Wednesday 8 February 2012

When it comes to earning food,
why has the fear of eternal disappointment
not waylaid you ?

You'll say, 
"Though I face the fear of disappointment,
fear increases when I'm idle.
My hope increases when I work;
when I'm idle, I risk more."

Why does the fear of loss
restrain you when it comes to faith ?

Haven't you seen how gainfully employed
the prophets and saints are ?

Haven't you seen what mines of treasure
have opened to them
from frequenting the shop of Spirit !

~ Rumi
Mathnawi III: 3096-3101
Version by Camille and Kabir Helminski
"Rumi: Jewels of Remembrance"
Threshold Books, 1996

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