Have you ever felt like you were stuck or blocked in a particular area of your life, unable to see the opportunities or solutions that were right in front of you?
Maybe you were waiting for a sign or for the universe to intervene, like the man in the parable of the drowning man. Recently one of my friends reminded me of the story and I remember thinking that it seems almost always the case!
For those who are not sure of the story, it goes like this;
During a flood, a man is stranded on the roof of his house, and he prays to God for help. A few hours later, a rescue team comes in a boat and offers to take him to safety, but the man refuses, saying that God will save him. As the water continues to rise, a helicopter flies over and drops a rope ladder, but the man again refuses help, saying that God will save him. Eventually, the man drowns, and when he meets God in heaven, he asks why God didn't save him. God responds, "I sent you a boat and a helicopter, what more did you expect?"
Why Didn't He Get The Help?
He refused help from a rescue team and a helicopter because he was waiting for "God" to save him. He must have had his own idea of how he should be saved and for that, he ended up drowning. Sometimes our expectations and attachments can become fixed ideas or concepts in our minds, blocking us from seeing the bigger picture or the help that's available to us. But what if there was a way to let go of these mental blockages and open ourselves up to new possibilities and opportunities?
Clearing Mental Blockages
One powerful tool for eliminating mental blockages is meditation. By discarding the accumulated thoughts, fixed judgments, and beliefs, we can develop a greater sense of clarity and openness within our minds. As you become more in tune with what's happening around you as well as the inner peace, you are able to recognize the opportunities and help that are available to us.
Yesterday I was in Circular Quay which is like a hot spot for tourists, with Sydney Habour Bridge and Sydney Opera House. It is indeed a great spot with a beautiful harbour view. While enjoying my walk around there, again it reminded me of the story. Australia is a beautiful country and Sydney is certainly a nice city with its modern aspect of it as well as the beautiful nature-side of it. But even though you live here, sometimes you just get stuck in your own thoughts and miss out on the beautiful nature that is surrounding us. I thought of how important it is to clear our minds. It doesn't matter where you are, or how beautiful the place is, when your mind is clogged up with thoughts, often negative thoughts, you cannot appreciate anything around you nor recognize any help or solution that is presented to you.
You are reading this article? Maybe this is what you've been asking for.
Whenever I see people who are in search of a way to handle their minds because they suffer from stress, anxiety, or depression, I don't hesitate to recommend meditation. Depending on their circumstances, some take the advice and see the changes through meditation but some simply refuse to try it and often the reason is "I will think about it" or "I don't have time" or "My head is too crowded at the moment, I can't focus." I feel as though they are drowning in their own mind asking for help but cannot see the help is there, just like the man who didn't see the boat and a helicopter as the help he needed.
I suppose the story of the drowning man is a reminder for us that help and solutions may come in unexpected ways, and it's important to be open and receptive to them.
Be Open and Why Not Give It A Try?
By letting go of fixed ideas and attachments, we can open ourselves up to new possibilities and overcome challenges that once seemed insurmountable. So, if you're feeling stuck or blocked in any area of your life, why not give meditation a try? Who knows, it may be the key to unlocking your full potential and living your best life!