Ah thanks so much - hope you enjoy what’s to come 😊

You and me both! Thanks so much for the kind words.

Amazing! Thanks for joining in.

If it’s any consolation, I think they could have been easily criticised in so many ways other than size, so I thank you for only focusing on that aspect. There are so many good food stories about Louis, though I hadn’t heard this one! I’m going to come back to him in future episodes though!

I honestly had to cut this episode down from about 30 minutes just covering the mad myths that surrounded him, let alone the food. I heard a few food theories, and cream cakes definitely ring a bell. I went with the food as described by his alleged murderers, but there are so many reasons that make their accounts less credible.

@@unicornstew Rasputin was a true enigma. Comparing his life to what I have seen and heard about wandering sadhus in the Himalayas, he has similarities to the aghoras. They disengage from society and engage in intense practices that develop powerful concentration and unusual abilities called siddhis. It is a spiritual path, but oftentimes practitioners become so enraptured by the power and pleasure of their discipline and practices, they find it difficult to surrender their powers and recline into the full surrender of a saint in God. However, such as him, Rasputin, are still highly regarded for their abilities and achievements. His legendary abilities to engage in sexual escapades with many women kept him bound to his own pleasures. But, also, he greatly struggled battling his own demons and road the razor’s edge of insanity and he was seen in the streets yelling and involved in conflicts internally. Even though he created havoc at times in his life and the lives of others, he is a mesmerizing human being and many are riveted to his fascinating character. Only problem is separating fact from fiction. But, there is definitely enough true data to reveal that he had some supernatural accomplishments and he was not a charlatan. I guess the best way to describe him is how he has been labeled, “The Mad Monk.”

I’d be interested to know what you mean by true data, if you’re happy to elaborate? I read a paper by one of the few western academics who was allowed into the archives of the Russian secret police - who it seems were following him pretty constantly due to the brewing fears around his allegiances. What the historian found interesting was that even the secret police had no idea - from all their observances - who he was and whom he was serving. I love the mystery surrounding him though - one of those rare figures who you feel the truth would be far less interesting than the myths.

@@unicornstew Well, at least you have to believe the Tsar and Tsarina. There is no way they would allow Rasputin into their palace if he did not greatly improve their son’s hemophiliac condition. Their only one son was the heir to the Russian throne. Rasputin had a huge storehouse of power, more like a generator. By all accounts, women were absolutely mesmerized by his gaze. Not to mention, he was greatly endowed by all accounts in the size of his manhood and his endurance. Bathhouse patrons, prostitutes, high society women, were all spellbound by his presence and enjoyed his prowess and desired greatly to engage sexually with him. And, according to the sect of monks he practiced austerities with, and even those in the church were convinced of his high level of spirituality. But, his spirituality was at odds with his lecherous debauchery and drunkenness. But, by all accounts, his mystic and psychic powers were undeniably proven and authentic. He did cultivate spirituality at the monastery in Verkhoture. He was associated with the Khlysty sect. He did reinterpret their teachings to satisfy his own lusts, though. He claimed that prolonged debauchery led to sexual exhaustion, followed by higher states of consciousness. And, his reputation grew to be that of a healer, holy man and mystic, endowed with the ability to predict the future. While Tsar Nicholas took personal command of the Russian troops during war, Rasputin was nearly running all aspects of the government. The Tsarina absolutely adored him and worshipped him as a confidant, spiritual advisor, sage, mystic, guru, savior and healer. (when the Royal family was murdered by the Bolsheviks in 1918, by some accounts they were all found wearing a pendant of some type with the picture of Rasputin, indicating their acknowledgement of his spiritual power in life and death) His story is not as unique as one might think. A certain level of spiritual power in known to be acquired by constant practice of meditation and concentration. All I’m really saying is that his powerful odd behavior, while it may seem amazing and odd to normal folks, is not considered odd for those practicing a very high degree of solitary concentration and meditation in the secluded mountains and rural areas. For a while, such aspirants detach themselves from worldly life and plunge very deeply inside their own beings. They discover hidden depths. They are warned of the penalties of unleashing their powers on the unsuspecting population. However, if controlled, they can use their powers to heal and offer insight and wisdom. White magic as opposed to black magic. In the vast mountains of India and in the traditions and practices of all peoples throughout time, those that separate themselves in seclusion and devotion develop powers and abilities, as they refrain from frittering their energies in mundane matters, and focus on the more esoteric and occult. These powers are well-documented and known as siddhis. They are not purely the highest level of spirituality, but powers attained by very advanced levels of kundalini and tantric yoga. (Swami Rama, a Himalayan Master demonstrated such powers under laboratory conditions amongst the scientific community in Topeka, Kansas at the Menninger Foundation in 1970. His extraordinary powers are well documented and archived in the scientific journals of the time) In China extraordinary human powers are developed in the studies of Qigong. The ancient Chinese cultures must be applauded and revered in how they harnessed and systematized these powers into medical qigong practices. You can still find amazing qigong doctors who practice in the Taoist traditions. Rasputin tapped into these primordial energies of the universe yet did not have full control of them. He did not follow them to their ultimate conclusion. So, he was playing with fire. (He never had a known mentor, teacher or guru, a Master to follow) Fire can be used to power the earth (cooking, heating, transportation, manufacturing) yet out of control, destroy the earth and its peoples. At times, Rasputin had a difficult time harnessing his powers and they overwhelmed him at times, and spiraled out of control. But, he does remain one of the most extraordinary people in history that I would have loved to have met.

Thanks so much!

Well if the rumours about the last meal were true, it’s amazing the cake got him before venereal diseases!

Or to be fair, the reason why bath houses do exist in some badly lit places in the world…