About this episode
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. Transcript of this interview 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 Save Save