I am Suma. My first awakening came through the drug culture at the end of the 60's and led to me dropping out of the architect's career I had trained for. LSD opened the door for me to know God, and I also knew that I wanted that without chemical or herbal assistance. I am forever grateful for that opening and the magical quest it set me on for the rest of my life. This took me through the hippie lifestyle to Rebirthing, The Medicine Wheel teachings of the Native Americans, two enlightened Masters in India, women's groups, working as a therapist and group leader, spiritual community, and finally to Portugal 15 years ago where my partner and I bought a small organic farm and continued growing our own food.
My first years here were lonely and barren of spiritual brothers and sisters, apart from my long-term partner, yet I felt there was a reason we had been led to Portugal. When I met Pete and Cynthia shortly after they arrived here, I felt like my prayers had been answered - finally here were two people who liked to 'talk about God', my favourite activity, one which invariably reminded me of myself and others as Gods, co-creators of our reality; not only through talk, but in finding ways to express this reality in the world. The Awakened Life Project combines all the things I cherish; living in beautiful tranquil nature, conscious communication and community in action and living gently on the earth whilst evolving with it.
A year or two later Cynthia created the women's group at ALP. In the first year or two my ego clashed head on with ideas of detachment from our emotions, natural hierarchy, we really are all one and free etc; then imperceptibly these turned from concepts to experienced reality and something new started to flow out of us. In recent times the new has become exciting, liberating and an accelerating movement that I can't resist. My separate self is starting to take a back seat to the universal self and this reality has moved from being the dream of my life to what is the reality of existence, whilst all that I have fought in the 'state of the world' has shifted to the place of a bad dream. That this is happening in Portugal amongst a people with a sweet openness and innate spirituality is a bonus. I am happy and humbled to be part of this movement.
Search
