Steve James: Embodiment, Meditation & Survival At The Edge Of Life | EP 51

Steve James is a meditation teacher, somatic practitioner, artist & the host of the Guru Viking Podcast. With a rich & diverse background, his work todays bridges the worlds of body-based practices & contemplative spiritual traditions.Growing up in Scotland, his journey into body-based disciplines began at the ripe age of five with martial arts & intensive physical training, eventually leading to elite-level competition as a member of the Scottish Fencing team in his teens. He later expanded his practice to include yoga, qigong, and physical performance In parallel, Steve's path into contemplative & spiritual disciplines started early through an apprenticeship with a Christian mystic from the Celtic tradition. And this formative experience inspired years of study & deep personal practice in prayer, contemplation, and inquiry. He has continued this journey through extensive meditation practice, silent retreats & extensive studies in world mysticism.As a result of his unique range of experiences & understanding of human behaviour, high performance, spirituality & interpersonal relationships, he is highly sought after by leading figures at the highest levels of the arts, entertainment & business. In our interview, we explore: Steve's perspective on the value of exploring meditation & contemplative practices that teach us to go beyond the body, alongside body-based practices that deeply engage us into our bodies. His personal interest & philosophy around pushing the limits of physical & psychological performance, including his pursuit of arctic survival training in Sweden's boreal forest, where daytime temperatures reach highs of only -24°C. Our individual encounters at the edge of life, sharing our personal near-death experiences & reflecting on how these moments have shaped us & what they taught us about life moving forward. I thoroughly enjoyed my conversation with Steve and found it to be a powerful discussion for all the men here seeking deeper self-cultivation, whether physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually with a highly regarded teacher in the transformational growth space.—Connect with Steve JamesWebsite: https://www.guruviking.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/guruvikingListen to Steve's Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/c/GuruViking—Connect with Alex Lehmann:Website: https://www.alexlehmann.co/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexlehmann_Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@HeartofManPodcast/featuredListen to this conversation on Apple Podcasts and leave a review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/heart-of-man/id1697289478Email: [email protected] in working with me 1:1? Apply here and book a free discovery call with me (1 spot available at present time): https://www.alexlehmann.co/11-coaching—Episodes you might enjoy: Eli Buren: Embodied Leadership — Cultivating Presence & Depth | EP 29: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1vqmGKNDBxm2pmH8hi6ckr?si=4b60b11ecfd448db