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.

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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

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