I came to grab you by the ear and drag you away.
I came to leave you without a heart, without a self.
I came to put you inside of My heart.
O rose sapling, I came to embrace you like a beautiful spring,
to scatter you here and there and everywhere.
I came to charm you in this palace,
to raise you above the sky like the prayers of lovers. Continue reading “I Won’t Leave You in the Middle of the Road (1/8/2023)”
You are a copy of the Divine Book.
You are the mirror of the Sultan’s art, beauty and power.
There is nothing in the universe beyond you.
Whatever you want, ask yourself to give it to you.
Whatever you are looking for, search for it within you.
Rubailer (2016), Rubai 2, page 441.
The Rubaiyat of Rumi, The Ergin Translations (apprx.pub.7/2023), Rubai 924, volume 2.
In a group meeting with Hasan Shushud back in the 1970’s, Jonathan Boulting related that this was one of the bits of wisdom Shushud shared, with the caveat that his English might need some reconsideration: GRIEF: Our contract with Eternity. Mr. Shushud spoke often about our inborn nostalgia, our longing “to go home,” our separation from our Essence… the source of true grief. Nevit Ergin referred constantly in his translations of Rumi’s poetry to “His sorrow.” When some begin the practice of fasting, they are able to begin to taste that sorrow, and it is one of the greatest gifts. Our self doesn’t want to feel it, which is its impetus for surrounding itself with an infinite number of distractions. As for the contract, it might be more of a promise that we made and need to keep. As Rumi says, “The purpose of Existence is to reach Absence.”
The fragrance of the rose garden and orchard is coming.
The fragrance of that tender-hearted Beloved is coming.
My Beloved has scattered so many pearls
that the sea is now up to my waist. Continue reading “From Beyond Love (12/25/2022)”
O One who keeps me awake with Love,
O One who is the light in the darkness of this life,
I am a harp in Your hands.
You keep plucking my strings, asking,
“Why do you cry?”
Rubailer (2016), Rubai 4, page 431.
The Rubaiyat of Rumi, The Ergin Translations (apprx.pub.7/2023), Rubai 914, Volume 2.
O pilgrim, where are you going? Where?
The Beloved is here, coming, coming.
Your Beloved is your next-door neighbor.
What kind of idea makes you wander around this desert like a vagabond? Continue reading “Were are You Going? (8/21/2022)”
A beautiful moon has appeared to me, shining so brightly.
How nice that the Almighty created Him!
He has joined with my soul and given me more life.
Today, thanks to Him, more greatness and exaltation come from me. Continue reading “Even If Centuries Go By (7/24/2022)”
When you are sober,
the Beloved seems like a thorn to you.
When you are drunk and out of your self,
you see that the Beloved is your greatest helper. Continue reading “When You Are Drunk (7/10/2022)”
When my soul becomes a mirror to the secrets,
I can remain silent, yet cannot help but to know them. Continue reading “Listen to My Straight Talk (6/26/2022)”
Even if your heart becomes tired and frustrated,
there is no way to get out of this journey. Continue reading “Pay Attention (5/29/2022)”