A SUFI POEM

This really struck me when I heard it recited at a gathering in New York for an event called "Peace Thru People"



"In the bosom of the sacred edifice of humanity,

lies the secret of spiritual architecture,

The Keystone of Love



Noble Soul, sovereign of mystic union,

Always Longing for Allah most high,

Bring ourselves to the one reality, the faculties captivated by love




Intimate allies and the closest friendship and most elevated ideals,


Above the noble pillars of religion,


Beyond formulas and faith, legends and allegories,



Shines The Sheaf...



Example and guide for souls.



The pinnacle of knowledge and refinement.


The subtle model of the mystic way.



Essentializing human activity,

Spiritualizing all phenomena,



And making the HUMAN HEART FRAGRANT WITH THE LITANIES OF BREATH.





It was said by the Sufi Master that this poem is about, the Heart, the Guide, the Master.




My personal interpretation means little, but is that these words reflect the need to shed all the baggage that we accumulate on the outside of our souls in this life. The extensions and ego that block us from our true selves and from the real truth about the unlimited phenomenon of our pure energy, and pure potentiality.



How to access these states minute by minute without years of asceticism and discipline, I am not nearly sure what the simple method to employ is.



Rare and beautiful words though.





RL

SHE DANCES IN THE MORNING

I have a very close person in my life who is recovering from a fairly serious surgery.



This woman is amazing in her daily outlook on life. She wakes up in the morning, with a big smile on her face and her attitude emanates pure joy. (I actually told her that she might need to tone this down, for grinchly people like myself in the morning, how selfish is that)


She is happy to be alive and healing, and she is ready to make a difference. She prefers not to take any pain killers for what is obviously a very painful situation.


She tries to stretch her time as far as it will go, always staying alert and willing to think about creative ventures and positive ideas for the future.


She talks constantly about how she can help some of her friends that are suffering in various ways in their lives.



This woman is selfless to a flaw sometimes. Sometimes I think that she should concentrate a little more on making herself feel good.


She inspires me to be a stronger and a more giving man. Very often I feel that despite my various spiritual technologies that I employ to keep me centered and egoless, there is still a long road to travel. I need to know that the work is never done.


I choose to think of this woman as a wonderful mirror that lets me know that its ok to hurt, as long as you do something with it......Help others, hug a duck, make a difference. Write a book about your shortcomings, so others can benefit. Something.



I am grateful on many levels for this woman's powerful and prophetic prescience in my life. "Everything happens for a reason" she always says....I used to just brush that statement off as a parable of the times. However, I really am starting to believe that meeting her, was certainly no accident.



It was a very bright moment in the light, that was obviously meant to be.





RL

THE DOCTRINE OF HAPPINESS

"Too often we confuse temporary pleasure with enduring happiness because the trappings of the physical world are highly seductive and potent When we are able to distinguish between the two, we will find true happiness. Pleasure is usually associated with egocentric desires, whereas happiness is linked to the longing of the soul.


By and large, our desires emerge from the selfish side of our nature. What we covet is not necessarily what will bring us lasting fulfillment. Happiness eludes us when we chase after what we want, as opposed to what we need. Our desires and cravings generally bring misfortune and turmoil after the initial pleasures and immediate gratifications have worn off.


Be careful what you wish for."


Amen to this. I am finding now that real gratification comes in the form of simple connection to the people you really care about, and the ability to be open to the strangers that wonder into your world.


There is alot of happiness that manifests in the ability to accept and embrace the perfection in simplicity.


RL