Jason was right. I’m addicted to Rumi.
Here’s a side note…When I was studying abroad in Argentina last semester, I frequented a boliche (discoteca/nightclub) called Rumi. Who knows- maybe the Argentine’s knew a little something-something about Islamic Sufiism poets.
Anyways, this guy has some neat shit to say.
I’ll begin with his conversation with an embryo. Yes, you read that right. An embryo! ?
But it makes perfect sense- how are we to describe the world outside an embryo to it, when it can’t even fathom it, since all it knows is what it has experienced? It is content to stay cooped up in the dark with its eyes closed.
Is that how I am?
Do I know no more than what is available for me to experience, so I am content with it, not knowing that there is more than “it” out there?
Another scenario that Rumi gives to us is with a Friend who knocks on a door, and claims that “It’s me” and is refused entrance because he is raw meat. He then returns much later cooked, and is gained entrance in the house. He claims that “It’s you”, and the person within welcomes their self. What does this mean? Maybe that once we become one with God then we may enter Him- I’m not too sure.
During another part of this passage, where God is rebuking Moses for reprimanding a worshiper on the way that he praised God, we are told that God looks inside at the humility. Ways of worshipping are not to be ranked as better or worse than one another; it’s not god that’s glorified in acts of worship, it’s the worshiper. All that God is seeking is a burning. BURNING (as Rumi emphasizes). He wants lovers who burn.
And there was one more part that was very inspirational to me. This was about a loaf of bread. To men see a loaf of bread. One has not eaten for ten days, and the other is quite full. The full man sees the shape of the loaf, whereas the other man sees inside of it to the taste.
I want to see the taste.
Wednesday, March 4
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I think the thoughts and ideas that you have blogged about are great! I also really enjoyed Rumi. I was having a hard time understanding the passage about the person that knocked on the friend's door and the friend telling him to "Go away. There's no place for raw meat at this table." I thought it was possible that the raw meat was a metaphor for being unworthy but after I read what you thought, I totally got it. Thanks
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