Ep335: How-to Guide for Awakening & Beyond - Alex W 3

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: guruviking.com/podcast/ep335-how-to-guide-for-…

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:
- guruviking.com/search?q=alex

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

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James