Skip to main content

sundays with Rumi


SUNDAY is my favorite day of the week, hands down. it is a sabbath of sorts, and for me a day of reverence for GOD and for the beauty of my life. as a part of my sunday celebration, i often take a long, hot lavender bath while reading Rumi under candlelight. this is a spiritual practice for me. the eternal words of Rumi connects me in ways that only poetry can. so with that being said, i'm elated to share the poetry that speaks to me from the heart of this wise sage and Sufi mystic.
"Disciplines"
(from Coleman Barks RUMI Bridge to the Soul: Journeys into the Music and Silence of the Heart)

do not expect to be always happy on this way. you have been caught by a lion, my dear.
the friend dumps plaster on your head. think of it as expensive perfume.
inside you there is a monster that must be tied up and whipped.
watch the man beating a rug. he is not mad at it. he wants to loosen the layers of dirt.
ego accumulations are not loosened with one swat. continual work is necessary, disciplines.
in dreams, and even awake, you will hear the beloved screaming at you.
a carpenter saws and chisels a piece of wood, because he knows how he wants to use it.
curing a hide, the tanner rubs in acid and all manner of filth. this makes a beautiful soft leather.
what does the half-finished hide know? every hard thing that happens works on you like that.
hurry, shams. come back like the sun comes back every day with new and powerful secrets.



Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

who are we when we love? Honoring Nelson Mandela

I remember very vividly the summer I first read Nelson Mandela's A LONG WALK TO FREEDOM. I was living at my grandmother's house then. At nineteen years old, it was the longest book I had ever attempted to read. But I felt my soul leaping and growing and telling me that I had to live courageously. I could not afford to not fight for justice. I could not afford to not dedicate my life to love's purposes.  By reading Mandela's story, I saw what the best of humanity looked like. I saw that no matter how much oppression and humiliation others may inflict upon us, we can rise above it. We can choose to not let their evil define us.  Nelson Mandela is my hero. He was a giant of a man who had the unique ability to make others feel even larger than he was. You see, that is what great people do. They remind us that the light they have is inside all of us as well. We only need to let it shine, fearlessly and with the intent of eradicating evil by the power of love....
Post a Comment
Read more

i am grateful for OPRAH

Yesterday, my "Angel Mother" as i like to call her, Ms. Oprah G. Winfrey received the highest honor in the land-- The Presidential Medal of Freedom. President Obama applauded her for... "reaching the pinnacle of the entertainment universe." For twenty-five years, The Oprah Winfrey Show helped to extend the conversation about topics that were taboo; from sexual abuse to cellulite, she made it okay to tell the truth. She created a safe space for people to come and leave their shame and the secrets that blocked their light. Because of this, millions of others were liberated by the knowledge that they were not alone in their suffering. I started watching the Oprah show when I was around eight or nine years old. Her voice was soothing. Her insights were as wise and profound as those of my own mother. I saw the same light in her eyes that I saw in my mother's eyes. I believe it was because of this that she would go on to mean even more to me after my mother lost ...
Post a Comment
Read more

My 11 Spiritual Truths

Here on the eve of my 25th birthday, I wanted to share some of the guiding spiritual truths that govern my sacred and beautiful life. These truths have been the thoughts and essence of who I am and it is my joy to share them with you. 1. There are Spiritual Laws that govern our world. Learn them. Adhere to them. Then and only then will you align yourself with true power and operate in love as you co-create your life with God. 2. Only you have the power to change your life. No external force can propel you forward. You may be inspired, but even that is fleeting. Surrender yourself to a higher power and be guided into a fuller existence. 3. You cannot be successful if you are not serving humanity. Find meaning and the money will come. Success based entirely on acquiring money or material things will not add unto you. True wealth supersedes these things. Seek the kingdom first. 4. Let your thoughts be governed by love. Think on the good and the beautiful and the true. Release ...
Post a Comment
Read more