In this interview I am joined by John Maki Evans, teacher of Japanese swordsmanship, practitioner of several syncretic esoteric Japanese disciplines of tantra and magic, and author of ‘Kurikara: The Sword and the Serpent’.

John recalls aspects of his intense training in Japan, traces his lifetime spent uncovering the higher esoteric dimensions of the Japanese arts, and details the 9 stage journey from novice to master.

John maps the subtle body and its correspondences to the five elements and the dragon king protectors known as nāgarāja, explains the demands of following the inner path of transformation, and considers the special role of the sword in religious life.

John also reflects on the process of opening the body and mind, recovery from severe back and brain injuries, and on the dangers of reaching your spiritual goals.

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Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep231-esoteric-arts-of-japan-john-maki-evans



Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.

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Topics include:

00:00 - Intro01:05 - John’s 3 practitioner names 02:30 - Prescience of John’s sensei 04:21 - John reflects on his qualities 06:19 - Pros and cons of personal characteristics 07:48 - The process of opening up 09:09 - The danger of reaching your spiritual goals11:19 - John’s 3 phase grading system12:30 - 3 levels of transmission 18:26 - 5 elements, 9 Stages22:01 - The power of the sword25:29 - Nakamura Sensei’s special forces combat experience 28:53 - Taking up the sword30:39 - Back injury and meeting Shandor 32:47 - Healing serious back injuries33:40 - A powerful sexual awakening36:19 - Japanese tantric and esoteric knowledge 41:37 - Piecing together an inner yogic system 43:44 - The nāgarāja dharma protectors 46:33 - 9 syllable magick 48:57 - Mapping the subtle body49:48 - An intensive Shingon retreat 52:52 - Discovering a genuine master 54:22 - Squat practice 55:15 - Severe brain injury 58:18 - Left and right hemispheres 59:06 - Working with the brain mandala 01:02:56 - John’s mother’s death01:05:08 - John’s post-surgery vision01:07:09 - Post-surgery recovery 01:10:40 - Esoteric yogic techniques01:13:21 - A profound Japanese spiritual poem 01:18:08 - Memorising Patañjali’s yoga sūtras 01:19:56 - The death of John’s father and John’s childhood death-ritual

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To find out more about John Maki Evans, visit:- https://www.battodo-fudokan.co.uk/

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For more interviews, videos, and more visit:- www.guruviking.com

Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James