don't wander far.... ~ Belle Heywood

When you leave from here my dear
don't go plunging into the hell realms.
without a decision to remain in love
you may well fall there.

But know that it is completely up to you
whether you become lost, lonely, confused or not

I know, because i have been to heaven too
I have been to the Purelands...
and i have had to leave

but it was up to me
i see now
what happened to me next

When you leave from here my dear
don't go plunging into the hell realms
where the suffering is so great
there is barely no chance to have one's ears
free enough from agony
long enough to hear a syllable of Dharma

It is a very very very long journey out of hell
so please, come back
to where you can govern your mind
with more ease now my dear

and don't wander far....

~ Belle Heywood
(don't wander far....)
Photo Belle Heywood

I only speak of the Sun because the Sun is my Master.....by Rumi

I only speak of the Sun
because the Sun is my Master
I worship even the dust at His feet.

I am not a night-lover and do not praise sleep
I am the messenger of the Sun!

Secretly I will ask him
and pass the answers to you.

Like the Sun
I shine on those who are forsaken

I may look drunk and disheveled
but I speak the Truth.

Tear off the mask,
your face is glorious,

your heart may be cold as stone but
I will warm it with my raging fire.

No longer will I speak
of sunsets or rising Moons,

I will bring you love's wine
for I am born of the Sun
I am a King!

~ Rumi
Ghazal (Ode) 1621
Translated by Azima Melita Kolin
and Maryam Mafi
Rumi: Hidden Music
HarperCollins Publishers Ltd, 2001
Art by Carol Bostan

You are the Master Alchemist......by Rumi

You come to us from another world;
From beyond the stars and a void of space

Transcendent, pure – of unimaginable beauty.
Bringing with You the essence of Love.

You transform all who are touched by You
Mundane concerns, troubles and sorrows dissolve in Your presence
Bringing joy to ruler & ruled, to peasants and kings.

You bewilder us with Your grace;
All evil is transformed into goodness.
You are the Master Alchemist!

You light the fire of Love in earth & sky,
In heart & soul of every being.

Through Your loving,
existence & non-existence merge

All opposites unite
All that is profane becomes sacred again.

~ Rumi
Art by Tissot

Oh Beloved, take me. Liberate my soul.....by Rumi

Oh Beloved,
take me.
Liberate my soul.
Fill me with your love and
release me from the two worlds. 
If I set my heart on anything but you
let fire burn me from inside.

Oh Beloved,
take away what I want.
Take away what I do.
Take away what I need.
Take away everything
that takes me from you.

In the early dawn of happiness
you gave me three kisses
so that I would wake up
to this moment of love...

I tried to remember in my heart
what I’d dreamt about
during the night
before I became aware
of this moving
of life...!

I found my dreams
but the moon took me away
It lifted me up to the firmament
and suspended me there
I saw how my heart had fallen
on your path
singing a song

Between my love and my heart
things were happening which
slowly slowly
made me recall everything

You amuse me with your touch
although I can’t see your hands.
You have kissed me with tenderness
although I haven’t seen your lips
You are hidden from me.
But it is you who keeps me alive..!

Perhaps the time will come
when you will tire of kisses
I shall be happy
even for insults from you
I only ask that you
keep some attention on me.

~ Rumi

Come, return to the root of the root of your own soul......by Rumi

For ages you have come and gone
courting this delusion.

For ages you have run from the pain
and forfeited the ecstasy.

So come, return to the root of the root
of your own soul.

Although you appear in earthly form
Your essence is pure Consciousness.

You are the fearless guardian
of Divine Light.
So come, return to the root of the root
of your own soul.

When you lose all sense of self
the bonds of a thousand chains will vanish.

Lose yourself completely,
Return to the root of the root
of your own soul.

You descended from the pure Word of God,
but you turned your sight
to the empty show of this world.

Alas, how can you be satisfied with so little?
So come, return to the root of the root
of your own soul.

Why are you so enchanted by this world
when a mine of gold lies within you?
Open your eyes and come
Return to the root of the root
of your own soul.

You were born from the rays of God’s Majesty
when the stars were in their perfect place.
How long will you suffer from the blows
of a nonexistent hand?
So come, return to the root of the root
of your own soul.

You are a ruby encased in granite.
How long will you deceive Us with this outer show?
O friend, We can see the truth in your eyes!
So come, return to the root of the root
of your own soul.

After one moment with that glorious Friend
you became loving, radiant, and ecstatic.
Your eyes were sweet and full of fire.
Come, return to the root of the root
of your own soul.

The King of the Tavern
has handed you an eternal cup,
And God in all His glory is pouring the wine.
So come! Drink!
Return to the root of the root
of your own soul.

Soul of all souls, Life of all life – you are That.
Seen and unseen, moving and unmoving – you are That.

The road that leads to the City is endless;
Go without head and feet
and you’ll already be there.
What else could you be? – you are That.

~ Rumi