Rumi Poetry

The Proof of the Sun

2012-02-16T10:12:00.000-06:00

The Sun came as proof of the Sun
When the proof comes, do not turn away!

Aftaab amad dalile aftaab
Chon daleel amad az vey roy mataab!

Like This - Ode 1826

2012-02-14T14:24:00.000-06:00

هر کی ز حور پرسدت رخ بنما که همچنین
Anyone who asks you about a gorgeous one, show your face and say: Like This!
هر کی ز ماه گویدت بام برآ که همچنین
Anyone who asks you about the Moon, go to the roof and say: Like This!
هر کی پری طلب کند چهره خود بدو نما
Anyone who seeks a magical creature, show your own face to them
هر کی ز مشک دم زند زلف گشا که همچنین
Anyone who speaks of the finest perfume, open your locks : Like This!
هر کی بگویدت ز مه ابر چگونه وا شود
Anyone who asks you how to part the clouds to see the moon
باز گشا گره گره بند قبا که همچنین
Open your robe knot by knot Like This!
گر ز مسیح پرسدت مرده چگونه زنده کرد
Anyone who asks you how Jesus brought the dead back to life
بوسه بده به پیش او جان مرا که همچنین
Kiss them on the forehead and say my dear, Like This!
هر کی بگویدت بگو کشته عشق چون بود
Anyone asking you to tell how can we be a martyr to love
عرضه بده به پیش او جان مرا که همچنین
Show them and say, my dear, Like This!
هر کی ز روی مرحمت از قد من بپرسدت
Anyone who asks about me from your trustworthy self
ابروی خویش عرضه ده گشته دوتا که همچنین
Show them your eyebrows and say "they became two"; like this!
جان ز بدن جدا شود باز درآید اندرون
Conscious soul separates from the body and returns back within
هین بنما به منکران خانه درآ که همچنین
Come out of the house and Show them, the disbelievers; like this!
هر طرفی که بشنوی ناله عاشقانه‌ای
When you hear the lover's crying from any direction
قصه ماست آن همه حق خدا که همچنین
By God, all of those cries are telling our story, like this!
خانه هر فرشته‌ام سینه کبود گشته‌ام
Within every angel's house, you can see my wounded chest
چشم برآر و خوش نگر سوی سما که همچنین
Open your eyes and gaze well into the heavens, like this!
سر وصال دوست را جز به صبا نگفته‌ام
I have not divulged the secret of The Friend to any but the Northern Wind
تا به صفای سر خود گفت صبا که همچنین
The Northern wind, that Refreshing secret-keeper said, like this!
کوری آنک گوید او بنده به حق کجا رسد
The one who claims the servant cannot reach the Lord is blind
در کف هر یکی بنه شمع صفا که همچنین
Place the candle of Refreshment in each one's hand, like this!
گفتم بوی یوسفی شهر به شهر کی رود
I asked, how can the smell of Joseph travel city to city?
بوی حق از جهان هو داد هوا که همچنین
The perfume of Truth called forth from the world of the Unseen (Hu) : like this!
گفتم بوی یوسفی چشم چگونه وادهد
I asked : "how can the smell of Joseph open our eyes?"
چشم مرا نسیم تو داد ضیا که همچنین
Your welcome breeze lit my eyes , like this!
از تبریز شمس دین بوک مگر کرم کند
If only Shams blesses us from Tabriz
وز سر لطف برزند سر ز وفا که همچنین
With His grace, he drops in only to show he is faithful to us, like this!

I am restless for You, Night and Day

2012-02-14T11:40:00.000-06:00

در هوایت بی‌قرارم روز و شب
Thinking of you I am restless, Day and Night
سر ز پایت برندارم روز و شب
I rest my head on your feet, Day and Night
روز و شب را همچو خود مجنون کنم
I will turn Day and Night insane -- like me!
روز و شب را کی گذارم روز و شب
When can I let go of this Thought, Day and Night
جان و دل از عاشقان می‌خواستند
Lovers want your heart and soul
جان و دل را می‌سپارم روز و شب
I gladly surrender my heart and soul, Day and Night
تا نیابم آن چه در مغز منست
یک زمانی سر نخارم روز و شب
تا که عشقت مطربی آغاز کرد
گاه چنگم گاه تارم روز و شب
می‌زنی تو زخمه و بر می‌رود
تا به گردون زیر و زارم روز و شب
ساقیی کردی بشر را چل صبوح
زان خمیر اندر خمارم روز و شب
ای مهار عاشقان در دست تو
در میان این قطارم روز و شب
می‌کشم مستانه بارت بی‌خبر
همچو اشتر زیر بارم روز و شب
تا بنگشایی به قندت روزه‌ام
تا قیامت روزه دارم روز و شب
چون ز خوان فضل روزه بشکنم
عید باشد روزگارم روز و شب
جان روز و جان شب ای جان تو
انتظارم انتظارم روز و شب
تا به سالی نیستم موقوف عید
با مه تو عیدوارم روز و شب
زان شبی که وعده کردی روز بعد
روز و شب را می‌شمارم روز و شب
بس که کشت مهر جانم تشنه است
ز ابر دیده اشکبارم روز و شب

The mountain dances for Love

2012-02-13T10:12:00.001-06:00

With love The earthly body can soar through the skies
With love The mountain springs up and starts to dance

Rumi

Masnavi-B1V25

A Rumi Valentine 2012: Poems of Love

2012-02-11T22:35:00.006-06:00

Translations, stories and commentary by Dr. Ali Arsanjani

MUM Library North Lounge

February 14, 2012, 7:30 pm

'On Valentine ’s Day we celebrate love, lover and Beloved with stories and poems from Rumi, the mystical Master Poet of Love. Music, slides, stories and poetry will mix to help us more richly experience Rumi’s ecstatic spontaneous poetry of Life, Joy and Love, painting the colors of love’s spectrum with the rainbow of Rumi’s words.

Dr. Ali Arsanjani will be reading translations of Rumi's poetry, recounting stories of Rumi and providing commentary on the poetry with insight into the Sufi traditions and poetic implications behind the hidden meanings. Here are some of the titles of the poems we will read and comment on, strung together in a few sentences: “Every particle of my Being” says “ you bring me back to Life”. “I have returned from the Lover”, and I am convinced that since “I have seen your way, I will seek no other”. The Beloved takes care of the lover much as the “Ocean takes care of the fish” . “Look straight and you will see the Moon”, for “don’t be doubtful, seek a Master”. “Play that rhythm softly drummer!” and “Make the lifewater of Love flow through our veins”. As one lover tells the beloved: “As you came to me your Being was hidden in the depths of this hidden Being of mine.”

If you wish to view the tape pls leave a comment and we will email you the link!

Whirling Sparks of Love Unite

Adapted from Jalaledin Rumi

by Ali Arsanjani

Whirling sparks of love unite
Dancing flames of light combine
Those who fell apart : unite

Fallen from their source a day
They won't rest till they find a way
To reunite; they remember the day
So they choose to wind right back on course
To Be united with their source!

So they dance in sparks of love
Whirling round us from above
Waiting till the time is ripe
Clouds unite in a spark of light

Patient be, till you hear
The sound of thunder very near
Forget what seems dear
You might, mistaken, gasp of fear

this calm breeze will soothe you down
amid the storm rolling over your town

Whirling sparks of love unite
Dancing flames of light combine
Those who fell apart : unite

Those fallen from their Source
See their plight; no remorse

Just stand up tall and shine with light
Or sit deep in bliss a spark of light
Or take the pen let the soul gush
Feelings flow no need to rush

Then Let it go don't push with might
It'll come to you if it's your right

Hear the flute the tale it tells
Hear the tale that it laments

From the reedbed since I was torn
People have heard this cry forlorn

fallen back from our source
Since that day, we've felt remorse

Whirling sparks of love unite
Dancing flames of light combine
Those who fell apart : unite

deeply yearns to get back on course
to find it's way back to it's Source

Winding back it seeks recourse
Seeking union with every resource

Going back in time to seek
Union with it's source to keep

The Flute tells this tale to make you weep
To make you long and make you seek

Choose to light up, whirl and dance
Look deep inside your secret trance

Light up and twirl; sing and dance
Rise again you have a chance

Be friend to all but your secrets keep
Secure inside that mirror deep

Theyll sit with you; laugh and weep
But still inside your secrets keep

Not far from my moan
Do My secrets roam
Not far from this cry
Do My secrets lie

Yet they haven't that light
the ear and eye

Whirling sparks of love unite
Dancing flames of light combine
Those who fell apart : unite

You know this well
What you sow, you reap

Don't give up the light; this is not your fight
Don't venture outwards; keep your might

Just let go; if it's your right
Stand up bright, shine inside, it's your right
Keep inside, just let go, it's alright

Stand up; shine bright;
Don't give up your right
Show all your might

Whirling sparks of love divide

Dancing flames of light unfold

Those who fell apart : untold.

The Mighty Ocean and the Fish

2012-02-05T10:42:00.001-06:00

مر بحر را ز ماهی دایم گزیر باشد
The Ocean always flees the fish
زیرا به پیش دریا ماهی حقیر باشد
For compared to the Ocean the fish is slight
مانند بحر قلزم ماهی نیابی ای جان
You won't find a fish that is like the ocean of Moses
در بحر قلزم حق ماهی کثیر باشد
Inside the sea of Moses
You will find many fish
بحرست همچو دایه ماهی چو شیرخواره
The ocean like a Nanny
and the fish like the suckling infant
پیوسته طفل مسکین گریان شیر باشد
Always crying for milk

با این همه فراغت گر بحر را به ماهی
The ocean won't tend to a fish
With it's immense vastness,
میلی بود به رحمت فضل کبیر باشد
Were it not through the Great Grace
وان ماهیی که داند کان بحر طالب اوست
And that fish who knows
That the ocean is seeking it
پایش ز روی نخوت فوق اثیر باشد
It's status will be beyond
the heavenly circle of ether
آن ماهیی که دریا کار کسی نسازد
And the ocean will not grant a wish
الا که رای ماهی آن را مشیر باشد
But by the decision of that fish
گویی ز بس عنایت آن ماهیست سلطان
As if the fish is the king
وان بحر بینهایت او را وزیر باشد
and the sea unbounded is his minister
گر هیچ کس ز جرات ماهیش خواند او را
Only If someone brazen
should mistakenly call it a mere fish
هر قطرهای به قهرش مانند تیر باشد
Like arrows, drops rush
to the oceanbed
تا چند رمز گویی رمزت تحیر آرد
If you keep on speaking in riddles
You'll only confuse everyone
روشنترک بیان کن تا دل بصیر باشد
Explain it clearly so everyone's
Heart will welcome it
مخدوم شمس دینست هم سید و خداوند
All are subjects of Shamsedin
کز وی زمین تبریز مشک و عبیر باشد
From him is the earth of Tabriz fragrant
گر خارهای عالم الطاف او ببینند
if all the thorns of the world
should try to constrain his grace
در نرمی و لطافت همچون حریر باشد
They would feel soft as satin to the touch
جانم مباد هرگز گر جانم از شرابش

وز مستی جمالش از خود خبیر باشد

Every Particle of My Being

2012-02-05T10:40:00.003-06:00

دیدم شه خوب خوش لقا را
I felt the benevolent presence
Of our good king
آن چشم و چراغ سینهها را
That lamp that lights up hearts
آن مونس و غمگسار دل را
That companion
That never leaves you in times
Of need

آن جان و جهان جان فزا را
Who expands my soul
And flourishes the world
آن کس که خرد دهد خرد را
The One who bestows
wisdom to wisdom itself
آن کس که صفا دهد صفا را
The One who purifies
purity and light
آن سجده گه مه و فلک را
The One whom the moon
and heavens worship
آن قبله جان اولیا را
That One in whose direction sages soul pray
هر پاره من جدا همیگفت
every part of my being
Independently uttered these words:
کای شکر و سپاس مر خدا را
That thanks and gratitude
be to God
موسی چو بدید ناگهانی
When Moses suddenly spotted
از سوی درخت آن ضیا را
The light emanating from that tree
گفتا که ز جست و جوی رستم
He proclaimed that he has been liberated from the bondage of the search
چون یافتم این چنین عطا را
After having found such generosity

[When I found such generosity I was freed from searching any longer ]

گفت ای موسی سفر رها کن
He said O Moses travel no longer
وز دست بیفکن آن عصا را
And cast your staff away
آن دم موسی ز دل برون کرد
At that moment
Moses cast aside his thoughts
همسایه و خویش و آشنا را
Of
Neighbors, family and friends
اخلع نعلیک این بود این
This was what was meant by: "take thy shoes off; you are on holy ground!"
کز هر دو جهان ببر ولا را
Cut yourself off of both worlds
در خانه دل جز او نگنجد
In the house of the heart no one can reside but Him
دل داند رشک انبیا را

گفت ای موسی به کف چه داری

گفتا که عصاست راه ما را
He said the way of the staff if ours
گفتا که عصا ز کف بیفکن
he said cast your staff aside
بنگر تو عجایب سما را
behold the mysteries of the heavens
افکند و عصاش اژدها شد
he cast it aside and it became a dragon
بگریخت چو دید اژدها را
he fled as soon as he the dragon
گفتا که بگیر تا منش باز

چوبی سازم پی شما را

سازم ز عدوت دست یاری

سازم دشمنت متکا را

تا از جز فضل من ندانی

یاران لطیف باوفا را

دست و پایت چو مار گردد

چون درد دهیم دست و پا را

ای دست مگیر غیر ما را

ای پا مطلب جز انتها را

مگریز ز رنج ما که هر جا

رنجیست رهی بود دوا را

نگریخت کسی ز رنج الا

آمد بترش پی جزا را

از دانه گریز بیم آن جاست

بگذار به عقل بیم جا را

شمس تبریز لطف فرمود

چون رفت ببرد لطفها را

You bring me back to Life

2012-02-05T10:39:00.003-06:00

I was dead. I came back to life. I was tears. I became laughter

[I was as good as dead, you brought me back to life!

I was in tears and you brought laughter into my heart!]

The power of love came, and I became everlasting power

My senses are content; my soul is brimming with courage

I have the courage of a lion, like Venus, I emanate light

He said, truly, you have not lost enough of your sanity

No longer do you deserve to be in this house

So, I went and became a madman, with chains and all

He said you are not drunken enough, leave! You are not one of us!

So, I left and having found the meaning of being drunk with my whole being, I was overwhelmed with joy

He said what? you are not prepared to give your life? You are not drowning in bliss?

And then I saw His life giving face; I was prepared to lay down my life.

He Said: You are all guile and immersed in doubts and [mundane] concerns

So, I became as if ignorant and corrected my ways and disconnected myself from people

He said you have become the shining light and leader of this gathering

But I objected, I am not the light nor the header here, I will become smoke and disperse everywhere !

I am nolonger a leader, I am not out in front , anymore

I yield to your command !

He said you have aspiring wings!

You will not give me new wings to fly,

So, I shed my feathers and left my wings, desiring only those that He would give.

He pointed out that I should not succumb to new promises

of power and position and not fret over them

So, through your Grace and benevolence I will be nearer to you

You told me not to recount tales of old love

So, I said I will not! I became still! I became established in Being.

My heart gained those lifegiving rays of light, My heart opened up engulfed the whole world.

مرده بدم زنده شدم گریه بدم خنده شدم

I was dead and came back to life

I was tears and became laughter

دولت عشق آمد و من دولت پاینده شدم

When the power of love came

I became everlasting power

دیده سیر است مرا جان دلیر است مرا

My senses are in contentment;

Courage belongs to my soul

(my soul is brimming with courage )

زهره شیر است مرا زهره تابنده شدم

I have the courage of a lion

I emanate light like Venus

گفت که دیوانه نهای لایق این خانه نهای

He said truly you have not lost your n

Enough Sanity

No longer do you deserve to be in this house

رفتم دیوانه شدم سلسله بندنده شدم

I went and became

a madman with chains and all

گفت که سرمست نهای رو که از این دست نها He said you are not drunken ought

Leave for you are not one of us

رفتم و سرمست شدم وز طرب آکنده شدم

So I went and found the meaning of being drunk with my whole being and I was teeming with joy

گفت که تو کشته نهای در طرب آغشته نهای

He said you are not prepared to give

Your life

You are not drowning in bliss

پیش رخ زنده کنش کشته و افکنده شدم

When i saw his life giving face

I was prepared to lay my life down

گفت که تو زیرککی مست خیالی و شکی

You are all guile and immersed in doubt and concerns

گول شدم هول شدم وز همه برکنده شدم

So I became as if ignorant and corrected my ways and disconnected myself from people

گفت که تو شمع شدی قبله این جمع شدی

he said you have become the shining light and leader of this gathering

جمع نیم شمع نیم دود پراکنده شدم

But I objected , I am not the light nor the header , here, I will become smoke

Dispersing everywhere

گفت که شیخی و سری پیش رو و راهبری

You pointed out that I am a leader

Leading the way

شیخ نیم پیش نیم امر تو را بنده شدم

I am nolonger a leader not out in front

Anymore

I yield to your command

گفت که با بال و پری من پر و بالت ندهم

You told me I have aspiring wings

So you will not give me new wings ti fly

در هوس بال و پرش بیپر و پرکنده شدم

so I shed my feathers and left my wings

Desiring those that He would give

گفت مرا دولت نو راه مرو رنجه مشو

You pointed out that I should not succumb to new promises of power and position and not fret over them

زانک من از لطف و کرم سوی تو آینده شدم

And I through your Grace and benevolence will be coming to you

گفت مرا عشق کهن از بر ما نقل مکن

You told me not to recount tales of old

love

He said : stop telling me tales of old love

گفتم آری نکنم ساکن و باشنده شدم

To which I replied

Yes I will not

And became still with Being

I won't I said ; I became still and established in Being

چشمه خورشید تویی سایه گه بید منم

چونک زدی بر سر من پست و گدازنده شدم

تابش جان یافت دلم وا شد و بشکافت دلم

My heart gained those lifegiving rays

My heart opened up and widened

اطلس نو بافت دلم دشمن این ژنده شدم

صورت جان وقت سحر لاف همیزد ز بطر

بنده و خربنده بدم شاه و خداونده شدم

شکر کند کاغذ تو از شکر بیحد تو

کمد او در بر من با وی ماننده شدم

شکر کند خاک دژم از فلک و چرخ به خم

کز نظر وگردش او نورپذیرنده شدم

شکر کند چرخ فلک از ملک و ملک و ملک

کز کرم و بخشش او روشن بخشنده شدم

شکر کند عارف حق کز همه بردیم سبق

بر زبر هفت طبق اختر رخشنده شدم

زهره بدم ماه شدم چرخ دو صد تاه شدم

یوسف بودم ز کنون یوسف زاینده شدم

از توام ای شهره قمر در من و در خود بنگر

کز اثر خنده تو گلشن خندنده شدم

باش چو شطرنج روان خامش و خود جمله زبان

کز رخ آن شاه جهان فرخ و فرخنده شدم

Being in the Place of no place

2012-01-29T00:19:00.001-06:00

نام آن کس بر که مرده از جمالش زنده شد
گریههای جمله عالم در وصالش خنده شد
یاد آن کس کن که چون خوبی او رویی نمود
حسنهای جمله عالم حسن او را بنده شد
جمله آب زندگانی زیر تختش میرود
هر کی خورد از آب جویش تا ابد پاینده شد
یک شبی خورشید پایه تخت او را بوسه داد
لاجرم بر چرخ گردون تا ابد تابنده شد
زندگی عاشقانش جمله در افکندگیست
خاک طامع بهر این در زیر پا افکنده شد
آهوان را بوی مشک از طرهاش بر ناف زد
تا مشام شیر صید مرجها غرنده شد
بال و پر وهم عاشق ز آتش دل چون بسوخت
همچو خورشید و قمر بیبال و پر پرنده شد
ای خنک جانی که لطف شمس تبریزی بیافت
برگذشت از نه فلک بر لامکان باشنده شد

How can I have enough of your smiling face ?

2012-01-10T00:01:00.001-06:00

سیر نیم سیر نی از لب خندان تو
ای که هزار آفرین بر لب و دندان تو
هیچ کسی سیر شد ای پسر از جان خویش
جان منی چون یکی است جان من و جان تو
تشنه و مستسقیم مرگ و حیاتم ز آب
دور بگردان که من بنده دوران تو
پیش کشی میکنی پیش خودم کش تمام
تا که برآرد سرم سر ز گریبان تو
گر چه دو دستم بخست دست من آن تو است
دست چه کار آیدم بیدم و دستان تو
عشق تو گفت ای کیا در حرم ما بیا
تا نکند هیچ دزد قصد حرمدان تو
گفتم ای ذوالقدم حلقه این در شدم
تا که نرنجد ز من خاطر دربان تو
گفت که هم بر دری واقف و هم در بری
خارج و داخل توی هر دو وطن آن تو
خامش و دیگر مخوان بس بود این نزل و خوان
تا به ابد روم و ترک برخورد از خوان تو

The water of patience and the fire of rage

2011-12-04T07:11:00.001-06:00

رو بتش کرد شه کای تندخو
آن جهان سوز طبیعی خوت کو
چون نمیسوزی چه شد خاصیتت
یا ز بخت ما دگر شد نیتت
مینبخشایی تو بر آتشپرست
آنک نپرستد ترا او چون برست
هرگز ای آتش تو صابر نیستی
چون نسوزی چیست قادر نیستی
چشمبندست این عجب یا هوشبند
چون نسوزاند چنین شعلهی بلند
جادوی کردت کسی یا سیمیاست
یا خلاف طبع تو از بخت ماست

گفت آتش من همانم ای شمن
Fire replied I am the same one
o Idol worshipper
اندر آ تا تو ببینی تاب من
if you doubt my power
Then come inside
طبع من دیگر نگشت و عنصرم
My nature hasn't changed
I am wrought of the very same element
تیغ حقم هم بدستوری برم
I am the sword of the Divine Truth
And will strike only on command
بر در خرگهی سگان ترکمان

چاپلوسی کرده پیش میهمان

ور بخرگه بگذرد بیگانهرو

حمله بیند از سگان شیرانه او

من ز سگ کم نیستم در بندگی

کم ز ترکی نیست حق در زندگی

آتش طبعت اگر غمگین کند

سوزش از امر ملیک دین کند

آتش طبعت اگر شادی دهد

اندرو شادی ملیک دین نهد

چونک غمبینی تو استغفار کن
When you see sorrow beg the Lord for forgiveness
غم بامر خالق آمد کار کن
Sorrow comes with the Creator's
Decree, start working
چون بخواهد عین غم شادی شود
If He wishes the same sorrow
Becomes joy
عین بند پای آزادی شود
the same binding shackle
Becomes the means of freedom
باد و خاک و آب و آتش بندهاند
The wind, earth and fire are all
Shackles that bind
با من و تو مرده با حق زندهاند
they seem inert to you and me
But to Almighty Truth they are all alive

پیش حق آتش همیشه در قیام
In the presence of Truth
Fire rises and stands in respect
همچو عاشق روز و شب پیچان مدام
like a lover twisting and contorting
Night and day
سنگ بر آهن زنی بیرون جهد
Strike an iron with stone
And it will spring forth
هم به امر حق قدم بیرون نهد
And with Truth's decree will
Step out
آهن و سنگ هوا بر هم مزن
Don't strike the iron and stone of
Your lowly desires
کین دو میزایند همچون مرد و زن
For they are a measure
Like man and woman
سنگ و آهن خود سبب آمد ولیک
Iron and stone came about
Independently but
تو به بالاتر نگر ای مرد نیک
My good man look higher
Than that if you please
کین سبب را آن سبب آورد پیش
That this cause was brought forth
By another cause
بیسبب کی شد سبب هرگز ز خویش
و آن سببها کانبیا را رهبرند
آن سببها زین سببها برترند
این سبب را آن سبب عامل کند
باز گاهی بی بر و عاطل کند
این سبب را محرم آمد عقلها
و آن سببهاراست محرم انبیا
این سبب چه بود بتازی گو رسن
اندرین چه این رسن آمد بفن
گردش چرخه رسن را علتست
چرخه گردان را ندیدن زلتست
این رسنهای سببها در جهان
هان و هان زین چرخ سرگردان مدان
تا نمانی صفر و سرگردان چو چرخ
تا نسوزی تو ز بیمغزی چو مرخ

باد آتش میشود از امر حق
هر دو سرمست آمدند از خمر حق
آب حلم و آتش خشم ای پسر

هم ز حق بینی چو بگشایی بصر
گر نبودی واقف از حق جان باد
فرق کی کردی میان قوم عاد
هود گرد ممنان خطی کشید
نرم میشد باد کانجا میرسید
هر که بیرون بود زان خط جمله را
پاره پاره میگسست اندر هوا
همچنین شیبان راعی میکشید
گرد بر گرد رمه خطی پدید
چون بجمعه میشد او وقت نماز
تا نیارد گرگ آنجا ترکتاز
هیچ گرگی در نرفتی اندر آن
گوسفندی هم نگشتی زان نشان
باد حرص گرگ و حرص گوسفند
دایرهی مرد خدا را بود بند
همچنین باد اجل با عارفان
نرم و خوش همچون نسیم یوسفان
آتش ابراهیم را دندان نزد
چون گزیدهی حق بود چونش گزد
ز آتش شهوت نسوزد اهل دین
باقیان را برده تا قعر زمین
موج دریا چون بامر حق بتاخت
اهل موسی را ز قبطی وا شناخت
خاک قارون را چو فرمان در رسید
با زر و تختش به قعر خود کشید
آب و گل چون از دم عیسی چرید
بال و پر بگشاد مرغی شد پرید
هست تسبیحت بخار آب و گل
مرغ جنت شد ز نفخ صدق دل
کوه طور از نور موسی شد به رقص
صوفی کامل شد و رست او ز نقص
چه عجب گر کوه صوفی شد عزیز
جسم موسی از کلوخی بود نیز

Look straight and you will see the Moon

2011-12-04T00:05:00.001-06:00

پادشاهی دو غلام ارزان خرید
با یکی زان دو سخن گفت و شنید
یافتش زیرکدل و شیرین جواب
از لب شکر چه زاید شکرآب

آدمی مخفیست در زیر زبان
People are hiding under their tongues!
این زبان پردهست بر درگاه جان
Your tongue is the curtain of the threshold of your being i
چونک بادی پرده را در هم کشید
A gust parts the curtain
سر صحن خانه شد بر ما پدید
Revealing to us the hidden recesses of the house
کاندر آن خانه گهر یا گندمست
Showing whether inside stores gems or mere wheat!
گنج زر یا جمله مار و کزدمست
Is there golden treasure or serpents and scorpions ?
یا درو گنجست و ماری بر کران
Or is there a serpent outside guarding the treasure ?
زانک نبود گنج زر بی پاسبان
For there is no treasure without a guard
بی تامل او سخن گفتی چنان
Rashly he uttered these words
کز پس پانصد تامل دیگران
Others would have waited and thought about what they were going to say, five hundred times more
گفتیی در باطنش دریاستی
You said there was an ocean within him
جمله دریا گوهر گویاستی
you said the whole ocean was jewel filled
نور هر گوهر کزو تابان شدی

حق و باطل را ازو فرقان شدی

نور فرقان فرق کردی بهر ما
ذره ذره حق و باطل را جدا
نور گوهر نور چشم ما شدی
هم سال و هم جواب از ما بدی
چشم کژ کردی دو دیدی قرص ماه
چون سالست این نظر در اشتباه
راست گردان چشم را در ماهتاب
تا یکی بینی تو مه را نک جواب
فکرتت که کژ مبین نیکو نگر
هست هم نور و شعاع آن گهر

هر جوابی کان ز گوش آید بدل
چشم گفت از من شنو آن را بهل

گوش دلالهست و چشم اهل وصال
چشم صاحب حال و گوش اصحاب قال

در شنود گوش تبدیل صفات
در عیان دیدهها تبدیل ذات

ز آتش ار علمت یقین شد از سخن
پختگی جو در یقین منزل مکن

تا نسوزی نیست آن عین الیقین
Until you burn
You will not gain the science of certainty
این یقین خواهی در آتش در نشین
If it's certainty you seek then sit within the fire!
گوش چون نافذ بود دیده شود
ورنه قل در گوش پیچیده شود
این سخن پایان ندارد باز گرد
تا که شه با آن غلامانش چه کرد

The dust of the road of desire is the alchemy of your goal:

2011-12-02T06:01:00.001-06:00

This ode is from Hafez, the deliberate master of rhyme and rhythm and the intricate weaving of meanings hidden and explicit tintillating the palate of the seeker!
منم که دیده به دیدار دوست کردم باز

It is I who have opened up my eyes and gaze to welcome the meeting with the Friend again

چه شکر گویمت ای کارساز بنده نواز
how can I express my gratitude to you who are the master organizer of events the( one who makes things happen ) and who through compassion casts grace on His subjects!
نیازمند بلا گو رخ از غبار مشوی

که کیمیای مراد است خاک کوی نیاز
the alchemy of the goal resides on the dust of the road of need
ز مشکلات طریقت عنان متاب ای دل
don't be disappointed by the problems of Way, I tell my heart,
که مرد راه نیندیشد از نشیب و فراز
For the man of the Way is undaunted by the ups and downs of the Road
طهارت ار نه به خون جگر کند عاشق
if the ablution is not done with the toils of weathering problems
به قول مفتی عشقش درست نیست نماز
Then, as the clergy would say: your prayers are not correctly done

در این مقام مجازی بجز پیاله مگیر
in this virtual station don't hold onto anything but the wine cup!
در این سراچه بازیچه غیر عشق مباز
In this field of games don't lose anything but love
به نیم بوسه دعایی بخر ز اهل دلی
Give half a kiss and buy a prayer
From one who knows the way of the heart
که کید دشمنت از جان و جسم دارد باز
For the schemes of your enemy
Separates you from your body and soul

فکند زمزمه عشق در حجاز و عراق
in two lands were cast
the gurgling murmur of love
نوای بانگ غزلهای حافظ از شیراز
the melody of the sound of Hafez's idea
From Shiraz!

Thanksgiving for blessings is more gratifying than the blessing itself : A Rumi Thanksgiving

2011-11-23T18:10:00.001-06:00

سگ زمستان جمع گردد استخوانش
زخم سرما خرد گرداند چنانش
کو بگوید کین قدر تن که منم
خانهای از سنگ باید کردنم
چونک تابستان بیاید من بچنگ
بهر سرما خانهای سازم ز سنگ
چونک تابستان بیاید از گشاد
استخوانها پهن گردد پوست شاد
گوید او چون زفت بیند خویش را
در کدامین خانه گنجم ای کیا
زفت گردد پا کشد در سایهای
کاهلی سیری غری خودرایهای
گویدش دل خانهای ساز ای عمو
گوید او در خانه کی گنجم بگو
استخوان حرص تو در وقت درد
درهم آید خرد گردد در نورد
گویی از توبه بسازم خانهای
در زمستان باشدم استانهای
چون بشد درد و شدت آن حرص زفت
همچو سگ سودای خانه از تو رفت

شکر نعمت خوشتر از نعمت بود
The giving of thanks is more enjoyable than the blessing itself !
شکرباره کی سوی نعمت رود
When can the ungrateful be guided to blessings?!
شکر جان نعمت و نعمت چو پوست
Thanksgiving is the life essence of the blessing ; the blessing being the skin
ز آنک شکر آرد ترا تا کوی دوست
Know that thanksgiving will bring you to the Friend's house
نعمت آرد غفلت و شکر انتباه
Blessings will bring complacency and neglect; whereas gratitude will bring success
صید نعمت کن بدام شکر شاه
Catch the blessings with the trap of giving thanks to the King
نعمت شکرت کند پرچشم و میر

The blessing will give you
Full thanks

تا کنی صد نعمت ایثار فقیر

So you bestow a hundred blessings upon the poor
سیر نوشی از طعام و نقل حق
You will never be full
when eating the sweets of Truth
تا رود از تو شکمخواری و دق
In this way gluttony and self centeredness will leave you

A thanksgiving with the Persian Sufi Poets: Saadi

2011-11-20T15:11:00.001-06:00

دوست میدارم من این نالیدن دلسوز را
I myself like the cry of the compassionate
تا به هر نوعی که باشد بگذرانم روز را
so in whatever way possible i can pass the day
شب همه شب انتظار صبح رویی میرود
Night after night I await the face of the dawn
کان صباحت نیست این صبح جهان افروز را
for the normal daybreak is not that which sets fire to the world
وه که گر من بازبینم چهر مهرافزای او
O if I could only see again that loveinspiring face
تا قیامت شکر گویم طالع پیروز را
To the end of time would I give thanks for this oracle of success
گر من از سنگ ملامت روی برپیچم زنم

جان سپر کردند مردان ناوک دلدوز را
کامجویان را ز ناکامی چشیدن چاره نیست
بر زمستان صبر باید طالب نوروز را
عاقلان خوشه چین از سر لیلی غافلند
این کرامت نیست جز مجنون خرمن سوز را
عاشقان دین و دنیاباز را خاصیتیست
کان نباشد زاهدان مال و جاه اندوز را
دیگری را در کمند آور که ما خود بندهایم
ریسمان در پای حاجت نیست دست آموز را
سعدیا دی رفت و فردا همچنان موجود نیست
در میان این و آن فرصت شمار امروز را

Count not on an "if"; seek a master

2011-11-19T20:23:00.001-06:00

آن غریبی خانه میجست از شتاب
A stranger was hastily looking for a house
دوستی بردش سوی خانهی خراب
A friend took him to a ruin
گفت او این را اگر سقفی بدی
And proclaimed : if this house had a roof
پهلوی من مر ترا مسکن شدی
You would be able to be my neighbor
هم عیال تو بیاسودی اگر
And your wife could have rested in peace under its roof
در میانه داشتی حجرهی دگر
If the house had another room
گفت آری پهلوی یاران بهست
He replied, yes, of course its better to be with friends
لیک ای جان در اگر نتوان نشست
And Yet my dear we cannot sit inside an "if"!
این همه عالم طلبکار خوشند
Everyone in the world seems to seek [a debt from] satisfaction
وز خوش تزویر اندر آتشند
And from this hypocracy of seeking satisfaction no matter what, they end up in the fire
طالب زر گشته جمله پیر و خام
The seeker of gold grows weary, naive and decrepit
لیک قلب از زر نداند چشم عام
The people cannot distinguish between gold(outer) and the heart (inner)
پرتوی بر قلب زد خالص ببین
A Ray of light was cast on the heart;
See with purity!

Do you have a weighing stone
To judge the value of a gem?

بی محک زر را مکن از ظن گزین
Don't consider something to be gold without actually testing

گر محک داری گزین کن ور نه رو
نزد دانا خویشتن را کن گرو
یا محک باید میان جان خویش
ور ندانی ره مرو تنها تو پیش
بانگ غولان هست بانگ آشنا
آشنایی که کشد سوی فنا
بانگ میدارد که هان ای کاروان
سوی من آیید نک راه و نشان
نام هر یک میبرد غول ای فلان
تا کند آن خواجه را از آفلان
چون رسد آنجا ببیند گرگ و شیر
When he gets there all he sees is the
Wolf and lion [ready to tear anyone to shreds]
عمر ضایع راه دور و روز دیر
Life wasted, far from the goal, and night falling
چون بود آن بانگ غول آخر بگو
When you hear the cry of the demons you say
مال خواهم جاه خواهم و آب رو
I want wealth, power and a good name
از درون خویش این آوازها
Yet disallow these cries from within Heed not the call of fame and wealth
منع کن تا کشف گردد رازها
So the secrets can be revealed within

Burn the cry of the sirens
By repeating the Divine Names

ذکر حق کن بانگ غولان را بسوز
چشم نرگس را ازین کرکس بدوز
صبح کاذب را ز صادق وا شناس
رنگ می را باز دان از رنگ کاس
تا بود کز دیدگان هفت رنگ
دیدهای پیدا کند صبر و درنگ
رنگها بینی بجز این رنگها
گوهران بینی به جای سنگها

گوهر چه بلک دریایی شوی
آفتاب چرخپیمایی شوی

The Workshop

کارکن در کارگه باشد نهان
تو برو در کارگه بینش عیان
کار چون بر کارکن پرده تنید
خارج آن کار نتوانیش دید
کارگه چون جای باش عاملست
آنک بیرونست از وی غافلست
پس در آ در کارگه یعنی عدم
تا ببینی صنع و صانع را بهم

کارگه چون جای روشندیدگیست
پس برون کارگه پوشیدگیست

رو بهستی داشت فرعون عنود
لاجرم از کارگاهش کور بود
لاجرم میخواست تبدیل قدر
تا قضا را باز گرداند ز در
خود قضا بر سبلت آن حیلهمند
زیر لب میکرد هر دم ریشخند
صد هزاران طفل کشت او بیگناه
تا بگردد حکم و تقدیر اله
تا که موسی نبی ناید برون
کرد در گردن هزاران ظلم و خون
آن همه خون کرد و موسی زاده شد
وز برای قهر او آماده شد
گر بدیدی کارگاه لایزال
دست و پایش خشک گشتی ز احتیال
اندرون خانهاش موسی معاف
وز برون میکشت طفلان را گزاف
همچو صاحبنفس کو تن پرورد
بر دگر کس ظن حقدی میبرد
کین عدو و آن حسود و دشمنست
خود حسود و دشمن او آن تنست
او چو فرعون و تنش موسی او
او به بیرون میدود که کو عدو
نفسش اندر خانهی تن نازنین
بر دگر کس دست میخاید به کین

I have seen your Way; I will follow no other

2011-10-26T12:41:00.001-05:00

جمع تو دیدم پس از این هیچ پریشان
I have seen your circle of coherence,
I will never be scattered again!
نشوم
راه تو دیدم پس از این همره ایشان
I have seen your Way; I will never follow another!
نشوم
ای که تو شاه چمنی سیرکن صد چو
Knowing you are the king of the grassland; fulfilling hundreds of my kind
منی
چشم و دلم سیر کنی سخره این خوان
You quench my thirst; in eyes and heart ;
I will never be taken by the glamour of this world
I refuse to be taken by the glitter of the world!
نشوم

کعبه چو آمد سوی من جانب کعبه نروم
I won't go towards the Kaaba,
even if it comes to me, for,

ماه من آمد به زمین قاصد کیوان نشوم
My Moon has come down to the earth,
How can I settle to be the messenger of Saturn !
فربه و پرباد توام مست و خوش و شاد
You energize me, vitalize me!
I am drunk and happy, content by your grace
توام
بنده و آزاد توام بنده شیطان نشوم
I am bound and freed by your decree,
I refuse to become a slave of Satan!
شاه زمینی و زمان همچو خرد فاش و
You, the king of time and space;
Are like Wisdom, hidden, yet effects manifest!

نهان
پیش تو ای جان و جهان جمله چرا جان نشوم
Seeing You, who are both the hidden life-essence and the manifest world at once ,
How can I not transform into pure life-essence?

In this ode Rumi discusses a non mood making reality- a state of consciousness that is not a self imposed mood, but a transformed reality that occurs when the person witnesses Reality. "I have seen" your Gathering , your Way and I will not sway away or vacillate I will not be tricked into following others.

From Hafez of Shiraz we search far and wide for the Lover by our side

2011-08-20T22:44:00.001-05:00

سالها دل طلب جام جم از ما میکرد
وان چه خود داشت ز بیگانه تمنا میکرد
For years the heart would beseech us for the crystal ball ;
Begging a stranger for what it already had!
گوهری کز صدف کون و مکان بیرون است
طلب از گمشدگان لب دریا میکرد
Would seek the gem that is beyond the sphere of the oyster of space and structure
From the lost wanderers by the sea
مشکل خویش بر پیر مغان بردم دوش
کو به تایید نظر حل معما میکرد
I took my problem to the Magi Sage ; who with a confirming glance would unravel mysteries
دیدمش خرم و خندان قدح باده به دست
و اندر آن آینه صد گونه تماشا میکرد
I saw the sage laughing with winecup in hand
Wherein he peered in that mirror beholding myriad marvels
گفتم این جام جهان بین به تو کی داد حکیم
گفت آن روز که این گنبد مینا میکرد
I said when the Wiseone give you the worldbeholding cup
He replied: the day He was creating this deep blue skydome
بی دلی در همه احوال خدا با او بود
او نمیدیدش و از دور خدا را میکرد
A one without heart didn't realize God was with him allthetime
He didn't see and called Gods name as is from afar
این همه شعبده خویش که میکرد این جا
And all these simple slight of hands he performed
سامری پیش عصا و ید بیضا میکرد
Little did he know He was performing before a master magician
گفت آن یار کز او گشت سر دار بلند
And proclaimed that the great friend who was hung
جرمش این بود که اسرار هویدا میکرد
had committed no crime but reveal deep secrets
فیض روح القدس ار باز مدد فرماید
if the Holy Spirit bestows grace again
دیگران هم بکنند آن چه مسیحا میکرد
Others can also do what Jesus did
گفتمش سلسله زلف بتان از پی چیست
I asked what is the rings of the beloved hair for?
گفت حافظ گلهای از دل شیدا میکرد
He said Hafez you are complaining from a heart full of love!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Play that rhythm softer drummer!

2011-07-04T01:51:00.002-05:00

ایها الساقی ادر کأس الحمیا نصف من
ان عشقی مثل خمر ان جسمی مثل دن

مطربا نرمک بزن تا روح بازآید به تن
چون زنی بر نام شمس الدین تبریزی بزن
Play the rhythm softer drummer! So my soul returns again
نام شمس الدین به گوشت بهتر است از
جسم و جان
Hear the precious name of Shams; more precious than body or soul
نام شمس الدین چو شمع و جان بنده چون لگن
The name of Shams is like a candle we, his servant's life, but the chandelier
مطربا بهر خدا تو غیر شمس الدین مگو
بر تن و جان وصف او بنواز تن تن تن تنن
For heaven's sake drummer, speak not of any but Shams
Play the beat that recounts His tale, play it on my body, play it on my soul!
Tan tan tan tanan!
نام شمس الدین چو شمعی همچو پروانه
بسوز
The name of Shams is like a candle; be the moth that burns in that flame!
پیش آن چوگان نامش گوی جان را درفکن
Cast your life before the polo of His Name
تا شود این جان تو رقاص سوی آسمان
Then your soul will dance reaching the sky

تا شود این جان پاکت پرده سوز و گام زن
Then this pure soul of yours will burn through veils and take mighty strides
شمس دین و شمس دین و شمس دین می گو و
بس
Speak only of Shams e dinn and Shams e dinn and Shams e dinn
تا ببینی مردگان رقصان شده اندر کفن
Which will give new life even to the dead
مطربا گر چه نیی عاشق مشو از ما ملول
Drummer, even if you're not in love, don't you be upset with us
عشق شمس الدین کند مر جانت را چون یاسمن
The love of shams e dinn will refresh your soul life a jasmine flower
یک شبی تا روز دف را تو بزن بر نام او
For one night play the daf in His name till dawn
کز جمال یوسفی دف تو شد چون پیرهن
From the face of Joseph your daf became like Josephs shirt
ناگهان آن گلرخم از گلستان سر برزند
Suddenly that pretty flowerlike face will emerge from the flower garden
پیش آن گل محو گردد گلستانهای چمن
All other flower gardens will pale in comparison to that one flower
لالهها دستک زنان و یاسمین رقصان شده
The tulips will clap and the jasmine will dance
سوسنک مستک شده گوید چه باشد خود سمن
The rose will be drunk and say it is the beloved
خارها خندان شده بر گل بجسته برتری
Thorns will smile and will seek more popularity than the rise
سنگها تابان شده با لعل گوید ما و من

The stones will shine, and will speak as if a peer to gems!

Father's Day

2011-06-19T15:50:00.002-05:00

Your old grandmother says,
“Maybe you shouldn’t go to school.
You look a little pale.”
Run when you hear that.
A father’s stern slaps are better.
Your bodily soul wants comforting.
The severe father wants spiritual clarity.
He scolds, but eventually
leads you into the open.
Pray for a tough instructor
to hear and act and stay within you.
We have been busy accumulating solace.
Make us ashamed of how we were.

Robert Bly

Rumi, translated by Robert Bly.

Make the lifewater of Love flow through our veins

2011-05-28T23:26:00.003-05:00

آب حیات عشق را در رگ ما روانه کن
Make the lifewater of Love flow through our veins,
آینه صبوح را ترجمه شبانه کن
Interpret the reflections of the morning wine for those still are still caught up with the night!
ای پدر نشاط نو بر رگ جان ما برو
Maker of renewed bliss, come and travel through our veins!
جام فلک نمای شو وز دو جهان کرانه کن
Become the cup that reflects the heavens, and go beyond both worlds!
ای خردم شکار تو تیر زدن شعار تو
You are the uncanny archer of my Intellect; your way is to shoot Reason!
شست دلم به دست کن جان مرا نشانه کن
Take up your bow, use my heart as your arrow and take aim at the core of my existence!
گر عسس خرد تو را منع کند از این روش
If the watchman of your Reason disallows you to do so
حیله کن و ازو بجه دفع دهش بهانه کن
Trick the Watchman of Reason and flee, repel him and excuse yourself!
در مثل است کاشقران دور بوند از کرم
They say that the red-maned horses are disloyal and unkind
ز اشقر می کرم نگر با همگان فسانه کن
Yet behold! From the red wine comes loyalty! Come and tell this tale to all!
ای که ز لعب اختران مات و پیاده گشتهای
You! The bewildered one, who is dazed from the play of the stars in the cosmos, are walking on foot!
اسپ گزین فروز رخ جانب شه دوانه کن
Take a horse, pick a gold necklace and gallop to your King!
خیز کلاه کژ بنه وز همه دامها بجه
Rise! Turn your hat to its side! And jump over every trap!
بر رخ روح بوسه ده زلف نشاط شانه کن
Kiss the face of the spirit, comb the hair of happiness!
خیز بر آسمان برآ با ملکان شو آشنا
Rise up to the heavens! Get acquainted with the Angels!
مقعد صدق اندرآ خدمت آن ستانه کن

چونک خیال خوب او خانه گرفت در دلت
چون تو خیال گشتهای در دل و عقل خانه کن
هست دو طشت در یکی آتش و آن دگر ز زر
آتش اختیار کن دست در آن میانه کن
شو چو کلیم هین نظر تا نکنی به طشت زر
آتش گیر در دهان لب وطن زبانه کن
حمله شیر یاسه کن کله خصم خاصه کن
جرعه خون خصم را نام می مغانه کن
کار تو است ساقیا دفع دوی بیا بیا
ده به کفم یگانهای تفرقه را یگانه کن
شش جهت است این وطن قبله در او یکی مجو
بی وطنی است قبله گه در عدم آشیانه کن
کهنه گر است این زمان عمر ابد مجو در آن
مرتع عمر خلد را خارج این زمانه کن
ای تو چو خوشه جان تو گندم و کاه قالبت
گر نه خری چه که خوری روی به مغز و دانه کن
هست زبان برون در حلقه در چه می شوی
در بشکن به جان تو سوی روان روانه کن

As you came to me your Being was hidden in the depths of this hidden Being of mine

2011-05-15T00:08:00.009-05:00

دزدیده چون جان می روی اندر میان جان من

You move stealthily, like Life-essence, through the depths of this being of mine

سرو خرامان منی ای رونق بستان من

Like the tallest, most majestic tree, you are the beauty of this garden of mine

چون می روی بیمن مرو ای جان جان بیتن مرو

If you go, don't leave without me, the Life within life, go not without the body

وز چشم من بیرون مشو ای شعله تابان من

May you never leave my gaze, O effulgent flame of mine

هفت آسمان را بردرم وز هفت دریا بگذرم

I will rend asunder the seven heavens and cross the seven seas

چون دلبرانه بنگری در جان سرگردان من

If you but gaze, with kindness, upon this restless soul of mine

تا آمدی اندر برم شد کفر و ایمان چاکرم

As soon as you came to me, faith and blasphemy became my servants

ای دیدن تو دین من وی روی تو ایمان من

What is my religion? Seeing You! Faith? Seeing your face, is this faith of mine

بیپا و سر کردی مرا بیخواب و خور کردی مرا

You have made me restless and sleepless, with no appetite

سرمست و خندان اندرآ ای یوسف کنعان من

Come out to me, lovedrunk, brimming with joy, you, Canaan's Joseph of mine

از لطف تو چو جان شدم وز خویشتن پنهان شدم

Through your Grace I became Life (Self) Itself, and I hid from this ego of mine (self)

ای هست تو پنهان شده در هستی پنهان من

Your Being is hidden in the depths of this hidden being of mine

گل جامه در از دست تو ای چشم نرگس مست تو

The flower's eye, enraptured, is drunk for you, the flower's petals reach out to touch your softness

ای شاخها آبست تو ای باغ بیپایان من

The branches carry your fruit, O boundless garden of mine

یک لحظه داغم می کشی یک دم به باغم می کشی

One minute you scold and burn me, the next, you show me this beautiful garden

پیش چراغم می کشی تا وا شود چشمان من

You bring me to the light, to open these eyes of mine

ای جان پیش از جانها وی کان پیش از کانها

ای آن پیش از آنها ای آن من ای آن من

منزلگه ما خاک نی گر تن بریزد باک نی

اندیشهام افلاک نی ای وصل تو کیوان من

مر اهل کشتی را لحد در بحر باشد تا ابد

در آب حیوان مرگ کو ای بحر من عمان من

ای بوی تو در آه من وی آه تو همراه من

بر بوی شاهنشاه من شد رنگ و بو حیران من

جانم چو ذره در هوا چون شد ز هر ثقلی جدا

بیتو چرا باشد چرا ای اصل چار ارکان من

ای شه صلاح الدین من ره دان من ره بین من

ای فارغ از تمکین من ای برتر از امکان من

The Moon is my Master

2011-04-23T22:20:00.002-05:00

من غلام قمرم غیر قمر هیچ مگو
I am a slave and serve only the Moon;
Speak to me of nothing but Him - say no more!
I am a servant that serves only the Moon
Speak to me of nothing more !
پیش من جز سخن شمع و شکر هیچ مگو
In my presence speak of the light and sweetness and of nothing more!
سخن رنج مگو جز سخن گنج مگو
Don't speak of hardship, speak of nothing but treasures!
ور از این بیخبری رنج مبر هیچ مگو
And don't worry if they think you've lost touch -- say no more!
دوش دیوانه شدم عشق مرا دید و بگفت
Last night when I went insane; love saw me and called out:
آمدم نعره مزن جامه مدر هیچ مگو
Don't worry ! Here i come ! No need to scream or tear your garments! Say no more!
گفتم ای عشق من از چیز دگر میترسم
I told Love: look, I fear something else ...
گفت آن چیز دگر نیست دگر هیچ مگو
Love replied: there is no other thing anymore -- say no more!
من به گوش تو سخنهای نهان خواهم گفت
I will whisper secret words in your ear
سر بجنبان که بلی جز که به سر هیچ مگو
Only nod your head to agree, don't speak, say no more!
قمری جان صفتی در ره دل پیدا شد
Following the path of the heart, the life-bestowing Moon appeared before me
در ره دل چه لطیف است سفر هیچ مگو
The journey is delicately pleasant, when you are on the path of the heart, say no more...
گفتم ای دل چه مهست این دل اشارت میکرد
I said to my heart "what kind of Moon are you ?" and it replied
که نه اندازه توست این بگذر هیچ مگو
This is far beyond you, move on and say no more!
گفتم این روی فرشتهست عجب یا بشر است
I asked "what wonder! Is this the face of an Angel or a human"?
گفت این غیر فرشتهست و بشر هیچ مگو
My Moonheart said "this is other than Angel or Man, say no more..."
گفتم این چیست بگو زیر و زبر خواهم شد
"What is it then? Pray tell! Or I will be uprooted and confused!" I begged
گفت میباش چنین زیر و زبر هیچ مگو
He replied "be uprooted and confused, but say no more!"
ای نشسته تو در این خانه پرنقش و خیال
You who reside in this house of thoughts and images
خیز از این خانه برو رخت ببر هیچ مگو
Rise and leave it, begone, take your belongings, say no more!
گفتم ای دل پدری کن نه که این وصف خداست
I begged my Divine Heart: be paternal and kind to me, this is not how I expected Divinity to treat me!
گفت این هست ولی جان پدر هیچ مگو
He replied, "my dear son, you are right, but say no more!"

Happy Spring -- Happy NoRuz !

2011-03-26T01:20:00.000-05:00

March 21 each year marks the Spring Equinox and according to the Persian Calendar, the beginning of the New Year. Rumi was Persian and in his honor we will explore a beautiful poem he created that indicates a hope, a prayer for the best which can be used in conjunction with this inflection of Spring.

I will provide the poem here and the translation will be forthcoming as a NoRuz gift to my readers and Rumi admirers.

معشوقه به سامان شد تا باد چنین بادا
کفرش همه ایمان شد تا باد چنین بادا
ملکی که پریشان شد از شومی شیطان شد
باز آن سلیمان شد تا باد چنین بادا
یاری که دلم خستی در بر رخ ما بستی
غمخواره یاران شد تا باد چنین بادا
هم باده جدا خوردی هم عیش جدا کردی
نک سرده مهمان شد تا باد چنین بادا
زان طلعت شاهانه زان مشعله خانه
هر گوشه چو میدان شد تا باد چنین بادا
زان خشم دروغینش زان شیوه شیرینش
عالم شکرستان شد تا باد چنین بادا
شب رفت صبوح آمد غم رفت فتوح آمد
خورشید درخشان شد تا باد چنین بادا
از دولت محزونان وز همت مجنونان
آن سلسله جنبان شد تا باد چنین بادا
عید آمد و عید آمد یاری که رمید آمد
عیدانه فراوان شد تا باد چنین بادا
ای مطرب صاحب دل در زیر مکن منزل
کان زهره به میزان شد تا باد چنین بادا
درویش فریدون شد هم کیسه قارون شد
همکاسه سلطان شد تا باد چنین بادا
آن باد هوا را بین ز افسون لب شیرین
با نای در افغان شد تا باد چنین بادا
فرعون بدان سختی با آن همه بدبختی
نک موسی عمران شد تا باد چنین بادا
آن گرگ بدان زشتی با جهل و فرامشتی
نک یوسف کنعان شد تا باد چنین بادا
شمس الحق تبریزی از بس که درآمیزی
تبریز خراسان شد تا باد چنین بادا
از اسلم شیطانی شد نفس تو ربانی
ابلیس مسلمان شد تا باد چنین بادا
آن ماه چو تابان شد کونین گلستان شد
اشخاص همه جان شد تا باد چنین بادا
بر روح برافزودی تا بود چنین بودی
فر تو فروزان شد تا باد چنین بادا
قهرش همه رحمت شد زهرش همه شربت شد
ابرش شکرافشان شد تا باد چنین بادا
از کاخ چه رنگستش وز شاخ چه تنگستش
این گاو چو قربان شد تا باد چنین بادا
ارضی چو سمایی شد مقصود سنایی شد
این بود همه آن شد تا باد چنین بادا
خاموش که سرمستم بربست کسی دستم
اندیشه پریشان شد تا باد چنین بادا

If ever you are depressed ....

2011-02-22T23:25:00.001-06:00

To the people of the world in these times of distress Rumi speaks:

گر تو ملولی ای پدر جانب یار من بیا
My dear, if you are depressed, come to see my Friend
تا که بهار جانها تازه کند دل تو را
So He will refresh your heart, this springtime of hearts
بوی سلام یار من لخلخه بهار من
The smell of my companion's greeting brings the song of spring showers
باغ و گل و ثمار من آرد سوی جان صبا
The north wind brings thus, to my soul, signs from the flower garden
مستی و طرفه مستیی هستی و طرفه هستیی
Drunken-ness?He brings the state of drunkenness ,pure existence? He is Pure Existence, the freshness of Pure Being

I invoke the Lord of Love, so you understand

2011-02-05T12:05:00.001-06:00

در دو جهان لطیف و خوش همچو امیر ما کجا
where can you find someone, in either world, as refined and happy as our lord
ابروی او گره نشد گر چه که دید صد خطا
Even after Witnessing a hundred mistakes, He does not frown
چشم گشا و رو نگر جرم بیار و خو نگر
Open your eyes, look at his face bring a crime to his attention and witness his good behavior nonetheless
خوی چو آب جو نگر جمله طراوت و صفا
Behold his manner fresh and pleasant as spring water
من ز سلام گرم او آب شدم ز شرم او
I melt in chagrin with the warmth of his greeting
وز سخنان نرم او آب شوند سنگها
the warmth and softness of his words would melt rocks
زهر به پیش او ببر تا کندش به از شکر
Take poison to his presence and behold He transforms it into sweeter than sugar
قهر به پیش او بنه تا کندش همه رضا
Leave anger at his side and return to see He has turned it all into pure joy
آب حیات او ببین هیچ مترس از اجل
Behold His nectar of immortality and fear not for your life
در دو در رضای او هیچ ملرز از قضا
Behold His doors of grace, no need to shiver from Fate
سجده کنی به پیش او عزت مسجدت دهد
Prostrate yourself before Him and He will bestow the esteem of attending Mosque
ای که تو خوار گشتهای زیر قدم چو بوریا
O Those of you, crushed like leaves, belittled under a boot
خواندم امیر عشق را فهم بدین شود تو را
I invoke the Lord of Love, so you understand
چون تو رهن صورتی صورتتست ره نما
Your face is the Guide, because your face is the gold backing the paper money of superficial life
از تو دل ار سفر کند با تپش جگر کند
If the love in my heart travels away it will do so with pain
بر سر پاست منتظر تا تو بگوییش بیا
My heart will be waiting on tiptoes until you to call it back
دل چو کبوتری اگر میبپرد ز بام تو
If the heart flutters away like a dove from your roof
هست خیال بام تو قبله جانش در هوا
Then your roof will be it's steadfast inner compass during flight
بام و هوا تویی و بس نیست روی بجز هوس
The roof and sky are both You, and only you, there is no face put the passionate,
آب حیات جان تویی صورتها همه سقا
You are the nectar of immortality for the soul, the LifeWater, the others are only selling water
دور مرو سفر مجو پیش تو است ماه تو
You need not travel far to find, the moon you seek, has always been at your side
نعره مزن که زیر لب میشنود ز تو دعا
You need not scream your entreaties, for He hears whispered prayers
میشنود دعای تو میدهدت جواب او
He hears your prayer and He will respond to you
Your prayers he hears, and answers he will give!
کای کر من کری بهل گوش تمام برگشا
He says my deaf one, leave deafness, become all ears!
گر نه حدیث او بدی جان تو آه کی زدی
If it were not for tales of Him, when would your soul sign with such compassion?
آه بزن که آه تو راه کند سوی خدا
Sigh aloud for that sigh can make way towards God
چرخ زنان بدان خوشم کب به بوستان کشم
Whirling I am happy that I bring the Kaaba to the flower garden!
میوه رسد ز آب جان شوره و سنگ و ریگ را
Fruits ripen from this elixir of the soul, even sand, pebbles and stones
باغ چو زرد و خشک شد تا بخورد ز آب جان
The garden will wilt and yellow it will be until it drinks from the soul water, that nectar of life
شاخ شکسته را بگو آب خور و بیازما
Tell the broken branch, drink from this and come to us
شب برود بیا به گه تا شنوی حدیث شه
After the night falls come to the chambers to hear the story of kings
شب همه شب مثال مه تا به سحر مشین ز پا
Night after night the moon is sought, don't stand in waiting until dawn

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Our Lord of unbounded kindness

2011-02-02T13:19:00.001-06:00

در دو جهان لطیف و خوش همچو امیر ما کجا
In both worlds where can you find someone as refined and happy as our lord
As refined and upbeat
You won't find another like our Lord
In either of the two worlds
ابروی او گره نشد گر چه که دید صد خطاt!
He will not frown in disapproval
even if he
Witnesses a hundred errors

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Quatrain 216: Who is the True Me

2011-02-02T12:53:00.002-06:00

If this self is not my True Self, then who is the True Me?
Who is it that utters "it is not I!" through my lips?

I know my self is but the clothing that covers
But then, who is the Self that I am covering?

Rumi's Worldview: The First 16 Verses of Rumi's Couplets

2010-12-25T08:43:00.000-06:00

The first 16 Verses of the book, the spiritual couplets initially written and then recited by Rumi represent a distillation of his worldview.

Here we will look at the key concepts he propounds in these first 16 verses and we also analyze the content of those first 16 verses in light of the concepts that he is expounding.

The first concept is that of a flute or a Reedflute signifying the fact that the region has been torn from its read in order to make the flute. This signifies man's separation or perception of separation from his source, the divine. The defining still resides in him and he retains the ability to connect back to his source. The desire to connect back to the source causes a pain of longing. This pain of longing his desire to return to the source return to the design comprises the spiritual quest of humankind according to me. This quest is one of self-exploration that is often misinterpreted as an external explanation in the material world.

“Listen to the reed flute; do you hear how it complains? It is telling us a story about the parting of ways of separation .

Since they cut me from the reed bed, men and women have moaned from my cry .

I want someone who has felt the pains of separation so they will understand when I tell them about the pain of longing.”

The meantime here is “Feragh” or separation, being far from the beloved, being alone and being lonely. The chest or the heart that has been torn apart as a result of loneliness and separation can only understand what I have to say. So give me someone who is experienced this and then I will tell them at length about the pain of wanting. The “ pain of wanting" or the pain of desire or the pain of longing, all point to the fact that there is a desire for union and in the absence of union there is a pain that drives one to achieve union.

And then he recounts one of the universal principles of his worldview: he says whosoever has been left far from their source will seek to reunite with their source and achieve the same state of union that the originally enjoyed.

“Har kasi koo door mand az asl e khish, baz jooyad roozegare vasl e khish”.

The two key words here are “asl” and “vasl”. “asl” signifies the original primordial state or status, ones original substance. Whereas “vasl” signifies a state of connectedness, to be connected; to be united. “Roozegare vasl” if they are state in which union was enjoyed.

This is the first segment of his exposition of his worldview. We feel the longing inside ourselves this longing is desire is indeed for union with the divine we should seek out the divine and we should gain unity with the divine. Until we do so we are going to experience the pain of longing and until we do so we are not going to be fulfilled.

Man is like the reedflute. He was cut from his source or at least there is a perception of being disconnected from one source. This perception has to be corrected and the state of disconnectedness needs to be replaced by the state of union with one's Source.

Thus when you listen to the reed flute, you can experience the musical expression of the state of separation and you can hear within your own emotions that arise within you as you hear the moaning of the flute at the fangs of separation and the stories that the flute is telling you and strumming your very soul, to hear these songs and stories of separation.

Okay now we've established the state of disconnectedness we would wish to reestablish the state of union with the divine. Where does Rumi want to take us from here? How does he hope to achieve the state of union in view of the separation?

سودای تو در جوی جان چون آب حیوان می‌رود

2010-11-23T23:01:00.002-06:00

1. سودای تو در جوی جان چون آب حیوان می‌رود

2. آب حیات از عشق تو در جوی جویان می‌رود

3. عالم پر از حمد و ثنا از طوطیان آشنا

4. مرغ دلم بر می‌پرد چون ذکر مرغان می‌رود

5. بر ذکر ایشان جان دهم جان را خوش و خندان دهم

6. جان چون نخندد چون ز تن در لطف جانان می‌رود

7. هر مرغ جان چون فاخته در عشق طوقی ساخته

8. چون من قفص پرداخته سوی سلیمان می‌رود

9. از جان هر سبحانیی هر دم یکی روحانیی

10. مست و خراب و فانیی تا عرش سبحان می‌رود

11. جان چیست خم خسروان در وی شراب آسمان

12. زین رو سخن چون بیخودان هر دم پریشان می‌رود

13. در خوردنم ذوقی دگر در رفتنم ذوقی دگر

14. در گفتنم ذوقی دگر باقی بر این سان می‌رود

15. میدان خوش است ای ماه رو با گیر و دار ما و تو

16. ای هر که لنگست اسب او لنگان ز میدان می‌رود

17. مه از پی چوگان تو خود را چو گویی ساخته

18. خورشید هم جان باخته چون گوی غلطان می‌رود

19. این دو بسی بشتافته پیش تو ره نایافته

20. در نور تو دربافته بیرون ایوان می‌رود

21. چون نور بیرون این بود پس او که دولت بین بود

22. یا رب چه باتمکین بود یا رب چه رخشان می‌رود

Thanks for the Elixir of Life

2010-11-23T23:00:00.001-06:00

Thanks for the Elixir of Life – Molana Rumi

Translated by Ali and Parastoo Arsanjani

Thoughts of you, deep within, as elixir flows, deep within my lifestream,
This elixir of life, in the Stream of streams, it flows from your love,
Overflowing with gratitude and thanks, all existence, even common parrots flying around
My longing heart, flutters away, as soon as it hears this mention of birds
Mere mention of Him suffices, willingly I relinquish my life
How can we not laugh in joy, when going to join the life of Life (soul of Souls).
Every soulbird, like the turtledove, from love creates, a garland
just like my heart that flew, he has left the cage and set out towards Solomon
From the life of every pure being, every moment another spiritual one
love drunk and wasted; ready to be annihilated, travels all the way to the purest realm
What is the soul? the wine vat of Kings; containing the heaven wine
with this (having tasted), we lose our self, so every utterance, seems in vain
an indescribable bliss while eating; an indescribable bliss when moving
an indescribable bliss while speaking; everything else I do goes the same way
This realm of ours is a joyous one, O moonlike beauty, when you and I are thus connected
Those whose horse is lame will leave this realm limping
The moon, who knows you play polo, made itself into a glowing sphere
And the sun has also given up its life and rolled away like a fire sphere
Both these have hurried to you, but haven’t gained your presence
Have woven themselves into your Light; await outside your porch
If the light external is such, then he who is a seer of destiny
My Lord, how strong and steadfast is he! My Lord how powerful he rides!

Fullness

2010-11-21T15:28:00.001-06:00

The full moon on 11-21-2010 .

میدان خوش است ای ماه رو با گیر و دار ما و تو

ای هر که لنگست اسب او لنگان ز میدان می‌رود

مه از پی چوگان تو خود را چو گویی ساخته

خورشید هم جان باخته چون گوی غلطان می‌رود

این دو بسی بشتافته پیش تو ره نایافته

در نور تو دربافته بیرون ایوان می‌رود

چون نور بیرون این بود پس او که دولت بین بود

یا رب چه باتمکین بود یا رب چه رخشان می‌رود

Rumi Thanksgiving

2010-11-17T11:34:00.000-06:00

Rumi is a seeker of the divine and the longing he feels in his quest for the divine and reaching back inside himself into the source of creation

causes him to verbalize his feelings spontaneously in the form of the most enchanting poetry where his words come alive with the fresh scent

of love and resonate with us regardless of time and space.

As a special tribute to Thanksgiving, Ali Arsanjani explores the poems of Rumi that are relevant to giving thanks have stories that relate to this time of year

he translates the poems into modern poetry and yet seeks to preserve some of the essence of the original intent.

Don't turn away ; come this way, my smiling flower

You – the Intellect within the Intellect within the Intellect of mine,

You – the essence within the essence within the essence of mine

Cast a glance in this direction, come, pass by our street,

You -- the teeming essence of life,

boil in the sweetness of the sugarcane

he will further provide a commentary on the backgrounds of the terminology and metaphors used within Rumi's poetry

in related to modern day applications in our daily lives.

This is part of a series called "What would Rumi do?" that Ali started in New York earlier this year.

If you are feeling low come towards my Friend

2010-10-09T23:11:00.001-05:00

گر تو ملولی ای پدر جانب یار من بیا
If you are feeling melancholy come towards my Companion
تا که بهار جانها تازه کند دل تو را
the Spring of All Life will refresh Your heart and mind
بوی سلام یار من لخلخه بهار من
my Companion's greetings has the fresh fragrance of spring

باغ و گل و ثمار من آرد سوی جان صبا
The spring garden and flowers will bestow you soul with the life giving breeze
مستی و طرفه مستیی هستی و طرفه
هستیی
Freshly drunken but not drunk, Being always with a fresh sense of Being

ملک و درازدستیی نعره زنان که الصلا

Come forth as a king who extends his hands calling for all to rise in prayer
پای بکوب و دست زن دست در آن دو
شست زن
Dance, clap, rejoice ( and express your joy)

پیش دو نرگس خوشش کشته نگر دل مرا
In the presence of His two vibrant beautiful flowers my heart is enraptured
زنده به عشق سرکشم بینی جان چرا
کشم
I live only for love rebellious; now you see why I take such pains

پهلوی یار خود خوشم یاوه چرا روم چرا
I am joyful At my companion's side; tell me why would I go astray?
جان چو سوی وطن رود آب به جوی من
رو
تا سوی گولخن رود طبع خسیس ژاژخا
دیدن خسرو زمن شعشعه عقار من
سخت خوش است این وطن مینروم از این سرا
جان طرب پرست ما عقل خراب مست ما
ساغر جان به دست ما سخت خوش است ای خدا
هوش برفت گو برو جایزه گو بشو گرو
روز شدشت گو بشو بیشب و روز تو بیا
مست رود نگار من در بر و در کنار من
هیچ مگو که یار من باکرمست و باوفا
آمد جان جان من کوری دشمنان من
رونق گلستان من زینت روضه رضا

Layers of Light

2010-09-29T12:29:00.000-05:00

The layers of Light Spread; then unite
The darkness silently bare, a lingering stare
The music of the sky we hear from on high
As our gaze strays towards the sky
the sequence of light, of dark and bright
captures our wonder, other thoughts asunder

There is no quest outside the Self

2010-09-07T03:50:00.001-05:00

عاشقان را جست و جو از خویش نیست
For true lovers there is no searching beyond the Self
در جهان جوینده جز او بیش نیست
There is no seeker beyond him in this world

این جهان و آن جهان یک گوهر است
This world and the one beyond are one intrinsic gem
در حقیقت کفر و دین و کیش نیست
In the presence of Truth faith and blasphemy and kinship disappear
ای دمت عیسی دم از دوری مزن
You with Jesus-like life giving breath; do not even breath of leaving me
من غلام آن که دوراندیش نیست
I am the servant of Him who is not plotting for the future
گر بگویی پس روم نی پس مرو
If you say i will follow the trail back; beware, there is no trail behind you
ور بگویی پیش نی ره پیش نیست
And if you say you will proceed forth, know that there is no road ahead
دست بگشا دامن خود را بگیر
Open your arms and rely on your self (take ownership of your actions and rely on your self)
مرهم این ریش جز این ریش نیست
The remedy of this ailment is none other (and hidden within) than this ailment

جزو درویشند جمله نیک و بد
They are all from us dervish, both the good and the bad
هر کی نبود او چنین درویش نیست
The one who doesn't believe this is not a dervish like us
هر که از جا رفت جای او دلست
Anyone who goes beyond space and place the heart is their home and place
همچو دل اندر جهان جاییش نیست
in this world, no place compares with being in the Heart ( wherein lies the Self)

The Moon's Light Comes from the Sun

2010-06-29T23:34:00.000-05:00

The Light of the Heavens and of Earth

2010-06-28T23:09:00.000-05:00

The pearly light shines in modest seclusion amidst the sheltering night sky

Whirling sparks of love unite

2010-06-12T05:22:00.007-05:00

Whirling sparks of love unite
Dancing flames of light combine
Those who fell apart : unite
Fallen from their source a day
They won't rest till they find a way
To reunite; they remember the day
So they choose to wind right back on course
To Be united with their source!

So they dance in sparks of love
Whirling round us from above
Waiting till the time is ripe
Clouds unite in a spark of light

Patient be, till you hear
The sound of thunder very near
Forgetting what may seem dear
You might, mistaken, gasp of fear

The calm breeze will soothe you down
As the storm is rolling past your town

Whirling sparks of love unite
Dancing flames of light combine
Those who fell apart : unite

Those fallen from their Source
See their plight; have no remorse

Just stand up tall and shine with light
Or sit deep in bliss a spark of light
Or take the pen let the soul gush
Feelings flow no need to rush

Then Let it go don't push with might
It'll come to you if it's your right

Hear the flute the tale it tells
Hear the tale that it laments

From the reedbed since torn was I
People have heard this forlorn cry

We've fallen back from our source
Since that day, we've felt remorse

Whirling sparks of love unite
Dancing flames of light combine
Those who fell apart : unite

It deeply yearns to get back on course
to find it's way back to it's Source

Winding back it seeks recourse
Seeking union with every resource

Going back in time to seek
Union with it's source to keep

The Flute tells this tale to make you weep
To make you long and make you seek

Choose to light up, whirl and dance
Look deep inside your secret trance

Light up and twirl; sing and dance
Rise again you have a chance

Be friend to all but your secrets keep
Secure inside that mirror deep

Theyll sit with you; laugh and weep
But still inside your secrets keep

Not far from my moan
Do My secrets roam
Not far from this cry
Do My secrets lie

Yet they haven't that light
the ear and eye

Whirling sparks of love unite
Dancing flames of light combine
Those who fell apart : unite

You know quite well
What you sow, you reap

Don't give up the light; this is not your fight
Don't venture outwards; keep your might

Just let go; if it's your right
Stand up bright, shine inside, it's your right
Keep inside, just let go, it's alright

Stand up; shine bright;
Don't give up your right
Show all your might

Whirling sparks of love divide

Dancing flames of light unfold

Those who fell apart : untold.

The Flute and The Fire of Love

2010-06-06T07:03:00.002-05:00

Listen to the flute; how it is complaining,

It has a tale to tell of separations

“I was torn from the reedbed, and ever since,

You have heard people sigh when they hear my cry”

Give me one who is hurt with separation

And I will recount the pain of my longing

[Know this principle: ]

Whosoever has strayed far from their source,

Will seek to regain their day of union

With every community, I empathized much

I befriended with the happy and with the sad

Each befriended me, thinking I shared their view

Yet I did not reveal those secrets deep

My secret is not too far from my cry

Yet they haven’t that light, the ear and eye

The body from the soul is not hidden

Yet noone commands that inner vision

The sound of this flute; is not wind but pure fire

Those who haven’t this fire, should go expire!

It is the fire of love that fell in the flute

The boiling of love that fell into wine

A friend to you when cut from a friend, the flute

Its veils do rend these veils of ours asunder

Both poison and remedy: behold the flute!

Haven’t seen a more eager friend than the flute!

The tale of a bloody path, the flute recounts

Telling us stories of those madly in love

The confidant of this awareness is no-

-awareness; the tongue’s customer is the ear

Wallowing in our sorrow; the days go by

With burning and smoldering longing they go

If the days go by, tell them “Go, no fear!”

“The One Pure, to whom none compares, you stay here!”

The Resolute Free Bird

2010-05-31T22:23:00.003-05:00

Again perched atop the high wall, the bird

Saw, they had laid a trap for what it coveted -- the seed

With one glance, he longed to fly free, across the vast expanse of the desert

And with another , his greed was dragging him down towards the seed

In tense challenge, locked the two glances,
Emptying from all wisdom the mind

Until he let go his indecision, once again, the bird

And tore his gaze from the seed and cast it on the vast desert

Joyously he flew with carefree wings, and became

A leader of all free-spirited beings

And if you follow his ways, you, shall be set free, too

Stationed in a blessed state; settled in freedom and safety

For the King of the Steadfast and resolute came to his heart

And so his abode became the green garden of flowers

The Resolute satisfied with him; and satisfied with resoluteness, was he

So should you, if you have the will to discover a remedy for your ills, do thus

Into the trap of greed, countless times, have you fallen,

And thus, given up to the cutting, your throat.

I have returned

2010-04-23T23:22:00.004-05:00

I have returned ! I have returned !
Tidings I bring of our Beloved.
Look within me! Gaze deep within!
I come to you-- with compassion full!

With joy I come, I come with joy!
I come to you -- free from all !
It has taken thousands of years for me to speak!

I'll travel there! There, I will go !
I was soaring -- up I will go!
Release me ! Free me once again!
I was brought here reluctantly!

For I was a heavenly bird; forced to became earthly!
I overlooked the trap and found myself caught!

My friend, know this: I am pure light
Not merely this handful of earth!
Alas I am not an oyster; I had come as a king!

Don't gaze at us with the eye of your face
Gaze unto us with your mystery-piercing eye
Come to the place and see us
For in that place I have come, travelling light.

بازآمدم بازآمدم از پیش آن یار آمدم
در من نگر در من نگر بهر تو غمخوار آمدم
شاد آمدم شاد آمدم از جمله آزاد آمدم
چندین هزاران سال شد تا من به گفتار آمدم
آن جا روم آن جا روم بالا بدم بالا روم
بازم رهان بازم رهان کاین جا به زنهار آمدم
من مرغ لاهوتی بدم دیدی که ناسوتی شدم
دامش ندیدم ناگهان در وی گرفتار آمدم
من نور پاکم ای پسر نه مشت خاکم مختصر
آخر صدف من نیستم من در شهوار آمدم

ما را به چشم سر مبین ما را به چشم سر ببین
آن جا بیا ما را ببین کان جا سبکبار آمدم
از چار مادر برترم وز هفت آبا نیز هم
من گوهر کانی بدم کاین جا به دیدار آمدم
یارم به بازار آمدهست چالاک و هشیار آمدهست
ور نه به بازارم چه کار وی را طلبکار آمدم
ای شمس تبریزی نظر در کل عالم کی کنی
کاندر بیابان فنا جان و دل افگار آمدم

The Path within

2010-03-28T23:36:00.001-05:00

Journey within journeys not one but all; seeking seeking searching further and further; when alas the Truth stands before the Self in silence ; awaiting in patient Divine Grace; with that elixir of Life the quest of Love; the joy of returning to the Source; after feeling the pangs of separation.

The passage of time

2010-02-28T00:25:00.001-06:00

I feel for perhaps the very first time or at least as I am aware of it, the passage of time
Always waiting for the golden calm where do i turn?

Sequence in Rumi's stories

2010-02-24T17:16:00.001-06:00

Rumi tends to describe a general principle and then start a story to elaborate on the main point of the principle he is expounding. As he proceeds with the story he runs into situations in which he feels he needs to explain even more.

During these interludes or asides, he again expounds general principles and then stops and returns to his narrative of the original story.

Thus each story has a main principle and a set of sub themes or sub principles.

We'll explore a sample of the story of the king and the handmaiden .

Posted from mobile

the Way of our Beloved has no room for the fearful

2010-01-01T12:01:00.008-06:00

There is no room for the fearful in our Beloved’s Path

All are kings; minions have no merit there

If you are playing the underdog, implying you are truly worthy

[Know, that] In our value system trying to be worthy will only bring disgrace

If you are coyly trying to feign poverty take your tatters and be gone

Our king will only recognize you as an outsider *

Have you become the Light of Truth? Then shine from east to west

For, with these attributes, I do not fear those rays

If you do know Divine secrets, then keep them to yourself

For our [true] secrets do not resemble those [false] secrets

[Therefore] Leave your craftiness behind; and keep straight onto our Way

The cunning are not welcome to flaunt [their powers] in this field of ours **

Our life is only focused on the spiritual path of Shams (Sun)

Our horse will only ride towards [his home in] Tabriz ***

When I was drunk, I knew not that I was divulging secrets to so-called friends;

For being sober will not offend my religion

If you place a compass to measure our limits

Brother, Our limits are beyond the worth of [being measured by] the compass

Good man, you are stirring things up as you walk our Path

For us, there is no merit in stirring things up in either of two worlds

The Sufis of Love have a different temple ****

There, our body and soul live a different kind of existence

Sitting [even] in the depths of hell, I [would have] abandoned [my]longing for [a more favorable] destiny

For we no longer have appetite for heaven and its glories *****

* In those days, people tried to feign poverty and display fake humility in an effort to look more worthy from a religious and social perspective. Rumi is saying that false humility or feigning poverty will not ingratiate you more in the eyes of the Beloved and in fact will be looked upon with indifference or even disdain. If you are doing these to get on the Path then you will not succeed in getting on the Path with these false gestures. be true and be you, and take the Path to the Beloved.
** The field of the Divine, or the Path of Light, the Way of Truth these are not the place for the cunning to be flaunting or strutting their pomposity. Egotism and ostentatious displays be they of a so-called spiritual flavor should are not valued in the Way of Truth.
*** Rumi's master, Shams was of Tabriz, and thus, Rumi's only concern was to follow his master and his practical teachings.
**** Temple was used for the word "Khaneghah" the place where sufis would gather and conduct spiritual practices, including zekr, [remembrance of the divine] and the dance of samaa to music or drums [daf, the frame drum]
***** Rumi is pointing out that he does not seek God for the sole personal benefit of attaining heaven, but is in love of God and wants to attain that state of divine union merely for the deep and overwhelming, intoxicating supremely blissful state of union, and not for any personal gain.

I knocked at the Beloved's door

2009-12-31T11:37:00.002-06:00

A new translation of ode 436 by Maryam Daftari and Ali Arsanjani as a gift for the New Year 2010:

He asked who is at the door?

It is I, your humblest servant

He asked What are you here for?

I said, only to bid you "good health"

He asked, how long will you continue?

until you summon me, I said

He asked, how long will you be fervent?

I said, until the Day of Judgement

I made a case for my love

And I swore many a time

From love I repulsed your

dominion and your courage

He said, to make a case,

the judge needs a witness

My tears are my witness

And the paleness of my face

He said, your witness is unsuitable

Your eye's skirt; it is still wet

I submit to the magnificence of Your justice

The witness is just; without recompense

He asked who was your companion

I said, only thoughts of you, my King

He asked, who summoned you here?

I said, the fragrance of your soul

He asked, what are you determined to do?

I said, loyalty and companionship

He asked, what do want of me?

I said, your all encompassing grace

He asked, where is the merrier place?

I said, the king’s palace

He asked, what did you see there?

a hundred miracles, I replied

He asked, why, then, is it empty?

for fear of plundering, I replied

Who is the plunderer? he asked

This sense of remorse, I replied

He asked, where, then, is safety?

In forbearance and self-restraint, I said.

He asked, what is self-restraint?

the path of wholesomeness, I said.

He asked where is this malady?

I said, winding on the road of your love

When you are there, how will you be?, he asked

I will be unwavering, said I.

Silence. For if I utter the meaning of His words

You will forfeit yourself, and have no roof or door

Rumi on Love: Part 4:

2009-10-09T21:48:00.009-05:00

Love is apparent when there's a malady of heart;
No malady compares to that of the heart.

The malady of the Lover is beyond normal cause;
Love is the Navigator, through the mysteries of God.

Even if your love, shifts from this to that,
To that True love it will finally lead!

However hard, I strive, to describe,
elusive love;
When I come to it, I am still filled with shame.

Even if my words bring clarity,
Yet clearer indeed, is Speechless Love!

Hastening, in its path of writing, the Pen,
It broke in two when it came upon love!
[Hastening, the Pen, when in its path,
it came upon Love, it split in two!]

A stallion, thrashing in quicksand,
the Intellect in vain seeks to describe:

[for] the story of lovers and their love
can only be told through love itself!

The dawn and the faint crescent

2009-10-06T07:52:00.002-05:00

The faint glimmer of light yawns upon the world, asleep, dormant
the moon gazes down upon the light and smiles
smiling, takes its own shape
"how welcome the light, but only if it shines on me and through me", it thinks.
My light does not come from me but from the Sun,
I reflect the powerful light of the Sun
So in the grand presence of the Sun, I bow
and recede into the background....

Creation from that Faint Wisp of a Thought

2009-10-05T20:05:00.014-05:00

"To nadani bahre andishe kojast"

You know not where the ocean of thought resides...

In the distance, like a crescent,

it approaches:

Nothingness.

Coming into being

but from the form of a thought,

Nearly Nothingness,

the thoughts flowing through our mind

riding on a thought, behold -- a world

From a single thought;

their peace and their war

and from a thought,

their honor and disgrace

Those thoughts

the traps of

those close to the Divine

reflect the pictures

of those beauties,

moon-like,

of the garden of God

Manavi - Book I, Verse 70-76

The Ocean of Divine Mercy starts to Flow

2009-10-05T20:01:00.002-05:00

During his storytelling, Rumi has the welcome habit of providing you with additional insight using what we would in modern times, possibly call a sidebar: a small divergence from the main story to explain a principle that is to be encountered now within the story.

This insight is very helpful in understanding some of the profound concepts on which he is giving us practical guidance.

In the King and the Maiden, when the King reverts to deep and desperate prayer to save his beloved from sickness that none of his renowned physicians have been able to cure. He hastens to prostrate and pray, to sing praises of divine gratitude and glory, to beseech the Lord for guidance and relief; he gets a response when "the ocean of self is drowned in the Self" as Rumi puts it aptly; "then the ocean of mercy starts to flow".

Falling asleep, he dreams of a physician, divinely sent to guide and to cure his ailing beloved. The next morning he gets up and sees someone faintly visible in the horizon, knowing, as was told to him in his dream that this indeed is sent by the Lord, a potent healer of mind and body.

And then Rumi breaks out in a sidebar.... talking of the faint Idea, the "Khial"; the thought...

The Full Moon

2009-10-04T23:02:00.004-05:00

Throughout the ages, the fullness of the Moon has attributed to various elements of the mystical path.

Rumi is born

2009-10-01T10:07:00.002-05:00

September 30, 1207 marks one of the significant milestones in the development of human thought. Ruby was born to a family of scholars. He himself was a renowned scholar. When he encountered his master, Shams, he gradually and systematically began to shed the artificial burden of erudite scholars. This was not necessarily a conscious decision on his part. By analyzing his writings we see that this process was an inner transformation that was based grounded in experience. He was not merely the adoption of a worldview, but rather letting go of the ego. This letting go of the ego, is characteristic of many traditions of mystical philosophy. In Taoist traditions this is marked as a wuwei or nonaction, as it is often translated to. It is actually the relinquishing of our bondage to the results of the action we perform. In the Vedic tradition this moksha or liberation occurs when one is no longer bound by the fruits of action as depicted in the Bhagavad-Gita.

Formerly, as well as other great seekers of truth, the direct realization of the divine was not just the ultimate goal put the needs to an even deeper experience of the divine.

The Companion

2009-09-16T06:12:00.000-05:00

The Companion or the Friend (Doost, Yar) is another frequently used metaphor for Divine being in Rumi's Poetry. Many of his stories and verses of other Sufi mystics depict the quest for the Companion. There is companionship at multiple levels, frienship at various degrees. Here, not only between the Moon and Mars here, but also, if you look solely within the Moon, it shines by the light of its Companion, The Light bestowing Sun and of course, God "is the Light of the Heavens and of Earth".

The Painter

2009-09-15T14:19:00.000-05:00

Rumi sometimes refers to the Divine creator as the Painter who has created the world as a painting of His creation.

Rumi on Love - part 3 - Love makes Mountains Dance

2009-09-10T18:36:00.004-05:00

From love
The earthly body can soar through the skies
From love
The mountain springs up and starts to dance

Rumi

Masnavi-B1V25

Rumi on Love: Part 2, Love Heals all Ailments

2009-08-30T01:20:00.006-05:00

[23] Khosh bash ey eshgh e khosh sodaye ma

Ey tabibe jomle ellathaye ma

May you

always be joyous ---

my beloved --

the one who benefits us all

my physician --

the one who heals all our ailments

The beloved has a characteristic that benefits all who come in contact or who interact in some way.

The beloved also is the healer of all ailments; such is the power of love.

Thus, strive to keep the beloved joyous!

The Sun appears as testimony to the Light

2009-08-30T00:10:00.003-05:00

Aftab amad dalil e aftab

chon dalil amad az vey rooy matab!

The Sun appeared -- to defend the existence of the sun!

Don't turn your face if proof stands before you!

Commentary: If someone doubts an obvious thing, and if there is clear proof, don't try to ignore it.

Rumi on Love: Part 1, The Fire of Love

2009-08-25T21:30:00.003-05:00

Rumi speaks of Love within his masterpiece, the spiritual couplets -- the Masnavi Maanavi.

He defines loves, swoons in love and is ecstatic with love; love of the Divine.

In these series I will focus on his verses relating to Love. We'll start with the first book of the Masnavi and move ahead, and let Love guide us through Love's mysteries.

The very first appearance of Love comes in verse 10:

[10]Atashe esgh ast kandar ney fetad
Joosheshe Esgh ast kandar mey fetad

The fire of Love found its way to the flute
What fell in wine, was the churning of Love

Rumi is saying that the melancholy despair of the reedflute is there, because love had

wisped its way into the flute. Love, has fire, that fire has generated the wind that

creates the sound of the flute. That wind arose from Love and its tale of longing,

as the Masnavi starts with the story of the longing of separation of man from the Divine.

Wine, bubbles only because Love accidentally fell into it. The fiery drive of Love causes the drink to bubble and churn. This bubbling enthusiasm, this bubbling bliss as other seers such as Maharishi Mahesh Yogi describes the bliss of pure consciousness, is the bubbling of pure love. Love that is the subject and object. Love that is the Lover, and the Beloved is the love Divine, love of the Divine.

and gos on in verse 13 to remind us that

[13] Ney hadise rahe por khoon mikonad
Ghesehaye eshghe majnoon mikonad

The reedflute tells a story of a path full of tribulations
... stories of those madly in love

The way of love, is a way of tribulations. Literally, Rumi calls it a path full of blood marks along the way. And yet the Lover does not give up: madly in love, they proceed despite tribulations.

Our Actions Are Melodies That Echo Back

2009-07-14T21:07:00.000-05:00

This world is a mountain and our actions send forth melodies -- that echo right back to us with the melodies we sent forth! --Rumi, Masnavi
"Eeen jahan koohast o fe'le ma neda; sooye ma ayad nedaha ra seda"

Listen and Heed the Story of the Reed

2009-06-29T23:16:00.004-05:00

On my birthday, I hear the faint sound of the reedflute murmuring:

(Masnavi Book 1; verses 1-6)

Listen and heed the Reed-flute’s narration

It’s longing for unison after separation,

Since ‘twas torn from the reedbed to play

A mystical melody day by day

"To one i'll tell this story of mine;

one whose heart is torn of longing

So it can fell the pain of my separation."

Whoever’s been cut from their source

Turns back to seek a way of recourse

Back , O back to the unity whither I came

I was brought into diversity, I have no blame

Commentary on the Lion on the Flag

2009-06-28T23:11:00.003-05:00

I am going to comment on this in response to your request for commentary on this poem.

Yours is the melody; we are but the flute

Yours is the the echo; we are but the mountain,

Rumi points to the true Nature of Life, emanating from the Divine.

We think we are in fact instrumental; yet we are but the instrument

out of which comes the melody of the flute; the mountain that serves

to reflect a sound; the sound is truly something, the mountain is passive

and serves again only as an instrument to convey the divine.

In victory and in defeat we are but chess pieces

You of noble virtues, decide our victory or defeat

We often attribute success or failure; victory or defeat to ourselves.

And yet, Rumi, says, we are but pawns on a chess board. And it is

the Divine that decides our victory or defeat. Note that although this may

seem as supporting total pre-destination; other parts of Molana's poetry

indicates that he believed in a delicate combination of Freewill and pre-destination,

or Fate. It is action and reaction: we choose to engage in action, that may be Freewill

but that will have consequences, that is the result of the action, or Fate.

Alone, we are nothing; You are the Self within our self,

As long as we are with Thee, we exist

One of the key themes within Rumi's poetry if the "Self within the self";

"jaan-e jaan", the life within life. This is not figurative but signifies a distinct

experience of an indweller in the body, an inner soul within our soul, within our being

that we can experience. The ability to perceive reality includes witnessing and

experiencing this inner Self. Thus, as long as we hold that experience of the Self within us and nothing overshadows it, we truly are alive.

We are Nothingness; for the source of our Being

Emanates from you, the Absolute Being, mortal-like

We [think we] are Lions, but only Lion[-emblems] on a flag

it is the wind which makes us flutter and feign attack!

Manifest is their attack, yet the wind is hidden,

He who is Unmanifest -- may he never be lost!

Your blessing to us is our breath; our being

You made it all -- All of our Being!

Our breath, our Being is Your blessing;

Our entire Being is created by You!

You allowed Nothingness

to taste the sweetness of Being

and let it fall in love with You!

We are all lions-- but only on a flag

2009-06-20T23:09:00.018-05:00

Book One -- Daftar e Avval -- 602 -- We are all lions-- but only on a flag!

Molana tends to erupt in expressions of Divine gratitude from time to time in the midst of this Couplets. I like to combine these in some cases and the resulting compilation is what I have grown to refer to as the Monajat Naam-e of Rumi: Expressions of Divine Gratitude.

Here is a very famous piece which I had the great pleasure and honor of co-translating with the great poet Dr. Maryam Daftari.

Yours is the melody; we are but the flute

Yours is the the echo; we are but the mountain,

In victory and in defeat we are but chess pieces

You of noble virtues, decide our victory or defeat

Alone, we are nothing; You are the Self within our self,

As long as we are with Thee, we exist

We are Nothingness; for the source of our Being

Emanates from you, the Absolute Being, mortal-like

We [think we] are Lions, but only Lion[-emblems] on a flag

it is the wind which makes us flutter and feign attack!

Manifest is their attack, yet the wind is hidden,

He who is Unmanifest -- may he never be lost!

Your blessing to us is our breath; our being

You made it all -- All of our Being!

Our breath, our Being is Your blessing;

Our entire Being is created by You!

You allowed Nothingness

to taste the sweetness of Being

and let it fall in love with You!

Ode 1047 - In this cold, I seek refuge in the sweet Lover

2009-06-13T05:37:00.002-05:00

[Even] in this [bitter] rainy cold weather, the beloved is sweeter still; the lover is at my side and I’m in love .

This beauty is at my side and what a beauty! Gentle, kind, supple and fresh!

In this cold, I seek refuge in the Lover, to whom noone to compare has been born

In the snow we kiss those lips, who refreshes our heart

I can’t wait any longer, I am lost; they took me and brought me back again

When the thought of the beloved suddenly appears in the heart, we are blown away- [in awe we say] God is Greater!

Ode 1046 - My Sweet, Never shall I grow weary of you

2009-06-13T05:35:00.006-05:00

My sweet, Never, shall I grow weary of you;

I grow weary, only when I don't see you.

I can see that is contentment in our being sad

how will the heartless grow weary of sadness?

What a bloodthirsty and cold one is this heart! that

of tears, my eyes have not grown weary

If you have had it with this world, come,

for noone has grown weary of my world!

As I witness your love inspired consent,

I grow weary of saying "no, nay and not!"

The master of my pains is the angel of resurrection of the worlds;

Coming half from the soul-breath and half from low and high pitches of sound!

When that sweet smell of soulwine hit my brain,

O inner Self, Of worldy power I grew weary

With every moment, as this madness grows,

[know that] those who don’t tire of "more and less" are misers

As soon as I saw the dice and cup, I become Him

And grew weary of the overturned cup

As the Thought of Shams came upon me and

filled with me with love, of my own existence I grew weary!

Ode 1045 : Don't make me wait any longer

2009-06-12T22:59:00.004-05:00

Ode 1045 : Saghi be Quick! I can't Wait Any Longer

======================================

For the next round, give me from that other cup of wine

which will sooth my inner self forevermore

Seeing me like this, I swear,

you’ll believe that I just can’t wait anymore

If [you think ] I deserve a grain of your mercy,

don’t make me wait any longer

Set me free, set me free- free!

For I have badly fallen into that other trap

If you close the house door on me now;

I’ll climb to roof and try to get in

Don’t leave me at the mercy of thoughts;

Thoughts are all-consuming, bloodthirsty creatures

Saghi, if you don’t bring another round of raw wine;

These hundred raw ones will continue to annoy me

Even if I already have a loan to bear, quick!

take this mantle and I need another loan!

Ode 1502 -- The Way of Love - Tarigh e Eshgh

2009-05-28T23:59:00.011-05:00

I have freed the people from prison;

I have filled with bliss the tender soul of Lovers.

I have torn apart the dragon's jaws;

I have blossomed forth the Way of Love.

I have weaved a world- from only water;

I have filled that water with wind

I have etched images on water;

those that cannot be carved on ivory or wood.

From its joy, these images bubble with life and cannot contain themselves;

they decided to make a pact with themselves.

I have fetched forth from the depths of the well, many a Joseph;

and reminded them of their father's love

Like a Lover I have held the lockes of the Beloved,

if I have chosen to be a lover.

How beautiful the garden I have arranged!

How glorious the city I have founded!

The world knows; until I am King;

fair shares are granted and justice prevails.

The world knows; I am outside of it;

I have manifested so all can bear witness.

Behold the masters whom I have checkmated!

Behold those disciples I have mentored to mastery!

And those lions who have roared against us;

they grow submissive as foxes.

Silence the one who hinders Love!

Suffice for them that I have expounded the Way.

And yet those who were swept by the hands of fate;

going deep as I shouted forth...

So I may save and restore from the depths of the storm,

I who have created Non-existence.

Shams of Tabriz came forth and drew his sword;

from it I harden my tongue into steel.

The Coming of Spring

2009-03-22T08:34:00.002-05:00

The Coming of Spring is celebrated in the Persian Tradition as NowRuz, the "New Day". A day of Nature's Awakening. Rumi has several references to "Nowruz", three in his Divane Shams.

But another ode seems even more apporpriate to herald the coming of Spring: Ode 1298 .

Nowruzetan Pirooz!

The Seven Stages

2009-02-27T22:52:00.002-06:00

Dr.Daftari reminded me:

talab, seeking
eshgh, love
maarefat, knowledge
esteghnaa, fulfillment
tohid, unity
heirat, wonder and awe
fanaa, oblivion

are the seven stages.

The Alchemy of this Moment

2009-02-27T22:20:00.001-06:00

Rumi talks about the alchemy, the magic of this moment in book 3, verses 1423 of his Masnavi.
He describes a lover who, when united with the beloved, proceeds to take a out a love letter and starts reading it out to the beloved. The beloved asks if he is a true lover, or does he love the state of loving and his own poetry!

Rumi points out that
Kimiaye Haal bashad daste oo
dast jonbanad shavad mes maste oo

The magic of the moment is at his fingertips
should he but decide to move those fingers, he can even make copper drunk and transform to gold

He is saying that we have far more, indeed perhaps all we need, right at this moment, and to seek another place and time but now is shortsighted and in doing so we don't realize that we are indeed sitting next to the Beloved at this moment, and all the blessings and power that this brings for us.

From Rumi, with Love on Valentine's Day

2009-02-15T01:18:00.002-06:00

On the occasion of Valentine's day, I would like to send you my best wishes for you and your family to live in Love and extend it to the whole world family and along with that a poem by Molana :

Molana starts from the very beginning of the Masnavi with the thought of Love. And he relates it to the force that is the force of union that pulls us from where we are now, back to our Source. And this force, is the "fire of Love and the movement or bubbling of Love" (Masnavi line 10, book 1), he says, is really behind the wind in the Ney, the Reed Flute and the bubbling of soulwine, and admonishes all those who do not have this fire, this fire of Love, to acknowledge nonexistence (har ke een atash nadarad nist bad! )

He then goes on to vividly describe in line 22, that Love is the means of cleansing oneself of greed and faults in general, that to demonstrate and take action with the intent and motivation of love is enough to cleanse and purify one's being.

And asks his beloved to be joyous and happy, as the healer of all his ailments, his beloved be happy. For he says, it is the earthly body that can soar in the heavens with the motivation of love; even inanimate, inconceivably heavy and immovable things will move and become nimble, will dance for love; even the mountains will become light and nimble and dance for love.

And then in line 30 he declares once and for all that All is the Beloved and the lover is but a veil, whose existence or ego is the barrier to achieve the Beloved, a veil to see the Beloved be one with the Beloved. That true life is with the Beloved and not being with the Beloved is not to be considered to be life.

A certain rhythm takes us over as we read his poetry, his passionate, yet sober appassionata of Love, one hears the rhythm of the Daf, the frame drum in the far distant background of the mind beating gently but surely to the rhythm he is gushing forth in Love.

Jomle maa'shoogh ast o ashegh parde'i

zende maashoog ast o aashegh morde'i (30)

chon nabashad eshgh ra parvaye oo

oo cho morghi manad bi par vaye oo (31)

He says in the next verse (32) how can i have any sense of being, how can I know where I am, what is behind me and what is in front of me, when my Companion's Light does not shine behind and in front?

Man chegoone hoosh daram pisho pas

choon nabashad Noor e Yaram pish o pas (32)

Love is needed for these words to be uttered

if the mirror is not polished, what good is it (33)

Here he mentions the highly important metaphor of the mirror for the first time. And he goes on to say:

Ayenat dani chera ghammaz nist?

zanke zangar az rokhash momtaz nist (34) !

Do you know why it is not polished to reflect [what is standing before it] ? Because rust has not been polished from the mirror's face. (34)

The Book of Manners -- Adabname ye Molana

2009-02-11T23:48:00.004-06:00

I have been compiling some of Rumi's poems on manners (Adab) and have named this compilation his Adabnameh -- or the Book of Manners.

He starts the dsicourse on good manners and its importance from the very first Book of the Masnavi, with the verse (78, Book 1)

Az Khoda jooeem tofighe adab biadab mahroommand az lotfe Rab

We seek the privelege of good manners from God the ill-mannered remains deprived of the Grace of God

Bi adab na tanha khod ra dasht bad balke atash dar hame afagh zad

Here Rumi is pointing out that ill-manner or bad manners is not just a personal ill; or a personal choice we make; but has an impact of everything -- literally. The analogy is with the law of action and reaction or Karma, as expounded for example, in the Science of Being by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, who describes in detail the effects of Karama, good or ill, and its repercussions coming from all sides.

Here Rumi says

The ill-mannered not only brings about ill on himself

but sets ablaze a fire in all directions across the horizon

the effects of ill-manners is propagated far and wide. One also recalls the Confusian doctrines of propriety and correct behavior to various levels and conventions within society. Rumi is not imposing restrictions, but merely pointing out the realistic effects of being without manners.

in the next to last line of this section in his "adab nameh" line 91, he says

Az adab por noor gashte ast een falak

vaz adab maasoom o pak amad malak

Manners causes the sky and heavens to be showered with light

and from manners Angels became pure and innocent

And also points out the opposite of this as well, that most of the issues (darkness and sadness) that may befall man are due to his being beligerent, belicose or quarrelsome.

People are Like RiverWater -- Polish the Mirror

2009-01-14T18:00:00.001-06:00

So eventhough if, like iron, your body is dark,

polish it, polish it, polish it well

Until Your heartsoul becomes a mirror full of images

of wealth-carrying beauties coming from every side

Even if iron is dark and without light,

polishing will remove that darkness

Iron, even if dark and without light –

has darkness removed when polished bright

Iron, when polished, shows its good face

So in it can be seen, many a face

Polish the earthly body -- dark and dense,

Polish -- for it tends to retain [this sense] [its luster]

So that, in it, images from the unmanifest, arise

images of heavenly beauties and Angels

Know! The Divine has already polished your mind [intellect];

So from it, every day, light can pour into your heart

Without namaz you have closed the door of polishing [your soul],

And have opened up both sides of the door of wanton desire

But if those wanton desires are bound;

You will have uncuffed your ability to polish

The metal which was in fact the divine mirror of the Unmanifest;

will then manifest all appearances within it

You have darkened, you have rusted, your insides;

This is what is meant by ”propagating corruption on the earth”

So far you have done thus, now cease;

Having muddied the water, do no more – please !

Stir not chaos, so this water can clear;

And behold within the revolving moon and stars

This is why people are like river water;

When the water is clouded, you can’t see into its depths

Yet the riverbed [depths] is jewel filled and pearl-laden;

Beware! Don’t darken it! It’s nature is to be Unperturbed and Free

The life of people is like air [desire?]

It guides you so you take the way of liberation [rescue]

Tadvir e Ghadr - The Circling of Destiny Masnavi 6:916-91

2009-01-02T01:26:00.004-06:00

Have you not insight into the Circling of Destiny?
Then the boiling and turning of the elements behold !

For the churning of the sea debris and froth
arises from the sea; seething, magnanimous

Behold the wandering wind in its rage
look how it commands and makes the ocean waves seethe

the sun and the moon as two cows at the mill
circumvent and guide [the milling of flour]

the stars also from house to house do run
as they become the carrier of good fortune and bad fortune

the stars, in constant motion, like a wheel
are yet weak of foundation and lazy

the stars are the eyes, ears and intelligence of ours
behold they are here at night and then suddenly gone with daylight

at times in a benefic sign bringing people together and happy
at times in the malefic sign of separation and senslessness

To the house, To the house! Ode 2345

2009-01-02T01:21:00.003-06:00

It’s dark and it’s raining: to the house! To the house!
Calling all of our friends: homewards, homewards!

Like the owls; how much longer this deprivation?
Wandering about the ruins; to the house, to the house!

Calling all bright-hearted friends: make haste
In spite of the sore eyes of all the blind (of heart)
to the house, to the house!

Calling you O wise and vigilant; full of concern
Don’t make us worry; to the house, to the house!

Enough of loveplay with these ogre-like appearances
So-called beauties; to the house, to the house!

You are seeing the grain and not the harvest
Such is the way ants are. To the house, to the house!

Don’t argue: let it go , o good friend
Grazing is for horses! To the house, to the house!

In that house there is dance (sama) and celebration
But only with the pure; so to the house, to the house!

Shams Al-din of Tabriz has built this house
So the "one-eyed" ones can get together;
Thus, to the house, to the house!

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To the house, to the house! I opted for that instead of possible alternatives such as “ homewards, homewards!” or “to home, to home” or “come on in” or “come inside the house” or even the simple and error-prone interpretation of the literal “home, home” or “the house, the house”.
I like and will keep Arberry’s interpretation of “roshan del” to be bright-hearted; (less appealing: heart-aglow or heart-lit)
Rumi contrasts, “rosham –del” with “kooran”. Today, in fact they are considered synonymous; but when he contrasts them he is contrasting the bright-hearted friends who have the inner divine light inside with those that are “blind” inside and do not have this inner light.

Don’t debate, don’t ask why or how…
Play on the word “chera”. Rumi starts with “chum o chera”, most likely pronounced in his time, “chara”, and uses the pun or double meaning of the word “chara” which is also to graze, and jokes with the image of a four-footed animal (

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For Sages, no candle or beautiful lover exists outside the Self - Ode 1247

2008-12-26T00:47:00.005-06:00

The Sages have no Light or Beauty outside the Self
Rumi, Ode 1247, Book of the Sun
Translated by Ali Arsanjani

Shahed = beautiful lover/beloved
Sham’= candle
Aref = Sage
Khoon = blood
Jahan = World
Leili = equivalent of Julliette, a beautiful beloved
Majnoon = Romeo equivalent; someone insanely/mad/uncommonly in love

For the Sage, there is no candle or pretty face outside the Self
Nor have they drunk the blood of a grape; wine is already in their blood

In this world, people become enraptured with a beloved;
Enraptured with every breath, the Sage’s beloved is the Self

Our values and assessment bases change; even by the hour!
From now on: use the unit of your actions to measure, so you can judge fairly

Ridding the Pharaoh of ego from the Egypt of your body
Inside, you will witness a state with your own Moses and Heron

The anchor of lowly treasure you have tied to your foot;
that takes you deeper into the depths every day

I saw a Jonas sitting at the seashore of the ocean of love,
I asked him: “How are you?” He replied. Using my own law !

He told me “I used to be a fish's meal, in this ocean
So I bent myself like the letter 'n' {Persian "nun") ; and now I command the fish!"

From now on, ask us not how we are: go beyond these "hows",
For how can someone speak of how they are, when they have gone beyond all descriptions of “how”?

Let the Sorrowful drink wine, our hearts are more joyous than thine!
Give the prisoners of sorrow their poison! Go, O bearer of wine!

Khoone gham bar ma halal o , khoone ma bar gham haram
Har ghami gerde ma shod, Shod andar khoon e khish!

He has encouraged us, sorrow to slay
He has banned sorrow from existing this way, from living another day

The sorrow that dares come our way, Will not live to see another day

Wine may flush their faces, those sick with sorrow,
We are rosy-cheeked from our own joy; we do not borrow

Xx
Xx

Xx
Xx

Yesterday the astrologer declared: I saw your horoscope; it was favorable
Yes, I told him, and yet this is due my Moon, waxing daily

But, then again, how can the moon compare to our Moon?
Whose face and horoscope determine
Great malefics, Great Benefics, who are governed by it[s majesty]

The Reedflute has a tale to Tell

2008-12-21T09:37:00.000-06:00

Listen to this reedFlute, it has a tale to tell
It is complaining of all separations

The story of the reedflute is that it was torn from the reedbed, it's source,
and so it wants to gain a way of recourse to its original state of union.
This is why it is complaining because it wants to return to the source.

sine khahan sharhe sharhe az feragh
ta begooyam sharhe darde eshtiagh

Give me a heart torn from being apart
So [they will understand when]
I can describe the pain of enthusiasm / longing

Only someone experiencing this pain of longting to be united with their source
will be able to comprehend what I am lamenting.

And then Rumi states one of his general rules:

Har kasi koo door mand az asle khish
Baz jooyad roozegare vasle khish

Whoever is left behing from their source
will seek to regain a way of recourse
will seek to gain the days of Union

Sere man az naleye man door nist
Lik chashm o goosh ra an noor nist

Rumi starts talking about "that light"
that this light is absent from "the eye and ear".
He delcares that
"my secret is not far from my cry
but they haven't that light, the ear and eye"

If the ear and eye, my sense would have "that light" the
ability to truly see and truly hear, they would know that
the key to my secret is not far from my wail, my cry, my moan

===============================================

Reading on the night of Dec 17th, 2008

2008-12-21T09:30:00.006-06:00

We had a reading at the University Library to commemorate the passage of Rumi, on the night of Dec 17th. We also started the Rumi Returns series which will be reading out the book that I am translating.

The program was as follows:

Introduction to Rumi
His Life and Times -- Significant milestones, meeting Shams, his master
Dec 17th – His Passage – Fanaa fe’Allah
Celebrating his life
Eid e Ghadir -- Ali
Starting Rumi Returns series
Masnavi
The Tale of the Reed Flute

Book of Shams
O You Lovers – the audience, who are lovers of Rumi
Little by little – you come into the refined attention you need
You soul is so close to mine – now that you can hear, hear this:
I am the moon -- now you can understand what Rumi is saying when he says...
How should I know? -- Once he is one with the Divine and the Divine is calling him, he responds...

Note the sequence is designed to prepare the listener to first become a "Lover"
of the divine, then as a Lover, they come closer and closer to the "garden" the place of Truth. Then they are so close to their innermost Self that they know what their Friend is thinking; I am so close to you, I know your every thought". Once you are so close, you can then see that you are the Moon and in the Place of Noplace. And finally with being one with the Divine being so powerful, it changes ones world and shifts one's consciousness, to the extent that when in a beautiful dialog with the Beloved, Rumi responds, in total surrender, with "How would I know? How should I know? How can I Know? "; you are asking me questions that are intellectual, I have given up my intellect and mind and ego to be one with you -- "How would I know why?"

Masnavi
The Tale of the Lion and the Rabbit , Part 1
story: The Animals and the Lion enter an agreement
concepts: Tavvakkol vs Jahd (Trust and Faith in Providence vs. Action, Means and Trying)
concepts: The superiority we gain through Knowledge
concepts: Keeping your plans a secret

Ode 1518 - I am the moon - Rumi, Book of the Sun

2008-12-04T00:06:00.001-06:00

Refined translation, thanks to Dr. Maryam Daftari, Parastoo and Sam Arsanjani.

I am the moon in the place of Noplace,
I am Life Itself -- don't search for me outside!

When people call you, they are summoning you to themselves
But when I call you, I will summon you only to your Self!

Whatever color you wish to bring upon me -- I won't mind:
Whether the brightness of hope or the gloom of shame,

Sometimes you are contrary and utter disloyal words
That's right! If you are like that, I will be thus!

In the presence of the blind, I am thus -- Nothingness
In the presence of the deaf ear, I am thus -- Speechless

Why are you washing your eyes with rosewater?
You can stop washing -- Look, I am the Flower!

[To see the clearly apparent flower, you do not need to wash your eyes with flowerwater]

You use Colorful flowers for your clothing and meals :
[Everything you put on and in you is from flowers [-- Thanks to Parastoo]]
You are a flower-eater -- you should not be my guest...!

This flower is *the* Flower! Look closely: you can see the presence of Grace!
With this Grace, I give back what was borrowed

Speech is a ship and meaning is the sea;
Make haste! Come out! I want to sail this vessel!

Ode 509 -- Rise, For Today, the World is Ours

2008-11-22T23:51:00.001-06:00

Khiz! ke emrooz jahan ane mast
jan o jahan Saghi o mehman e mast
az del o az dide ye div o pari
dabdabe ye fare soleiman e mast

Rise! For today, the world is ours!
our inner soul and the outer world are both our Master and guest
In the eyes and hearts of angels and demons [alike]
there is the sound of merriment; coming from the joy of Solomon's party

Rumi in Brief

2008-10-30T23:35:00.001-05:00

"Molana" Jalaledin Rumi (1207-1273) was born in Balkh, Persia and died in Konya; R.A. Nicholson declared him “the greatest mystical poet of any age.” His spiritual and literary influence is pervasive. He composed over 70,000 verses of spontaneous (!) poetry of divine love and ecstatic illumination. He was an orthodox, sober professor until he met a wandering Sage – Shams of Tabriz (Persia) and was transformed into an enraptured lover of God.