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. …Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep314-me-my-gurus-ani-pemaAlso available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
…Topics include: 00:00 - Intro01:06 - High flying fashion career 02:41 - Questioning the American dream03:24 - Taking up yoga 04:02 - Meeting Swami Muktananda04:55 - A precognitive vision05:40 - Close study with Swami Muktananda in India07:29 - Rigorous practice regime at the ashram 08:38 - Obliterating the self11:02 - Muktananda as a vortex of energy12:09 - A past life connection14:47 - Swami Muktananda’s 1974 USA tour19:17 - The serious karmic burden of giving shaktipat20:09 - Attending the 16th Karmapa22:02 - Leaving Muktananda’s organisation22:55 - Becoming a disciple of Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche24:24 - Becoming a disciple of Namkhai Nyingpo in Bhutan26:03 - Working for Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche after he became famous27:19 - You hire the guru to assassinate your ego28:44 - Lichivi House30:02 - Reflections on past gurus31:23 - Rudi and shaktipat32:28 - Adi Da’s ego and meeting with Swami Muktananda36:33 - 4 methods of shaktipat38:31 - Health consequences of offering shaktipat40:25 - Dangers of unauthorised shaktipat41:48 - Mind to mind transmission in Tibetan Buddhism42:32 - 4-6hrs of chanting per day43:24 - 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 death52:47 - Profound periods of purification 54:48 - Consequences of the spiritual path56:23 - Do Tibetan teachers recognise Muktananda’s dharma?59:18 - Meditation is beyond tradition01:00:46 - Ani Pema reflects on her experience as a practitioner01:03:55 - Ani Pema’s advice for practitioners 01:06:19 - Difficulties in following famous gurus…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.comMusic ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James