What is Love? Perfect thrist. So let me explain the Water of Life.
(The Sufi Path of Love: The Spiritual Teachings of Rumi, p. 195)
Spend less time seeking water and acquire thirst! Then water will gush from above and below.
(The Sufi Path of Love: The Spiritual Teachings of Rumi, p. 207)
You sit like a dunce and think that if {God} wants, He will give you something. You make no entreaty, while a dog ... will come to you when it is hungry and wag its tail as if to say "Give me someting to eat. I have nothing to eat, but you do"... {A dog does not say}, "If he wants, he will give me something to eat." No a dog will beg and wag its tail. You too "wag your tail" and beg God, for before such a donor begging is what is required. If you are not blessed with good fortune, seek your fortune from him who is not stingy and who is possessed of wealth.
(Signs of the Unseen: The Discourses of Jalaluddin Rumi, p 179)
Oh friend, Love must have a little pain! The heart must have pain and the cheeks must be a little yellow. Without pain in the heart and fire in the breast, your claim of fervent devotion is a bit insipid...
(The Sufi Path of Love: The Spiritual Teachings of Rumi, p. 242)
In weeping {the lover} is like the clouds, in perseverance like the mountains, in prostration like water, in lowliness like dirt in the road. But all these afflictions surround his garden like thorns -- within it are roses, the Beloved, and a flowing fountain. When you pass by the garden's wall and enter into its greenery, you will give thanks and prostrate yourself in gratitude...
(The Sufi Path of Love: The Spiritual Teachings of Rumi, p. 218-219)
When Thou sendest less heartache to me, I grieve and my heart constricts. But when Thou pourest down heartache upon me, I am put to shame by its gentleness. Thy heartache has not allowed me an instant's heartache -- desire for Thee has not allowed me to be water and clay...
Marvellous pain Thou inflictest that becomes the cure of my pains! Marvellous dust Thou stirrest up that anoints my eyes with collyrium!... Suffering for Thee allows no suffering to come to me -- Thy treasure does not let me be a poor and indigent dervish.
(The Sufi Path of Love: The Spiritual Teachings of Rumi, p. 244)
{God says:}
Ways of worshiping are not to be ranked as better or worse than one another. Hindus do Hindu things. The Dravidian Muslims in India do what they do. It's all praise, and it's all right. It's not me that's glorified in acts of worship. It's the worshipers! I don't hear the words they say. I look inside at the humility. That broken-open lowliness is the reality, not the language! Forget phraseology. I want burning, burning. Be friends with your burning. Burn up your thinking and your forms of expression!
(The Essential Rumi, p. 166)
Prayer differs according to religion, but faith does not change by religion. Its states, its focus, and so forth, are immutable.
(Signs of the Unseen: The Discourses of Jalaluddin Rumi, p. 33)
{God says:}
I have a form and image for each of My servants. Whatever each of them imagines Me to be, that I am. I am bound to images O my servants, cleanse your thoughts, for they are my dwelling places. Now try yourself and see what is more beneficial to you -- weeping, laughter, fasting, prayer, or retreat. Adopt whichever of these suits you best and causes you to advance more.
(Signs of the Unseen: The Discourses of Jalaluddin Rumi, p. 51)
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