EPISODE · Mar 4, 2022 · 1H 11M
Ep138: Trained as a Nun - Beth Upton
from Guru Viking Podcast · host Guru Viking
In this interview I am joined by Beth Upton, a meditation teacher, ex-nun, and student of renowned meditation master Pa Auk Sayadaw. Beth reveals why reading economics at Cambridge caused her to fracture with today’s economic system and eventually led to her ordaination as a nun in Myanmar. Beth details her rigorous training under renowned meditation master Pa Auk Sayadaw, addresses skepticism of the Visuddhimagga, and criticises so called ‘soft jhana’ teachings as watered down dharma. Beth contrasts popular soft jhana teachings with how she was trained at Pa Auk, discusses the 10-fetter model of enlightenment, and explains how samadhi can be used to remember past lives and generate siddhi such as the ability to see devas and ghosts. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep138-trained-as-a-nun-beth-upton Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:51 - Upbringing and and reading economics at Cambridge 03:56 - The problem at the heart of money 05:44 - Money as a monastic vs a lay person 09:32 - Beth’s current thinking on money 16:14 - Encountering Buddhism 19:21 - Becoming a nun and meeting the meditation master Pa Auk Sayadaw 23:26 - Is the Visuddhimagga overblown? 25:03 - Soft Jhana teachings are watered down 28:43 - Hard jhana vs soft jhana distinctions 31:42 - Is there duality in jhana? 34:11 - Is jhana necessary for effective vipassana? 36:06 - Is progress possible without retreat? 38:57 - Beth’s 1-1 mentorship 40:14 - The curriculum of Beth’s training as a nun 44:10 - How to remember past lives 48:45 - Observing the causal links of karma 50:45 - How to develop siddhi via deep samadhi 53:44 - Opening the divine eye to perceive devas and ghosts 56:11 - Not claiming attainments 01:00:42 - Choosing the right meditation object 01:03:36 - Beth’s dislike of Dharma talks 01:05:57 - 1-1 mentorship with Beth 01:08:10 - Change technique after stream entry? 01:19:14 - Beth on the 10 Fetters and 4 Path Model … To find out more about Beth Upton, visit: - https://bethupton.com/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James
What this episode covers
In this interview I am joined by Beth Upton, a meditation teacher, ex-nun, and student of renowned meditation master Pa Auk Sayadaw. Beth reveals why reading economics at Cambridge caused her to fracture with today’s economic system and eventually led to her ordaination as a nun in Myanmar. Beth details her rigorous training under renowned meditation master Pa Auk Sayadaw, addresses skepticism of the Visuddhimagga, and criticises so called ‘soft jhana’ teachings as watered down dharma. Beth contrasts popular soft jhana teachings with how she was trained at Pa Auk, discusses the 10-fetter model of enlightenment, and explains how samadhi can be used to remember past lives and generate siddhi such as the ability to see devas and ghosts. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/ep138-trained-as-a-nun-beth-upton Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’. … Topics Include: 00:00 - Intro 00:51 - Upbringing and and reading economics at Cambridge 03:56 - The problem at the heart of money 05:44 - Money as a monastic vs a lay person 09:32 - Beth’s current thinking on money 16:14 - Encountering Buddhism 19:21 - Becoming a nun and meeting the meditation master Pa Auk Sayadaw 23:26 - Is the Visuddhimagga overblown? 25:03 - Soft Jhana teachings are watered down 28:43 - Hard jhana vs soft jhana distinctions 31:42 - Is there duality in jhana? 34:11 - Is jhana necessary for effective vipassana? 36:06 - Is progress possible without retreat? 38:57 - Beth’s 1-1 mentorship 40:14 - The curriculum of Beth’s training as a nun 44:10 - How to remember past lives 48:45 - Observing the causal links of karma 50:45 - How to develop siddhi via deep samadhi 53:44 - Opening the divine eye to perceive devas and ghosts 56:11 - Not claiming attainments 01:00:42 - Choosing the right meditation object 01:03:36 - Beth’s dislike of Dharma talks 01:05:57 - 1-1 mentorship with Beth 01:08:10 - Change technique after stream entry? 01:19:14 - Beth on the 10 Fetters and 4 Path Model … To find out more about Beth Upton, visit: - https://bethupton.com/ … For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com … Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James
NOW PLAYING
Ep138: Trained as a Nun - Beth Upton
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
Mar 26, 2026 ·1m
Jan 2, 2026 ·47m
Dec 21, 2025 ·46m