Matt Furey’s books and DVDs are available at www.up-publications.com or mattfurey.com.

Over 100 years ago in China, a young man wanted to learn kung-fu. So he went to visit a Taoist master well known for training many great martial artists. Upon meeting, the master asked the young man what style of kung-fu he’d like to learn. Being unsophisticated about martial matters, the young man replied, “I want to learn the most powerful style of kung-fu.”

The master nodded and began training the young man in an open meadow where a cold spring lay underground. The master instructed him in proper breathing and posture. He told him to pull the earth’s magnetic energy through his body and direct it through his palms. Then he taught him how to use his imagination and his intention when he delivered a palm strike with the energy he collected. And that was it. One technique.

Meanwhile, the master worked with many other students, teaching them various styles of kung-fu. As he did so, his new student practiced in earnest, morning, afternoon and night. Everyday, without fail, he stood in the same place, breathed deeply and called forth his internal powers with each palm strike. He never struck anything but thin air, but in his imagination he saw himself doing far more.

During the day the master would give the young man a break to teach him calligraphy, music and other arts. Then it was back to work in the open field.

After one year of training the master noted that the ground was beginning to get moist with water from the underground spring. After another year he noticed a puddle beginning to form. A year later, the puddle began turning into a lake. And each year afterward it rose higher and higher.

The young man had no clue what was happening to the earth around him. All he did was train. But the Taoist master understood and was very pleased. Finally, after the young man had trained for 10 years in the same spot and the water from the spring was deep enough for boats to fish in, the Taoist master approached his ace student and with no warning whatsoever said: “Okay, training finished. You can go home now.”

Understandably confused and upset, the young man could no longer keep quiet.l “What do you mean I can go home? I’ve been here 10 years and you’ve showed me nothing. I see you teaching the other students many, many techniques, but me, all you’ve had me do is stand in one place, breathe and punch the air.”

The Taoist master smiled and said, “Young man, come with me.” The two walked through the temple grounds until they came upon a brick wall. The Taoist master then said, “Now get into your stance and begin breathing the way I taught you. And whenever you feel you’re ready, strike this wall as hard as you can.”

The student was not pleased with this request, but he got into his stance and began to pull the earth’s energy into his body anyway. Then he struck the wall with his open palm. After doing so he immediately looked at the master as if to say, “Okay, now what?”

But his questioning was abruptly interrupted by the wall disintegrating before him. As his eyes grew wide with wonder, his master looked at him and said, “And you said I taught you nothing? You came to learn the most powerful kung-fu, and that is exactly what I taught you. Now you can see the power you have within you. Take a look at the lake where you trained. Ten years ago there was nothing there but an underground spring. Today the spring is overflowing. So again, your training is finished. You can go home now. Just remember that you have a responsibility to never use this power inappropriately.”

The young man fell at the master’s knees and began to weep. His tears were a combination of gratitude and sorrow.

Moral of the story: You get what you ask for. If you’re willing to listen, learn and practice, don’t be surprised if your abilities are far greater than what you think they are.