It’s a tricky balancing act to revere someone without making them ‘higher’ or better than you. It can be tricky to admire oneself and not to do the same. This comes from the simple truth that underlays all things. Everyone is different but, fundamentally everyone is the same. Everyone and everything are merely expressions of one Source.

So in this sense, as a dust mite, I might admire a worm. It’s strength, size, and gracefulness might impress my little mite brain. In a similar way, the worm may admire my agility, speed, and focus. Perhaps we both share equal admiration for the beetle. It’s shiny shell, towering stature and, ability to fly might boggle and dazzle us to no end. And yet, if we know the truth, we are still aware, including the beetle, that we share the same fundamental reality. Mite, worm, and beetle can admire one another, and have compassion for one another just as they might for themselves.

In the human world, there may be lessons to learn, and someone besides you might have the ability to transmit them to you, but this does not put them in a position where they need to be worshiped. Pedestalizing anyone or anything is a dangerous game and few there are who can play it. Some enlightened yogis participate in such a system, but they have so thoroughly purified themselves, and even forgo very basic human needs sometimes, especially the need for sex, in order to fill the position.

So don’t pedestalize anyone. You can admire greatness, but do not worship it. True greatness carries with it an invitation to join, not exclusivity. And if you are truly great, you’ll see an invitation regardless 😉