Andrea van de Loo, born in WWII Netherlands, grew up under the shadow of her father’s Nazi SS past. Despite a traumatic childhood, she embarked on a global journey of healing and self-discovery. The Pressing Stones chronicles eighty years of her life, touching on family, relationships, sexuality, spirituality, motherhood, psychedelic therapy, addiction recovery, and the generational impacts of war. It offers a personal view of Auroville, the spiritual community inspired by Sri Aurobindo and The Mother. This poignant memoir highlights Andrea’s courage and determination to overcome her trauma, inspiring readers to pursue their own paths to healing, peace, and fulfillment, even in the face of life’s darkest challenges.

Born during WWII in the Netherlands, Andrea van de Loo experienced a traumatic childhood, with her father’s past as a member of the Nazi SS casting a long shadow over her life. Despite these challenges, she embarked on an inspirational journey toward healing and self-discovery. Her search for self took her across the globe, where she found solace, purpose, and community. Encompassing eighty years of the author’s life, The Pressing Stones guides readers through a deeply intimate and emotional journey, exploring family, relationships, sexuality, spirituality, motherhood, psychedelic therapy, addiction recovery, and the generational impacts of war. It also presents a personal portrait of life in Auroville, the “City of Dawn,” dedicated to the spiritual visions of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother. This poignant portrayal of one woman’s courage and determination to follow her inner guidance, and overcome her childhood trauma, is a testament to consciousness and the human spirit, inspiring readers to find their own paths toward healing and fulfillment. It shows that freedom, joy, peace of mind, and happiness are possible, even through our darkest tribulations.