Ep316: Dharma & the Goddess - Alex W
Alex W is a long term practitioner of Zen, Pragmatic Dharma, and Western Occultism.
Available on Youtube, iTunes, SoundCloud & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
Alex describes his journey from elite upbringing in Geneva; through NeoPlatonism, Zen practice, and magick; to advanced states of spiritual attainment and insight.
Alex tells stories of his discipleship under pragmatic dharma teacher Kenneth Folk and renowned occultist Alan Chapman and details the lead up to, and attainment and after effects of his own experience of enlightenment.
Alex recounts his successful operation of the Abramelin Ritual, a powerful kundalini awakening, and his ongoing encounters with spiritual beings such as Kālī Mā and Hecate.
00:00 - Intro
00:55 - Elite upbringing in Geneva
03:50 - Religious experiences in America
05:39 - Major surgery and turn towards spirituality
08:05 - Immersion in a Hindu religious group
10:25 - First spiritual experiences and power places
12:07 - Interest in philosophy and the Kyoto School
13:05 - Law school and studying mediaeval philosophy
15:52 - Entering Zen Buddhist practice with Deshimaru Taisen
18:14 - Finding a real Zen master & understanding Zen in Japan
21:55 - Observations about Japanese religiosity
24:09 - 1996 financial crisis and internship in law firm
24:58 - Connecting with advanced practitioners online
26:53 - Interest in Chan Buddhism
30:08 - Japan vs Chinese and Korean monasticism
32:15 - Plateau after 15 years of Zen
33:01 - Daniel Ingram & Kenneth Folk
39:09 - No-self experience
39:54 - Become a student of occultist Alan Chapman
45:25 - Scrying the Enochian Æthyrs
48:02 - Visions and esoteric Christianity
50:09 - Abramelin Ritual w/ Alan Chapman
53:50 - Meeting the Holy Guardian Angel
56:32 - Approaching enlightenment
01:02:38 - Achieving enlightenment
01:10:59 - Consequences of enlightenment
01:14:45 - Confirmation by Stuart Lachs
01:18:54 - Massive kundalini experience
01:22:21 - Loss of interest in spirituality
01:23:21 - Spirit encounters in Santeria
01:27:23 - Strategic presentations of Tibetan Buddhism
01:28:13 - Difficulties after awakening
01:29:52 - Post kundalini energetic development
01:31:56 - Loss of fear of death
01:33:15 - Breathwork
01:34:54 - Opening of psychic senses
01:37:40 - Powerful encounters with Kālī Mā
01:45:03 - Meeting other Dark Goddesses
01:48:27 - Synchronicities and initiations
01:49:20 - Alan Chapman’s Magia
01:53:26 - Adventures in Bali
02:03:14 - Chinese Internal Alchemy & Mattias Daly
02:05:25 - Nan Huai-Chin
02:07:31 - Energy rewires for 12 years after awakening
02:09:11 - Neoplatonist theurgy
02:12:31 - Reviving the Western spiritual tradition
02:12:53 - Instructed by Hecate to be interviewed
02:14:31 - Specialties of the Western tradition
02:17:00 - Sacred geography and local deities
02:20:27 - #1 problem in the West
02:23:11 - Karmic connections
02:24:34 - Fall from grace after awakening
02:26:16 - Divine beings care about authenticity
02:28:15 - Sequel plans
02:29:57 - Praise for the Guru Viking Podcast
Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James