This article by Randall Fitzgerald first appeared in the February 2005 issue of the Phenomena Magazine and is reproduced here with the author's permission.
After 15 years living a life of quiet despair in federal prison, John Sherman had lost interest in everything of importance, including the idea of ever being released. His friend, Alan, serving a sentence for drug trafficking, knew Sherman believed that spirituality was nothing more than the opiate of the people, but he decided to issue an invitation anyway.
"This American woman guru is coming to speak here at the prison," Alan announced. "She calls herself Gangaji. Would you like to meet her?"
Though Sherman had no interest in what she might have to say, spending a couple of hours with a woman, especially one described as gorgeous and articulate, seemed more appealing than the boredom of his daily routine.
"That sounds exotic and entertaining," he acknowledged.
