image found at Caravan of Dreams dot comJust for a little conversation...no particular intent here...I am on the same quest as you...
This poem is attibuted - as is - to Rumi (sorry not to know if this is an accurate translation?) Funny, I have not noticed it before? Is the line: "maybe a relationship with God" included in the same list as the other "positions" listed? How and when and in what manner are these goals worthy of our divine mission here, if there is one? How do they fit in with "the gold mine in you"?
What of all this is true and worthy of "the search" ?
IT'S RIGGED
It’s rigged — everything, in your favor.
So there is nothing to worry about.
Is there some position you want,
some office, some acclaim, some award, some con, some lover,
maybe two, maybe three, maybe four — all at once,
maybe a relationship
with
God?
I know there is a gold mine in you, when you find it
the wonderment of the earth’s gifts
you will lay aside
as naturally as does
a child a
doll.
But, dear, how sweet you look to me kissing the unreal:
comfort, fulfill yourself,
in any way possible — do that until
you ache, until you ache,
then come to me
again.
– Rumi
painting: Odilon Redon. Flower Clouds c. 1903. Pastel. The Art Institute of Chicago
The following, along with the image of heart surrounded by flames was found above this Rumi poem (in the site Caravan of Dreams dot com):
ReplyDeleteJust remembering….
I remember when I was (young)and there was a group of people talking about spiritual matters. I believe they were all professionals - some doctors - some engineers. My father brought me along for some reason as he always did when he met his friends and they discussed these matters. Walking and talking with my father at this time really was a treat. He would take time to answer all my questions.
What used to annoy me was that during the meeting, because everyone was older than me, I couldn't interject what I wanted to add. I even remember someone telling me that its best to not worry about these things, especially at my age because I couldn't understand them.
I was quite insulted especially being the kind of person who never likes to be told I can't do something or be challenged. I had and still do a fiery temper. Many times in life I have heard I was too young to do this or that and I took that as a fuel to push me even further.
A couple of weeks ago I had a conversation, that reminded me of this. The idea had come up that all spirituality in a way starts with a rejection of some sort. If someone is perfectly content with his life as is why would he look for spirituality, except for idle curiosity...?
I was given the image of a meal being cooked in one room while I was multi-tasking in a another room. Slowly I smell something cooking but I ignore it and continue on. Then I start to feel how hungry I am but I have been ignoring this hunger...to get this monstrous task done.
Every now and then my focus is broken each time more intensely as the food comes closer and closer to being ready. Finally I say the hell with it (and) the deadlines. Let me eat this food. I am so hungry I can just by smell alone find my way to the kitchen.
I remember the words of Rumi in this poem, “Do that until you ache, until you ache,then come to me again”.
(from) It’s rigged —
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards" - Søren Kierkegaard
ReplyDeleteJust after posting this, I ran across a piece by Op-Ed Columnist - David Brooks with several statements for mulling over and discussion. It's about the universal spirituality and ephiphany of Bill Wilson and so many to follow this as well related to addictions.
ReplyDeleteSomehow a few quotes from this article seem to apply to the poem I just posted from Rumi & to the questions it raises...
* Because the soul is so complicated, much of what we do fails.
* In a culture that generally celebrates empowerment and self-esteem, A.A. begins with dis-empowerment. The goal is to get people to gain control over their lives, but it all begins with an act of SURRENDER and an admission of weakness.
* In a culture that thinks of itself as individualistic, A.A. relies on fellowship. The general idea is that people aren’t really captains of their own ship.
I used to take a carload of folk in my neighborhood to many AA (Alcoholics Anonymous-related meetings and a few times family to Al Anon or to recovery programs and a few times to Narcotics Anon. as well. All these certainly were inspiring to say least & often more so than most "church" services, fresher, more honest & right in the midst of life/death struggles.
The 12-steps are hard to argue with and seem to work with many kinds of addictions for many if sincerity, faith and "working the program" is applied. I've seen many success stories.
See Bill Wilson's Gospel - NYTimes.com By DAVID BROOKS. Published: June 28, 2010 A version of this op-ed appeared in print on June 29, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/29/opinion/29brooks.html - where already on this posting there are 109 comments to that article (comments may be under yesterday's version?)
Although when I posted this poem I figured many days would need to occur before I'd understand it, things keep coming up to reinforce the inner truth therein...so I am with faith accepting that I need
ReplyDeletethis wisdom now rather than later...
In fact, I just revisited another lovely site on the community of many such at The Republic of Rumi blog and re-found this couplet offered there by Khurram Ali Shafique Sahib:
"But there is one factor whose absence and existence can totally change the outcomes of this power, and that factor is Faith..."
ہو فکر اگر خام تو آزادیٔ افکار
انسان کو حیوان بنانے کا طریقہ