235. Daniel Ingram

Daniel Ingram is the author of Mastering the Core Teachings of the Buddha: An Unusually Hardcore Dharma Book, is one of the founders of the Dharma Overground, has been a speaker and interviewee on Buddhist Geeks, and practices Emergency Medicine as a physician. He is highly influenced by the practices of Mahasi Sayadaw, but his interest in the dharma is much more pragmatic than dogmatic and draws on a wide range of sources.

Longer, more tongue-in-cheek bio: Daniel is an extroverted Gen X intellectual. He is known for his pronounced enthusiasm, lip-flapping, grandiosity, eccentricity, and calling people on their stuff and shadow sides regardless of whether or not this is helpful or even accurate. He is an arahant and has a solid mastery of the basic concentration states from the first jhana to Nirodha Samapatti, including the Pure Land Jhanas. He also has a solid knowledge of Buddhist theory and the texts, and because of these three areas of expertise considers himself a qualified teacher. He was also authorized and encouraged to teach by a lineaged abbot of the Mahasi Sayadaw tradition.

Website: The Dharma Overground

Summary and transcript of this interview.

Interview recorded 6/7/2014

YouTube Video Chapters:

  • 00:00:00 – Introduction to Daniel Ingram and his book
  • 00:05:53 – Different Models of Awakening and Enlightenment
  • 00:11:49 – The Importance of Being Present in all Aspects of Life
  • 00:17:08 – The Serts Paradox and the Emptiness/Fullness Debate
  • 00:22:33 – Vedic Tradition and Different Cognitive Abilities
  • 00:28:02 – The Potential for Misdiagnosis and the Importance of Maps and Teachers
  • 00:33:41 – The Danger of Diagnosing Friends and Family
  • 00:39:30 – The Nature of Reality and Intuition
  • 00:46:45 – The Importance of a Spiritual Renaissance
  • 00:54:21 – The Power of Subtle Changes in Society and Technology
  • 01:02:49 – Integrating Meditation into Religious Traditions
  • 01:11:15 – Finding Balance and Wellness
  • 01:15:35 – The Deepening Interest in Spirituality
  • 01:19:48 – The Problem of Psychopaths and Power
  • 01:24:54 – Selling Spirituality: The Challenges of Advertising Meditation
  • 01:29:16 – Balancing Honesty and Salesmanship in the Spiritual Community
  • 01:33:40 – The Persecution of Mystics
  • 01:38:02 – Profound Experiences in Catholic Churches
  • 01:42:25 – Perceiving Different Realms and Beings
  • 01:45:54 – Enhancing Function and Mental States
  • 01:48:33 – Luminous, intelligent entities
  • 01:51:42 – Pragmatic and Experiential Perspectives on Supernatural Experiences
  • 01:54:24 – Exploring stages of development and awakenings
  • 01:57:57 – The Stages of Awakening
  • 02:01:04 – Transformation and the Elimination of Rites and Rituals
  • 02:05:20 – Dissolving the Sense of Self
  • 02:10:00 – Questioning Enlightenment
  • 02:13:55 – Embracing the Richness and Freshness of Life
  • 02:18:02 – The Incredible Intelligence in the Universe
  • 02:22:15 – The Wonder of Creation and Manifestation
  • 02:25:26 – How to Support the Channel