery of spirituality.

Rupert recounts his intensive apprenticeship with the Zen Master-like British studio potter Michaela Cardew, and shares the essence of his artistic process as it expresses both in ceramics and in his work as a teacher of nonduality.

Ep126: Zen Confidential – Jack Haubner

In this interview I am joined by Jack Haubner, prize winning author of the memoirs Zen Confidential: Confessions of a Wayward Monk; and Single White Monk: Tales of Death, Failure, and Bad Sex

Jack shares his early spiritual openings, his strict Catholic upbringing, subsequent break from Christianity, and discovery of Buddhism.

Jack went on to become the head monk of Sasaki’s monastery, a role which he occupied during the widely publicised sexual misconduct allegations made against the aged abbot, who was then in his hundreds.

Ep121: Leaving Monasticism – Thupten Phuntsok

In this interview I am joined by Thupten Phuntsok, Buddhist teacher who, after 21 years as a monk in the Gelugpa order, disrobed to live the life of a lay person in New York City.

Phuntsok describes his childhood in Haiti, and the awakening of his desire to become Christ-like and dedicate his life to spiritual contemplation. Phuntsok shares his subsequent explorations in Western Esotericism, Indian yoga, and Tibetan Buddhism including studies under Rato Rinpoche and Geshe Lobsang Tharchin.

Ep22: Jhana Master - Tina Rasmussen Ph.D

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.

We hear about Tina’s training & authorisation under the notoriously rigorous Pa Auk Sayadaw, culminating in mastery of all 8 jhanas, with all ten kasinas, and more.

We also discuss issues such as integration of awakening in professional life, romantic relationship after enlightenment, and sexual scandal among meditation teachers.