In this episode I am joined by Ani Pema, an American nun in the Tibetan Buddhist religion and former swami in the Siddha Yoga organisation.
Ani Pema recalls her childhood in Boise Idaho, her high flying career in fashion working for Vogue magazine, and how dissatisfaction with the American dream set her on a spiritual search.
Ani Pema details her sixteen years of close discipleship and ordination under the renowned Siddha Yoga guru Swami Muktananda, her transformative encounters with the 16th Karmapa, and her subsequent discipleship under Tibetan Buddhist teachers such as Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche and Namkhai Nyingpo.
Ani Pema also explains the powerful phenomena of shaktipat including the severe karmic consequences for its use, reflects on Western shaktipat gurus such as Rudi and Adi Da Samraj, and gives her heart advice for those who wish to follow the spiritual path.
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Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep314-me-my-gurus-ani-pema
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
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Topics include:
00:00 - Intro
01:06 - High flying fashion career
02:41 - Questioning the American dream
03:24 - Taking up yoga
04:02 - Meeting Swami Muktananda
04:55 - A precognitive vision
05:40 - Close study with Swami Muktananda in India
07:29 - Rigorous practice regime at the ashram
08:38 - Obliterating the self
11:02 - Muktananda as a vortex of energy
12:09 - A past life connection
14:47 - Swami Muktananda’s 1974 USA tour
19:17 - The serious karmic burden of giving shaktipat
20:09 - Attending the 16th Karmapa
22:02 - Leaving Muktananda’s organisation
22:55 - Becoming a disciple of Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche
24:24 - Becoming a disciple of Namkhai Nyingpo in Bhutan
26:03 - Working for Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche after he became famous
27:19 - You hire the guru to assassinate your ego
28:44 - Lichivi House
30:02 - Reflections on past gurus
31:23 - Rudi and shaktipat
32:28 - Adi Da’s ego and meeting with Swami Muktananda
36:33 - 4 methods of shaktipat
38:31 - Health consequences of offering shaktipat
40:25 - Dangers of unauthorised shaktipat
41:48 - Mind to mind transmission in Tibetan Buddhism
42:32 - 4-6hrs of chanting per day
43:24 - Celibacy and guru controversies
47:27 - Comparing 16th Karmapa with Swami Muktananda
49:19 - Kashmir Shaivism vs Tibetan Buddhism
50:39 - Depression after Swami Muktananda’s death
52:47 - Profound periods of purification
54:48 - Consequences of the spiritual path
56:23 - Do Tibetan teachers recognise Muktananda’s dharma?
59:18 - Meditation is beyond tradition
01:00:46 - Ani Pema reflects on her experience as a practitioner
01:03:55 - Ani Pema’s advice for practitioners
01:06:19 - Difficulties in following famous gurus
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To find out more about Ani Pema, visit:
- https://www.facebook.com/karen.schaefer
- https://dayananda-lifewithandafterbaba.blogspot.com/
For more interviews, videos, and more visit:
- www.guruviking.com
Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James