413. Gloriji - a podcast by Rick Archer

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 wasin 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.

Transcript of this interviewVideo 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 Nightmares00:06:59 - Battling Addiction&Personal Tragedy
00:10:31 - The Bar Closure and Personal Struggles00:13:54 - Compassion and Evolutionary Impulse in Intelligence
00:18:08 - The Blueprint of Life and Deep Inquiries00:22:09 - Thirst for Understanding
00:25:42 - Discovering the Beauty of the World00:28:50 - Natural Contemplation and Meditation
00:31:56 - Discovering a Spiritual Community00:34:27 - From Scars to Stars
00:38:07 - The Freedom of Meeting Each Other in Truth00:42:03 - Surrendering into Something Greater
00:46:02 - Holding Things Lightly00:49:52 - The Power of Inquiry and Self-Exploration
00:53:44 - The Process of Deepening and Letting Go00:57:07 - Breadcrumbs to the Source
01:00:36 - Witnessing the Unfolding01:04:28 - Embracing the Wholeness Within
01:09:09 - The Healing Power of the Human Heart01:12:18 - Following the Call of the Heart
01:15:28 - Awakening Within the Dream01:19:38 - Finding Balance in Creativity and Knowledge
01:23:48 - Exploring the Fort01:27:03 - Trusting Your Inner Wisdom
01:30:31 - Embracing Authenticity and Being Yourself01:34:00 - Supporting the Community through Love Offerings
01:36:43 - Opening to the Wisdom of Mother Earth01:40:14 - Reconnecting with the Earth
01:43:52 - Reluctance to Be a Spiritual TeacherSave

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