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Shownotes
In this episode I am joined by Samuel Bercholz, a senior teacher in the Nyingma and Kagyu lineages of Tibetan Buddhism, founder of Shambala publications, and author of “Rude Awakenings: An Unconventional Guide to the Buddhist Path”.
Samuel recalls his childhood as the son of holocaust survivors, his arrival in America as a refugee, his rapid ascent in the Democratic party as part of the Kennedy campaign, and his eventual disillusionment with politics.
Samuel describes his early spiritual seeking in theosophy and Buddhism, details his first experience of satori, and explains the process of learning to trust his gurus.
Samuel tells stories of his years of discipleship under controversial spiritual teachers such as Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche and Thinley Norbu Rinpoche, offers his insights about how to be a vajrayana student, and reflects on what it takes to be the disciple of tough masters.
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Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
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Topics include:
- Intro
- Rude Awakenings
- Child of the holocaust
- Arriving in America
- Interest in literature and politics
- Working for Kennedy
- Disillusionment with politics
- Exploring spiritual traditions
- Theosophy and Buddhism
- First satori
- Samuel’s mother’s preference for Russia
- Difficulties in America as a refugee and becoming a citizen
- Samuel’s resilience and processing past trauma in meditation
- Becoming part of the Kennedy office
- Refugee confidence
- Samuel’s doubts about himself
- Witnessing politicians lying about Vietnam
- Having a breakdown
- Disappointing spiritual teachers and politicians
- Experience with Lama Anagarika Govinda
- Developing trust in spiritual teachers
- Founding of Shambala Publications
- Years of discipleship under Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche
- Being with tough gurus
- Skepticism about Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche
- Death of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche
- How to be a Vajrayana student
- Samuel’s special relationship with Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche
- Stories about Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche’s personal teaching
- Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche’s dark side
- Comparing enlightened teachers
- Becoming a disciple of Thinley Norbu Rinpoche
- Lineage stories are real
- Lama’s commission to Samuel
- So easy to miss spiritual opportunities
- Rude Awakenings, breadth and depth
- Why “Rude Awakenings”?
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To purchase “Rude Awakenings: vist:
- shambhala.com/rude-awakenings.html
For more interviews, videos, and more visit:
- guruviking.com
Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James
