No one told me that the universe isn't a mechanism that one must 'manipulate' and that events are not just 'accidental' happenings - instead the universe is alive and responsive.

We all learn this lesson about other humans when we are babies trying to manipulate our parents. However it took decades for me to realise that my attempts to manipulate the universe only caused it to resist me.

Once I understood myself as an integral part of it I started to develop a relationship with it rather than just trying to manipulate it. As soon as I recognised it, loved it and committed to serve its best interests, then the seemingly 'accidental' events of my life became more coherent. The universe became my teacher and benefactor in a very real sense. I think this is what some refer to as 'Sadguru', which means "true guru" or existence itself in the role of teacher.