Spiritual teachers can take many guises. The price of going barefoot and leaving my sandals out in the rain, was a lesson in awareness. Seeing a celebrity up close and personal, enjoy a perk, while I looked on empty handed was a lesson in non-judgement and ego management. The celebrity in question was comedian bad boy and hubby of Katy Perry, Russell Brand. I've read both of his memoirs and think he's a talented writer. I admire how he turned his life around from down-and-out heroin addict to world wide fame. At the heart of many comedians lies a tortured, unhappy soul. It's not surprising that he is flirting with spirituality in recent years from Hare Krishna, TM and a faux Hindu/Bollywood wedding extravaganza in India. It's easy for the public to judge him and have erroneous opinions.

It's one thing to read about a celebrity's media spun life; it's another thing to witness a celebrity up close and personal, as I did on a steamy pre-July 4th Manhattan evening at a program with my guru, Amma or the hugging saint as she's known to millions around the world. Known for giving hugs or darshan, these are no ordinary hugs. The Sanskrit term darshan means, "vision", and it is used to describe the meeting with a holy person, especially a Self Realized master or Sat Guru.

Amma visits New York on a world tour every July and I never mind shlepping from the 'burbs to see her. I patiently wait for hours in line for the privilege of receiving a tissue thin "Golden Ticket" or darshan token in the coveted A-1 or first 100 category. These can't bought, sold, begged or traded for at any price. Unless of course, you're a celebrity. I arrived later than usual and couldn't believe my eyes when I received my token. U-2. I love the band but this letter meant not receiving darshan until the wee hours. I couldn't do it and opted to
do seva or volunteer service instead. By a series of events short of miraculous (fodder for another post), I found myself beside the darshan line not six feet away from Amma.

The line moved with an army of assistants orchestrating with military precision. People were asked to remove their shoes and unless handicapped, inched forward, sitting on the carpeted floor. Assistants guide everyone in a continuous stream into Amma's lap, where she whispers something in your ear while hugging. She usually says to me repeatedly, "My daughter, my daughter, my daughter." Another assistant hands Amma a specific prasad or blessed offering depending on who you are and where you're from. Most North Americans receive a few rose petals and chocolate Hershey kiss. The whole process takes anywhere from fifteen to thirty seconds. Longer if you're very lucky.

I was thrilled to watch the proceedings from my prized perch when I heard a ripple in the crowd and someone whispered, "VIP." I looked up and a few feet away, tall and rock starish stood Russel Brand, unaware of everyone staring at him, he kept his gaze on Amma. Being within touching distance, I couldn't help but notice his black jeans, dark shirt and vest. No, he didn't have to inch along the floor or remove his shoes. He was whisked into Amma's arms before you could say, Ommm. Amma placed her arms on his shoulders and they stared into each others eyes like long lost lovers. His eyes were clear, bright and reverential. She said something and he said something, and then the hugging began, his long hair draped on Amma's left shoulder for what seemed like an eternity.

The women beside me whispered, who is he? Why doesn't he have to wait? Is a musician? No, a comedian. An actor. Married to Katy Perry. Oh. It isn't fair. Amma doesn't mind. She knows celebrities aren't used to waiting and it's good for PR. I simply observed the scene. Who was I to judge? For all I know he was spiritual master in another life and maybe will be one in this life. My jealousy vanished. No assistant selected this prasad. Amma herself handed him a big, shiny apple, and I smiled. Maybe because he was visiting the big apple? I hope he knew how rare it is for Amma to make the offering herself and that he was meant to eat it. He sat afterwards in the chair next to her to compose himself for a minute and then disappeared into the night.

The next day, I processed what had happened. Me not receiving darshan. Brand taking advantage of his celebrity to break the rules and receive his. I knew any feelings of anger, jealousy or dissatisfaction were my ego talking and clearly it and the big "I" needed to experience this. I realized that Russell Brand inadvertently was my teacher that evening. His world and mine intersected for a brief time and I got that we're all just travelers on the cosmic path. Some get chocolate and some get apples, but ultimately we're all the same.