Friday, July 25, 2008

Rumi's Love for Gambling

'To a frog that's never left his pond the ocean seems like a gamble.
Look what he's giving up: security, mastery of his world, recognition!
The ocean frog just shakes his head.
"I can't really explain what it's like where I live, but someday I'll take you there."


Gamble everything for love,
if you're a true human being.

If not, leave
this gathering.

Half-heartedness doesn't reach
into majesty. You set out
to find God, but then you keep
stopping for long periods
at mean-spirited roadhouses.

Colemand Barks: The Essential Rumi. pp193/4

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Your friend Rumi lived in another time. Today requires practical living. You simply cannot gamble everything away for love. Smell the coffee beans kimmy.

JT

Shafinaaz Hassim said...

JT, you're married. So you talk of reality and practicality. But then what of love? Does it struggle to breathe in between all of that? How tragic man!

Anyway, I see more or less what you're saying. Your perspective, rather. Its just that Rumi speaks of the love for another as a stepping stone towards closeness to God. Self-actualisation, if you like. Heightened awareness even. The realisation of self and purpose. Its just the beginning of the journey.. not the destination. But it needs to be embraced in its entirety. I dont have all the answers. Not sure I ever will. Which is what makes it all ok.. This is how life makes sense.. to be filled with questions :)

Nooj said...

"I can't really explain what it's like where I live, but someday I'll take you there."


oooh how this resonates!!

Crimson Shimmer said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Crimson Shimmer said...

hmmm i wonder if the God Rumi so fondly spoke of lived in another time too :)

Anonymous said...

what is being married got to do with anything?

JT

Shafinaaz Hassim said...

ok. maybe its not a factor as such. maybe its just you :)