Everything is within…
This parable has been picked from Kathopanishad, an Indian classical treatise.
Once a man crossed a forest. He found a tree with a large canopy and thought of lying down for a while, exhausted under the scorching sun. He was sleepy and wished he could taste a few sips of water. And, to his amazement, someone appeared with a glass of water. He tasted every sip of the rejuvenating water. Then, he thought if he could get some food. And, soon several platters filled with the best delicacies appeared before him. He enjoyed the lunch to his heart’s content. Then, he thought of taking a nap. When he lied down, the pebbles troubled him. He wished for a comfortable bed. Soon, a giant cozy bed appeared. He lied down and rejoiced. Then, he thought that as all his wishes were coming true, he wished someone could massage his feet. Soon, someone appeared to massage his feet. He went into a deep sleep.
When he woke up, it was the time of late dusk. He thought if a lion could come and eat him as its meal. Soon, a lion appeared and consumed him.
The tree was nothing but a wish-fulfilling tree, Kalpataru.
The tree is nowhere except in our hearts. We get molded by our thoughts. We become what we think. If we think negatively, we become negative. If we think that we are God, we become God. Becoming God does not mean inviting ego but seeing God in every creation. But, if we do not think and surrender everything to the inner self, we merely flow with the waves. We become a witness to every event as if watching a movie. Realizing the Self means fixing the mind on the Soul.