Épisodes

  • Ep336: The Magick of Abramelin - Duncan Barford 3

    Ep336: The Magick of Abramelin - Duncan Barford 3
    Dec 5 2025
    In this episode I am once again joined by Duncan Barford, occult practitioner, counsellor, and author of “Occult Experiments in the Home”. Duncan begins with an analysis of the 2016 film, “A Dark Song”, which he believes is the most accurate depiction of occult practice in cinema. Duncan details the plot, breaks down its depictions of ritual, and shares his own emotional reaction to the film's climax. Duncan then shifts gear and gives a detailed explanation of the infamous Abramelin ritual, a multi-month ritual considered by many to be the most ambitious working a magician can attempt. Duncan gives a survey of the major written accounts of those who have attempted it including Aleister Crowley, Lionel Snell, and William Bloom; reveals why the ritual has such a high failure rate; and shares what he believes is the key to success. Duncan also analyses the esoteric structure of Coleridge’s poem “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” and interprets it as a description of the spiritual path, proposes an equivalency between success in the Abramelin and Buddhist stream entry, and reveals why he believes the study of history is an obstacle to magickal success. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep336-the-magick-of-abramelin-duncan-barford-3 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:28 - The Magick of A Dark Song 02:45 - The film 04:41 - The Abramelin Ritual 07:23 - Cinematic depictions of magick 08:04 - Spoiler warnings and the plot 08:24 - Hiring the magician 10:03 - Sophia’s motive for the ritual 11:36 - A deep understanding of how ritual works 14:40 - Describing the magickal working 17:04 - Meeting the Holy Guardian Angel 21:01 - The practitioner’s journey 25:58 - Characer arcs 30:03 - The key of devotion 33:02 - The esoteric structure of Coleridge’s “Rime of the Ancient Mariner” 33:34 - The cycle of insight 38:37 - Crisis, breakthrough, ordeal, union 43:38 - Unsettling themes 44:12 - Interventus Caninus 44:57 - What next after absolution? 45:33 - What is the point of the Abramelin Ritual? 46:46 - Reflecting on the ending of the film 49:39 - Crowley, Snell, Bloom, and Katz - those who attempted the Abramelin 49:54 - Mysterious history of the Abramelin Ritual 52:39 - Recensions of the Abramelin 53:56 - Duncan describes the Abramelin text and ritual 01:00:20 - Why does the Abramelin ritual have such a high failure rate? 01:02:12 - Meeting Lionel Snell 01:04:51 - A tarot reading and why history is an obstacle to real magick 01:06:53 - Daniel Ingram’s revision of traditional fire kasina meditation 01:11:00 - Crowley’s attempts at the Abramelin ritual 01:14:37 - Other accounts 01:16:40 - William Bloom’s attempt 01:20:45 - Secret to success with the Abramelin Ritual 01:24:13 - How to increase the success rate of rituals 01:29:18 - Are you ready to attempt the Abramelin? 01:31:52 - Stream entry and Abramelin 01:34:35 - Duncan reflects on his past claims to attainment 01:37:16 - Questioning pragmatic dharma assumptions and the vogue of stream entry 01:41:00 - Insider vs outsider views 01:42:13 - Does magick really work? 01:43:31 - A story of powerful magickal effects 
… Watch previous episodes with Duncan Barford: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=barford To find our more about Duncan Barford, visit: - https://www.duncanbarford.uk/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James
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    1 h et 48 min
  • Ep335: How-to Guide for Awakening & Beyond - Alex W 3

    Ep335: How-to Guide for Awakening & Beyond - Alex W 3
    Nov 28 2025
    In this episode I am once again joined by Alex W, long term practitioner of Zen, Pragmatic Dharma, and Western Occultism. Alex lays out his ideal curriculum of practices to achieve awakening including a full technique sequence, explanation of the signs of success at each stage, and the various post-awakening paths that are available. Alex details the energetic openings that occur after awakening and how to nurture them, contrasts Buddhist tummo to Daoist inner alchemy, and explains the process to open the psychic senses. Alex challenges the meditation retreat model of practice which he sees as putting economic concerns over student benefit, offers his opinion on the amount of time one should spend in daily meditation, and emphasises the importance of retaining one’s autonomy in the spiritual market place. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep335-how-to-guide-for-awakening-beyond-alex-w-3 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
 … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:05 - What is the ideal curriculum for awakening? 02:55 - Alex’s teaching experience 03:30 - Core skills for all traditions 04:42 - Never surrender your autonomy 06:32 - You must learn to sit 08:56 - The first meditation technique 12:32 - Recommended traditions and books 16:11 - First signs of success 19:45 - A major shift 23:39 - Should you pursue enlightenment? 24:51 - Soto vs Rinzai vs Dzogchen vs Mahāmudrā 37:50 - The goal of Dzogchen and Mahāmudrā 39:54 - How to embody realisation 45:35 - Moving from abdomen to heart space 47:04 - Saccidānanda 48:17 - Result of awakening the three energy centres 53:04 - Gurdjieff and self-remembering 55:35 - Using stress to strengthen the energy body 01:00:37 - Tummo and inner alchemy 01:05:55 - Warning about energy practice 01:08:19 - A summary of Alex’s recommended path 01:09:54 - How long does the path take? 01:13:24 - The Chinese view of inner alchemy 01:17:32 - Opening the psychic senses 01:22:55 - How much should one practice? 01:25:04 - The economic trap of meditation retreats 01:34:50 - Solo retreats and the limitations of lay life 01:41:21 - Economic logic vs practice effectiveness 01:46:53 - How to relate to strong experiences? 01:49:20 - St John of the Cross 01:56:04 - Deconstructing the Self 02:04:57 - Recognising what is already here 02:07:26 - Closing remarks … Previous episodes with Alex W: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=alex For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James
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    2 h et 9 min
  • Ep334: The Dakini’s Journey - Ngakma Yumma Mudra

    Ep334: The Dakini’s Journey - Ngakma Yumma Mudra
    Nov 21 2025
    In this episode I am once again joined by Myriam Szabo, also known as Ngakma Yumma Mudra: dancer, producer, model, teacher of Tibetan Buddhism, and founder of the international Danza Duende Network. Ngakma Yumma Mudra recounts the story of her life from a childhood of domestic abuse, intense discipleship under Russian dance teachers, and years of living on the streets. Ngakma Yumma Mudra recalls her relationships, her mystical and psychic experiences, and her breakthrough to international fame as the model in a provocative marketing campaign. Ngakma Yumma Mudra shares her conversion to Buddhism, how her devotion to Padmasambhava helped her confront her fear, and how a period of intensive retreat led her to rediscover dance as a spiritual practice. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep334-the-dakinis-journey-ngakma-yumma-mudra Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:55 - An unusual conception 04:56 - Beginning classical dance training at 2 years old 06:42 - Mother beaten every day 08:19 - Fleeing to Paris 10:21 - Dance as refuge 12:32 - Discipleship under two Russian dance gurus 19:58 - Studying music and classical guitar 20:35 - Living on the streets for 3 years 22:17 - An abusive relationship at 17 years old 24:20 - Karma and abuse 26:32 - LSD and a mystical awakening 30:16 - Living with artists and drug dealers 32:45 - Attacked by rival drug gang 33:41 - Psychic abilities 36:05 - Reading Chogyam Trungpa 38:01 - Travel to India to seek Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche 40:39 - Moving to Portugal 42:11 - Modelling career in Paris 46:06 - Devotion to Guru Padmasambhava and releasing fear 49:15 - Space and time 52:44 - Relationship with famous photographer Jean-François Jonvelle 55:25 - Orgies, dharma, and rise to fame 58:36 - Modelling for the famous advertisement, “Demain j'enlève le bas” 01:02:15 - Further Buddhist training and 1 year retreat 01:05:07 - Return to dance 01:07:58 - Discovering the feminine 01:09:08 - Dance as sādhanā 01:16:!6 - Performing without choreography 01:21:20 - Teaching and burning out 01:25:21 - Dharma art 01:29:16 - Relationship with Michel Raji 01:36:28 - Breathwork and healing the inner masculine 01:38:08 - Dharma dance study programme … Previous episode with Ngakma Yumma Mudra: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=yumma To find our more about Ngakma Yumma Mudra visit: - https://www.danzaduende.org/yumma-bio-en.htm For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James
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    1 h et 42 min
  • Ep333: Tibetan Healing Massage - Dr Nida Chenagtsang

    Ep333: Tibetan Healing Massage - Dr Nida Chenagtsang
    Nov 14 2025
    In this interview I am once again joined by Dr Nida Chenagtsang, Buddhist teacher, doctor of Tibetan Medicine, and author of “Tibetan Healing Massage”. Dr Nida reveals the Tibetan art of massage, details its unique characteristics, and shows its links to theories of typology and subtle energy. Dr Nida explains the Tibetan idea of “la” energy and how it is best guarded, details acupressure points and their proposed effects, and offers his perspective on rethinking health and spirituality. Dr Nida also gives a live demonstration of Tibetan external therapies including massage, cupping, hot compress therapy, stick therapy, and more. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep333-tibetan-healing-massage-dr-nida-chenagtsang Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:49 - About the book 02:35 - The role of external therapies in Sowa Rigpa 04:45 - Tibetan massage 07:17 - Unique characteristics of Tibetan massage 17:32 - “La” energy and the traditional Tibetan view of trauma 22:21 - How to learn Tibetan massage 23:40 - Typologies and trees 26:50 - Demonstration and explanation of Tibetan massage 34:38 - Acupressure points 36:07 - Horme method 38:57 - Tibetan cupping and stick therapies 42:33 - Benefits of Tibetan massage 44:37 - Powdered body rubbing 47:25 - What can be healed with Tibetan massage? 49:10 - Rethinking health management 50:18 - Overcoming a sedentary lifestyle … Previous episodes with Dr Nida Chenagtsang: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=nida To find out more about Dr Nida Chenagtsang, visit: - https://www.facebook.com/DoctorNida/ - http://www.skypressbooks.com/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James
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    54 min
  • Ep332: Oxford Librarian of Tibet - Charles Manson

    Ep332: Oxford Librarian of Tibet - Charles Manson
    Nov 7 2025
    In this episode I join Charles Manson in Oxford, England to visit the Bodleian Library (Oxford University) where he is the specialist librarian for its Tibetan Collections. Charles leads us through the streets of Oxford to visit the old Bodleian Library, founded in 1602. Then we arrive at the Weston Library to explore its collection of Tibetan manuscripts. Charles guides us through gold lettered texts about Lamdre and expiation, describes the process of textual revelation known as “terma”, and shares a warning based on his own experiences of dark retreat. Charles explains the Tibetan doctrines of the afterlife while showing a rare copy of the Tibetan Book of the Dead, muses on Coleridge’s advice for visiting a library, and reflects on why he believes converts to Tibetan Buddhism should attempt to learn the Tibetan language. Charles also details his working routine as a librarian and archivist, reflects on his own academic journey from SOAS to Harvard and Oxford, and considers the role his religious faith plays in his work with Tibetan texts. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep332-oxford-librarian-of-tibet-charles-manson Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
 … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:16 - The old Bodleian 03:25 - Entering the Weston Library 06:13 - Retrieving the texts 06:48 - The Driver collection 08:29 - Close look at a Lamdre text 12:33 - Features of a terma treasure text 13:14 - Mind vs earth termas 15:15 - How termas are composed 15:51 - Charles’ terma experience 16:54 - 4 ways of changing the mind 17:30 - Expanding a terma 18:02 - The Driver collection 19:00 - Dakini script and images 20:52 - Manuscript care 21:20 - Unwrapping a text, discovering a washing prayer 22:30 - More texts 24:50 - The Tibetan Book of the Dead 26:03 - Bardo doctrine of 49 days between lives 26:24 - Opportunities for liberation at and after death 27:43 - How to use the Tibetan Book of the Dead 28:39 - The process of rebirth 29:48 - Liberation upon hearing 30:18 - Phowa practice for the dead 33:16 - Dark retreat as preparation for death 34:11 - Dark retreat warnings 35:40 - Charles’ studies at SOAS, Harvard, and Oxford 38:45 - Beginning at the Bodleian Library 39:58 - Coleridge on libraries 41:15 - Work at the British Library 41:46 - Why Charles would like more time 43:06 - First days at the Bodleian Library 44:36 - Initial work on the collection 45:27 - The Library of Congress and other partnerships 50:59 - Range of acquisitions 52:46 - Tibetan medical writing 53:41 - Access and the goals of Charles’ library acquisitions 57:14 - What would Charles do with more funding 01:01:41 - Providing online access for the world 01:03:32 - Day in the life at the Bodleian Library 01:06:33 - Importance of specialist knowledge 01:09:19 - Charles’ religious devotion 01:13:45 - Separation of religion and scholarship 01:14:53 - Why converts should learn the Tibetan language 01:16:43 - Scholar practitioners and the importance of study 01:18:17 - Teaching the Tibetan language 01:19:02 - Curation as religious service 01:19:17 - Charles’ invitation to viewers … Previous episode with Charles Manson: - https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep243-scholar-practitioner-charles-manson To find our more about Charles Manson, visit: - https://www.shambhala.com/authors/the-second-karmapa-karma-pakshi.html - https://uk.linkedin.com/in/charles-manson-07420911 - charles.manson@bodleian.ox.ac.uk … 
For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James
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    1 h et 20 min
  • Ep331: Becoming the Oracle - Alana Fairchild

    Ep331: Becoming the Oracle - Alana Fairchild
    Oct 31 2025
    In this episode I am joined by Alana Fairchild, spiritual teacher, psychic, and author of the best-selling Kuan Ying Oracle Deck. Alana recalls her unusual childhood of Catholicism and folk spirituality, details her training as a psychic, and recounts her significant spiritual experiences. Alana shares her journey of academic excellence through law school, explains her career-change to become a working psychic, and reveals how she created the bestselling Kuan Yin Oracle Deck. Alana also reflects on the relationship between eros and spirituality, expresses her views on past lives, and describes her mysterious sense of connection to the Kālī Mā and the Indian tantric tradition. … https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep331-becoming-the-oracle-alana-fairchild Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 01:38 - Alana’s unusual childhood 03:22 - Early spiritual inclination 05:44 - Folk spirituality and an esteemed Catholic family 08:59 - Alana’s father 10:06 - Pros and cons of ancestor work 13:34 - 2 dimensions of freedom 16:52 - Alana’s beliefs about past lives 20:12 - Comparative religion and expanding the experience of God 23:24 - Eros and spirituality 34:45 - Sacred sexuality mistakes 28:36 - Imminence vs transcendence 30:35 - Changing relationship with Buddhism 33:47 - Spiritual experience while getting a tattoo 36:11 - Overcoming lifelong existential terror 40:17 - Sense of connection to Tibet 41:39 - Heart connection with Kuan Yin / Avalokiteśvara 44:45 - Connection to Kālī Mā at 6 years old 45:53 - Creating the bestselling Kuan Yin Oracle Deck 48:18 - Developing a Buddhist tarot deck 49:35 - Training as a lawyer 53:02 - Meeting a mentor and becoming a psychic 55:50 - Psychic training 59:58 - Changing modalities of Alana’s psychic work 01:02:35 - Attending Catholic mass as a clairvoyant 01:04:19 - How Alana receives psychic impressions 01:06:24 - Sequel … To find our more about Alana Fairchildvisit: - https://www.alanafairchild.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James
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    1 h et 7 min
  • Ep330: Questioning the Scientific Study of Tantra - Dr Tawni Tidwell, Dr Michael Sheehy, & Dr Julian Schott

    Ep330: Questioning the Scientific Study of Tantra - Dr Tawni Tidwell, Dr Michael Sheehy, & Dr Julian Schott
    Oct 24 2025
    This trialogue continues a series of discussions exploring the latest interdisciplinary research into tantric completion stage practices such as yogas of dream, sleep, and death. Dr Tawni Tidwell is a biocultural anthropologist and doctor of traditional Tibetan medicine. Dr Michael Sheehy is the Director of Research at the Contemplative Sciences Center in the Department of Religious Studies in the University of Virginia. Dr Julian Schott is an Indologist, Tibetologist, and assistant professor at the University of Vienna. In this episode, the panel explore the ethical and methodological challenges of the studying Buddhist tantra; consider the various agendas behind scientific research into meditation, gtummo, and dream yoga; and argue for the centring of human liberation alongside human wellness and profit motives. Dr Sheehy presents his working model for achieving contemplative fluency across a range of meditation styles, suggests that scientific study of meditation can be seen as a type of cultural translation, and considers the use of etic frameworks and methods to study religious and cultural forms. Dr Tidwell argues for the validity of subjective experience, Dr Schott points out the tensions within religious traditions, and the panel consider if neuroscience might one day teach Buddhism something new about itself. … Link in bio. Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 02:11 - Why study tantra with science? 04:01 - Complexity of tantra 05:10 - Skills and transformations 05:50 - Michael’s meditation model of “instances and styles“ 08:48 - Multi-modular styles and ngondro 11:17 - Contemplative fluency 13:58 - gTummo and overriding the autonomic nervous system 16:21 - 2 reasons why Vajrayāna is said to be the fast path 17:55 - Why is tantra so complex? 19:37 - Pushing to one’s limits is key to tantra 22:29 - 3 classic contemplative approaches in Buddhism 25:27 - Radical transformation and social transgression 27:56 - A tension within the tradition 29:03 - Changing practice along the path 31:04 - Sādhanā is not linear 34:25 - Critical challenges when studying tantra 35:41 - The importance of neurophenomenology 39:44 - Scientific vs traditional explanatory frameworks 43:28 - Relative and the absolute 46:08 - Transmitted blessings 48:07 - Trust in the traditions 50:33 - Moving beyond the traditions with science 52:38 - A second order, cultural translation 54:58 - Paradox of the paradigm 56:26 - Defending the etic perspective 58:06 - Multi-disciplinary teams 59:37 - The fundamental academic principle 01:01:58 - Pros and cons of the etic and emic 01:03:16- Will science improve the Buddhist tradition? 01:04:56 - Neuroplasticity and aging 01:06:50 - Reshaping Buddhism is imperative 01:09:26 - A cultural-religious looping effect 01:13:13 - Dream yoga training with VR 01:18:50 - Secular extraction approaches and making the traditions better 01:21:25 -MBSR and Healthy Minds 01:22:57 - Subjective experience is valid 1:25:16 - Human freedom beyond the social and political 01:31:59 - Admitting the religious aspect 01:34:07 - Prioritising human freedom 01:35:48 - A reflexive process 01:37:09 - Is scientific study for the good? 01:38:30 - Future episode plans Previous panel discussions: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=sheehy Previous episodes with Dr Julian Schott: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=schott To find our more about the panel, visit: - https://michaelrsheehy.com/ - https://centerhealthyminds.org/about/people/tawni-tidwell - https://stb.univie.ac.at/en/about-us/team/julian-schott/user/schottj85/inum/1083/backpid/198178/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James
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    1 h et 40 min
  • Ep329: The Western Path - Alan Chapman 2

    Ep329: The Western Path - Alan Chapman 2
    Oct 17 2025
    In this episode I am once again joined by Alan Chapman, British writer, occultist, and spiritual teacher. Alan reflects on his search for true awakening, compares the spiritual traditions of the West and the East, and questions the liberal ideal of the universal man. Alan presents Merlin as the archetype of the Western adept, asserts theosis to be the true purpose of Christianity, and reveals the language of the birds. Alan also offers advice for those who have had an awakening, discusses Gnosticism and Pragmatic Dharma, and critiques the idea that contemplative neuroscience is the Fourth Turning of Buddhism. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep329-the-western-path-alan-chapman-2 Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:46 - Is Alan a book guy? 03:30 - Alan’s books 07:07 - Current writing project 10:02 - Insights on Crowley 11:17 - What Alan enjoys reading 13:53 - Eastern vs Western traditions 19:25 - In search of true awakening 21:05 - Cultural and ethnic inheritance 21:57 - Western Buddhism and Sigalow’s “American JewBu” 27:04- The Christian revival and theosis 29:02 - Trauma for your own good 31:05 - Becoming a fit vessel 32:48 - The true Western tradition 36:50 - Western vs Eastern awakening 37:37 - Merlin 41:23 - Language of the birds 44:33 - Entering the miraculous 45:56 - How Alan first encountered the language of the birds 54:01 - Transmission and birds as messengers 56:23 - Spirituality beyond states and stages 59:32 - The Liberal ideal of the universal human being 01:02:04 - The end of the WW2 cultural drama 01:03:03 - Perennialism, Traditionalism, and Magia 01:06:28 - Spiritual cultural exchange 01:09:07 - Denying difference 01:10:22 - Gnosticism, alchemy, and Merlin 01:14:09 - Beat Zen, Square Zen 01:15:46 - Misunderstanding foreign traditions 01:19:19 - Traditions fit their own cultures 01:20:29 - Scholasticism 01:23:00 - Pragmatic Dharma 01:24:37 - A need to belong 01:26:08 - Morality and nondual realisation 01:27:07 - The real longing 01:29:51 - Follow the Silent Knowing 01:30:51 - Traditionalism and cultural chauvinism 01:32:28 - Problems with following foreign traditions 01:37:44 - Fetishisation 01:40:35 - Post-awakening advice 01:41:48 - Basic Goodness and Chogyam Trungpa 01:42:58 - Syncretism vs divine inspiration 01:49:35 - Origins of Christianity 01:51:01 - History of ideas vs esoteric transmission 01:57:15 - 4th turning delusion 01:59:24 - Critique of contemplative neuroscience 02:02:13 - The winter of a civilisation … Previous episodes with Alan Chapman: - https://www.guruviking.com/search?q=chapman To find our more about Alan Chapman visit: - https://barbarouswords.com/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James
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    2 h et 3 min