The Crucible of Divine Yearning A River Master once took his student out into the waters and held his head under until he almost drowned. At the last possible second, the master yanked the stunned student from the water by the hair just long enough for him to gulp in one breath. Then he dunked his head again, and again once more. River Gurus are known for allowing a student's own life to administer shock waves that purposefully dislodge their spiritual equilibrium. Not out of punishment or power, but from the Guru's own love for the soul and its mission to return it, matured, to its origin.
Spiritual headway is inherent in the repetitive act of calming the ripples of the mind.
Seeing its reflection in the student's still demeanor, the River sees itself, and aches for that soul's return. There is a story of two lovers who were separated by a truly mighty river. So strong was the girl's desire for her lover, so desperate was she to reach him, she attempted to paddle across the river in a large pitcher. Unbeknownst to her, a jealous relative had switched her makeshift boat for an unbaked one. Halfway across the river the pitcher melted, and the young woman drowned.