After completing Stella Maguire’s books, much to Eric’s disappointment, I was determined to attend one of her lectures in the Hollywood area. If she was anything like her books, I knew she would be entertaining, mystifying, infuriating, and EXPENSIVE. But I didn’t really care. At least the path to spiritual enlightenment was cheaper than therapy.

I arrived at the Harmony Gold Playhouse on Sunset and stood in the line of people that wrapped around the block, almost everyone smiling and talking amongst each other. I was quiet, felt slightly out of place, and as the line moved forward, stumbled on an uprooted sidewalk from a nearby tree. I reached forward and gained my balance with the help of a woman’s shoulder. She looked at me, smiled, and asked me if I was all right. I simply nodded out of embarrassment and thanked her heavily.

“First time?” the large woman asked. I nodded and she simply followed with a kind, “Welcome.”

My heart calmed down and I realized, even though I hated being in large public situations by myself, that I was going to be fine and would have the last laugh on Eric who told me I was “wasting my time.”

I paid my $15 admission and sat in the auditorium. What struck me was how many people seemed to know each other, greeting friends with open arms and resounding calls of welcome. I sat quietly, taking it all in, others staring at me as the new kid on the block. These weren’t faces of judgement, but rather faces of excitement.

“First time?” Asked a man seated behind me.

“Uh…yes, it is. That obvious?”

He extended his hand. “I’m Robert.”

“Drew.”

Suddenly applause was heard as Stella Maguire walked across the stage, her face lit up like a candle. She looked shorter than what I remembered after farting in front of her at the Bodhi Tree several weeks earlier, but her commanding presence could not be ignored.

“Good evening,” she said into the microphone, her voice full of power and passion. “I’d like you to introduce yourself to the people around you. Take a minute to connect and to remind yourself that we’re all on the same path of glory.”

I immediately turned to Robert and several others around me, with everyone mentioning their name, followed by the statement, “I’m on a path of glory.” It immediately reminded me of any kind of 12 step program where the group dynamics are supported by certain rules.

Stella then asked to get comfortable as she began a prayer, talking about letting the fear in us subside and accepting the paths of love and kindness that were around us every minute of every day. At the end of the prayer she asked the audience, “What are you on?”

In unison, the entire audience barked, “I’m on a Path of Glory with my people.”

“What, I didn’t hear you.”

Again, the auditorium chimed louder, “I’m on a Path of Glory with my people.” I mumbled incoherently, trying to keep up but realized I just had to sit back and relax. I was a virgin, and there was no point in trying to pretend otherwise.

Stella then began her lecture and was nothing short of amazing, talking about the need for love and the risk of surrendering our egos to let our paths illuminate us to the truth. “Only in our quest for personal truth, which is different for every body, will we ever be truly free to do the work we know in our souls we are capable of. We all have a unique gift which should be given away; not hidden in our fears.”

When I returned home later that evening, Eric was a nervous wreck. “Why do you look so calm?” He asked.

“Because I simply am. I’m on a Path of Glory with my people. It’s about love, Eric.” He did exactly what I expected him to do: he rolled his eyes. “And how are YOU Eric?”

“I’m freaked. I mean, I’m going to be operating a gay sports clinic Andrew. Doesn’t that make you nervous?”

“Why?”

“There’ll be nothing but athletic muscle men, gay muscle men, as clients. Sure I’ll get some lesbians, even the Palms Lesbian Softball and Welding Team, but let’s face it–there are going to be a lot of athletic muscle men.”

“So,” I responded.

“Drew, I’m a sex addict. Do you know how difficult this is going to be for me?”

“You’re a RECOVERED sex addict.”

“No. I am and always will be a sex addict.”

I wanted to tell Eric to let go of his fear and accept the love in his life, but I knew he’d probably roll his eyes again and leave the room.

“You’re strong Eric. You can do this.”

He simply nodded yes, trying to accept my statement with open arms and love. But it was obvious he was scared to death.