happy is the one
who doesn’t need to try
getting wealthy
or remaining poor
free from people
and worldly worries
a stranger to himself
free in every way
From: Rumi “Dancing the Flame”
Translated by Nader Khalili
Don’t you love it ?
This verse is about “there is nowhere to go and nothing to do”. It points to our own predicament – wanting to be free and yet having expectations about it. First we think freedom lies in the outer by following what society gives us as a default – being productive and adding things to our life. Then we may think liberation lies in abandoning all these things. In truth – there is nothing to do, but become a stranger to myself.
Observation and enquiry are a sure path to letting go. Just don’t get hung up on it.
🙂
So true!
Thanks,
Mike