Ep60: Full Natty Arhat - Frank Yang

In this episode I am joined by Taiwanese KZbin Fitness star Frank Yang who on May 25th 2020, declared himself to be an arhat - the highest level of enlightenment in Theravada Buddhism.
Frank discusses his intense spiritual quest, from his early days as a bodybuilder struggling with sex addiction, to a multi-year deep dive into Buddhist meditation practice.
We learn about Frank’s initial awakenings, kundalini phenomena, encounters with entities, and journeys to astral dimensions.
Frank lifts the lid on his successful KZbin channel of over 160k subscribers, and shares his personal advice for all those who seek enlightenment.
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www.guruviking.com/ep60-frank...
Audio version of this podcast also available on iTunes and Stitcher - search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
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Topics Include:
0:00 - Intro
0:46 - The collective dark night of the pandemic
1:46 - Bodybuilding, sex addiction, and beginning meditation
8:33 - Plato and the link between physical training and meditation
10:48 - Frank’s relationship to his body
12:25 - Sex and philosophy
14:33 - Discovering Daniel Ingram and experiencing the Arising and Passing
16:54 - Frank’s first dark night
19:40 - Psychedelic explorations
23:54 - Stream entry on second Goenka retreat
31:18 - Frank’s meditation influences
32:07 - Kundalini awakening
37:16 - The affects of Frank’s Kundalini awakening
38:17 - Attaining 3rd path
41:16 - Attaining 4th path
51:14 - Controversy around attainments
52:38 - The effects of enlightenment on Frank’s sex addiction
57:34 - Stream entry to arhat in 1 year
58:42 - Out of body experiences and astral realms
1:01:06 - Frank’s encounters with negative entities
1:04:01 - Sensing energies in people and places
1:05:38 - Changes to personal relationships after awakening
1:08:10 - Why Frank is sometimes lonely
1:08:36 - Frank’s bi-polar diagnosis and his meditation path
1:11:15 - Frank’s KZbin channel and his creative vision
1:19:06 - Advice to those seeking enlightenment
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Audio version of this podcast available on iTunes and Stitcher - search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
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To find our more about Frank, visit:
- / frankyang
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For more interviews, videos, and more visit:
- www.guruviking.com
Music ‘Deva Dasi’ by Steve James

[@frankyang]

So fun brah thanks for having my character:)

[@razvanciuca7551]

Yo Frank, thanks for doing this interview. Shinzen Young once said that he would prefer 1 day of his experience to a lifetime of unenlightened but rich/superstar living. I'm curious if you would agree with this, would a single day of your experience be better than 100 years of having Jeff Seid's body and being a billionaire?

[@frankyang]

Razvan Ciuca Shinzen is correct.

[@evanmcdon]

luv u fronk 💕

[@jacobxa]

Hey! When you mention the panoramic 360 vision thing, were you referring to what Kenneth Folk describes as “the witness” by chance? What Rob Burbea calls “the vastness of awareness.” I’ve had it after doing self inquiry, but to me I’d describe it more as a feeling of “flipping” inside and outside.

[@ik4770]

Frank do you have any contact mail?

[@scottchwp5463]

Long time fan of frank he started my spiritual path when I was just tryna learn body building lol

[@nickpumpeth]

Scottchwp same

[@henryshewell8855]

Haha, brilliant

[@TigerTzu]

Man, this is a really underrated channel

[@GuruViking]

Thanks! :-)

[@alexandria5758]

+1 He asks the questions I want answers to and then he just lets the guest speak. SUBSCRIBED

[@SuperTank121212]

This interview is incredibly important to me, so rare to see someone speak so freely about their experiences. Thanks so much to the both of you!

[@demois]

Right.. buddhists always being so secretive about their 'personal experiences'.. :D

[@nicksyoutubeaccount]

He seems like a nice guy, and I'm nowhere near experienced enough to judge his claims, but even before he mentioned bipolar disorder, I thought he seemed kind of manic. Hearing him describe all these "dark nights" just sounds like he's describing going back and forth between mania and depression, but combined with a regular meditation practice and labeling things as stages on a spiritual path...

[@user-fg3fv9hl3b]

The two are very similar. Just because some of us struggle with some level of mental disorder doesn't mean our experiences aren't valid.

[@Shun434]

I feel happy to live in a world where people like Frank exist. We all gonna make infinite brah.

[@amballika1]

Frank :) God bless, you have opened a whole new way on how people perceive enlightenment. Stay smiling

[@frankyang]

Thank you 🙏

[@iGhostr]

Amazing, you work at Crime investigation department in Delhi, Forensic Science Laboratory

[@billymac29]

Delusion is a power thing..

[@shakeelabanu614]

Sheer Innocence and pureness and cuteness, may God bless always with health and happiness @Frank Yang

[@nolifeonearth9046]

not a word about the four noble truths, while using buddhist jargon. Thats a red flag to me.

[@McQzv]

Great pacing. You managed Frank so well and just let him fly freely in describing his journey. The few questions you did ask were perfect guardrails. Thanks Frank for doing something comprehensive like this.

[@Pilki]

awesome! thanks. you should do more interviews frank!

[@meloun5798]

I came from Frank's channel. His videos have helped me through some ass times in my life- thanks for interviewing him.

[@cutyoursoul4398]

Awesome interview, thanks, always love fronk

[@userjuha]

Fresh and honest - I like it!

[@JJBerthume]

Been a huge fan of Frank for a while, but I'm so glad to discover your channel - excited to check out more! Loved your vibe, questions, and insights!!!

[@zanara28]

Thank you! Great Interviews!!

[@CoreySheikh]

Yes - beautiful, very much my experience as well. The end, is the new beginning, it is an opening to true infinity, where life "truly" begins. Nice conversation :)

[@lingy74]

Love this interview.

[@taniakozak7772]

A huge red flag is the claim that you are enlightened. Especially enlightened to the highest degree.

[@h.neubert8770]

This.

[@Darksagan]

This is the best interview Ive seen of Frank.

[@nickpumpeth]

So fuarking trippy about the dimensions and what noy

[@jjbbjcmh78]

Wow. This is definitely "different" than other interviews I've seen on this channel.

[@cluelessindividual8643]

Thank you guys

[@krisissocoollike]

Great interviewer and very interesting.

[@westernco]

this is very inspiring thank you

[@EricHanefi]

Amazing!

[@louisljjoel]

YESSSSSSSS THANK U UNIVERSE

[@VeritableVagabond]

Guru Viking is a goat for this one.

[@VeritableVagabond]

@McoParkour hell yeah! Those chapters were deeeeeeep.

[@_eddiecole]

Awesome!

[@loveudon6972]

A new greeting for anyone who has meditated before. ..."Arahant to meet you"

[@dannyhuang8773]

Nice to hear him talk a bit about his bipolar disorder. I had some experiences in the past and the doctors diagnosed me as bipolar, and I've also felt a sort of ambivalence about how it affects my goal of pursuing enlightenment.

[@onelove7069]

I like the advice he gives, very simple and real. I also like that he has gone so far with vipassana, its nice to know whats possible.. And of course how open he is aboit his experiences.. I will go check out his youtube channel. Im really curious where is at now, about two years later

[@tamarahauser7152]

wow thank you for sharing, I never heard someone share of his process in such detail. Frank is so honest, direct and fearless!

[@skyjuke2006]

Whaaaat????

[@childfortruth]

This is the greatest video I’ve ever watched. Thank you KZbin for showing me the way (Eckhart, Shinzen, Leo, many others and now Frank). Damn I’m filled with sympathetic joy and excitement.

[@nickecommerce8127]

Always inspiring listening to Frank

[@PANTHERA369]

Astral Projections are some of the most freeing and uplifting experiences I have ever had

[@konsstar]

Do I hear the regret in your voice? :)

[@Asdfghjk]

best video ever

[@user-fg3fv9hl3b]

I just dont know what Frank Yang has to say hes an arahant. Instead of claiming it, tell us what each stage of awakening was like for you and what made you think you got into these stages of permanent perceptual changes and benefit. It just feels like he did what me and everybody else did - read Daniel's book, get way too excited and reach a powerful A & P stage, and then take that to be enlightenment. For me it lasted four months of incredibly convincing changes and benefits before it started to calm down and I realized it was only the arising and passing. The one point Daniel points out again and again in his book and interviews is to NOT mistake this for awakening.

[@Benny_000]

This dude is not an arahant. He's clearly not operating from a place of stillness. I'm sure he's found more peace and stillness in his life on his journey, but he has not fully realized the truth yet.

[@chewdrag]

Enlighten means no anger, no desire ( no more wanting) and no delusions. I heard he talked about frustration and wanting to drink. For delusion part I let you figure it out.

[@user-fg3fv9hl3b]

Unless you're enlightened and have that as your experience be careful making claims like that. Many people these days are getting paths and finding out that's not exactly how it works.

[@Prashant-cw3ir]

who said that? Lol .. Are you enlightened to know what enlightened means?

[@TypethisforElement]

@@user-fg3fv9hl3bno certain attributes are completely extinguished that will never change as it’s in there going that the new arises

[@lakedistrict9450]

Arhat ? 😂 cheerful chap👍

[@supremeknowing]

Everything is arahant these days. Just go on retreat and you will be one 😂 (sarcasm)

[@TypethisforElement]

@@supremeknowing😂

[@lubainachoudhury7944]

Wow... some of these comments are like some of the most judgmental spiritual jargon ever 🤪😂..here for the tea ☕️

[@KlaasVKH]

''When you think you have it, you don't have it''

[@satatik21]

This is hilarious, Daniel Ingram types are popping up everywhere. (sarcasm...)

[@supremeknowing]

These days everyone is arahant! Haha😂

[@davidstrickland1127]

So no one is an arahant....lets congratulate our ability to stick our head up our arse and take a lungfull of our own nilghiism

[@Benny_000]

@@supremeknowing Don't insult the spiritual ego's!

[@TheAntzh]

Where did @michael kors comments go? Why would youtube censor anyone that speaks out against this guy? Or did frank report the comment thread and get it removed? Even more suspicious that when someone speaks against him the comments are removed after a day or som.

[@suyangsong]

I don't understand. I'm not usually a skeptical person but truth of the matter is anyone can just claim they've reached arahantship (including monks). There's a lot of things that just seems...odd. I mean, you can't fault people for questioning your _full attainment, without even becoming a monk no less_ . In Theravada buddhism they take the 5, 8 or 10 precepts (which is meant to purify the body and mind), I'm pretty sure somewhere in there are precepts against heedlessness (alcohol) and sexual misconduct. Which, it seems to me that's....not present here. There's also the issue of mentions of like, bodybuilding in general. Because while monks can keep themselves from frailty I'm pretty sure bodybuilding is not ok. _that being said_ . Let's even say I'm not being skeptical. Of people who have reached full enlightenment, 99.9% of them are monks. Just...statistically, how likely is it that this is true? And I'm not saying that just to cast doubt. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, what kind of extraordinary evidence can you provide? And bro, like I _want_ this to be true. IF it was true it means there's probably a way to reach enlightenment by the average person, who doesn't have to "go forthrightly into homelessness" as the Buddha puts it, I want nothing more than this to be true, but so far I remain unconvinced :/

[@janaidewaegeneer1441]

Times change. There are plenty of self-realized people out there who live modern lives; husbands, wives, teachers, students, regular workers... the precepts, eightfold path, noble truths etc.. can still be upheld living life we do today. It's all shedding all the fetters, and there isn't a prerequisite of being a monk to do that. One can be fully enlightened and live a layman's life, you'd never know. Humans still have their personality after self-realization, and Frank has always been ... a more upbeat/crazy person than most :p

[@suyangsong]

@@janaidewaegeneer1441 wait what? the 8 precepts literally require celibacy and taking of 0 intoxicants, that's 2 of the 8 precepts. I highly, highly doubt he was celibate during this process. How can one shed the fetter of sensual pleasure when one engages in sensual pleasure? That literally doesn't make sense.

[@Ren-dr1dc]

You don’t have to be a good person or live by a particular moral rule set to become a BJJ blackbelt, or master the free throw. Enlightenment doesn’t care if you’re living by precepts or not. The reason they are useful is because in general, they help facilitate focus and remove distraction. They aren’t hard and fast rules, just useful suggestions

[@karlbooklover]

Thinking that X lifestyle is required for enlightenment is a very limiting belief and makes no sense

[@ericknajera5795]

I think I saw an entity like the one frank speaks of when I was only 10 years except I was fully awake and I freaked out and ran out the door calling my mom I told her but I don't think she thought much of it I'm wondering what I saw that day now

[@ashmin3636]

this conversation has immaculate vibes :))))

[@wehatethecold]

Holy shit I just came off Vipassana I think I had dark night like you said. It felt like I was going crazy and kept seeing spiders in the minds eye, total fear of almost everything and left the retreat more awake but also totally broken at the same time. I learned to remain calm through this storm but damn it felt unstoppable

[@j2b2man]

Fastest hour 20 I've ever sat through

[@CharlieMorley]

Very interesting. You have interviewed some of great spiritual practitioners. In this interview you interview an arhat. One of the highest levels of attainment. How would you compare Franks level of enlightenment to that of Daizan Skinner, Dr. Nida, or Sinzen Young all of whom are not arhats?

[@bqfilms]

Shinzen Young is not an arhat ?

[@VeritableVagabond]

MCTB 4th path natty arhat. Sutta arhat though? Do those exist?

[@GuruViking]

TLDR: I don't know. One of the potential problems in discussing this is that people define the term 'arhat' in very different ways. It seems that Frank is using the term similarly to how Daniel Ingram does in 'Mastering The Core Teachings Of The Buddha', which implies a lot less than classic sutra definitions of arhat (52:38). As for comparing the enlightenment levels of guests, I wouldn't even know where to begin. In terms of recognising others' attainment, they say you can only see as high as you are (which for me isn't very high at all) so I'd have to resort to blind guessing. When we find ways to measure enlightenment in the lab (which I think we'll be able to do eventually), it will be so interesting to get objective metrics on this kind of thing!

[@CharlieMorley]

@@bqfilms I would be very surprised if he would ever refer to himself as an arhat.

[@CharlieMorley]

@@GuruViking very diplomatic ;-) OK then, so to use Daniel Ingram as an example: i wonder if Frank and Dan have a similar level of attainment?

[@karimsonsafehold9233]

2020, the best year of the lives of the saints/holy ones. Those who used it to remake themselves in this matrix, to achieve the next step of ascension.

[@konsstar]

Now I know 2 people that got enlightened at 35 :)

[@BillSikes.]

He always interviews enlightenment experts 🤣🤣🤣

[@mattrkelly]

This guy really knows how to be himself... even though that self is pretty fucked up lol

[@nsc2443]

I don't care who he became but what he says kind of makes sense so...

[@moonmissy]

I find it interesting that people use Buddhist jargon but coming up with their own definitions for it instead of going with the traditional definition that it has. It sounds to me that Frank was experiencing the Jhanas and Arupas during regular waking states outside of sitting meditation instead of the final attainment. I have experienced all these experiences that Frank described as well as experienced reviewing past lives and psychic openings with various siddhis experiences with other people around (so it's not all in my own head). I never see these siddhis experiences as relating to Buddhism's attainment but distractions. The experiences he saw as out-of-body experiences and going to different realms are taught and seen in Zen as Makyo or may be defined in psychoanalytic literature as unconscious materials of his own mind from the sex addiction. Knowing the Buddhist texts and having studied them for 13 years before my stream-entry, which after I practiced to deepen it for the last 18 years, I don't see myself as having full attainment. I have passed the stage of having any residual manic energies like Frank is experiencing now. The bi-polar experiences of walking between two worlds ended for me 5 years post-awakening. These deepening relaxation and perceptual shifts experiences are not the same as stages of Buddhism's attainment where attachments are purified in the process. After awakening, one needs, even more, a good teacher or honest knowledgable friend who will point out one's own denial, blindspots, any spiritual bypassing and spiritual ego. After awakening, I engaged in a traditional Freudian/Jungian psychoanalytic therapy process for 4 years as well as continued to study with my teacher and other teachers for another 13 years post-awakening. It opened my eyes as to the residual stuff that needed to be purified in me on a subtle level outside my awareness. If the final attainment is what he defined it to be what it is instead of Buddhism's definition, then he is there. It sounds like he does have some enlightenment experiences and is on the path, which is rare but not unusual these days. But people who know a little of these Buddhism's terms and enlightenment maps will misunderstand it in his communication of using Buddhist jargon. This is why one needs to test ones' experience and practice with traditional teachers to validate one's experience. Imagine a self-publishing scientist without a peer reviewer. One would be more humble for the process.

[@youarewhatyourelookingfor4496]

I’d heard that people using Buddhist jargon without understanding through a realized teacher to guide called “zen devils.”

[@moonmissy]

@@youarewhatyourelookingfor4496 They are known generally in the west as Makyo. “Zen devils” is one of those makyo classifications, when a person who has no textual knowledge Buddhism practices or path mistake some perceptual distortions to be enlightenment. He leads others to desire those experiences and mistake them as well, seeing them as a sign of attainments. There are some Asian Zen texts and teachings that goes into details of what are makyos, unfortunately, those are not translated. Words of warnings are not interesting to read, people don’t want to be told these perceptual distortions, altered states or psychic experiences,no matter how amazing, are mere distractions. Because I read several Asian languages and studied classical Zen and Buddhist texts, many of these warnings are there. Makyo such as speaking in tongues, perceptual distortions, altered states, psychic and healing abilities and ability to tell the future and past are all considered distractions and makyo when professed as signs of attainments.

[@LoveJungle420]

He should go to an abbot like PA Auk Sayadaw to verify his attainments. I would be curious to hear your journey to stream entry. I have had a minor awakening to Rigpa. I sense an I-AM-ness or what seems to have morphed into a Here-ness (less about me, more about here) in and outside of meditation, and a peace that seems to exist inside for no reason, but I think there is a next step to take.

[@h.neubert8770]

I agree. While Frank seems to be an advanced meditator, he has turned his body into somewhat of a fetish. I visited his website, where he calls his content „cum“ to be „drunk“ by the visitor. In one of his videos he calls girls „ego-stuff“. Even with deep meditation practice, the acquisition of „stages“ seems similarly addictive as the sexuality he used to have or maybe still has (noone‘s business but his).

[@TypethisforElement]

Jeez im 6min in and can’t get this Arahant out my head he a lovely guy but the anxiety and clouded thoughts and shifts in thinking the uneasy and erratic movements is killing me, as a Arahant all this should be long extinguished my boi, Anyway I will continue watching as a long practitioner it’s laughable but I’m sure theirs some that could find this extremely disrespectful throwing around such a highly respected title 🙏🏼

[@DavidMillerVideos]

Who is the author Frank mentioned? I think Ingram was the last name. Also, amazing interview. Thank you so much!

[@KM-zw9qb]

Daniel Ingram

[@DavidMillerVideos]

@@KM-zw9qb thanks!

[@KM-zw9qb]

@@DavidMillerVideos no prob :)

[@leekrogulski2415]

😳

[@skyjuke2006]

He seems not knowing a lot of what he says...🤷

[@isisneteru1013]

Interesting. But how can he be sure that he is enlightened and not having a manic episode? Also this enlightenment does not sound particularly desirable if this is how it unfolds. It just sounds like being completely insane. How does this create a more fulfilling experience of being here in this world? It sounds like a chaotic high with the best drugs ever created. Fun...but ultimately useless. I'm sorry if I'm misunderstanding everything 🙏🏾

[@HY-dd6sc]

Sick

[@pbj524]

Wait isn't there 8 paths? Why are they talking like 4th is final

[@6Uncles]

4th path means arhat I believe. X path is just an alternate naming for the traditional theravada awakening. 1st path is stream entry

[@synsynsy]

Frank said many things, no doubt... but one thing I tell everyone, as Frank mentioned, this whole spiritual thing has more in common with lifting weights / working out than philosophy and psychology. Feels strange, but I kinda believe him... just like some rich kid that got life all set up... somehow he did it... and it was fast.

[@thewitnessofficial6362]

Fake. Show, the whole guy is a joke.

[@SuperGGLOL]

Lifting weights/working out requires a persistent (strong) mind

[@1Sparrow1]

If you say you've reached enlightenment, you most likely haven't reached enlightenment. If you gain a bunch of knowledge and become conditioned to follow certain steps or higher selves, then you are omly strengthening your conditioning. Most of the so-called steps to enlightenment are just further conditioning. You have to break free of all conditioning. Meditation and awakening has became a play thing with steps and levels and guides. This is a play thing for the masses that only creates more conditioning and followers. Luckily most people reach a point where they see the foolishness and contradiction in this approach and leave it behind.

[@ctwasus2738]

This guy is fully enlightened. Hmm...

[@ijikayuto2950]

😅

[@MrBuuuuuuum]

😂😂😂

[@caspexx]

I can't understand the names frank told, can anyone help?

[@sjay4281]

Michael Taft - Deconstructing Yourself(podcast) Michael Taft - guided meditation(available on KZbin) Culadasa Peter Ralston Daniel Ingram Kenneth Folk I might have mentioned a few names from some of Frank's other interviews as well.

[@dylnrssll2106]

Someone in the comments said Frank became enlightened at 35, that’s the same age Siddhartha was. What a synchronicity haha

[@wordscapes5690]

Read your suttas of the Pali Canon. Arhants are described there. All will be clear. This boy is no arhant.

[@RichardWilliamDamien]

He never mentioned his girlfriend in this interview. His videos about having an enlightened being as GF was purely fictional?

[@wiwidity]

when the joint western and eastern stupidity meets awakening

[@Litewiz]

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏👏👏👏👏

[@dis4980]

More cracked out than enlightened lol.

[@hadi257]

Broke up with girlfriend? Was it Vivian?

[@02sweden]

Imagine, having 10% of this guys happiness!

[@callistomoon461]

I don‘t buy it.

[@user-fg3fv9hl3b]

That's okay. It took a long time for Frank Yang to grow on me, I'm still skeptical but I think he is very sincere and practicing very hard. I could be wrong of course.

[@nickpumpeth]

One dislike leo gura

[@thisjourney2712]

😆

[@jacobxa]

I thought Leo loved this guy as does the actualized.org forum

[@mohammadjihad569]

Haha why ?

[@lobsangtenpa3925]

Ridiculous

[@seanblackwellbipolar]

I dont know exactly what enlightenment is, but this aint it.

[@stevenrosen5955]

Why is it necessary to label a person an arhat or not.....is that important? You asked Daniel Ingram that question too........who cares? They are both enlightened......no need for the arhat label, is there?

[@Benny_000]

Ingram is not enlightened and Frank is neither.

[@zelareka]

the worst arahat ever

[@bearllande]

this guy is a hot mess

[@HumbertoMaynoldi]

Wow cursing within the first two minutes of the interview made me just stop the video. (Not sure an enlightened one would speak so harshly)

[@kittycatlolzable]

lol if a cuss word triggers you that much, then you got a long way to go...

[@leakyhamstring2041]

@@kittycatlolzable 🤣 fr

[@LoveJungle420]

U. G. Krishnamurti cursed.

[@Jonny-eu7le]

Just get a flesh light

[@COREAN_JESUS]

Enlightenment is the last level for most but then the last last level is Christ Consciousness.

[@supremeknowing]

Where did you get this from? New age spirituality?

[@gyurmethlodroe1774]

Highest level of christ consciousness is but level zero for buddhist enlightenent

[@nickpumpeth]

One dislike leo gura

[@VeritableVagabond]

Those wack-ass live enlightenment videos Koi Fresco and him did made them instant frauds.