Founding of Summum

In 1975, Nowell founded Summum following an experience he describes as an encounter with highly intelligent beings.^[4][5] The purpose of Summum is to share with others the information he received from his encounter and to provide an environment for those on a path of spiritual development. In 1980, Nowell legally changed his name to Summum Bonum Amon Ra as a representation of his spiritual path.^[1]

Pyramid and winery

In 1978, Nowell began construction of a pyramid that would be used as a winery to produce Summum Soma Nectar.^[4] Despite Utah's strict liquor laws and the rigid controls it places on alcoholic beverages, a Utah law allowed him to establish the winery provided the wine was used for religious purposes.^[6] The winery was established in 1980 and is one of very few in the state of Utah.^[7] The Soma Nectar is also referred to as Nectar Publications and are used in a practice of meditation for the purpose of developing mystical potentials.^[8][9]

Modern mummification

Through Summum, Nowell re-introduced mummification in a modernized form and at one point was a licensed funeral director in the state of California.^[6] Nowell has been referred to as "the father of modern mummification,"^[10] and the mummification services offered by Summum have received attention in international publications.^[11][12] The process begins with the body's submersion in fluids for 77 days and is complex, requiring about 1,000 hours of labor over six months. Those wishing to be mummified write a "spiritual will" outlining where they hope their soul will go in the next lifetime, to be read to their body at least once a day during its 77 days of submersion.^[13]

The first human to undergo the mummification process was Nowell himself, who died in January 2008. His body is encased inside a bronze mummiform (casket) that is covered in gold and stands inside the group's pyramid.^[14][15]