Dr Angelo Dilullo - Simply Always Awake - Guru Viking Podcast - Discussion
Dr Angelo Dilullo - Simply Always Awake - Guru Viking Podcast
Steve James, modified 3 Years ago at 7/23/21 8:35 AM
Created 3 Years ago at 7/23/21 8:34 AM
Dr Angelo Dilullo - Simply Always Awake - Guru Viking Podcast
Posts: 104 Join Date: 2/15/19 Recent Posts
Hi everyone,
Dr Angelo Dilullo was recently discussed here and so I hope this episode is of interest :-)
- S
...
From the shownotes:
In this interview, I am joined by Dr Angelo Dilullo, anaesthesiologist, spiritual teacher, and author of ‘Awake! It’s your Turn’.
We learn how a profound existential angst in childhood and adolescence propelled Angelo into spiritual practice and, at the age of 24, precipitated a radical spiritual awakening.
Angelo details the practices, shifts, and consequences of his awakening, and shares the process of coming face to face with deeply held conditioning.
Angelo also discusses certainty and religious experience, and reveals why he is absolutely certain that not only can anyone wake up, but that anyone who wants to will.
…
https://www.guruviking.com/ep105-dr-angelo-dilullo-simply-always-awake/
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
…
Topics include:
00:45 - Profound existential suffering during childhood and adolescence
05:44 - Transcendental Meditation and a life-changing encounter
09:56 - Angelo’s awakening
14:11 - More on Angelo’s teenage existential angst
19:42 - Anyone can wake up
20:20 - Awake nature and Angelo’s certainty
24:54 - Is certainty a valid basis for truth claims?
31:11 - Certainty = truth?
41:14 - More on Angelo’s pre-awakening practice and awakening experience
45:26 - Past life recall and disappearance of the self structure
50:31 - Sampling Zen
54:07 - More details on Angelo’s past life experience
55:20 - Consequences of awakening
59:18 - Sexuality after awakening
1:12:08 - Agency and motivation after awakening
1:21:51 - Facing conditioning, behavioural guard rails, & people pleasing
1:35:15 - Authenticity and socialisation
1:44:26 - Differentiating Angelo’s truth claims
1:54:34 - How Angelo began to teach
2:02:49 - Paradox, objective claims, and moving beyond concept
Dr Angelo Dilullo was recently discussed here and so I hope this episode is of interest :-)
- S
...
From the shownotes:
In this interview, I am joined by Dr Angelo Dilullo, anaesthesiologist, spiritual teacher, and author of ‘Awake! It’s your Turn’.
We learn how a profound existential angst in childhood and adolescence propelled Angelo into spiritual practice and, at the age of 24, precipitated a radical spiritual awakening.
Angelo details the practices, shifts, and consequences of his awakening, and shares the process of coming face to face with deeply held conditioning.
Angelo also discusses certainty and religious experience, and reveals why he is absolutely certain that not only can anyone wake up, but that anyone who wants to will.
…
https://www.guruviking.com/ep105-dr-angelo-dilullo-simply-always-awake/
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
…
Topics include:
00:45 - Profound existential suffering during childhood and adolescence
05:44 - Transcendental Meditation and a life-changing encounter
09:56 - Angelo’s awakening
14:11 - More on Angelo’s teenage existential angst
19:42 - Anyone can wake up
20:20 - Awake nature and Angelo’s certainty
24:54 - Is certainty a valid basis for truth claims?
31:11 - Certainty = truth?
41:14 - More on Angelo’s pre-awakening practice and awakening experience
45:26 - Past life recall and disappearance of the self structure
50:31 - Sampling Zen
54:07 - More details on Angelo’s past life experience
55:20 - Consequences of awakening
59:18 - Sexuality after awakening
1:12:08 - Agency and motivation after awakening
1:21:51 - Facing conditioning, behavioural guard rails, & people pleasing
1:35:15 - Authenticity and socialisation
1:44:26 - Differentiating Angelo’s truth claims
1:54:34 - How Angelo began to teach
2:02:49 - Paradox, objective claims, and moving beyond concept
Edward, modified 3 Years ago at 7/24/21 12:13 AM
Created 3 Years ago at 7/24/21 12:13 AM
RE: Dr Angelo Dilullo - Simply Always Awake - Guru Viking Podcast
Posts: 131 Join Date: 6/10/19 Recent Posts
Hey Steve, just halfway through this. Great interview.
I'm interested in why you challenged his certainty so strongly- haven't seen you do that with your other guests.
Was that a reaction to the sycophantic Zdogg interview do you think, or did something about Angelo rub you up the wrong the way?
Cheers,
Ed
I'm interested in why you challenged his certainty so strongly- haven't seen you do that with your other guests.
Was that a reaction to the sycophantic Zdogg interview do you think, or did something about Angelo rub you up the wrong the way?
Cheers,
Ed
Siavash ', modified 3 Years ago at 7/24/21 10:57 AM
Created 3 Years ago at 7/24/21 10:47 AM
RE: Dr Angelo Dilullo - Simply Always Awake - Guru Viking Podcast
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I didn't like it at all how he responded Steve's questions about the certitude or what makes his truth to be more true than other truths.
It seemed to me that either he didn't understand the questions (!!!), or didn't want to answer them because of whatever agenda that he thinks he has and tries to look a certain way, or it's just a thick delusion.
This is I guess the third time that I try to watch him talking, and each time it gives me a strong negative feeling. My detectors start beeping bip bip bip bip bip bip ... .
It seemed to me that either he didn't understand the questions (!!!), or didn't want to answer them because of whatever agenda that he thinks he has and tries to look a certain way, or it's just a thick delusion.
This is I guess the third time that I try to watch him talking, and each time it gives me a strong negative feeling. My detectors start beeping bip bip bip bip bip bip ... .
J W, modified 3 Years ago at 7/24/21 12:22 PM
Created 3 Years ago at 7/24/21 12:22 PM
RE: Dr Angelo Dilullo - Simply Always Awake - Guru Viking Podcast
Posts: 703 Join Date: 2/11/20 Recent Posts
I kind of noticed the same thing, it just felt like there was some sort of communication barrier or something, but i dunno what if anything that points to beyond that. I do agree Steve's questions were quite clear there but i also did not feel satisfied with Angelo's answers.
Definitely some interesting/useful bits in there regardless!
Definitely some interesting/useful bits in there regardless!
Linda ”Polly Ester” Ö, modified 3 Years ago at 7/24/21 1:33 PM
Created 3 Years ago at 7/24/21 1:33 PM
RE: Dr Angelo Dilullo - Simply Always Awake - Guru Viking Podcast
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I'm not so convinced that his dividing line between suffering and pain is that helpful. When he described his pain, it sounded awfully much like suffering to me. I sure hope that it's possible to awaken beyond that. I guess that's an empirical question. Anyway, I listened to the interview with Har-Prakash the other day (late to the party) and I found his approach more nuanced and at the same time much more reassuring in terms of what awakening can actually accomplish. I didn't hear Dilullo from the beginning, though, because I was late to the premiere, so I may have missed lots of nuances.
Edward, modified 3 Years ago at 7/24/21 2:42 PM
Created 3 Years ago at 7/24/21 2:40 PM
RE: Dr Angelo Dilullo - Simply Always Awake - Guru Viking Podcast
Posts: 131 Join Date: 6/10/19 Recent Posts
Linda- the pain he described was a post 'Awakening' phenomenon- his map has awakening as the first step so he's talking about DN-like phenomena, not the post "realisation" state which is more like MCTB 4th path.
Personally, I found Angelo's responses to the epistemological rabbit hole Steve kept going down to be perfectly reasonable for someone who is quite clearly (ahem) a metaphsyically agnostic, pragmatic empiricist.
Personally, I found Angelo's responses to the epistemological rabbit hole Steve kept going down to be perfectly reasonable for someone who is quite clearly (ahem) a metaphsyically agnostic, pragmatic empiricist.
Linda ”Polly Ester” Ö, modified 3 Years ago at 7/24/21 3:20 PM
Created 3 Years ago at 7/24/21 3:03 PM
RE: Dr Angelo Dilullo - Simply Always Awake - Guru Viking Podcast
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Like post stream entry? Ah, that's a significant difference. Thanks for clarifying!
Yeah, I thought it was pretty clear that he's like the nondual empty version of subjectivist. I don't have any problem with that. It usually needs some translation, though, as it's not the most common framework for communication and therefore is easily taken as something other than it is. Whatever he says needs to be understood within the framework "this is just the phrasing that spontaneously in the moment feels authentic for the very temporary self that manifests as this is uttered and that will have dissolved before I could have expressed this lengthy explanation".
Yeah, I thought it was pretty clear that he's like the nondual empty version of subjectivist. I don't have any problem with that. It usually needs some translation, though, as it's not the most common framework for communication and therefore is easily taken as something other than it is. Whatever he says needs to be understood within the framework "this is just the phrasing that spontaneously in the moment feels authentic for the very temporary self that manifests as this is uttered and that will have dissolved before I could have expressed this lengthy explanation".
Pepe ·, modified 3 Years ago at 7/24/21 6:08 PM
Created 3 Years ago at 7/24/21 6:06 PM
RE: Dr Angelo Dilullo - Simply Always Awake - Guru Viking Podcast
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Me too, Edward.
Linda, he is talking about "initial awakening", either I AM or "boundless consciousness".
Regarding, Steve's critique on some kind of universal (for all cultures) usefulness of a psychology approach for tackling Dark Night issues once past the initial awakening, I believe that psychology is imbedded in mainstream culture in one way or another in the US, Europe and Latin America (and probably Russian countries too). It's not a WEIRD thing (West, European, Industrialized, Rich & Democratic) but a urban thing, as I can attest me being from a Third World country.
We may have too much or too little cultural myopia, but what you can read as "Indigenous Psychology" in Wikipedia is a lefty sociological construction mixed with post-colonial remorse.
Culture does influence psychological models, but you may see communitarian and individualist forces clashing within each culture, and every now and then some synthesis emerging. For example: Taoism, Confucianism, Shamanism merged in the I-Ching.
As for India and the Far East, I don't know how widespread 6 Realms / 5 Elements Tibetan (proto-) Psychology is, but it's been there since early Buddhism, mixed up with Buddhist Cosmology.
And it could be argued that Astrology is other proto-pyschology model, widespread since antiquity throughout India, Iran, Greece and Europe. Interesting that it's not mentioned in the Indigenous Psychology Wiki page...
Linda, he is talking about "initial awakening", either I AM or "boundless consciousness".
Regarding, Steve's critique on some kind of universal (for all cultures) usefulness of a psychology approach for tackling Dark Night issues once past the initial awakening, I believe that psychology is imbedded in mainstream culture in one way or another in the US, Europe and Latin America (and probably Russian countries too). It's not a WEIRD thing (West, European, Industrialized, Rich & Democratic) but a urban thing, as I can attest me being from a Third World country.
We may have too much or too little cultural myopia, but what you can read as "Indigenous Psychology" in Wikipedia is a lefty sociological construction mixed with post-colonial remorse.
Culture does influence psychological models, but you may see communitarian and individualist forces clashing within each culture, and every now and then some synthesis emerging. For example: Taoism, Confucianism, Shamanism merged in the I-Ching.
As for India and the Far East, I don't know how widespread 6 Realms / 5 Elements Tibetan (proto-) Psychology is, but it's been there since early Buddhism, mixed up with Buddhist Cosmology.
And it could be argued that Astrology is other proto-pyschology model, widespread since antiquity throughout India, Iran, Greece and Europe. Interesting that it's not mentioned in the Indigenous Psychology Wiki page...
Stickman3, modified 3 Years ago at 7/25/21 7:18 AM
Created 3 Years ago at 7/25/21 7:18 AM
RE: Dr Angelo Dilullo - Simply Always Awake - Guru Viking Podcast
Posts: 171 Join Date: 1/15/21 Recent Posts
Well worked questions and great observations about sex and the self, what happens to it post-awakening, how much self lingers or doesn't linger, how planning and motivation works.
George S, modified 3 Years ago at 7/25/21 7:46 AM
Created 3 Years ago at 7/25/21 7:46 AM
RE: Dr Angelo Dilullo - Simply Always Awake - Guru Viking Podcast
Posts: 2722 Join Date: 2/26/19 Recent PostsLinda ”Polly Ester” Ö, modified 3 Years ago at 7/25/21 8:17 AM
Created 3 Years ago at 7/25/21 8:17 AM
RE: Dr Angelo Dilullo - Simply Always Awake - Guru Viking Podcast
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Aha, okay. I should probably listen from the beginning then, as there seem to be more nuances there. It might be good preparation for what is yet to come. You guys have been very helpful and I have obviously been lazy.
Good points.
I have only scratched the surface of Tibetan Buddhism, but it's apparent that it works a lot with psychological stuff. From several different angles too. I don't have any scholarly knowledge of all the different traditions, but it wouldn't surprise me if what we call psychological stuff is built into it one way or another. Maybe just sliced and diced on different axes.
--
And Steve, your interviews are gold!
Good points.
I have only scratched the surface of Tibetan Buddhism, but it's apparent that it works a lot with psychological stuff. From several different angles too. I don't have any scholarly knowledge of all the different traditions, but it wouldn't surprise me if what we call psychological stuff is built into it one way or another. Maybe just sliced and diced on different axes.
--
And Steve, your interviews are gold!
J W, modified 3 Years ago at 7/25/21 11:05 AM
Created 3 Years ago at 7/25/21 11:05 AM
RE: Dr Angelo Dilullo - Simply Always Awake - Guru Viking Podcast
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how so?
It felt to me that Angelo was speaking strictly to an audience who are familiar with the language of pragmatic dharma (which is of course, a perfectly valid assumption).
Where my mind went in this question, which granted has plenty of my own personality bits baked into it, was that Steve was asking, 'well what about people who aren't familiar with this type of language, and who might even equate words like 'self-actualization', 'awakening', 'self-realization' with 'mumbo jumbo' or 'woo-woo'?'
And I suppose I would have been a bit more satisfied had some of the epistimological stuff been mentioned. that's all.
And perhaps this was addressed more later in the interview, I actually didn't watch the whole thing, so maybe not fair for me to comment.
It felt to me that Angelo was speaking strictly to an audience who are familiar with the language of pragmatic dharma (which is of course, a perfectly valid assumption).
Where my mind went in this question, which granted has plenty of my own personality bits baked into it, was that Steve was asking, 'well what about people who aren't familiar with this type of language, and who might even equate words like 'self-actualization', 'awakening', 'self-realization' with 'mumbo jumbo' or 'woo-woo'?'
And I suppose I would have been a bit more satisfied had some of the epistimological stuff been mentioned. that's all.
And perhaps this was addressed more later in the interview, I actually didn't watch the whole thing, so maybe not fair for me to comment.
George S, modified 3 Years ago at 7/25/21 12:07 PM
Created 3 Years ago at 7/25/21 12:07 PM
RE: Dr Angelo Dilullo - Simply Always Awake - Guru Viking Podcast
Posts: 2722 Join Date: 2/26/19 Recent PostsSiavash ', modified 3 Years ago at 7/25/21 1:01 PM
Created 3 Years ago at 7/25/21 1:01 PM
RE: Dr Angelo Dilullo - Simply Always Awake - Guru Viking Podcast
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I think Steve was uncomfortable because of the amount of nonsense and inconsistency that Angelo kept throwing out, but he tried to continue the conversation in a respectful and detailed way, and I appreciate that Steve.
Linda ”Polly Ester” Ö, modified 3 Years ago at 7/25/21 1:07 PM
Created 3 Years ago at 7/25/21 1:07 PM
RE: Dr Angelo Dilullo - Simply Always Awake - Guru Viking Podcast
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I think he did his job as an interviewer in a professional way to get as much nuances out of the conversation as possible. As for his psychology, I'd rather not speculate.
Linda ”Polly Ester” Ö, modified 3 Years ago at 7/25/21 1:13 PM
Created 3 Years ago at 7/25/21 1:13 PM
RE: Dr Angelo Dilullo - Simply Always Awake - Guru Viking Podcast
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I remember the interview with Daniel after the Analayo accusations as being quite challenging as well, and I appreciated that because it gave Daniel the opportunity to really get into the nuances.
Pepe ·, modified 3 Years ago at 7/25/21 1:26 PM
Created 3 Years ago at 7/25/21 1:23 PM
RE: Dr Angelo Dilullo - Simply Always Awake - Guru Viking Podcast
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George S, I believe Steve's body language showed that he was just refraining from being harsh to a guest in his programme. Yet, IMO Steve was wrong for focusing in cultural aspects (see my post below) while it would have been a fair critique to say that this path should only be taken for those who have their "psychological trip very together” as Daniel states in the Foreword and Warning section of MCTB2.
George S, modified 3 Years ago at 7/25/21 1:41 PM
Created 3 Years ago at 7/25/21 1:35 PM
RE: Dr Angelo Dilullo - Simply Always Awake - Guru Viking Podcast
Posts: 2722 Join Date: 2/26/19 Recent PostsJ W, modified 3 Years ago at 7/25/21 2:06 PM
Created 3 Years ago at 7/25/21 2:06 PM
RE: Dr Angelo Dilullo - Simply Always Awake - Guru Viking Podcast
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What do you mean by that?
(im genuinely curious, I feel there may be something important that I am not getting here)
(im genuinely curious, I feel there may be something important that I am not getting here)
Zero, modified 3 Years ago at 7/25/21 8:40 PM
Created 3 Years ago at 7/25/21 8:40 PM
RE: Dr Angelo Dilullo - Simply Always Awake - Guru Viking Podcast
Posts: 68 Join Date: 2/21/18 Recent PostsSiavash '
I didn't like it at all how he responded Steve's questions about the certitude or what makes his truth to be more true than other truths.
It seemed to me that either he didn't understand the questions (!!!), or didn't want to answer them because of whatever agenda that he thinks he has and tries to look a certain way, or it's just a thick delusion.
This is I guess the third time that I try to watch him talking, and each time it gives me a strong negative feeling. My detectors start beeping bip bip bip bip bip bip ... .
I didn't like it at all how he responded Steve's questions about the certitude or what makes his truth to be more true than other truths.
It seemed to me that either he didn't understand the questions (!!!), or didn't want to answer them because of whatever agenda that he thinks he has and tries to look a certain way, or it's just a thick delusion.
This is I guess the third time that I try to watch him talking, and each time it gives me a strong negative feeling. My detectors start beeping bip bip bip bip bip bip ... .
Fwiw he talks about the dangers of teachers being manipulative quite clearly in his book. He's really just a chat away on Facebook if you want to clear your feelings. There's a great amount of projection and assumptions I'm reading in your posts.
Siavash ', modified 3 Years ago at 7/25/21 9:20 PM
Created 3 Years ago at 7/25/21 9:20 PM
RE: Dr Angelo Dilullo - Simply Always Awake - Guru Viking Podcast
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Dear Zero,
I don’t see any need to chat with him.
Steve, with all his talents and experiences in interviewing tried his best to get a clear answer for a few simple questions, but Angelo didn’t, or couldn’t provide clear answers, and even wasn’t consistent in his opinions, and he changed them a number of times when Steve pointed out their problems.
That’s enough of an indicator to me to not spend any more time and energy on Angelo.
I hope people who follow his teachings, get benefit from it.
I don’t see any need to chat with him.
Steve, with all his talents and experiences in interviewing tried his best to get a clear answer for a few simple questions, but Angelo didn’t, or couldn’t provide clear answers, and even wasn’t consistent in his opinions, and he changed them a number of times when Steve pointed out their problems.
That’s enough of an indicator to me to not spend any more time and energy on Angelo.
I hope people who follow his teachings, get benefit from it.
George S, modified 3 Years ago at 7/26/21 10:20 AM
Created 3 Years ago at 7/26/21 10:19 AM
RE: Dr Angelo Dilullo - Simply Always Awake - Guru Viking Podcast
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It kicks off with Angelo saying something along the lines of - anyone who hears this message and is tired of suffering, and deep down has a glimmer of knowing that they don’t actually have to suffer, and wants to wake up, then they can wake up (so long as they are willing to do the work, and let go, and be uncomfortable). That’s a challenging statement on a number of levels … Of course I want to wake up, so why aren’t I already awake? Maybe it’s because I’m not tired of suffering yet. Or maybe it’s because I’m not willing to acknowledge how much I am actually suffering. Or maybe on some level I believe that I deserve to suffer. Or maybe I’m not really willing to do the work. Or maybe I’m not willing to let go. Or maybe I’m not willing to expose myself to being uncomfortable. Maybe what I really want is what I think being awake should be like, not what it’s actually like. How do I know that I am not already awake? That would be one way to approach that kind of statement - as a springboard for heartfelt self-enquiry.
Another approach would be to let your rational defense mechanisms kick in … How does this guy know what he’s talking about? How can he be so certain? What’s his authority? Isn’t this all just subjective opinion/belief? Can he still initiate sex? Why is he saying that awakening might necessitate going to therapy, isn’t that just a cultural thing? Why is he saying that people-pleasing is manipulative? Can’t one authentically pretend to be nice? Isn’t authenticity dangerous because it could lead to war?
Direct pointing (bypassing the rational mind) and paradoxical self-enquiry can be very effective approaches for people who are aware of suffering enough that they are willing to experience the temporary discomfort of having their familiar frames of reference dislocated. When someone is in that place then somehow they can sense that it’s worth going through with it. If on the other hand someone is basically comfortable (or at least comfortably uncomfortable) with their frames of reference, then these approaches can be quite threatening. The ZDogg interviews were really live teaching sessions. ZDogg seems to be interested in actually awakening, and willing to acknowledge his suffering and have his frames of reference dislocated. Maybe it was naive of Angelo to try the same approach in this interview, but he seems to be passionate about reaching people who actually want to wake up. And like he says, if you’re not really interested in awakening then that’s totally fine … but wouldn’t you want to know that sooner rather than later, so you don’t spend years constructing a pale imitation of what you think awakening should be like?
Another approach would be to let your rational defense mechanisms kick in … How does this guy know what he’s talking about? How can he be so certain? What’s his authority? Isn’t this all just subjective opinion/belief? Can he still initiate sex? Why is he saying that awakening might necessitate going to therapy, isn’t that just a cultural thing? Why is he saying that people-pleasing is manipulative? Can’t one authentically pretend to be nice? Isn’t authenticity dangerous because it could lead to war?
Direct pointing (bypassing the rational mind) and paradoxical self-enquiry can be very effective approaches for people who are aware of suffering enough that they are willing to experience the temporary discomfort of having their familiar frames of reference dislocated. When someone is in that place then somehow they can sense that it’s worth going through with it. If on the other hand someone is basically comfortable (or at least comfortably uncomfortable) with their frames of reference, then these approaches can be quite threatening. The ZDogg interviews were really live teaching sessions. ZDogg seems to be interested in actually awakening, and willing to acknowledge his suffering and have his frames of reference dislocated. Maybe it was naive of Angelo to try the same approach in this interview, but he seems to be passionate about reaching people who actually want to wake up. And like he says, if you’re not really interested in awakening then that’s totally fine … but wouldn’t you want to know that sooner rather than later, so you don’t spend years constructing a pale imitation of what you think awakening should be like?
J W, modified 3 Years ago at 7/26/21 11:39 AM
Created 3 Years ago at 7/26/21 10:54 AM
RE: Dr Angelo Dilullo - Simply Always Awake - Guru Viking Podcast
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George, thanks for the detailed response.
I think you are maybe getting a little deeper with it than I did. To me its really just a question of communication and messaging. Not to say he seemed like a manipulator or anything like that, not to say that he doesn't know what he's talking about. Simply that he could have done a better job of communicating it.
Let's take the people pleasing bit. Now when Angelo referred to that as manipulative/toxic, I knew exactly what he was talking about. I think Steve knew exactly what he was talking about. (same with the subjective/objective bit). And I 100% agree with Angelo, because I understand how he is defining that term. But keeping in mind that there are tons of people who might identify as 'people pleasers', and actually there might be different uses of that term, some of which may not actually be referring to the toxic type, but rather someone who is being genuinely kind.
Steve just asked essentially, well what about cases where it's not toxic? And Angelo could have easily just said, 'well I am defining people pleasing as X' and that would have totally cleared it up. Not rocket science.
(EDIT: to clarify, I do think the term 'people pleaser' generally does hold negative connotations, but my point remains, that it would have been very easy to state the definition of the term)
Angelo seemed to interpret Steve's questions as 'Steve is not understanding what I am saying, or he doesn't believe me'. And in response he seemed to sort of talk down to Steve in order to try to get him to understand, even though Steve clearly already understood, Angelo just didn't seem to understand what the question was about. Really this tiny tiny little bit just reinforced to me that being fully awakened does not make you a good communicator!
(not does it make you a mind reader)
I think you are maybe getting a little deeper with it than I did. To me its really just a question of communication and messaging. Not to say he seemed like a manipulator or anything like that, not to say that he doesn't know what he's talking about. Simply that he could have done a better job of communicating it.
Let's take the people pleasing bit. Now when Angelo referred to that as manipulative/toxic, I knew exactly what he was talking about. I think Steve knew exactly what he was talking about. (same with the subjective/objective bit). And I 100% agree with Angelo, because I understand how he is defining that term. But keeping in mind that there are tons of people who might identify as 'people pleasers', and actually there might be different uses of that term, some of which may not actually be referring to the toxic type, but rather someone who is being genuinely kind.
Steve just asked essentially, well what about cases where it's not toxic? And Angelo could have easily just said, 'well I am defining people pleasing as X' and that would have totally cleared it up. Not rocket science.
(EDIT: to clarify, I do think the term 'people pleaser' generally does hold negative connotations, but my point remains, that it would have been very easy to state the definition of the term)
Angelo seemed to interpret Steve's questions as 'Steve is not understanding what I am saying, or he doesn't believe me'. And in response he seemed to sort of talk down to Steve in order to try to get him to understand, even though Steve clearly already understood, Angelo just didn't seem to understand what the question was about. Really this tiny tiny little bit just reinforced to me that being fully awakened does not make you a good communicator!
(not does it make you a mind reader)
Edward, modified 3 Years ago at 7/26/21 11:50 AM
Created 3 Years ago at 7/26/21 11:50 AM
RE: Dr Angelo Dilullo - Simply Always Awake - Guru Viking Podcast
Posts: 131 Join Date: 6/10/19 Recent PostsJ W, modified 3 Years ago at 7/26/21 12:05 PM
Created 3 Years ago at 7/26/21 12:03 PM
RE: Dr Angelo Dilullo - Simply Always Awake - Guru Viking Podcast
Posts: 703 Join Date: 2/11/20 Recent PostsGeorge S
Another approach would be to let your rational defense mechanisms kick in … How does this guy know what he’s talking about? How can he be so certain? What’s his authority? Isn’t this all just subjective opinion/belief? Can he still initiate sex? Why is he saying that awakening might necessitate going to therapy, isn’t that just a cultural thing? Why is he saying that people-pleasing is manipulative? Can’t one authentically pretend to be nice? Isn’t authenticity dangerous because it could lead to war?
Another approach would be to let your rational defense mechanisms kick in … How does this guy know what he’s talking about? How can he be so certain? What’s his authority? Isn’t this all just subjective opinion/belief? Can he still initiate sex? Why is he saying that awakening might necessitate going to therapy, isn’t that just a cultural thing? Why is he saying that people-pleasing is manipulative? Can’t one authentically pretend to be nice? Isn’t authenticity dangerous because it could lead to war?
mrdust, modified 3 Years ago at 7/26/21 2:14 PM
Created 3 Years ago at 7/26/21 2:12 PM
RE: Dr Angelo Dilullo - Simply Always Awake - Guru Viking Podcast
Posts: 50 Join Date: 7/17/19 Recent PostsGeorge SI thought it was a good example of how direct pointing can backfire!
George S Maybe it was naive of Angelo to try the same approach in this interview, but he seems to be passionate about reaching people who actually want to wake up. And like he says, if you’re not really interested in awakening then that’s totally fine … but wouldn’t you want to know that sooner rather than later, so you don’t spend years constructing a pale imitation of what you think awakening should be like?
Totally with you. It's as if Angelo is talking directly from non-conceptual experience and Steve keeps challenging that at the level of thought. To answer on the terms of the interviewer would be a kind of capitulation, not in terms of losing the argument (which is empty), but in terms of teaching what matters.
Angelo is saying something like "if you have enough desire, you can wake up", which sort of implies the corollary -- if you can't, you're holding on or getting in your own way somehow. Not objectively falsifiable, but exactly the kind of thing that a receptive person would need to hear.
J W, modified 3 Years ago at 7/26/21 2:58 PM
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RE: Dr Angelo Dilullo - Simply Always Awake - Guru Viking Podcast
Posts: 703 Join Date: 2/11/20 Recent Posts
Totally with you as well... it's not necessarily the kind of a thing a non-receptive person (or maybe more accurately, someone who is still getting in their own way) would need to hear. (using your terminology)
I guess they (we?) are SOL then!
(minor edits to make myself clear...)
I guess they (we?) are SOL then!
(minor edits to make myself clear...)
J W, modified 3 Years ago at 7/26/21 2:56 PM
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RE: Dr Angelo Dilullo - Simply Always Awake - Guru Viking Podcast
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I guess I would challenge the term 'capitulation' though. How is clearly defining the terms you are using / making yourself clear a "capitulation" in any sense?
Linda ”Polly Ester” Ö, modified 3 Years ago at 7/26/21 3:40 PM
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RE: Dr Angelo Dilullo - Simply Always Awake - Guru Viking Podcast
Posts: 7135 Join Date: 12/8/18 Recent PostsJ W:
Angelo seemed to interpret Steve's questions as 'Steve is not understanding what I am saying, or he doesn't believe me'. And in response he seemed to sort of talk down to Steve in order to try to get him to understand, even though Steve clearly already understood, Angelo just didn't seem to understand what the question was about.
This was my impression too. Steve asks questions in a professional way to render a nuanced and clear material for his audience. That means that he has to make sure that shared taken-for-granted knowledge becomes explicit in the interview. He doesn’t ask only for himself. It’s not a private conversation. And sometimes he needs to play the devil’s advocate. So making assumptions about his understanding based on his questions - or his degree of awakening for that matter - is to misunderstand the genre. Psychologizing about him based on the interview questions is the same kind of misunderstanding. For all we know, Steve could be more awake than any of us who discuss this. Maybe he just doesn’t like to show off and doesn’t crave validation.
mrdust, modified 3 Years ago at 7/26/21 4:12 PM
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RE: Dr Angelo Dilullo - Simply Always Awake - Guru Viking Podcast
Posts: 50 Join Date: 7/17/19 Recent PostsJ W I guess I would challenge the term 'capitulation' though. How is clearly defining the terms you are using / making yourself clear a "capitulation" in any sense?
You can't think your way to waking up. At best you can paint yourself into an intellectual corner (e.g. koan) and trigger something outside of thought.
For the teacher to answer the student's question would enable the student's fixation on satisfaction via thought. Can the teacher meet him there? Sure, but it probably won't help anyone.
Ostensibly what the student really wants is to live from presence, realization, etc. So the teacher needs to "not capitulate the frame of" presence. Bring the student into the body, ask where it hurts when you think so much, avoid giving weight to the notion that anything can be resolved, etc.
I'm clearly projecting the student / teacher thing onto a the podcast interview to a degree, but that's how it came across to me. And I guess Angelo could have addressed this in some other way, but I absolutely see where he's coming from.
J W, modified 3 Years ago at 7/26/21 4:44 PM
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RE: Dr Angelo Dilullo - Simply Always Awake - Guru Viking Podcast
Posts: 703 Join Date: 2/11/20 Recent PostsNot sure it's the best word. I just resonate with the teaching method. It's not unlike what my teacher frequently did with me early in our relationship.
You can't think your way to waking up. At best you can paint yourself into an intellectual corner (e.g. koan) and trigger something outside of thought.
For the teacher to answer the student's question would enable the student's fixation on satisfaction via thought. Can the teacher meet him there? Sure, but it probably won't help anyone.
Ostensibly what the student really wants is to live from presence, realization, etc. So the teacher needs to "not capitulate the frame of" presence. Bring the student into the body, ask where it hurts when you think so much, avoid giving weight to the notion that anything can be resolved, etc.
I'm clearly projecting the student / teacher thing onto a the podcast interview to a degree, but that's how it came across to me. And I guess Angelo could have addressed this in some other way, but I absolutely see where he's coming from.
You can't think your way to waking up. At best you can paint yourself into an intellectual corner (e.g. koan) and trigger something outside of thought.
For the teacher to answer the student's question would enable the student's fixation on satisfaction via thought. Can the teacher meet him there? Sure, but it probably won't help anyone.
Ostensibly what the student really wants is to live from presence, realization, etc. So the teacher needs to "not capitulate the frame of" presence. Bring the student into the body, ask where it hurts when you think so much, avoid giving weight to the notion that anything can be resolved, etc.
I'm clearly projecting the student / teacher thing onto a the podcast interview to a degree, but that's how it came across to me. And I guess Angelo could have addressed this in some other way, but I absolutely see where he's coming from.
And sorry if it seems like this is A Big Deal to me - it's not, honestly I am just nitpicking.
Speaking from a personal level, that style of teaching resonates with me as well. I feel he would be a good teacher for me. But at the same time I can see how that style of communication can be alienating and even triggering if the student/teacher relationship is not properly established.
(And yes, it did seem to me that Dilullo was assuming the role of teacher throughout the interview.)
J W, modified 3 Years ago at 7/26/21 7:52 PM
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RE: Dr Angelo Dilullo - Simply Always Awake - Guru Viking Podcast
Posts: 703 Join Date: 2/11/20 Recent PostsGeorge S
I thought it was a good example of how direct pointing can backfire!
I thought it was a good example of how direct pointing can backfire!
Linda ”Polly Ester” Ö, modified 3 Years ago at 7/26/21 10:04 PM
Created 3 Years ago at 7/26/21 10:04 PM
RE: Dr Angelo Dilullo - Simply Always Awake - Guru Viking Podcast
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It gets pretty absurd when interview questions are treated as questions from a student. It's not like Steve was there to get pointing out instructions.
Siavash ', modified 3 Years ago at 7/26/21 10:11 PM
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RE: Dr Angelo Dilullo - Simply Always Awake - Guru Viking Podcast
Posts: 1700 Join Date: 5/5/19 Recent PostsLinda ”Polly Ester” Ö
It gets pretty absurd when interview questions are treated as questions from a student. It's not like Steve was there to get pointing out instructions.
It gets pretty absurd when interview questions are treated as questions from a student. It's not like Steve was there to get pointing out instructions.
Yes. It gets absurd, dishonest and disrespectful. Extremely disrespectful.
Linda ”Polly Ester” Ö, modified 3 Years ago at 7/26/21 10:39 PM
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RE: Dr Angelo Dilullo - Simply Always Awake - Guru Viking Podcast
Posts: 7135 Join Date: 12/8/18 Recent PostsSiavash ', modified 3 Years ago at 7/26/21 11:38 PM
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RE: Dr Angelo Dilullo - Simply Always Awake - Guru Viking Podcast
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Yes. That has kind of made me sad and worried to read this thread. When people let go of critical thinking with a meditation/dharma teacher, then terrible things can happen.
(And with power, comes corruption.)
(And with power, comes corruption.)
Edward, modified 3 Years ago at 7/27/21 12:33 AM
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RE: Dr Angelo Dilullo - Simply Always Awake - Guru Viking Podcast
Posts: 131 Join Date: 6/10/19 Recent PostsGeorge S, modified 3 Years ago at 7/27/21 8:31 AM
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RE: Dr Angelo Dilullo - Simply Always Awake - Guru Viking Podcast
Posts: 2722 Join Date: 2/26/19 Recent Posts
Agreed, it was disrespectful. Steve’s House, Steve’s Rules. Gurus get to advertise their wares in exchange for giving Steve whatever he gets out of putting gurus in a position where he gets to challenge them without them challenging him.
genaro, modified 3 Years ago at 7/27/21 9:04 AM
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RE: Dr Angelo Dilullo - Simply Always Awake - Guru Viking Podcast
Posts: 126 Join Date: 11/23/19 Recent PostsGeorge S
Agreed, it was disrespectful. Steve’s House, Steve’s Rules. Gurus get to advertise their wares in exchange for giving Steve whatever he gets out of putting gurus in a position where he gets to challenge them without them challenging him.
Agreed, it was disrespectful. Steve’s House, Steve’s Rules. Gurus get to advertise their wares in exchange for giving Steve whatever he gets out of putting gurus in a position where he gets to challenge them without them challenging him.
... fair do's but yet I'm still delighted by Dhammarato's response to a Q from Steve where he said something like 'yes the world will end but that would be fine (and smiling)' and Steve went all crosseyed and you could imagine the thoughts about 'my message' going pear shaped. Kudos to Dh. for getting the opinion out there without challenging GV directly!
Re Angelo Delillo: I tried a couple of his video talks but got impatient waiting for him say anything tried FFWD but no diff so gave up. Yet i like his phrase 'there's no way that things are', i have another way of expressing that but hey. Someone said he proposes advising things that he didn't do awakening wise, but i have no probs with that as he says he observed other people waking up and that's what he's teaching. So you don't get cured of Angelo's problems: that's a boon.
You can't give generic & specific advice, get over it.
Linda ”Polly Ester” Ö, modified 3 Years ago at 7/27/21 9:45 AM
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RE: Dr Angelo Dilullo - Simply Always Awake - Guru Viking Podcast
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I was more specifically thinking about how people assume things about Steve.
I don't have any opinions about Angelo, except that he seems to be a subjectivist and that he seemed to misinterpret Steve's questions as personal queries - which got awkward - and people seem to follow his lead there. This thread is starting to look like flasback. Honestly, why don't we all just do our practices and refrain from the gossiping?
I don't have any opinions about Angelo, except that he seems to be a subjectivist and that he seemed to misinterpret Steve's questions as personal queries - which got awkward - and people seem to follow his lead there. This thread is starting to look like flasback. Honestly, why don't we all just do our practices and refrain from the gossiping?
Sam Gentile, modified 3 Years ago at 7/27/21 1:48 PM
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RE: Dr Angelo Dilullo - Simply Always Awake - Guru Viking Podcast
Posts: 1310 Join Date: 5/4/20 Recent Posts
IMHO, listening to this, and the comments, I really feel like Steve badgere3d him. I've never heard him treat other guests the same way. Just my opinion, but this guy comes off very genuine and his book has been a great help in my practice.
David S, modified 3 Years ago at 7/27/21 5:10 PM
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RE: Dr Angelo Dilullo - Simply Always Awake - Guru Viking Podcast
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I am interested in hearing from Steve about why he was so focused on truth statements.
I took the statements with a grain of salt and just focused on the intention. But Steve seemed perturbed. Is there something he is wrestling with? It would be helpful to have some sort of understanding what he thought he was doing with his line of questioning.
I took the statements with a grain of salt and just focused on the intention. But Steve seemed perturbed. Is there something he is wrestling with? It would be helpful to have some sort of understanding what he thought he was doing with his line of questioning.
This very moment, modified 3 Years ago at 7/27/21 5:43 PM
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RE: Dr Angelo Dilullo - Simply Always Awake - Guru Viking Podcast
Posts: 71 Join Date: 7/6/17 Recent Posts
Agree. I kept thinking " why do we need to go down this logical rabbit hole?". Other teachers maybe don't make some of his claims like "everyone can be enlightened" and be absolutely certain about it. But every Buddhist teacher believes it is theoretically possible. Put the work in and it will happen. Hope is important motivation to practice.
Steve has had some really wacky interesting guests on who are part of an established heirarchy (Tibetan). Some of the things they say are batshit crazy from an objective perspective. I think they get a bit of a free pass because they have the cover of tradition. Angelo is this free lancing Quasi-Advaita Zen guy without perhaps " the meditative weight or chops "
that Steve would expect to be saying these things. Maybe that hit a nerve for Steve. I have listened to virtually all his interviews, love them, but something was amiss here.
Steve has had some really wacky interesting guests on who are part of an established heirarchy (Tibetan). Some of the things they say are batshit crazy from an objective perspective. I think they get a bit of a free pass because they have the cover of tradition. Angelo is this free lancing Quasi-Advaita Zen guy without perhaps " the meditative weight or chops "
that Steve would expect to be saying these things. Maybe that hit a nerve for Steve. I have listened to virtually all his interviews, love them, but something was amiss here.
J W, modified 3 Years ago at 7/27/21 6:43 PM
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RE: Dr Angelo Dilullo - Simply Always Awake - Guru Viking Podcast
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Probably I was being overly self-serious above, please excuse me if i was. In my mind it was a rabbit-shaped cloud which temporary obscured the beautiful intention from both, clearly helpful to many.
Stefan Stefan, modified 3 Years ago at 7/28/21 3:46 AM
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RE: Dr Angelo Dilullo - Simply Always Awake - Guru Viking Podcast
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Wonky but overall good interview. Steve simply seemed like he was off his game. Fixated on objectivity and beliefs etc., perhaps filtering Dr Angelo's ideas through his own without charity. The exchange about therapy was just awkward. All cultures have a way of doing psychological therapy!
I didn't notice any animosity in the questioning or condescension in the answering. Steel sharpens steel; a bit of uncomfortableness helps flesh out the ideas and shows us that they're pressure tested! So it's no harm and no foul!
Dr Angelo is interesting. Not really saying all words that convey the Dharma to myself and how I understand it. But there's a lot of nuggets in there!
I didn't notice any animosity in the questioning or condescension in the answering. Steel sharpens steel; a bit of uncomfortableness helps flesh out the ideas and shows us that they're pressure tested! So it's no harm and no foul!
Dr Angelo is interesting. Not really saying all words that convey the Dharma to myself and how I understand it. But there's a lot of nuggets in there!
George S, modified 3 Years ago at 7/28/21 4:39 AM
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RE: Dr Angelo Dilullo - Simply Always Awake - Guru Viking Podcast
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I think that’s the most likely explanation. If you believe that lineage confers authority, then a non-lineaged person who talks directly about awakening represents a threat to that worldview. That would explain Steve’s unusually challenging line of questioning (compared with the deference shown towards guests who brag about all the lamas they’ve met). Angelo chose to answer the challenge directly, and it’s a matter of convention whether you call that “disrespectful” or “authentic”. Unless Steve responds we’re left guessing. Angelo would probably get a more balanced treatment from someone like Michael Taft. Not that this interview wasn’t revealing, if you read between the lines.
n0nick, modified 3 Years ago at 8/20/21 10:57 AM
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RE: Dr Angelo Dilullo - Simply Always Awake - Guru Viking Podcast
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I am assuming since this is buddhist forum everyone believes in the doctrines of karma. To be honest you can never know someone else's attainment unless you are awakened to a high degree yourself and have some extrasensory perceptions to do so. So shitting on a awakened guy irespective of tradition definitely can not be good karma. I doubt law of karma would give anyone a free pass over say something like your ideals about pragmatic dharma. Again I could be completely wrong and dogmatic but it is something to ponder about.
George S, modified 3 Years ago at 8/20/21 11:33 AM
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RE: Dr Angelo Dilullo - Simply Always Awake - Guru Viking Podcast
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RE: Dr Angelo Dilullo - Simply Always Awake - Guru Viking Podcast
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This is not really about angelo. I mean generally with anyone with some level of attainment. Again you cant be uncritical and give anyone free pass but to be very honest you just dont know someone else's attainment. I see it a lot within pragmatic dharma community that they disregard everything outside their worldview as dogma but if say for example feeding a stream eneterer or highers as mentioned in sutras can generate merit then critisizing someone like a arhat or higher in case of you take mahayana or vajrayana seriously on a public forum definitely cannot be good. I just dont know where to draw the fine line.
George S, modified 3 Years ago at 8/21/21 2:45 AM
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RE: Dr Angelo Dilullo - Simply Always Awake - Guru Viking Podcast
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I think that's correct, no one can really know anyone else's attainment ... so what good is attainment then? I would encourage you to think some more the impossibility of drawing this line
Griffin, modified 3 Years ago at 8/21/21 7:40 AM
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RE: Dr Angelo Dilullo - Simply Always Awake - Guru Viking Podcast
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Most of the discussion wasn't too combative... Some moments in the last half hour were a little bit tense, but there's no reason to blow that out of proportion.
But I do feel like all that theoretical philosophical rabbithole ("How can you know that all people can get awakened" thing) was not a very useful endevour in a pragmatic sense.
I think Dilullo was OK, maybe he's not always an inspiring speaker, but I have no big issues with what he's saying.
But I do feel like all that theoretical philosophical rabbithole ("How can you know that all people can get awakened" thing) was not a very useful endevour in a pragmatic sense.
I think Dilullo was OK, maybe he's not always an inspiring speaker, but I have no big issues with what he's saying.