Last night, while looking through some photographs I took in Israel a few years ago, I stumbled upon the header image, which shows some details of the interior dome of a magnificent garden structure adjacent to the Dome of the Rock. As I studied the richness of the colors, the invitational qualities of the archways, and the paths that seem to run throughout the design of the ceiling, I felt instinctively that Rumi was speaking to me. Once again, and especially during these opening days of a new year, he was reminding me of the light-filled doorways that lead to renewal, expansion, and spiritual growth.
From A Community of the Spirit —
Why do you stay in prison
when the door is wide open?
Move outside the tangle of fear-thinking.
Live in silence.
Flow down and down in always
widening rings of being.
From Quietness
Become the sky.
Take an axe to the prison wall.
Escape.
Walk out like someone suddenly born into color.
Do it now.
From Unfold Your Own Myth
But don't be satisfied with stories, how things
have gone with others. Unfold
your own myth, without complicated explanation,
so everyone will understand the passage,
We have opened you.
Start walking toward Shams. Your legs will get heavy
and tired. Then comes a moment
of feeling the wings you've grown,
lifting.
Note: Quotations from The Essential Rumi (Translations by Coleman Barks).
What an invitation that image is, with its intricacies of color and pattern. Combined with the lines from Rumi, I see in it the balance of life: what is complex can be simplified, with the right kind of seeing.
ReplyDeleteAnd hey, I was doing Pilates this morning [before coming here] and I really felt what is in those last lines, both physically and spiritually:
Your legs will get heavy
and tired. Then comes a moment
of feeling the wings you've grown,
lifting.
That's a wonderful header image…such color!
ReplyDeleteA line from that final quoted poem struck me: "But don't be satisfied with stories, how things have gone with others." Isn't it so often the case we try and apply or explain, apologize for, or justify, our story through the stories of others…as if they were connected, or even similar, instead of that singular experience of the individual. While I believe there are some fundamental truths regarding the human condition, we have and live, and can truly tell about no other life but our own. That is our gift to history, to the human race: us…and nothing more.
Yes, RUTH. Balance, simplification, right kind of seeing—each is part of "the way." And I can see the relevance of those last Rumi lines to Pilates. Perhaps they should stencil Rumi's insight to the walls of the Pilates studio.
ReplyDeleteThanks, GRIZZ, especially for your comment on those lines pertaining to the relationship between our individual stories and the stories of others. I could not agree more. The stories of others can be instructive, but, ultimately, every individual story is, as you say, a "singular experience," and for that, we can be thankful. I find it reassuring that every individual experience is significant, that every person, whatever his or her circumstances, contributes meaningfully to the whole of mankind.
ReplyDeleteAt present I need things like this to read George - thanks for posting them before my visit to the Specialist tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteLove that Arabic patterning and geometry, George. Saw a lot of it in southern Spain and it impressed me deeply.
ReplyDeleteLegs heavy at the moment and praying for the wings to emerge!
Blessings to you.
George, I'm in love with that intricate image. It does beckon one to find a path and follow it to freedom and change. I've never read Rumi, but you've so often quoted him (and I've benefitted from his words), I believe I should read further.
ReplyDeleteThanks, ROBERT, and blessings to you as well. I hope I will soon learn why those legs are heavy. I trust it's the result of a recent journey. Good to have you back.
ReplyDeleteThanks, PAT. Glad you enjoyed this. Rumi is very inspirational.
ReplyDeleteThanks, BARB. Glad you like the photo, and, yes, I would strongly recommend Rumi. Based on what I know of you through our respective blogs, I think you would find great wisdom and encouragement in Rumi's poetry.
ReplyDeleteI love that phrase, "widening rings of being." Beautiful image.
ReplyDeleteThanks, TERESA. It was those words, "widening rings of being," that motivated me to create this posting.
ReplyDelete