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.”
Tag: Suffering
This Should Be Enough for You (12/11/2022)
O heart, you and His troubles are here.
This should be enough for you.
When you fall into the troubles of Love,
the soul becomes your slave and servant.
Once you drink a glass of wine from His hand,
you will no longer care about kingdoms and treasures,
even if the cost is a mere single penny.
Rubailer (2016), Rubai 2, page 433.
The Rubaiyat of Rumi, The Ergin Translations (apprx.pub.7/2023), Rubai 920, volume 2.
Sometimes (11/20/2022)
O heart, what did you find in all of your lootings,
in those pillagings where you spread out all of your belongings?
What did you find before you closed the door?
In this ruined building, you still keep making webs with your own saliva
in order to catch flies like the spider of greed. Continue reading “Sometimes (11/20/2022)”
Why Do You Cry? (11/13/2022)
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.
Eat Less (10/30/2022)
If you eat less, you will become alert and bright.
If you eat more, you will become foolish and lazy.
Your misery comes from your gluttony.
If you want respect, eat less.
Rubailer (2016), Rubai 3, page 420.
The Rubaiyat of Rumi, The Ergin Translations (apprx.pub. 7/2023), Rubai 906, volume 2.
The Only Way to Reach Eternity (10/23/2022)
Every moment, Your kindness follows after sorrow.
If this were not so, no one could stand this suffering.
Make me constantly drunk
with the wine which gives no hangover.
I don’t want any other wine.
We are the reed bed.
He is the fire, and we are waiting to be burned. Continue reading “The Only Way to Reach Eternity (10/23/2022)”
On the Way of Love (10/16/2022)
What harm could a cross-eyed one do to beauty such as yours?
Should an insane lover be ashamed of having a bad reputation?
When riding the ambling horse on the way of Love,
who cares about some lame old donkey?
Rubailer (2016), rubai 3, page 418.
The Rubaiyat of Rumi, The Ergin Translations (apprx.pub. 7/2023), rubai 904, volume 2.
It’s better to be a Fool with Love… (10/2/2022)
It’s better to be a fool with Love than to be a wise scholar,
better to become dirt on the road than to be a moon in the sky.
Become one with good and bad, young and old.
Be a pawn, then a vizier, then later, a king.
Rubailer (2016), rubai 4, page 391.
The Rubaiyat of Rumi, The Ergin Translations (apprx.pub. 7/2023), rubai 894, volume 2.
I Bite My Fingers a Lot (9/25/2022)
Compared to the flesh I have chosen,
everyone else seems to be fine.
Because of my stupidity, I bite my fingers a lot. Continue reading “I Bite My Fingers a Lot (9/25/2022)”
Come Only If You are Brave (8/14/2022)
O heart, if you cannot endure the troubles of Love, go away.
There are so many here like you
who simply yell and cry all the time because of Love.
O soul, come only if you are brave.
If you are afraid, it is simply not for you.
Rubailer (2016), Rubai 2, page 383.
The Rubaiyat of Rumi, The Ergin Translations (apprx.pub. 7/2023), Rubai 879, volume 2.