Ep373: Rude Awakenings - Samuel Bercholz

In this episode I am joined by Samuel Bercholz, a senior teacher in the Nyingma and Kagyu lineages of Tibetan Buddhism, founder of Shambala publications, and author of “Rude Awakenings: An Unconventional Guide to the Buddhist Path”. Samuel recalls his childhood as the son of holocaust survivors, his arrival in America as a refugee, his rapid ascent in the Democratic party as part of the Kennedy campaign, and his eventual disillusionment with politics. Samuel describes his early spiritual seeking in theosophy and Buddhism, details his first experience of satori, and explains the process of learning to trust his gurus. Samuel tells stories of his years of discipleship under controversial spiritual teachers such as Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche and Thinley Norbu Rinpoche, offers his insights about how to be a vajrayana student, and reflects on what it takes to be the disciple of tough masters. … Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:02 - Rude Awakenings 02:46 - Child of the holocaust 05:03 - Arriving in America 07:18 - Interest in literature and politics 08:21 - Working for Kennedy 09:32 - Disillusionment with politics 11:16 - Exploring spiritual traditions 12:36 - Theosophy and Buddhism 14:56 - First satori 15:42 - Samuel’s mother’s preference for Russia 17:24 - Difficulties in America as a refugee and becoming a citizen 10:26 - Samuel’s resilience and processing past trauma in meditation 22:22 - Becoming part of the Kennedy office 25:02 - Refugee confidence 26:16 - Samuel’s doubts about himself 28:57 - Witnessing politicians lying about Vietnam 30:42 - Having a breakdown 32:32 - Disappointing spiritual teachers and politicians 34:15 - Experience with Lama Anagarika Govinda 38:17 - Developing trust in spiritual teachers 39:42 - Founding of Shambala Publications 41:00 - Years of discipleship under Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche 43:14 - Being with tough gurus 44:10 - Skepticism about Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche 45:34 - Death of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche 46:43 - How to be a Vajrayana student 49:56 - Samuel’s special relationship with Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche 51:37 - Stories about Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche’s personal teaching 54:44 - Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche’s dark side 58:20 - Comparing enlightened teachers 01:03:09 - Becoming a disciple of Thinley Norbu Rinpoche 01:11:24 - Lineage stories are real 01:12:31 - Lama’s commission to Samuel 01:13:19- So easy to miss spiritual opportunities 01:15:19 - Rude Awakenings, breadth and depth 01:16:12 - Why “Rude Awakenings”? … To purchase “Rude Awakenings: vist: - https://www.shambhala.com/rude-awakenings.html For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - https://www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James