In this interview I am once again joined by Ralph White holistic learning pioneer, international speaker on cultural transformation and the history of the Western esoteric tradition, and co-founder of the New York Open Centre.
Ralph recounts his clandestine mission into Tibet in 1989 on behalf of the Nechung Oracle: hiking solo across the border, evading commissars, escaping from bandit villages, enlisting the aid of Khampa horsemen, and encountering a UFO high in the Himalayas.
Ralph recalls founding the Art of Dying Conference, reflects on his own relationship with his father, and describes the religious genius of Rudolf Steiner on death and what lies beyond.
Ralph also discusses the Western Esoteric tradition, tells stories of Robert Bly’s Rosicrucian poetry, and critiques logical positivism and the limitations of academia.
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Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep202-mission-to-tibet-ralph-white
Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
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Topics Include:
00:00 - Intro
01:44 - Arriving at Nechung Monastery, Dharamsala
03:17 - Mission into Tibet
05:11 - Finding a secret route into Tibet via Kham
10:07 - Aftermath of Tiananmen Square
12:06 - High risk adventure
13:04 - Ralph’s daily routine in the mountains
16:34 - Encountering a UFO
20:23 - Evading a Chinese commissar
21:46 - Escaping a bandit village
23:56 - Entering into deep meditation in a crisis
27:12 - Old enough to know better
28:32 - Provisions
29:48 - Further travels in Asia
35:03 - Reflections on the UFO sighting
37:33 - Founding the Art of Dying Conference
43:17 - Rudolph Steiner on karma and reincarnation
44:45 - Multi-cultural views on death
46:19 - Death denial in Western culture
51:21 - The death of Ralph’s father
57:16 - Dealing with emotional residue
01:01:22 - Engaging with the profound issues of life
01:02:29 - Logical positivism and the limitations of academia
01:04:39 - Rudolf Steiner’s genius
01:07:00 - Advice for entering the Western Esoteric tradition
01:10:34 - Founding the Esoteric Quest conference
01:11:32 - Robert Bly’s Rosicrucian poetry
01:12:54 - The rogue’s gallery
01:14:08 - The esoteric side of Robert Bly
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Previous episode with Ralph White:
- https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep140-quest-for-a-life-of-meaning-ralph-white
To find out more about Ralph White, visit:
- https://www.ralphwhite.net/
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For more interviews, videos, and more visit:
- www.guruviking.com
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Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James