“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing there is a field. I'll meet you there.
Wednesday, 19 May 2021
Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing there is a field. I'll meet you there.
“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing there is a field. I'll meet you there.
Sunday, 25 April 2021
THE MOUSE AND THE CAMEL - Rumi
The Mouse and the Camel
A small mouse once caught a camel's head-rope in its paws and went off with it. Due to the nimbleness with which the camel set off, the mouse was duped into thinking himself a champion. His obvious pride struck the camel.
Presently the mouse came to a great river, such as would have dismayed any lion or wolf. There the mouse halted, not knowing what to do.
"Comrade over mountain and plain," said the camel, "why are you standing still? Into the river with you! You are my guide and leader; do not halt half-way, paralysed!"
"But this a vast and deep river", said the mouse. "I am afraid of being drowned, comrade."
"Let me see how deep the water is", said the camel, and quickly he set his foot in it.
"Why, the water only comes up to my knee", he went on. "What is the problem?"
"To you it is an ant, but to me it is a dragon", said the mouse. "There are great differences between one knee and another. If it only reaches your knee, it passes a hundred cubits over my head."
"Be not so arrogant next time", said the camel. "Emulate mice like yourself; a mouse has no business to consort with camels."
"I repent", said the mouse. "Please get me across this deadly water!"
Then the camel, taking compassion on the mouse, said: "Jump up and sit on my hump. This passage has been entrusted to me; I would take across hundreds of thousands like you."
Since you are not the ruler, be a simple subject; since you are not the captain, do not steer the ship.
Masnavi | Jalal al-din Rumi |
Monday, 6 February 2017
Rumi - The Guest House
The Guest House by Rumi
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honourably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
Rumi - The Grapes of my Body
After the winemaker tramples me.
I surrender my spirit like grapes to his trampling
So my inmost heart can blaze and dance with joy.
Although the grapes go on weeping blood and sobbing
“I cannot bear any more anguish, any more cruelty”
The trampler stuffs cotton in his ears: “I am not working in ignorance
You can deny me if you want, you have every excuse,
But it is I who am the Master of this Work.
And when through my Passion you reach Perfection,
You will never be done praising my name.”
— from The Way of Passion: A Celebration of Rumi, by Andrew Harvey


