Ep22: Jhana Master - Tina Rasmussen Ph.D

In this episode I talk with Tina Rasmussen Ph.D, a meditation teacher and author who is best known as being the first Western woman to master the virtuoso-level shamata meditation system of Pa Auk Sayadaw.
In this interview we learn about Tina’s life-defining quest for enlightenment which inspired her 1-year solo retreat in which her practice of Dzogchen triggered not only massive energetic phenomena but also a profound spiritual awakening.
We hear all about Tina’s training and authorisation under the notoriously rigorous Pa Auk Sayadaw, culminating in mastery of all 8 jhanas, with all ten kasinas, and much more.
We also discuss issues such as integration of awakening in professional life, romantic relationship after enlightenment, and s3xual scandal among meditation teachers.
Topics Include
0:00 - Intro
00:53 - Learning meditation at 13 years old
03:19 - Rediscovering the spiritual path after divorce
07:10 - Discovering a natural faculty for deep meditation experiences
10:31 - Straddling deep practice and high end business consulting
14:11 - Why Tina outed herself as a meditator in her professional life
18:36 - Effects of Tina’s spiritual practice on her romantic relationships, and meeting Stephen Snyder
24:10 - Rewired romantic life after enlightenment and Tibetan Tantra
29:20 - Tina’s 1 year solo retreat
40:55 - Extreme energetic experiences and DIY Tummo
44:21 - Tsoknyi Rinpoche and subtle body trauma
50:38 - The challenges of working with very popular teachers
55:33 - Finding mentors as an advanced practitioner
58:52 - Tina’s dream yoga practice and 24hr meditation
1:02:31 - Tsoknyi Rinpoche and Mingyur Rinpoche
1:03:24 - Tina’s Dzogchen practice
1:06:53 - Mastering shamata meditation under Pa Auk Sayadaw’s instruction
1:20:14 - Which is more difficult, shamata or awakening?
1:22:06 - The consequences of jhana mastery
1:27:14 - Scandals among spiritual teachers, levels of awakening, and personality material
1:33:21 - Defining ‘Do No Harm’ and the need for psychological understanding
1:43:20 - Working with Tina
To find out more about Tina Rasmussen Ph.D, visit:
- www.awakeningdharma.com/
For more interviews, videos, and more visit:
- www.guruviking.com
Music 'Deva Dasi' by Steve James

Пікірлер: 54

  • @Hermit_mouse
    @Hermit_mouse3 жыл бұрын

    Guru Viking! Your channel is such a breath of fresh air for so many reasons. Thank you for always reading up on your guests, asking compelling questions, covering lots of ground and bringing your own knowledge and experiences to the table. The intros are also a great touch. I wish you so much luck at getting all the guests you're after. You deserve it brother.

  • @moonmissy
    @moonmissy2 жыл бұрын

    I come from the Vietnamese Lam Te Thien (Rinzai equivalent in Vietnam). After my koan breakthrough at 28 years old I did practice all the the Jhanas and Arupas or higher Jhanas and open awareness Vipassana (which is basically Shikantaza in Zen tradition). It took me 5 years post Kensho, so it’s pretty impressive for her to do it in a a few retreats. As for cessation, I’ve experienced it for 1-7 day’s while going about normally during daily life. So it’s totally attainable for lay people. What is really important is access to good teachers (and stay with them, I studied with mine for 27 years) and total dedication to the path. My teacher was a master meditator, he did 10 years of solitary retreat. Unfortunately he only took on 2 students and didn’t teach anyone else. He just didn’t care to be known as a master or not on his path. There are totally enlightened teachers out there but in my experience, they’re not very public people.

  • @waterkingdavid

    @waterkingdavid

    11 ай бұрын

    Hello moonmissy. Very interesting post (to make a massive understatement). Do you by any chance teach at all? If so I'd love to ask you some questions or better still dialogue with you. Whatever the case wish you goodwill 😊.

  • @rupeeking8138

    @rupeeking8138

    11 ай бұрын

    @@waterkingdavid follow the links to Regina Zen Sangha

  • @TomsDone
    @TomsDone4 жыл бұрын

    It's great that you provide a convenient table of contents for your users - and with links too! Thank you.

  • @GuruViking

    @GuruViking

    4 жыл бұрын

    You're welcome! Thanks for checking out the interview :-)

  • @bodhichill
    @bodhichill3 жыл бұрын

    That was simply one of the greatest interviews/discussions regarding the practice of Dhamma I have ever come across. The two of you hit on so many fascinating and relevant topics for modern practitioners that it was truly enlightening. I really appreciate hearing from a lay person who has such a depth and breadth of practice about how it informs and impacts their everyday life. Thank you for sharing.

  • @ceruleandusk
    @ceruleandusk2 жыл бұрын

    I really appreciate that you put all the timestamps

  • @williamjohansson6282
    @williamjohansson6282 Жыл бұрын

    This is one of the best interviews on this channel! Period!! 🙏❤️

  • @tryh10
    @tryh104 жыл бұрын

    This is an absolutely fantastic interview! Thank you for doing it

  • @hear-and-know
    @hear-and-know2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you very much for the fascinating interviews, well-thought out questions - and time stamps, which really help me navigate the topics :)

  • @iMatia69
    @iMatia692 жыл бұрын

    This is one of my all-time favourite interviews of yours. I really enjoyed it, very beneficial as well. Thank you both.

  • @rogerunderhill4267
    @rogerunderhill4267 Жыл бұрын

    Dude! I’m so glad I found your channel. You cover all the stuff that has interested me over the years, and in the depth I’m looking for. Inspiring my next step. Thanks for all your efforts in this space 🙏🧘

  • @RobinDesBles
    @RobinDesBles4 жыл бұрын

    I really enjoyed that interview, thanks for the upload !

  • @GuruViking

    @GuruViking

    4 жыл бұрын

    You're welcome, thanks for checking it out!

  • @chrisallen7068
    @chrisallen7068 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you for presenting this fascinating talk with Tina Rasmussen. When I unscramble my thoughts, I will watch it again and listen to what is being said. I find your topic and chapter table extremely helpful. Thank you. Best wishes.

  • @novaacuinfo5930
    @novaacuinfo5930 Жыл бұрын

    Many of your guest I have no clue about and not sure to click on them, I start watching and find myself fascinated by their stories and your questions. thank you!

  • @mosaidou
    @mosaidou3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you Tina for sharing insights of your spiritual path. Guru Viking, your questions and level of listening were fantastic !

  • @GuruViking

    @GuruViking

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you!

  • @cedarmcdaniels1538
    @cedarmcdaniels15384 жыл бұрын

    Love her.....thanks for getting her on!

  • @GuruViking

    @GuruViking

    4 жыл бұрын

    You're welcome, thanks for checking it out!

  • @sirius_s2028
    @sirius_s2028 Жыл бұрын

    Amazing interview. Thank you.

  • @poikkiki
    @poikkiki4 жыл бұрын

    Very interesting, thank you for sharing!

  • @GuruViking

    @GuruViking

    4 жыл бұрын

    You're welcome!

  • @top5paranormal254
    @top5paranormal254 Жыл бұрын

    I love this guest!

  • @maume8278
    @maume82783 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the video. Really informative.

  • @GuruViking

    @GuruViking

    3 жыл бұрын

    You're welcome :-)

  • @galaxytrio
    @galaxytrio3 жыл бұрын

    Exceptional guest and interviewer.

  • @GuruViking

    @GuruViking

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you!

  • @top5paranormal254
    @top5paranormal254 Жыл бұрын

    Great channel, best wishes to the future..

  • @robhe1985
    @robhe19854 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for the interview. I really enjoyed it :-)

  • @GuruViking

    @GuruViking

    4 жыл бұрын

    You're very welcome, thanks for checking it out!

  • @supremeknowing
    @supremeknowing2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks! It was an amazing interview and very informational. I had a question why didn't you ask about her siddhis experience? I know that if people practice shamatha they can influence people and events and was curious if she had experience with that...

  • @poikkiki
    @poikkiki4 жыл бұрын

    By the way! Is there any other of your interviews in which any of your guests goes into detail regarding practices such as Dzogchen or Mahamudra? I am currently practising with Mingyur Rinpoche (you might also see a comment I wrote on Reddit responding to your post). Thanks!🙏🏻

  • @GuruViking

    @GuruViking

    4 жыл бұрын

    Hi! Yes, there are several interviews that discuss Dzogchen and Mahamudra: - www.guruviking.com/ep16-ngapka-chogyam-and-khandro-dechen-guru-viking-interviews/ - www.guruviking.com/guru-viking-interviews-ep9-glenn-mullin/ - www.guruviking.com/ep19-glenn-mullin-guru-viking-interviews/ - www.guruviking.com/guru-viking-interviews-ep8-ngakpa-chogyam/ - www.guruviking.com/ep21-bar-che-dorje-guru-viking-interviews/

  • @galaxytrio
    @galaxytrio Жыл бұрын

    Steve: "I just failed the awakening test. Oh, no." So charming.

  • @David-fp3qg
    @David-fp3qg Жыл бұрын

    so important to see a master who integrates all of life, including sex, vs the monastic life only

  • @CaptMang
    @CaptMang6 ай бұрын

    The rewiring part is too true , and yeah, not talked about enough. This is the first time I've come across the topic specifically online, but I think about it a lot. For me, it's hard to find people outside of the "I need a partner to be fulfilled/validated" mindset; or people who view romantic relationships as a sign of success, socially, personally, or otherwise; or people who latch on to the idea of a permanent relationship, rather than actualizing it in the present moment or whatever. Someone should make a Buddhist rom com.

  • @mattrousseau3121
    @mattrousseau31212 жыл бұрын

    What's the 51 percent rule

  • @backwardthoughts1022
    @backwardthoughts10223 жыл бұрын

    shamata there is full cessation of desire and enjoyment of sense objects and will sit effortlessly for 4h single-pointedly. 1st jhana one will sit 24h. mastery of a kasina gives one full capacity to alter it in the form realm causing it to refract accordingly in the desire realm or what u might call compete spooky magic. this lady is just talking about this modern redefinition of buddhism that is happening

  • @moonmissy

    @moonmissy

    2 жыл бұрын

    So what makes you the expert of early Buddhism? Maybe a PhD in early Buddhism research?! Not.

  • @jamesm5192

    @jamesm5192

    2 жыл бұрын

    Indeed. Only with those with eyes to see...

  • @mrh4742
    @mrh4742Ай бұрын

    "it doesn't give you a good review" 😅😂😂😂😂 @ 1:34:10'

  • @Samantabhadri
    @Samantabhadri8 ай бұрын

    Doing tummo from a book????? Sure......

  • @mja4752
    @mja47522 жыл бұрын

    Looks like a curriculum of a person with too much ego not jhana mastery … lol

  • @mattrousseau3121

    @mattrousseau3121

    2 жыл бұрын

    This lady is his worst-case guest. Talk about ego discised as humility

  • @raajuuteddd2202

    @raajuuteddd2202

    Жыл бұрын

    Can someone please give me some good resources on jhanas ? Thanks

  • @ijikayuto2950

    @ijikayuto2950

    Жыл бұрын

    Read: Visuddhimagga Book by Buddhaghosa Its free. You can download it for free! So no need to pay 18 dollars for q book cover. I read it it was most informative book about jhanas strength and depths of power! Try it , and anyone can achieve jhana if they have utmost zeal for it. Its only impossible for those who have no determination.

  • @Matsyendranath792

    @Matsyendranath792

    Жыл бұрын

    Big time

  • @hadisoewoyo8739

    @hadisoewoyo8739

    Жыл бұрын

    @@raajuuteddd2202 no material 'just watch the object with correct focus but relax and no expecting of anything to happen. just go through this

  • @mja4752
    @mja47522 жыл бұрын

    Every single so called meditator now wants to become a teacher on utube. Not sure this is a good thing . That s how dhamma gets distorted. I don t need no modern take on dhamma . I don t need no utube guru or PhD girl who has read too much commentaries on Buddhism .

  • @user-fg3fv9hl3b

    @user-fg3fv9hl3b

    2 жыл бұрын

    Well are you meditating daily? You may not need it but many want to have access to this kind of material.

  • @mja4752
    @mja47522 жыл бұрын

    What do you sell guys - A phd girl and a bearded guru do not inspire trust .

  • @kevinjoseph517

    @kevinjoseph517

    Жыл бұрын

    nor does a lot of the asian teachers. ive been in this a long time. i avoid the money hungry ones.