Ep184: The Vajra Path - Dr Nida Chenagtsang & Dr Ian A Baker
I host a dialogue between doctor of Tibetan Medicine and Buddhist spiritual teacher Dr Nida Chenagtsang & Dr Ian A Baker, author, scholar, and initiate of Buddhist, Taoist, and Hindu Tantric lineages.
Available on Youtube, iTunes, SoundCloud & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
In this episode I host a dialogue between:
Dr Nida Chenagtsang, doctor of Tibetan Medicine and Buddhist spiritual teacher
Dr Ian A. Baker, author, scholar, and initiate of Buddhist, Taoist, and Hindu Tantric lineages.
Drs Nida and Ian explore the theme of Vajrayana in the 21st century, including issues such as tradition and innovation, mass empowerments vs 1-1 discipleship, and what is essential for successful practice.
Drs Nida and Ian discuss common mistakes in practicing the 6 Yogas of Naropa, religious syncretism, and dark triad traits of narcissism, psychopathy, and machiavellianism in spiritual teachers.
Drs Nida and Ian also discuss the role of religious institutions in the history of Vajrayana and explore the tensions between the critical historical approach of academia with traditional views often held by religious teachers and practicing Buddhists.
Topics include:
00:00 - Intro
01:05 - The Vajra Path
03:42 - Tradition and innovation
08:25 - Mass empowerments
10:24 - 84 Mahasiddhas and individualised practice
13:14 - Vajrayana is experiential
14:52 - Correcting misunderstandings
16:53 - What is essential for Vajrayana to be effective?
19:11 - The role of empowerment
21:00 - Listen, study, meditate
23:19 - The power of place
25:03 - Discerning effective methods for contemporary audiences
28:23 - Secrecy and education
32:18 - How much practice is needed for Varjayana?
36:30 - Struggles with dream yoga and tummo
40:14 - Working with your talents
42:34 - 6 Yogas study mistakes
44:05 - Misguided attitudes to ngondro, preliminary practices
47:06 - Spiritual cocktails and narcissism
49:02 - How to relate to other traditions
50:49 - Syncretism the critical historical perspective
54:51 - Fundamental values
58:12 - Dark triad traits in spiritual practitioners and teachers
01:02:12 - Vajrayana and institutions
01:03:35 - Distilling the essence or taking out of context?
01:05:00 - Dr Nida’s vision of Vajrayana institutions
01:06:38 - Cultural trappings vs the essence of Buddhism
01:12:49 - Dr Ian on religious institutions and the evolution of Vajrayana
01:16:41 - Essence of Vajrayana
01:20:45 - Who does Vajrayana belong to?
01:22:25 - Critical historical vs traditional perspectives
01:26:39 - Dr Nida reflects on the power of simplicity
01:30:09 - Friendship and collaboration
01:31:33 - Hijacking of Buddhism
01:34:47 - Deelaboration and the beautiful adventure
01:36:40 - Future trips, courses, and activities
Previous episodes with Dr Nida Chenagtsang:
Previous episodes with Dr Ian A. Baker:
To find out more about The Vajra Path, visit:
Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James