Pat W. writes: "a member of Prem Rawat's family is so led by integrity... to stand up to the fear-mongering and pressure to remain 'loyal' which in his case must have been all around... I have massive respect for people who are compelled by their integrity to confront real 'Truth' when faced with such vicious opposition as happens in a cult."

Yes, those quoted sentences are out of order, but that in no way changes the context or the meaning. As much as I agree, I am overwhelmed by something beyond mere integrity unfolding before my eyes. I'm not sure there's even a word for it.

And as I sit here in awe of it, I will not allow it to change the simple fact of the sheer heart-wrenching down-to-earth human-ness of someone trying to make their way as best they can with no benchmarks, playbook or precedents against all odds on such an uncharted journey.

No, this person is certainly no god and - unlike his father - I'm sure he'd be offended to be elevated in any way or put on a pedestal. But the rest of it makes my heart sing.

I've read about the effects of parental alcoholism on the adult children of alcoholics and I can attest to the fact that as real and significant as those effects are, they're nothing compared to the lifelong effects of childhood sexual abuse that alter and hamper one's trajectory in so many unquantifiable ways (unique to each victim), and the struggle it takes to cope, compensate, compete on a lopsided playing field and overcome them - let alone both conditions compounded by unimaginable family dysfunction.

My life, and I think I can speak for others, is richer for sharing a ride with such a stranger, misty-eyed again as I stare out the window trying to make my way along with him and everyone else on the bus.

That feeling is vastly superior and far preferable to anything I ever felt practicing Knowledge.