Invisible world....by Rumi

The prophets have wondered to themselves, 
"How long should we keep pounding this cold iron?
How long do we have to whisper into an empty cage?" 

Every motion of created beings comes from the creator. 

The first soul pushes, and your second soul responds,
beginning, so don't stay timid.

Load the ship and set out.
No one knows for certain whether the vessel will sink
or reach the harbor.

Cautious people say,
"I'll do nothing until I can be sure."
Merchants know better.
If you do nothing, you lose.

Don't be one of those merchants who won't risk the ocean!
This is much more important than losing or making money.

This is your connection to God!
You must set fire to have light.
Trust means you're ready to risk what you currently have.

Think of your fear and hope about your livelihood.
They make you go to work diligently every day.

Now consider what the prophets have done.
Abraham wore fire for an anklet.
Moses spoke to the sea.
David molded iron.
Solomon rode the wind.

Work in the invisible world
at least as hard as you do in the visible.

Be companions with the prophets
even though no one here will know that you are,
not even the helpers of the qutb, the abdals.

You can't imagine what profit will come!
When one of those generous ones invites you
into his fire, go quickly!
Don't say, "But will it burn me? Will it hurt!"

~ Rumi
Mathnawi III 3077-3109
by Coleman Barks
From Rumi : One Handed Basket Weaving
Mypop 1991

Champion Lovemaker and Leader of Men....by Rumi

If you could not feel
tenderness and hurt. 

If you could live in the poorhouse of non-wanting 
and never be indignant. 

If you could take two steps away from the beautiful one 
you want so much to lie down with. 

If you could trust there's a spirit-wife 
for you somewhere, a whole harem of wives, 
a nest, a jewel-setting where 
when you sit down, you know 
you've always wanted to be. 

If you could quit living here and go there. 
If you could remember clearly what you've done. 

But strong hooks hold you in this wind. 
So many people love you, 
you mix with the color and smell and taste of surroundings. 

Champion lovemaker and leader of men! 
You can't give up your public fascination, 
or your compassion for the dying. 

There's another compassion you don't know yet, 
but you may, when griefs disappear. 

It's a place, 
with no questioning thorns in the pasture grass. 

If you could remember you're not a crow, 
but the mystic osprey that never needs to light, 
you could be walking there 
with Beloved. 

~ Rumi 
Ode 959 
Version by Coleman Barks 
"Open Secret - Versions of Rumi" 
Threshold Book, 1984