Essence of the One
Rumi’s Masnavi 1-5
Listen to this reed how it complains,
telling a tale of separations –
Saying, “Ever since I was parted from the reed-bed,
man and woman have moaned in (unison with) my lament.
I want a bosom torn by severance,
that I may unfold (to such a one) the pain of love-desire.
Every one who is left far from his source
wishes back the time when he was united with it.
In every company I uttered my wailful notes,
I consorted with the unhappy and with them that rejoice.”
~ Jalal id-din Rumi,
translated by R.A. Nicholson
This poem is the very beginning of Rumi’s Magnum Opus, the Masnavi. In last week’s Poetry of the Sufi Mystics class, Dr. Alan Abd al-Haqq Godlas said of the first couplet, “Listen to the voice of your soul as it cries out to your heart and complains of separation.”
The pain of separation is great! But your soul cries out to your heart, saying “I’m right here! Inside you. Closer than your jugular vein.” Do not look for me out there. Do not let that which is out there keep you from me. I am your safe space. I am your truth. I am not separate from you or from any.
“Whatsoever you do unto the least of my brothers and sisters, that you do unto Me.” Matthew 25:40
Why do we seek protection through further separation? We are from one soul. I cannot see you if I look at you and do not see myself.
The Real life cannot be found in this world. No amass of wealth or food or land can bring a human closer to truth. We are here to find the truth of ourselves in each other.
Further separation increases the love-desire. Moving farther from the source strengthens the yearning for the time united.
Whether with the unhappy or those who rejoice, the cry is the same. Return me back to You that I may know peace. Bring me home that I may know truth. Open our eyes that we may see our path to know You. No matter what doors close in this world, please open the doors of our hearts.
Photo credits: Copyright: ID 29149174 © Ivan Mikhaylov | Dreamstime.com ID 47377906 © Hayati Kayhan | Dreamstime.com Adobe Stock Photo © Reddogs #55661015
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