A Guru asked a monk why he’d come to him—what was his question? The monk replied, “I have been searching for God for many years with no results. I have heard from many that you know the way to him. Will you help me?”
“If that’s true, and you really wish to struggle to find God, I will do all I can to help,” replied the Guru.
“I will do whatever is needed,” said the monk.
After a long silence, the Guru spoke: “You will have to go live in the desert for one year. I will give you special exercises that you must practice every day without fail. But I warn you they are very difficult. Are you willing to do this?”
“If they will help me find God I will not fail to do them,” replied the seeker. He then went into the desert and returned after one year.
Well, did you find God, asked the Guru? “No replied the monk, I don’t know why but he still eludes me.”
“Did you do the exercises exactly the way I gave them?” asked the Guru.
“Yes,” replied the monk, “Exactly and I still haven’t found God.”
“Well,” said the Guru, “this is a more difficult case than I thought. Look, do you see that mountain over there?” he said pointing to a very high peak in the distance. “At the top is a cave with a very special atmosphere. Certain monks have become enlightened there, leaving a very fine vibration that will help you in your quest. You must live in that cave for two years, practicing certain prayers and exercises which I will now show you. You must do these every four hours day and night during your retreat. Do you agree to do this?”
“If it will help me find God I will do as you ask,” replied the monk. He found the cave, and began practicing the prayers and exercises the Guru had given him. Two years finally passed, and again the monk returned and sat at the feet of his teacher.
“Did you find God this time?” asked the Guru.
“Again I’ve failed,” replied the monk despondently. I think there is no hope for me.
“Come with me” said the teacher. He lead the monk to the side of a nearby river. “Kneel down on the bank with your head close to the ground.”
The monk complied. Suddenly the Guru seized the monk’s head with both of his hands and thrust it beneath the water and held it there in a very tight grip. As seconds passed, each seemed longer and longer to the monk, who grew desperate for oxygen. Just as the monk could hold his breath no longer the guru pulled his head out of the water and asked, “A second ago while your head was in the water what did you wish for?”
“More than anything in the world I wished for air,” replied the monk.
“Well, when you want to find God that much,” said the Guru, “you won’t have to find him, he will find you.”