Ep350: Contemplative History of Modern Russia - Victor Shiryaev 2

In this episode I am once again joined by Victor Shiryaev a teacher of Buddhist and modern meditation and somatic practices.

Victor traces a contemplative history of modern Russia from the days of the esotericism and Orientalism of the Russian Empire, through the religious restrictions of the Soviet Union, the New Age spiritual fervour of the 1990s, and the Westernisation of recent times.

Victor considers whether Russia was a mission field for spiritual groups such as the Diamond Way, details the different Buddhist sects active in the country, describes how meditation is viewed in Russian culture today, and reflects on the relationship between globalist Buddhist sects and heritage Buddhist groups of the region.

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Video version: guruviking.com/podcast/ep350-contemplative-his…

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

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Topics include:

00:00 - Intro
00:49 - Why a contemplative history of modern Russia?
05:49 - Russian interest in the East and esotericism
07:54 - Buddhist regions of Russia
08:39 - Catherine the Great and empire
10:08 - Persecution of religion under the Soviet Union
11:14 - New Age and spiritual revival in the 1990s
15:22 - Current scene
16:30 - Westernised spirituality in Russia
21:58 - The self publishing movement
23:32 - How the scene became Westernised
27:12 - Shambala and post-Soviet Russia as a mission field
36:21 - Tibetan Buddhism in Russia today
39:40 - Other Buddhist and mindfulness groups in Russia
41:43 - Vipassana and the lack of a retreat scene
45:41 - Heritage Buddhists vs the new Buddhists
56:21 - Russian esotericism and the Soviet Union
01:04:41 - How is meditation viewed in Russia today?
01:12:06 - Modern mindfulness in Russia
01:13:00 - Russian Orthodox Christianity and the future of Buddhism in Russia

Previous episode with Victor Shiryaev:
- guruviking.com/search?q=shiryaev

To find out more about Victor Shiryaev, visit:
- victorshiryaev.co

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

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James