Tuesday, November 25, 2014

One Sacred Body


All human beings are members of one sacred body.
Every person is a beam shining out from a single gem.
When the world causes pain for one member,
how could the other members ever rest in peace?
If you lack grief for another one’s sorrow, 
how can you call yourself a human being?
 
—Sa’adi

Sunday, November 23, 2014

Change


This is how a human being can change:
There’s a worm in the garden addicted to leaves.
Suddenly, it wakes up.
Call it grace, whatever you will, 
something awakens it and it is no longer a worm.
Now its flying over the entire garden, 
and the orchard too, with its fruit and sea of leaves.
Inside is a growing wisdom and joy 
that doesn’t need to devour anything anymore.
—Rumi

Saturday, November 22, 2014

Walking in light


Once upon a time the Beloved came and said:
I hold you in love as possession both day and night.
But we can never be true companions as long as
you remain alone inside yourself.
I am the Sun, 
and you are but a shadow walking on the earth.
So step out of hiding and walk into my light.
Once your shade has been erased 
within the flood of my illumination, 
we will be the closest of companions.
—Attar

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Dawn of Resurrection



Whoever has drunk a draught
from the cup of the Friend,
Shall not become sober again
until the dawn of resurrection.

—Hafez

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Ocean Freedom

Ocean Freedom

What about the Divine Ocean’s great generosity?
Who could ever refuse the joy we feel to anyone?
Fish do not hold this sacred liquid in a cup,
they swim the vast fluidity in perfect freedom.
For we’ve come into the presence of the One
who was never apart from us.

—from Rumi

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Queen of Light


Be watchful:
the grace of God appears suddenly.
It comes without warning
to an open heart,
sweeping out the stable of our experience
so that the Spirit -—
the Queen of Light --
may gladly enter.

--Rumi

Friday, January 20, 2012

Pain's song


That which sings pain’s song to you is an infinite love.
The messenger skilled in the language of the unseen world
is this same, vast, unending love.
It is compassion itself that speaks to you,
calling to you now beyond the limits of this created realm.
And it is love alone which frees you
from your tiny self in this world
and allows you to fly
free into its own great fullness.

— Khaqani Shirvani