A very greedy construction mogul wanted to get his latest project off the ground.  For the project to be successful he required an on-site water source in order for his planned operation to run.  He identified the area where his project should take shape; he simply needed to find the exact spot.  He’d heard a rumour that there was a rich underground water source at a particular location, however, if he were to go ahead in that particular spot it would be very detrimental to the local people, causing untold disruption to their lives.  The mogul had no qualms about this and simply wanted his project finished so that the money could start rolling in.

The greedy businessman had heard that there was a wise master in the region, and on learning that the master ran a hermitage in a nearby village, set off at once to seek his guidance.  Showing no manners at all the man barged into the hermitage demanding to see the master immediately.  He was pointed in the direction of the hall where the master was giving a discourse.  He walked straight through the master’s followers who were all seated on the floor listening intently, and thrust the blueprint of his project right under the master’s nose.

Without pausing for breath he went into great detail about his plans and the need for a good quality on-site water supply; all the while the master smiled and nodded slowly, as if in agreement.  Finally, the mogul demanded, “so can I drill there?”  The master, still smiling peacefully, said, “yes, you can drill there with confidence.”

Within days, huge trucks carrying all the drilling equipment came rolling into the area.  Tests were to be carried out to find the best spot to commence the drilling; all of which was at great financial expense to the businessman.  Before long the rig was set up and drilling commenced.  They drilled quite deep but there was no sign of water.  “No problem”, thought the mogul, “the master said I could drill with confidence, so we will just go deeper.”  They drilled some more and there was no sign of water, so they drilled ever deeper; to depths that were much greater than the norm.  When there was still no sign of water, the frantic mogul went back to the master, once again barging in to the hermitage and demanding council with him.  The master was sitting peacefully in the garden and the man approached him, “I came to see you before and you told me I could drill with confidence in that location.  I’ve drilled to the greatest depths I’ve ever drilled but there is no sign of water.”  “I could have told you that”, said the master.  “You didn’t ask me if you would find water, you only asked me if you could drill and I said you could.”

This little story reminds us that we need to be very careful what we ask for.  It is so important to understand that the ever-generous universe will ONLY give us EXACTLY what we ask for.  We all know people who are constantly complaining; never happy with their lot.  What those people don’t realise is that “the lot” they are complaining about is being created and recreated over and over again by themselves and no one else.  When we constantly affirm “I want”, “I need” etc. the universe receives our message of affirmation that our lives lack, and duly obliges by giving us more lack.  Likewise, when we constantly affirm “I am useless”, “I have no worth” etc. the universe will bring more situations to our lives that will further nurture such feelings.  The universe has no judgement, it listens intently to the thoughts our minds churn out, processes those thoughts, and then manifests our grandest version of the greatest vision of what we believe about ourselves and the lives we have.  Had the man in our little story given more consideration to others, had he not been blinded by his own greed and ignorance, he would not have wasted so much time and money by drilling in the wrong place.

This is a concept that many would have difficulty accepting; especially those who are suffering.  However, I can say with hand on heart, that it was only a grasp of this understanding that ultimately helped me to rise up out of the darkness.  Once we realise that no one is in control except us it opens the door to magic!