Speed of Light

"My number one goal is to know God, and in the process be a positive example and help people who are interested. To bring more awareness to God and love," Doug says. "Above all else, that's what I want to do. And racquetball is my stage. I've been in front of 600 executives from Enron or Continental Airlines, taught doctors, attorneys, writers, delivery boys, professionals to blue-collar. They see me do things they could never do. So they have to think about what I'm saying."

Gandhi said that in heaven there are no religions. Until he gets there, Doug's religion is racquetball.

Not that he has accomplished all of his goals. Physically he is as close to perfect as a man can be, let alone a man who was nearly paralyzed in a horrific car accident. But there is always work to be done inside. Recently, Doug came home one evening, closed his doors, put on some Ravi Shankar sitar music, and sat cross-legged on his floor.

After about 30 minutes his mind reached a place where there were no more earthly worries, no thoughts of errands or finances. Still he moved forward, until he was filled with loving comfort. His senses closed themselves off, until he no longer felt as if he was touching anything, not sitting anywhere, not hearing anything. A sixth, unidentifiable sense took over. Still he moved forward, deeper and deeper, until he reached a final place where he was utterly consumed with thoughts of God and love.

For three hours Doug remained in that place. When he finally emerged, "it felt better than the greatest orgasm I ever had."

"I don't know what that's going to sound like," Doug says, unafraid. "Whether you understand or believe that or not, I don't know. Believe me or not, it's still my reality. I'm no wonder boy, no saint or savior. Maybe I worked harder than other people. But boy, it's real."