In this episode I am joined by Ray Russell, founder of Tartarus Press and, as R.B. Russell, the author of the newly published T. Lobsang Rampa And Other Characters of Questionable Faith, the first definitive biography of T Lobsang Rampa. Ray shares the life story of Rampa, born Cyril Henry Hoskin in 1910, who claimed to have been possessed by the consciousness of a Tibetan Lama. Rampa’s books were best sellers in the mid 20th century and, though debunked by specialists at the time, are credited for bringing awareness to Tibetan Buddhism and serving as the initial inspiration for the careers of several notable Tibetologists. Ray reveals the truth of Rampa’s origins, his various assumed identities, his ascent to international fame, the consequences of his exposure by the press, and the surprising reasons for his ongoing popularity. Ray also reflects on the mystery of faith, the psychological payoffs from belief in hoaxes and conspiracy theories, and what motivates some authors to represent fiction as fact. … Video version: https://www.guruviking.com/podcast/p319-mystery-of-t-lobsang-rampa-rb-russell Also available on Youtube, iTunes, & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
 … Topics include: 00:00 - Intro 01:10 - A look at the book 02:32 - Childhood exposure to world religions 04:31 - The New Age and the question of faith 07:04 - Denying scientific facts 08:04 - Mystical experiences 09:22 - Alan Moore and belief in magick 10:16 - Meaning and comfort from myths and religions 10:56 - Crowley 11:22 - Incredulity and fascination 13:04 - Suspension of disbelief and religious conversion 14:27 - Nutrients of meaning and comfort 15:39 - Facing death 17:26 - Does everyone have faith in something? 19:01 - Secular religion? 19:55 - Encountering T Lobsang Rampa 21:04 - Discovering Rampa’s fraud 22:19 - Third Eye (1956) 23:13 - Possessed by the consciousness of a Tibetan Lama 24:42 - Erich von Däniken’s clever approach 26:47 - Becoming first Dr KuanSuo and then T Lobsang Rampa 31:09 - Never coming out of character 34:28 - Inspiration for converts and scholars of Tibet Buddhism 36:00 - The Dalai Lama’s thanks to Rampa 36:45 - Liar, delusional, or the Son of God? 38:06 - Reactions among the inner circle 40:38 - Transmigration revealed too late 42:22 - Independent vs institutionally validated miracles 44:44 - Rampa’s theosophical ideas 46:52 - Mistakes in the Third Eye 47:53 - Nostalgia for childhood 49:24 - Which miracles to believe? 50:11 - Tibetologists on Rampa 52:34 - Carlos Castaneda 54:04 - Raynor Winn’s “The Salt Path” controversy 55:45 - Anger at Rampa 57:35 - Crop circles 59:29 - Tartarus Press and Arthur Machen 01:01:30 - Why “Tartarus" 01:03:09 - The Great God Pan and other Machen writing … Buy Ray’s book here: - http://tartaruspress.com/russell-rampa.html For more interviews, videos, and more visit: - www.guruviking.com Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James