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VEENA
(ANNA DE PAULA)
It was right in the middle of a devastating earthquake in Bulgaria in 1977 that Veena came to know this world. She was born in a city called Svishtov, located on the banks of the Danube river. Since the age of 12, when she first read “The book of Secrets” by the Mystic Osho; she prefered her solitude rather than dolls or playing with kids her age.
Due to the economical struggles of her family she realized that education was her only way out and embarked on an exchange program in Oregon, US. After this amazing experience, once back home and already fluent in 3 languages (Bulgarian, Russian and English) she started applying for scholarships and later chose to do the International Studies program at the University of Rousse.
During her college years, amazed by her passion and perseverence, her professors challenged her to present her thesis abroad. Those writings became a door to the world as she presented them in conferences in Poland, Hungary and England with great feedback. It was also in that period that she read an article about Shunyam’s adventures in India and felt an inexplicable longing to meet him.
After a few exchanges, where they both bared their souls, Shunyam went to visit her in Bulgaria and they had for a few months, many insights together. By the time she finished college, she had read several hundred books from spiritual masters, European classical literature and philosophy, and graduated with great honors at the top of her class.
She decided then to move to America to reunite with her beloved, where she started her most exciting journey: motherhood.
The birth of her daughters brought a new dimension to life and she and Shunyam decided to homeschool them.
Together, they’ve established the World & I Language Institute, which has taught foreign languages and ESL to thousands of students; and Shunyam Productions, promoting holistic and new age concerts and workshops.
Their goal is to bring people together in an atmosphere of surrender and help open the door, even if for a moment, for the joy of love to flow into their hearts.
SHUNYAM
(ALAIN DE PAULA )
Born in 1965, in the city of Belo Horizonte in Brazil, Shunyam was always questioning and exploring as a child. Affected by the cultural and financial limitations of his surroundings, he came to live in America in 1985 where he took several odd jobs in order to help the family back home; such as dish-washing, cleaning, cooking, waiting on tables, etc…
By noticing the continuous growth of the Brazilian community in the area, he started promoting events among them, bringing to the local scene the "Hot Brazilian Sunday Nights" and great singers such as Milton Nascimento, Caetano Veloso, Djavan and many others. He also promoted tours and in 1994 took hundreds of people to the World Soccer Cup final (Brazil x Italy) in Pasadena, California.
Aside from his personal activities, he was always contemplating about life which took a turn inwards when he started to read from and about the Mystic Osho. As he discovered his messages, Osho passed away and left a thirst for the presence of an alive Master in his life. This thirst took him to Egypt, India, Costa Rica, Mexico and Bulgaria; where an encounter completely changed his direction in life.
Single and depressed as he recalls, he went to Bulgaria to visit Veena, after exchanging some deep reflections about their lives. Their meeting was the turning point for both of them, since they realized their deep connection.
Eventually Veena came to America, and they have two beautiful daughters: Leela and Svetly, whom they homeschool.
Exploring their paths together, brought them to the lotus feet of the humanitarian and spiritual leader AMMA; who is their guiding light, and a source of inspiration for love, selfless service and creativity. Eventually they became Her devotees and have helped organize Her local activities and annual tour in the area.
Shunyam speaks 3 languages (Portuguese, Spanish and English), and is also a writer and a poet. He is about to publish his first book of poems entitled "Divine calling". His poems reflect a deep longing to meet the Divine.
Together, they’ve established the World & I Language Institute, which has taught foreign languages and ESL to thousands of students; and Shunyam Productions, promoting concerts, lectures and workshops.
Their goal is to bring people together in an atmosphere of surrender and help open the door, even if for a moment, for the joy of love to flow into their hearts.
