Gloria Agrelius, (Gloriji), had been a bartender for more than 25 years and owned a blues biker bar. In 1999 her brother died of an overdose. Upon hearing the news, her mother died of a heart attack the following day. Gloriji closed the bar, went home, and fell apart.
She writes, “It felt like I was dropping through a dark space, feet first — rapidly dropping. I couldn’t find anything to hold onto. It felt like I was being stripped of everything that made me me. It was all gone.”
While on her knees crying out for help, the room she was in filled with radiant light and she recognized herself as that light. An overwhelming sense that all is well filled her being. She told the light that while she didn’t know what this was, she would dedicate the rest of her life to finding out. A thirst for truth filled her heart and gave her strength to step more deeply into the unknown. She spent the next decade deepening and healing.
While on retreat with Adyashanti, after hearing of her awakening experiences, Adya encouraged her to share herself with others. Adya’s encouragement helped her to trust the strange new territory of teacher, mentor, healer… all held lightly in the open hand and heart that knows there is no other than the Supreme Reality… the Mystery she has come to Love.
For discussion of this interview, click here.
Video and audio below. Audio also available as a Podcast.
YouTube Video Chapters:
- 00:00:00 – Introduction to Buddha at the Gas Pump
- 00:03:31 – Insecurities and Nightmares
- 00:06:59 – Battling Addiction & Personal Tragedy
- 00:10:31 – The Bar Closure and Personal Struggles
- 00:13:54 – Compassion and Evolutionary Impulse in Intelligence
- 00:18:08 – The Blueprint of Life and Deep Inquiries
- 00:22:09 – Thirst for Understanding
- 00:25:42 – Discovering the Beauty of the World
- 00:28:50 – Natural Contemplation and Meditation
- 00:31:56 – Discovering a Spiritual Community
- 00:34:27 – From Scars to Stars
- 00:38:07 – The Freedom of Meeting Each Other in Truth
- 00:42:03 – Surrendering into Something Greater
- 00:46:02 – Holding Things Lightly
- 00:49:52 – The Power of Inquiry and Self-Exploration
- 00:53:44 – The Process of Deepening and Letting Go
- 00:57:07 – Breadcrumbs to the Source
- 01:00:36 – Witnessing the Unfolding
- 01:04:28 – Embracing the Wholeness Within
- 01:09:09 – The Healing Power of the Human Heart
- 01:12:18 – Following the Call of the Heart
- 01:15:28 – Awakening Within the Dream
- 01:19:38 – Finding Balance in Creativity and Knowledge
- 01:23:48 – Exploring the Fort
- 01:27:03 – Trusting Your Inner Wisdom
- 01:30:31 – Embracing Authenticity and Being Yourself
- 01:34:00 – Supporting the Community through Love Offerings
- 01:36:43 – Opening to the Wisdom of Mother Earth
- 01:40:14 – Reconnecting with the Earth
- 01:43:52 – Reluctance to Be a Spiritual Teacher
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