Evolving Vajrayana, Sutric vs Tantric View, & Why Traditional Buddhism Fails Householders | Charlie Awbery

Charlie Awbery is a meditation teacher and longtime Vajrayana practitioner. Ordained in 2002 in the non-monastic Aro gTer lineage, their practice has spanned yidam, yogic song, chod, psycho-physical yogas, and solitary retreats. Alongside traditional Vajrayana, Charlie has trained in Gestalt psychotherapy and worked in mental health services and international human rights organizations. After twenty-five years in traditional Vajrayana, they co-founded Evolving Ground — a community for contemporary Vajrayana practice that integrates ancient tantric wisdom with modern psychological understanding.In this conversation, we explore the distinction between Sutric and Tantric view and why it matters, different ways of approaching Vajrayana, and the vehicles of Buddhism and their different endpoints.We get into why the Sutric view is so pervasive in Western Buddhism, why it can be problematic for householders, the effect of language and worldview on meditation practice, and different perspectives on awakening and enlightenment.We also explore how Evolving Ground's Vajrayana differs from traditional Vajrayana, Chod practice and coming to terms with death, integrating emptiness and form practices, connecting Circling to Vajrayana, the teacher-student relationship in Evolving Ground, and learning through transmission and the We Space.🔗 LINKS & RESOURCES 🔗Charlie's Vajrayana blog Evolving Ground — Charlie's meditation community Sutra to Tantra with Charlie Awbery and Jared Janes at the Stoa Vividness — David Chapman🕰️ TIMESTAMPS 🕰️0:00 - Introduction3:46 - Charlie's spiritual journey6:26 - Sutric view vs Tantric view10:36 - Different ways of approaching Vajrayana12:52 - The vehicles of Buddhism and their different endpoints17:14 - Eyes opened vs eyes closed in meditation20:35 - The effect of language and worldview on meditation practice25:56 - Why Sutra is so pervasive29:41 - Why the Sutric view can be problematic for householders37:14 - Deemphasizing suffering and other reasons for meditating40:26 - Effects of Sutric vs Tantric meditation43:22 - Different perspectives on awakening and enlightenment51:20 - Can a beginner start with Tantric view and practice?53:16 - Meta-systematic approach to meditation58:45 - Buddhist dogma1:01:19 - How Evolving Ground's Vajrayana differs from traditional Vajrayana1:09:10 - Chod practice and coming to terms with death1:16:08 - Integrating emptiness and form practices1:18:55 - Connecting Circling to Vajrayana1:23:30 - The teacher-student relationship in Evolving Ground1:30:26 - Tacit knowledge, learning through transmission and the We Space*Subscribe to my YouTube channel to watch the video versions of the Elevating Consciousness Podcast *Subscribe to the Insighter Substack to get in-depth articles on the theory and practice of human transformation through a post-conventional