The moment that you are with yourself,
the beloved will be like a thorn to you;
and the moment that you are selfless,
what use will the beloved be to you?!
The moment that you are with yourself,
you will be a prey to a gnat;
and the moment you are selfless,
the elephant will be the game you hunt.
The moment that you are with yourself,
you are under the clouds of sorrow;
and the moment you are selfless,
the moon will come to your side.
The moment that you are with yourself,
your beloved will depart;
and the moment you are selfless,
you will taste the Beloved’s wine.
The moment that you are with yourself,
you would feel the chill of November;
and the moment that you are selfless,
winter would blossom like spring.
All of your restlessness is due
to your seeking restfulness.
Become a tireless seeker,
so that restfulness will seek you.
All of your displeasures is due
to your seeking pleasure.
Abandon pleasures, and austerity
would become a pleasure to you.
All of your frustrations are due
to your seeking your wishes.
If you didn’t, all wishes would
come top you like offerings.
Love all of the Beloved’s ways,
not just Her affection,
so that the coquettish Beloved
would come to you as desperate lover.
Were Shamsuddin, the great king of the East,
to arrive from Tabriz,
you would be ashamed,
by God, of the moon and the stars.
The Living Room 