Ep23: The Secret Yogas of Tibet - Ian A Baker

In this episode I talk with Ian A. Baker, author of 7 books and an initiate of Buddhist, Taoist, and Hindu Tantric lineages.

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

To find out more about Ian A Baker, visit:

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Music 'Deva Dasi' by Steve James

[jonathannadeau]

You’re really the best interviewer out there on these subjects. You ask intelligent questions and keep quiet for the answer unlike others that I won’t name. I wish that you can get as many quality guests as these bad interviewers get.

[bradbryant]

The look on Ian's face when asked about meeting Kunzang Dorje Rinpoche...was worth a million rupees! Then ...once he explained what was asked of him, the look took on different meeting! LOL
I've never heard better questions in an interview EVER on any subject by ANYBODY! Well prepared (not easy!) and brilliant! Kudos!
That was great to hear about Kyabje Chatral Rinpoche being so open, and even getting up and dancing. Wow what karma you have Ian, and I'm grateful for your courage, as all too often it is not present with so many advanced Western practitioners. I daresay I have it, and had I been able to be diligent enough, and avoid really stupid life decisions...I would have tried to do many of the things you have done.
But, sadly, courage alone isn't enough. You have that rare combination of discipline, and "60's Adventurer" mindset. I am grateful that there is someone who did many of the things I dream of which require IMHO "long walks through dangerous neighborhoods of the mind". I got mugged in those neighborhoods.

[purpleman]

This is one of the most remarkable interviews I have ever found on the net. Fascinating subjects, great questions, and a wonderfully gifted communicator with very uncommon experiences in his pocket.
Thank you!

[PECTribe]

Absolutely Love How Ian A Baker integrates and pulls from traditional teachers, that this is for everyone.

[michaelmanningly]

Thankyou so much Mr. Guru Viking for this intervieew with Ian Baker , who is indeed a MOST fortunate man of great good karma to have met a great teacher and to know the most direct path to Buddha mind . Many thanks to you both for making this knowledge available ! ! !

[VajraDhara-blcw]

WOW this is just an an amazing interview! The flood of information and insights and revelations are just astounding!!! Guru Viking you are sincerely a great interviewer!!!! 
please keep it up. This knowledge is priceless !!! thank you 🙏 🙏🙏

[shemusmcquillaide]

Wow this is an absolute godsend. Not only is it just mind blowing info for me as a rather eclectic practitioner it is just so helpful as boost to my getting back into Tsa Lung again after being too worried about maybe over doing. Tha kind of worry just became too much of an obstacle to me, though I was really getting some huge boosts to my practice from it. Yes, I have been taught by qualified teachers and have very good texts to refer to, I feel so incredibly fortunate to hav had the opportunity but couldn't do anything with it. This video is saying yes you can! Thank you Viking Guru and Ian Baker, just a phenomenal interview!

[sikhara.center]

Thanks to your interview with Ian I recently 'discovered' him and bought two of his wonderful books. Appreciate it.

[harima]

Yes, there seems to be a green goddess energy in the ether. About 1am with 1/2 closed eyes I visually encountered her for about 15 seconds near the end of a spontaneous meditation while sitting at night by my little fire (near the east tip of big island Hawaii)...on the lava with a strong swell crashing/splashing on to me... - A few days later i met her in human form and i asked her: "was that you? the only difference between you and her is that who i saw was green". She said: "of course... my name is Maile..It means the energy of the green of the forrest".

[danielhall]

This guy... telling it how it is. Damn. Such a great talk.

[stephennelson]

Really fabulous interview. Ian is great! And his knowledge and wisdom far reaching. Thank you.

[saraondo]

Ian as a long time Dharma student. He is a vessel that is so deep and so rare. Thanks karma zangpo

[completerealitydao]

This is my favorite of your many excellent interviews!

[jaapendebonenstaak]

A great bridge between western wisdom and eastern wisdom combined into investigation of something usefull for all. ThankYou

[wsking]

We did ask the lamas about this thing of teaching everybody who shows up, instead of the practiced and ready few as in the past. They said quite frankly, "This is a very dangerous time for the Dharma. We don't know what will survive or not since the world is in such turmoil and wars are everywhere and innocent people are killed everywhere. So we are teaching everyone, hoping that what people seek and find most useful and helpful and transforming will survive for the welfare of all." THat was quite frightening to hear from people who have direct insight into the future.

[kaarensobyartwork]

I have the greatest fortune to have teachers like Namkai Norbu Rimpoche, Alan Wallace, Ian Baker ( just finished Part FOUR of Ian’s presentation on THE HIDDEN LANDS OF THE BAYUL
PResented by SBI and CNN...fascinating presentAtion....I am in love with Ian’s CLARITY and sense of ADVENTURE
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[erisd]

30:36 This is a significant revelation for my own personal experience of this phenomenon, both the scientific and metaphysical components mentioned. Serious gratitude

[bradbryant]

That was a beautiful interjection - to clarify the 5th and 6th Dalai Lamas - as difficult as it is to interrupt the brilliant Ian Baker. His knowledge is pretty mind-boggling.

[MomentsGap]

How is he 63 years old at the time of interview???? :0

[nicholasg]

It's interesting I used to practice Tibetan Buddhism and one time I went to a event and I tried to speak to some very powerful and popular lamas about the similarities of Taoist Qigong and Tibetan Buddhist tumo and they laughed at me and they didn't even want to talk about it they mocked me for even trying to find similarities.

Later I met with a Tibetan doctor who acknowledged the similarities and other practitioners and lamas actually confessed that the Chinese practices were Superior in energetics but the Tibetan practices were Superior in understanding emptiness and the nature of phenomenon and mind