Classical Islamic Poetry [Electronic resources] نسخه متنی

Learn from Ali....
Learn from Ali how to fight

without your ego participating.

God's lion did nothing

that didn't originate

from his deep center.

Once in battle he got the best of a certain knight

and quickly drew his sword. The man,

helpless on the ground, spat

in Ali's face, Ali dropped his sword,

relaxed, and helped the man to his feet.

"Why have you spared me?

How has lightning contracted back

into its cloud? Speak, my prince,

so that my soul can begin to stir

in me like an embryo."

Ali was quiet and then finally answered, "I am God's Lion, not the lion of passion....

I have no longing

except for the One.

When a wind of personal reaction comes,

I do not go along with it.

There are many winds full of anger,

and lust and greed. They move the rubbish around,

but the solid mountain of our true nature stays where it's always been.

There's nothing now

except the divine qualities.

Come throught the opening into me.

Your impudence was better than any reverence,

because in this moment I am you and you are me.

I give you this opened heart as God gives gifts:

the poison of your spit has become

the honey of friendship."

(Rumi)