Rayya Elias & Elizabeth Gilbert: Sex, Drugs & Hair, All About Women 2015

Rayya Elias built up a lifetime of stories by the time she was 25, and a few more in the decades after. Joined by her friend Elizabeth Gilbert, who encouraged Elias to tell her story, they’ll talk about her adventures and dispense advice.

[@faithwalk.]

🦋 As I watch this I sit on Rayya Elias Bench in Tompkins Square Park🦋 Beautiful essay, Beautiful soul...

[@WillowValdene]

Look at the way Liz gazes at her with such adoration. Watch the way she listens, absorbs, and laughs at what she says. That is unconditional love. What a sweet pair they were. I'm so sorry for your loss, Liz. Rest in Power, Rayya.

[@sarahmilner8483]

they were in love here for sure!

[@millymilly8097]

I’ve been thinking the same watching Liz especially when Raya talked about sad episodes from her life. It is sad how Raya’s life just started to be better and she got sick. She was such a brave, well meaning and honest person…

[@bridgetc.marinaccio8024]

Rest in power!

[@AralynHughesTV]

Elizabeth Gilbert. You are the reason I am an author. You gifted me the use of your Facebook comments on not having children in my book. You inspired me and gave me a license to soar. Thanks for being an inspiration in my life. I watch and see whatever you do on stage. Love you Elizabeth Gilbert.

[@kcampbell841]

Aralyn Hughes So awesome! I LOVE that more and more women are feeling empowered about standing strong in their desire to remain childfree. Rock on awesome woman, I am with you!

[@AralynHughesTV]

I did it back in the 1960s when it was not remotely fashionable. I want to find Elizabeth Gilbert, get my book to her. Suggestions?

[@unplugged2842]

Shame : Your culture, your religion, your family will always take you back in failure They will never take you back in Success. Just a brilliant point and so, so true. Grateful to have listened to this.

[@elvansavkl7972]

Rayya made me cry. i am from Turkey and shame is big part of this culture.

[@itsjuliam]

Rest in Peace, Rayya.

[@AnnaMariaMamamia]

What an overwhelming essay!! She had a beautiful soul.

[@lindamaygreg]

I find Elizabeth Gilbert's voice so soothing. I am so sad Rayya has passed. I cannot stop thinking about them both. Comforted that she was not alone.

[@maimohamed3590]

That's a beautiful authentic talk 👌✨

[@loanauditscal]

Now I see why Elizabeth was so devastated. Rayya was an incredible person. What a loss.

[@shemekaadams1457]

Thank you for reminding me what brave really looks like and how it truly functions. Sometimes I forget 😘

[@catherinerees7549]

TRUTH ~ CREATIVTY ~ Thank-you!

[@jennifersmiles]

Liz (21:49): And I want to know where your honor comes from, where your dignity comes from. What do you know in your marrow about yourself that makes you still be here with us and makes you still be able to tackle the head that you know by your own admission? What is the honor code that you have? Rayya (22:40): It was no matter what, to live or die by the sword of truth. (24:25) but kindness with truth, not a truth that is going to knock people out, not a truth where I'm going to assault you by telling you the truth about yourself. Because I can't do that. Only you can tell you the truth about yourself. Rayya (27:33): Truth has legs. It always stands.

[@TheMusiccon9]

what a lovely giving friendship

[@piphughes6990]

Brilliant, thank you to you both.

[@leticiasgroppo]

I needed to hear this right now.

[@CharlotteLeguy]

Beautiful song and beautiful souls

[@lunis471]

RIP Rayya, Bless you both x

[@greatbear5330]

Just saw what Liz saw in Rayya.

[@MrCleh]

R.I.P, Rayya!

[@heartdawg]

This is BEAUTIFUL♡

[@حنانعبدالله-ز9ص]

By this times I was reading Eat Pray Love and that bring the bitter sweet memories😧😥

[@laineharris1]

So good. I wish Liz would be my life coach.....

[@mauricepowers3804]

I resonate with Rayya!

[@ER-er2yr]

Facinating - thank you.

[@rosycheeks93]

What an amazing video

[@princessteilani]

Beautiful 🙏🏻🌟❤️

[@guidanceland2536]

Wow this will stay with me forever

[@kayjay-kreations]

Amazing

[@jacobgoldenberg3169]

Awesome!

[@56vay]

Gee, Brendan would that be the same Anita who said "women are interested in gaming, too. Perhaps you could tone back the sexist portrayal of women in games" and now has to have the same level of security as President Obama when she leaves her house? Are you whinging because you don't get to threaten her life today? I feel for you, you poor little, little man.

[@jimmybolton8473]

❤️

[@Prince-B]

Dear master Gilbert, I will spend the rest of my life cleaning for you and serving. I will sign a consent giving you permission on me I just leave and it’s just me how do you want. I love you master and I will do anything to be asleep please please make me your slave. That is the only thing I want in this world. Being your slave is the best thing in this world to me. I love calling you master. I will humbly get on my knees and kiss my masses feet thousand times. Thank you and I hope one day I’ll be an owned slave by you.

[@tustinnrent8502]

so much unnecessary bad language.

[@kitspics526]

So much judgement over words

[@sharaswitala6296]

Who really cares

[@belindabell2]

Well, it's no wonder Elizabeth dumped her husband for this woman. She was already a lesbian! That in itself is the fault of this woman Rayya

[@IbogaineCuresPTSD]

Reginald King vindictive? thats crazy.

[@ganiniii]

Not much of a loss there! Both ugly and boring.

[@suesheification]

ganiniii let's see what you look like. Show us a photo and I'll decide what you are worth.

[@susanwale8887]

What a sad comment, if you can't say something nice, be quiet. 🙏🏼

[@jessicahanlon1258]

And your disgusting for saying that

[@rachelleanna3]

"Baby, you know you have to tell the truth because that is what you do." So, Liz is married, and they are very much in a lovers relationship here.

[@sharaswitala6296]

They weren’t here yet

[@loujones5388]

Raw, powerful, and full of truth! It was a privilege to watch the warm bond of support you share with one another. Every creative woman needs that kind of friend; we all do. Thank you for being you in front of all of us. Going to write now.

[@rebeccabrockway8258]

Dear Liz: I see why you love Reyya. Sincerely, Rebecca

[@kirstenerikson5330]

There was magic in the interview and so much wisdom.

[@chehadelady44]

Rayya singing The Lord’s Prayer in Aramaic made me weep. She may not be religious but that was certainly a spiritual experience ❤️

[@michaeljj43]

my gosh…rayya elias...what an extraordinary, passionate, compelling woman!!!!!

[@natashamaio]

Rayya was lovely and powerful. What a beautiful person she was. Totally get what Liz saw in her.

[@michaelst.helene1540]

wow! I feel like we lost someone special in Rayyas passing. Watching her is like a cool reflection!

[@janethou17]

two beautiful women with two beautiful souls

[@elmakim478]

That was a great song. worth sticking around to the end for it. Damn.

[@mattmagana4067]

What a powerhouse Rayya was. Hearing her sing in Aramaic sent chills through my body. Rest In Power. 🙏🏽

[@ChrystalLynnCowgirlAstrologer]

Very powerful!!

[@thaotalks333]

Such a wonderful display of friendship and strength. This is an amazing video, absolutely inspiring. Thank you for sharing this.

[@juliachu171]

Amazing ladies are powerful.

[@taraqueen58]

It wouldn't be hard to fall in love with Rayya what a special soul

[@KatieKamala]

Poignant talk from Rayya about shame and forgiveness and I always love reading and listening to Liz.

[@melissajoy411]

soaked this message in....absolutely spoke to my soul! my creative, terrified spirit smiles right along with you dear, dear Rayya. I love your energy. and sas. and truth. and Liz...thank you for believing in light

[@librarylover1493]

I had to pause this in order for me to click on Amazon and order it. I can't wait to read it.🌹

[@JosannaMonik]

Beautiful talk and song may her soul rest in peace.

[@llyradcynth691]

At least she had a sister who cared. Some people are so isolated by there families and are not drug addicts, but are struggling with financial issues. They cannot rely on their family or 'friends' and they still manage to keep their 'survival sanity' together and themselves, somehow!! Though it's not easy.

[@dianemorris9179]

You can tell how much they love each other!!

[@umwha]

This made me happysad and alot sad

[@katarzyna2478]

Thats an inspiring talk.The example how great, close and creative can be true friendship between two women.

[@halietorris_art]

an interview that will change my life..

[@lalinka17]

This is wonderful interview. Thank you girls!

[@maggieroberts3450]

two beautiful humans that have helped me with emotional issues . love them both

[@MichellMukami]

waow!!! Reyya was such a powerhouse wish I knew her when she was on earth with us rest in power

[@lawrencelovingood470]

Hearing about her death on The Moth podcast brought me here and I’m glad I was able to find this amazing interview.

[@patriciaforbes4255]

Oh, how I love this...we are all specks of light and love...yes!

[@divinegrace5002]

38 minutes of hearing ryas talk, i am immediately heading to buy her audiobook , n i need to listen to it now like now!

[@sonnenblume2720]

Oh i love that. So so beautiful and strong and inspiring ❤️

[@ViviannaParc]

Rayya's song was so good that I had to purchase it. Wish I knew about her when she was on the earth with us.

[@lyntodorovski8151]

Fucken awesome 🙏🏼 & I needed this soo bad ✌️💪 Thank you

[@Deelitefull79]

Amazing... Loved that! Xxx RIP Rayya.

[@mindsigh4]

way ahead of their time, anyone who begins a letter to their stumbling block with"dear head" is a kindred spirit, gut & soul....peace be with you, in you, and everywhere you go,🔑💥🔓🌿👣🐾🌱🕊️

[@lovelyeyessee]

loved the song!

[@tasneemdaniels7979]

Where can I buy or download more of Rayya's music? The song in this video is BEAUTIFUL.

[@mrb152]

Interesting comments and ratings aren't blocked on this video. Funny how only anita get's special protection.

[@melissaartistry6041]

A terrible loss to the world was Rayya's death but blessed are we to have known just this tiny moment of life with her. Such love evident between them 🙏🥰

[@divinelydiana8334]

Beautifully expressed.

[@sadie9386]

"If it feels wrong, take a turn"

[@ladyfl786]

Godspeed, Lady. You thought me more in this segment than thousands other books out there.

[@ritcha02]

So moving watching this back. Just wow.

[@sharaswitala6296]

I’m sure you miss her

[@audreyoreilly4055]

Hmm, to me Alma wasn't about waiting for some guys, she was all about the wonder of plants.

[@elvansavkl7972]

they are couple now arent they?

[@belindabell2]

Elvan Şavklı : that is what turned me off about Elizabeth Gilbert. She gives all these speeches about life and becoming who you are and then she becomes a lesbian. That's the downside...

[@zhangfan5955]

mmmmm, thats a bit disappointing if its true

[@hearmymotoredheart]

The downside is that this is the way you approach the world.

[@lisaO0514]

Belinda Kaysac how very sad to be so closed-minded. She admits to drug addiction, homelessness, etc. but you seem to be “turned off” by the fact that the human being she loves and adores is a female?? I just don’t understand. And, to be clear, I find NOTHING wrong with being an addict, homeless, ex-con (or current-con) OR lesbian. I find LOTS wrong with being hateful...

[@wecanlovelarevolutiondelam4806]

Belinda Kaysac 1 did you ever heard about the word bissexual?

[@LunaLu-00]

"if you are not creating something, you are probably destroying something, usually yourself or the people around you"

[@prakritiadaljaprajapati]

The way Elizabeth gazed at and listened in to Rayya 😌❤️

[@bridgetc.marinaccio8024]

Rayya never left you Lizzy! Don’t believe that lie! This connection is more powerful than death. There is no death in love.

[@Mildred_McRaven]

Great, all fantastic - except for the foie gras bit 🥵

[@sole_to_soul]

Yes, I remember thinking,"Gross! I thought all the exposure about how fois gras was made took it off all menus for good..." Sad to discover people still eat it despite the inherent cruelty.

[@judgejudy3035]

As frank would say “life ain’t straight”

[@teresawilkinson6231]

Raya is amazing absolutely so honest and out there, but what's confusing me is why there's subtitles on this clip?

[@Monia2222]

Not everyone can hear ! Deaf people

[@my3girlsphotography]

Fabulous!! Thank you, Liz and Rayya. You're an inspiration.

[@tishandmarkbacks4563]

'love Rayya'

[@theresamccrossan6484]

Wow wow inspiring lovely people x

[@Anu-dg6kv]

Thanks for sharing 🙏❤️

[@plantpoweredpagan]

♥️♥️♥️

[@assel4225]

Amazing. Thank you!

[@MeMiCo74]

So beautiful 💛

[@tishandmarkbacks4563]

to my ear, the adult language was when you caught yourself about to say 'old' adage. i like that kind of adult content (truth is, content is content... if it ever manages to offend me - i'll turn it off

[@vickychristopoulos8614]

Sad to think you are worthless and to compare yourself to others, there is always better than you and worse. Be yourself you are one of a kind!

[@JustASmallTownGirl85]

Still coming back❤️

[@RoseNanda]

38:45 it's just terror. It'll pass. 💙

[@mariemountson1819]

What about hair between buts

[@laumfreeman9704]

Love this!