

Soma Devi's journey from teacher to spiritual practitioner and author exemplifies the profound transformation that's possible when we honor our authentic selves. On this episode of Rebel Justice, Maria from The View Magazine speaks with Soma about her debut novella "The White Dove" – a poignant story following a young Sikh girl named Simrat as she navigates the complexities of cultural identity between British society and South Asian traditions.
What makes this conversation particularly compelling is how Soma reveals the deeply personal origins of her work. "The White Dove actually started as my own personal therapy," she explains, describing how journaling helped process her experiences before realizing others might benefit from her story. This therapeutic writing process, which took three years to complete, eventually transformed into fiction to allow Soma the emotional distance needed to tell her truth while preserving its authenticity.
Throughout the conversation, Soma offers profound insights into the challenges faced by South Asian women caught between cultural expectations and personal desires. Rather than advocating for dramatic life changes, she suggests starting with small acts of self-discovery: "Slowly begin to listen to yourself, slowly begin to take small steps into what brings you joy." This gentle approach acknowledges both the importance of cultural heritage and the need for personal evolution. The discussion extends beyond personal journeys to examine how cultural pressures ripple through communities, creating environments where "secrets are kept and lives are ruined just to save face."
Her story reminds us that creating meaningful change often begins with the courage to share our most vulnerable truths – and that in doing so, we create possibilities for others to find their own path to freedom.
For more unmissable content from The View sign up here
69 episodes
Soma Devi's journey from teacher to spiritual practitioner and author exemplifies the profound transformation that's possible when we honor our authentic selves. On this episode of Rebel Justice, Maria from The View Magazine speaks with Soma about her debut novella "The White Dove" – a poignant story following a young Sikh girl named Simrat as she navigates the complexities of cultural identity between British society and South Asian traditions.
What makes this conversation particularly compelling is how Soma reveals the deeply personal origins of her work. "The White Dove actually started as my own personal therapy," she explains, describing how journaling helped process her experiences before realizing others might benefit from her story. This therapeutic writing process, which took three years to complete, eventually transformed into fiction to allow Soma the emotional distance needed to tell her truth while preserving its authenticity.
Throughout the conversation, Soma offers profound insights into the challenges faced by South Asian women caught between cultural expectations and personal desires. Rather than advocating for dramatic life changes, she suggests starting with small acts of self-discovery: "Slowly begin to listen to yourself, slowly begin to take small steps into what brings you joy." This gentle approach acknowledges both the importance of cultural heritage and the need for personal evolution. The discussion extends beyond personal journeys to examine how cultural pressures ripple through communities, creating environments where "secrets are kept and lives are ruined just to save face."
Her story reminds us that creating meaningful change often begins with the courage to share our most vulnerable truths – and that in doing so, we create possibilities for others to find their own path to freedom.
For more unmissable content from The View sign up here
69 episodes
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