Principle: Talking is often a way to stay in the mind, running from your own and the Divine light.
Practice: Say nothing, just listen.
posted 9-29-21 This last week of my vacation, I am sharing another of my favorite Rumi poems. Hope you enjoy!
"Yesterday I went completely mad, lost and confused.
But then Love saw me and spoke:
'Don't wail,' Love said, 'Don't tear your clothing. I've come.'
"'O love,' I cried out, 'I'm afraid of everything.'
"'But nothing really exists,' Love said, 'so don't even talk about it.
I'll just whisper secrets into your heart instead.
Answer me by shaking your head. Don't talk, just listen.
A moonlike mirror reflecting light will appear on your way into the heart.
And this journey to the heart is so gratifying, you need not say anything about it to anyone.'
"So I turned then and saw, and I asked my heart:
'O heart, what kind of moon is this?'
"It called back to me:
'This is something that you cannot understand with your mind, so don't say a word.'
"But I persisted,
'Is it something angelic or is it human?'
"'Neither, it replied, 'don't talk, just listen.
O one who stays in a house cluttered with words and images, pack your belongings, and get out of that place, but don't say a word.'
"So I just about passed out of myself as best I could.
'I feel completely upside down. Inside out,' I said.
"'Be like that,' Love said, 'Just don't talk. Just listen.'
"'O heart,' I begged. 'Please treat me like you're my father or mother. Isn't that one of God's attributes?'
"'Yes,' Love said, 'Of course it is.
But even then, O soul of your Father and Mother, say nothing at all and just listen.'"