Wide reading: saints, Hasidism, mystics

In this episode, I am joined by Jensen Martin, a scholar-practitioner and PhD student at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California. Jensen recalls how his childhood experiences playing the World of Warcraft and reading fantasy books awakened a deep longing for real experiences of magick and shamanism, how reading spiritual biographies inspired him become a live-in member of the Self Realisation Fellowship, and how trips in India drew him to the practice of bhakti. Jensen recounts powerful visions of Narasiṃha and Egyptian gods, transformative darśanas with Indian gurus such as Amma the Hugging Saint, and experiments with the power of mantra recitation. Jensen also describes his deep dive into psychedelic use, reveals his extensive experience with ayahuasca, and details his journey to a full-scholarship PhD at the Graduate Theological Union. … Video version: www.guruviking.com Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:07 - Narasiṃha 01:52 - Jensen’s childhood 02:50 - Drawn to shamanism through World of Warcraft 04:41 - Reading about shamanism and pagan religion 06:17 - Inspired by fantasy and World of Warcraft 09:48 - Lucid dreaming practice and animal totems 12:42 - Reading “Autobiography of a Yogi” 14:35 - Move to Humboldt county to pursue samadhi in nature 15:45 - Experimenting with substances 16:48 - Living at the Self Realisation Fellowship and time in India 20:55 - Masters degree in Yoga Studies 21:36 - Thirst for magickal experiences 27:50 - Living hand to mouth 29:33 - Jensen’s practice regime 32:00 - Hassidic Judaism, Orthodox Christianity, and Amma Sri Mātā Amritānandamayī Devi  35:35 - Academic studies 37:09 - Powerful darśana from Amma Sri Karunamayi 40:38 - Further trips to India and practicing bhakti 42:36 - Encounter with Narasimha 46:38 - Attending the 2019 Kumbh Mela 50:00 - Dream of Egyptian Narasimha connections 54:41 - Extreme sickness and vision of Narasimha 01:02:52 - Meeting Dhruva Gorrick 01:04:37 - Powerful encounter with Amma the hugging saint 01:08:52 - Why not to share significant spiritual experiences 01:10:00 - Going deep with ayahuasca and other psychedelics 01:23:18 - Mantras coming alive 01:24:54 - High frequency of psychedelic trips 01:25:58 - Work as park ranger 01:26:54 - Negative ayahuasca experiences and magickal attack 01:39:47 - Encountering Narasimha on ayahuasca 01:49:37 - A new theme for Jensen’s ayahuasca ceremonies 01:57:02 - Lineage spirits commanded Jensen to stop ayahuasca 01:57:38 - Further visions 01:59:05 - Encountering Vishnu and further pleas to stop taking ayahuasca 02:07:27 - Return to Amma and Narasimha initiation 02:08: 42 - Receiving a PhD scholarship to study Narasimha 02:15:41 - Still drinking ayahuasca 02:19:52 - Uniqueness of the human body 02:21:02 - Borrowing psychic power and astral contracts 02:29:46 - Why does Jensen keep using ayahuasca despite warnings? … To find our more about Jensen Martin visit: - https://www.instagram.com/jensen_sudarshan/ For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James