Here's a new interview with Ian A Baker, author of 7 books and an initiate of Buddhist, Taoist, and Hindu Tantric lineages.

Would love to know what you think!

https://www.guruviking.com/ep23-ian-a-baker-the-secret-yogas-of-tibet-guru-viking-interviews/

...

Ian is an international fellow of the Explorers Club and the Royal Geographic Society and was joint curator of the 2016 exhibition “Tibet’s Secret Temple” at the Wellcome Collection, London.

In this interview we discuss Ian’s 25 years living in India and Nepal, seeking out the ‘beyul’, the mystical hidden lands of the Himalayas whilst simultaneously pursuing academic studies at Oxford and Columbia Universities.

We discuss the history of the illustrious 6 Yogas of Naropa, and hear about Ian’s research into the monastic re-interpretation (and perhaps even distortion) of these Tantric techniques of India.

We also examine the remarkable overlap between Tibetan completion stage practices, the practices of Shakta Shaivism, and Taoism - including stories about Ian’s own training in these esoteric disciplines.

Topics Include:

0:00 - Intro
1:00 - Initial fasciation with the art and landscape of the Himalayas
04:36 - Ian’s quest for the ‘beyul’, the mystical hidden lands of the Himalayas
07:54 - Remote retreats under the guidance of Chatral Rinpoche
10:12 - Leaving Columbia University to pursue fieldwork in Nepal
14:00 - The integration of academic and spiritual training
19:56 - How to integrate ancient wisdom traditions into modern day life
21:17 - The Dalai Lama’s Secret Temple
23:27 - The unusual story of the 6th Dalai Lama
30:06 - The esoteric murals of the Secret Temple
34:10 - Why were the 6 Yogas of Naropa kept secret?
36:58 - The sanitisation of the Vajrayana by the monastic institutions
40:49 - Commonalities with the Shaiva tantric traditions
42:55 - Heresy or innovation? And the history of the 6 Yogas
1:01:46 - Ian’s extraordinary training in the esoteric Kaula sect
1:09:54 - Falling in love with his consort, Uma Devi
1:13:10 - Is tantric practice dangerous?
1:23:35 - Reactions to Ian’s views in the academic and religious establishments
1:32:29 - Taoist influence on Indian Tantra
1:35:52 - Ian’s training with the Magos of Java, Taoist Master John Chang
1:44:38 - Stories of Kunzang Dorje Rinpoche, Dzogchen and Tsa Lung Master
1:50:51 - Ian’s upcoming projects

An entertaining interview. Baker certainly has lived an adventure and has the stories to show for it!

Thanks for checking it out! 

Thank you for sharing this. I enjoyed it.

Is the guy in this video the same Chinese master that he mentions that could move objects? does anyone know?
(And does any one know the guy in this video? Is this just another fake one?)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEIqOQUEQAg

I can move objects without touching them. They just can't be too heavy. 

(Ask me why...)

...because the force of your breath can't overcome its weight?

Why what!?

I ask people to move things for me so it's about how heavy the objects are that the other person can lift.

 No touching!

The Dao of Delegation.

Oh, I misunderstood him. I wasn't careful and thought that he is talking about a Chinese master, and didn't notice Taoist Master John Chang.
It's easier now!

Just read in Daobums.com that Taoist Master John Chang (head of the Mo Pai school) died on February 4th, 2020. He was in his late 80s at the time of his death. It is suspected that his death was due to cancer or complications due to cancer. RIP

That's insane that he actually met & experienced (thus can verify) the siddhis in the 'dynamo jack' videos.  I remember watching these at least ten years ago, I think.  It brings a different perspective on the siddhis than those presented in the Visuddhimagga, which are based on acheiving extremely high states of concentration paired with intention, rather than direct control of the energy system.

Also, I did like his perspective on tantra.  I think from a Buddhadharma perpsective it is valid also to do lots of heavy lifting with insight, concentration & loving kindness before studying tantra & I would probably err on the traditional/conservative side of things at this point.  But hard to argue with the amazing stories from his direct experience.

Reg. the matter of open source (breathing) practices a la Wim Hof and many others, it is actually the case that while many ppl report benefits, there are also loads of ppl who get into lot of trouble.

Interesting to hear John Chang has died, he was definately a rare master.  For anyone interested in more on him, check out The Magnus of Java by Kosta Danos, one of his western former students, super interesting book.