The heart is like a grain of corn, we are like a mill; how does the mill know why this turning? The body is like a stone, and the water its thoughts; the stone says, “The water knows what is toward.’ The water says, ‘Ask the miller, for it was he who flung this water […]
Burnt Kabob by Rumi
Last year, I admired wines. This, I’m wandering inside the red world. Last year, I gazed at the fire. This year I’m burnt kabob. Thirst drove me down to the water where I drank the moon’s reflection. Now I am a lion staring up totally lost in love with the thing itself. Don’t ask questions […]
Come, Come whoever you are by Rumi
Come, Come whoever you are, Wanderer, worshipper, lover of leaving, It doesn’t matter. Ours is not a caravan of despair. Come, even if you have broken your vow a tousand times. Come, yet again, come, come.
The Guest House by Rumi
This being human is a guest house Every morning a new arrival. A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor. Welcome and entertain them all! Even if they are a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, still treat each guest honorably. He may […]
I have lived on the lip of insanity by Rumi
I have lived on the lip of insanity, wanting to know reasons, knocking on a door. It opens. I’ve been knocking from the inside!
Love Dogs by Rumi
One night a man was crying Allah! Allah! His lips grew sweet with praising, until a cynic said, “So! I’ve heard you calling our, but have you ever gotten any response?” The man had no answer to that. He quit praying and fell into a confused sleep. He dreamed he saw Khidr, the guide of […]
Out beyond ideas by Rumi
Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing There is a field I’ll meet you there. When the soul lies down in that grass The world is too full to talk about. Ideas, language, even the phrase ‘each other’ Doesn’t make any sense.
The Source of Joy by Rumi
No one knows what makes the soul wake up so happy. Maybe a dawn breeze has blown the veil from the face of God. A thousand new moons appear, Roses open laughing, Hearts become perfect rubies like those from Badakshan. The body turns spirit. Leaves becomes branches in this wind. Why is now so easy […]
With Passion by Rumi
With passion pray. With passion work. With passion make love. With passion eat and drink and dance and play. Why look like a dead fish in this ocean of God?