#Guru Viking Podcast

[turiyatitta]

Exciting Updates: Podcasts, Articles & More!

Hello Friends, I’m thrilled to share some exciting updates about the work I’ve been doing and the new insights I’ve been exploring. From podcasts to articles and more, here’s what’s new in my world of meditation, neuroscience, and personal transformation. Diving Into the Mind on Guru Viking Podcast I recently had the pleasure of joining Steve James on the Guru Viking Podcast for another…

[the-pagan-crow]

Where to Begin?

I was thinking about how daunting it can feel when you first dip your toes into the world of heathenry. We don't believe there's a one size fits all answer, but we're going to hopefully provide some beginner advice and resources! Always remember to do what works for you!!

Things to Consider

Learning isn't the same for everyone, so what might work for us might not work for you. This is why it's so important to consider how you're best going to absorb information. Below are some questions to ask yourself before diving too deep into research!

Am I am auditory learner?

Am I a visual learner?

Do I need pictures or other exciting elements to keep me engaged?

Can I focus on difficult texts without getting distracted?

What is my general reading level?

What knowledge do I already have?

What kind of things do I want to prioritize learning?

What resources will I have access to?

However you answer these questions is fine, there's no right or wrong! However, these should help guide you when selecting resources, especially starting off.

Another thing to consider is where you're going to keep notes. Whether this is a virtual document, a notebook, flashcards, or something else, keeping notes will help immensely!! Don't make our mistake of not taking notes and having to do the research all over.

One final consideration that I think is often overlooked but extremely important: do you have anyone who you can talk about your research with? I'm not saying to find a "coven" or group of some sort, but being able to talk about what you're learning can really help retention of information and will help you stay motivated.

Resources

Below are some resources, please note:

We are not affiliated with any of these links. We may not even like the whole website or everything the author says. IT IS ALWAYS IMPORTANT to use critical thinking, to cross reference, and to utilize more than one source!

This should be used as a starting point!

We like the episodes we've listened to of this podcast!! If you can learn through audio only, it's great to have on in the car!

We've used this website for years! Very good information, though the writing style may be difficult for people who struggle reading text that is more academic in format.

Also a good site! More relaxed in tone, but still full of information!

We have yet to watch any of Crawford's videos. However, we're reading his translation of the Poetic Edda now, and he is a highly recommended scholar!

Hopefully some of this can help you! Always do what works in your life! We are but one heathen, and we don't know everything. Learning is a process. If you'd like to reach out to us, please feel free!!

Happy Learning!

[nondualcafe]

Great episode on enlightenment.

[pemakobuddhismus]

Komplette Erleuchtung vs. Verblendung des säkularen Buddhismus

Beim Anhören des neusten Guru Viking Podcasts fiel mir die Aussage Shinzen Youngs auf, dass er nicht glaubt, dass die Vollkommenheit, d.h. die Buddhaschaft, möglich ist. Seufz ... ein weiterer säkularer Buddhist, zu dem viele Leute aufschauen, der so unreif in seiner Verwirklichung ist, dass er direkt den Mahayana- und Vajrayana-Meistern widerspricht, von denen er behauptet, ein Befürworter zu sein. Stephen Batchelor, Culadasa Yates, Young ... alle singen das gleiche Lied. 2-3 Jahre vor seinem Tod gab Culadasa sogar zu, dass die Sutrayana Praxis "nicht weit genug geht", und das, nachdem er es 50 Jahre lang praktiziert hatte.

Es ist zwar (viel) besser als nichts, dass es da draußen Lehrer gibt, die ein oder wenige Erwachen hatten, aber im Vergleich zu jedem nicht-mehr-verkörperten (oder verkörperten) Mahasiddha sind all diese Lehrer unglaublich unreif. Dann ziehen sie in ihrer "Weisheit" aus " vielen Jahrzehnten" der Meditation mit all den "Top"-Lehrern, die selbst unreif waren, diese genialen Schlussfolgerungen ... Ich erinnere mich, dass Batchelor nach seinen 8 Jahren als Gelugpa-Gelehrter und Mönch erklärte, dass Guru-Yoga ein Schwindel sei! Es ist verblüffend dumm, wenn Leute, die nicht gelernt haben, richtig zu praktizieren, das Kind mit dem Bade ausschütten, und das einfach so. Auch deshalb ist tantrisches Guru Yoga so wertvoll, weil diese unsinnigen Schlussfolgerungen in der Gegenwart von jemandem, der wirklich "fertig" ist - einem Mahasiddha - ihr Ende finden.

Die Menschen sollten wirklich die korrekte Praxis des tantrischen Guru Yogas kennenlernen und echte Meister - Mahasiddhas - zu sich rufen. Buddha, Jesus, Guru Rinpoche, Milarepa usw., sie alle sind geeignet. Es ist die leichteste und einfachste Praxis, für die weder eine Ermächtigung noch irgendeine Art von Vorbereitung nötig ist, außer offen dafür zu sein, zu empfangen. Sie ist einfacher als Shamatha, schneller zu erlernen als Jhanas, macht das Lernen von langen Gebeten oder Mantras in fremden Sprachen unnötig, und am wichtigsten ist, dass die Anwesenheit eines Gurus unseren natürlichen Zustand bzw. unsere Buddhanatur offenbart, jedes Mal und ohne Ausnahme, was Jhanas oder Shamatha-Meditation niemals erreichen können. Dies ist das Geschenk des Tantra, das jede und jeder immer und überall nutzen und empfangen kann. Außerdem ist dies auch ein Weg, um über die unreifen Stadien hinauszukommen, in denen Menschen, die nicht mit Mahasiddhas Zeit verbringen, stecken bleiben. Dies ist ein Weg, die Messlatte des Dharma in der Welt höher zu legen.

Die Menschen müssen wissen, dass es in der Tat möglich ist, "fertig" zu werden, vollständig purifiziert, völlig sündlos, restlos erleuchtet, ein lebender Buddha zu werden, genau wie es Generationen von Mahayana- und Vajrayana-Meistern gesagt haben!

~ Kim Rinpoche, 30.10.21

[kkoehn17]

Hello friends! We are back with another addition of favorites, and we’ve got some good stuff!

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Podcasts

It has been a dark time without sports, and I have particularly missed baseball, but Off Air with Joe & Orel has helped fill the void. If you are a Dodger fan who has both missed the boys in blue and is excited they are finally coming back this week, this is the podcast for you!

Also, a big goal of mine for this year has been to get to know myself and find a better foundation in my values, beliefs, opinions, etc. To do that, I have made an effort to better educate myself on the different stories, perspectives and opinions of others. Over the last couple months, there has been a surge of resources, both in the news, on social media, and among friends and family and 1619 was definitely a standout. It is a well made, very thought provoking podcast that follows the start of slavery after the first ship carrying African slaves landed in Virginia in the year 1619.

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Books

While I don’t always have the patience for suspenseful books (because I just want to know what happens NOW) The Woman in the Window was worth the read and especially worth the wait. It follows Anna, a psychologist who is currently unemployed and living alone due to a mysterious onset of agoraphobia. I listened to the audiobook  and I definitely had a few moments where I stopped dead in my tracks and gasped out loud.

Speaking of reasons to gasp, I am now listening to a book about dead bodies. Stiff is a book I started a while back and LOVED but never got the chance to finish. It is a very scientific read, but also finds a way to be quite funny as you learn about the lives (?) and history of cadavers, as well as the decomposition process as a whole. I will admit, it is not a book for everyone, but I think it’s absolutely fascinating.

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TV Shows

Depending on what you’re in the mood for, I’d first and foremost recommend Dark, which is a sci-fi show on Netflix that I’d love to explain and summarize for you but it is one of those shows that you just have to watch to understand. I was hooked after one episode and was constantly sending my brother (who recommended it to me) texts loaded with caps lock and explanation points as I watched the story unfold. Note: it is in German, but you can choose to watch it with subtitles or dubbed in English. Personally, I preferred the subtitles because I liked being able to hear the actors’ real voices. (You can find it on Netflix.)

Next, Normal People. Based on the book by Sally Rooney, this show follows the story of Connell and Marianne, who fall in love in high school, but have a lot of growing up to do  before they can find truly find their way to each other. It is beautiful and sad and a little frustrating at times, but so so good. Plus, I love any show that takes me to Ireland. (You can find it on Hulu.)

On the lighthearted, funny, and undeniably witty side: Never Have I Ever. I was pretty much sold on this show the minute I saw Mindy Kaling’s name on it, and it did not disappoint. The episodes are short and charming and often made me laugh out loud, I look forward to (and hope for!) another season. (You can find it on Netflix.)

And finally, my biggest commitment of the last couple months: The Last Kingdom. This was another recommendation by my brother, who has slowly become my Netflix guru. I was unsure at first if I could get into a show about Vikings in the middle ages, but by season three I was calling my brother, complaining that one of the characters didn’t even get to “die a warrior’s death.” So. It’s safe to say, I got into it. (You can find it on Netflix.)

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Music

I have mostly been in the mood for some slow, calming music these last couple months, but I have also had bursts of wanting to dance around to some fun, summery goodness. That being said, these are some albums that have given me both.

Lady Like by Ingrid Andress

Go Somewhere by John Splithoff

Patrick Droney by Patrick Droney

Golden Hour by Kygo

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Aveda Shampoo

I have long been at war with my hair and I had reached a point where I thought it was as good/clean/healthy/etc. as it was going to get, but this shampoo from Aveda has changed the game for me! It popped up as a recommendation for me after looking for shampoos that can help with the ever fun combination of a dry scalp and oily roots and it has truly made all the difference! Pro tip: wash your hair twice.  (You can find it here.)

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The Daily Page Planner

If you are someone who 1) loves being organized and 2) often has trouble staying organized, this planner is for you. It was recommended to me by someone I follow on Instagram and it is truly a treat. It helps you track your goals for the day, your water intake, your meal planning, and pretty much anything else you just want to write down and get out of your head. I like to sit down each morning and do it as I eat my breakfast, and even if I don’t get to check every box throughout the day, it is a great resource to better organize the jumbled mess that is my mind. (You can find it here.)

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Tangle Newsletter

This is perhaps one of my favorites of my favorites because it is something that I have been looking for for a very long time. I have subscribed and then unsubscribed to a number of e-newsletters, constantly discouraged by the one sided nature of the content or overwhelmed by my lack of understanding of the content. While I want to stay informed and aware of where I stand on important issues, I find it hard to form a valid opinion when someone is essentially telling me that if I don’t agree with every aspect of their opinion I am a terrible person. Thus, I bring you Tangle, a bipartisan newsletter that gives a good roundup of important facts and figures, and then focuses in on one important issue each day and breaks down the opposing arguments.  I am currently subscribed to the free newsletter, which sends you an email every Monday-Thursday, but there is more content available with a paid subscription.  (You can find it here.)

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Have anything you’ve been loving over these last couple months? Let me know!

See my previous favorites post here.

May/June Favorites Hello friends! We are back with another addition of favorites, and we’ve got some good stuff!

[calmingsleepiness]

https://player.fm/series/guru-viking-podcast

[turiyatitta]

The Cosmic Dance of Giving and Receiving

Unveiling Our Universal Identity In our conversation on the Guru Viking podcast, hosted by Steve James, the essence of giving and receiving was explored in a way that transcends the mundane understanding of these acts. Our discussion, titled “Bodhi in the Brain,” delved into the philosophical underpinnings of our existence and our intrinsic connection to the universe. The narrative unfolded a…

[turiyatitta]

A Return to Guru Viking

An Odyssey into “Bodhi in the Brain” As the leaves turn golden and the scent of autumn fills the air, my journey with the Guru Viking podcast continues to unfold. I’m ecstatic to share that my third appearance on this enlightening platform with the ever-insightful host, Steve James, is now live for all of you to indulge in. This episode centers around “Bodhi in the Brain”, a manifestation of my…

[turiyatitta]

Honoured to join the Guru Viking Podcast once again with host, Steve James! This time, I’m joined by Alex Ni of Divergence Neuro Technologies and Columbia University Neuroscience student & Therapist, Chelsey Fasano. Together, we explore the fascinating topic of my unique brainwaves, cultivated through over two decades of dedicated meditation.

This enlightening conversation bridges neuroscience, meditation, and personal transformation. Episode to air soon—stay tuned for the release!

Check out Guru Viking every Friday on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, and Spotify!

[turiyatitta]

Another Enlightening Morning with Guru Viking

There’s a particular magic to the early hours of dawn – a fresh slate, a quiet world, and a clarity of mind. Today, this serenity was elevated to a new level as I stepped into my third podcast session with the incredible host of the Guru Viking podcast, Steve James. As the first rays of dawn illuminated the room at 6:30 a.m., we were already engrossed in our conversation. The centre stage was my…

[turiyatitta]

Returning to Guru Viking

A Dive into “Bodhi in the Brain” Hello to my incredible readers and meditation enthusiasts! I’ve got some exhilarating news for you. Tomorrow marks my third stint on the insightful Guru Viking podcast, where I’ll be joining the ever-enigmatic host, Steve James. While I’ve thoroughly enjoyed each of my past appearances, this one promises to be a tad special. 🌟 Our focus this time? My very own…

[turiyatitta]

Huge shoutout to Steve James, the incredible host of the Guru Viking podcast! I had the pleasure of joining him once again for an in-depth, thought-provoking conversation that took us on a journey.