I’ll be mad

Jackson Pollock " The Key" 1946 (The Art Institute of Chicago)

We must become ignorant
of what we’ve been taught,
and be, instead bewildered.  

Run from what’s profitable and comfortable.
If you drink those liqueurs, you’ll spill
the springwater of your real life.

Distrust anyone who praises you.
Give your investment money,
and the interest on the capital,
to those who actually destitute.

Forget safety.
Live where you fear to live.
Destroy your reputation
be notorious.
I have tried prudent planning 
long enough. From now
on I’ll be mad.

(Mathnawi, II 2329-2332)
From: Rumi ” Feeling the shoulder of the Lion”
Version by Coleman Barks

About Michaela

I am a wanderer and a wonderer, like you are. I love our journey and to walk in the company of friends – to learn, experience, share, laugh, cry and above all I simply love this marvelous, magical, mysterious life. I have no plan (cannot believe I am saying this) and my only intention is to be truthful to myself and others.
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3 Responses to I’ll be mad

  1. Michaela says:

    Thats my guiding principle. Anyone care to join me ?
    Haha – I’ll be mad !

  2. Brenda Rose says:

    Ha, ha! Me too!
    Just this morning I told myself that I don’t care what people think. I had people laughing. I felt so free by just loving. I felt like an open faucet. It’s beautiful. It was so funny to hear words of a joke come out of my mouth without thinking them first. We laughed so hard!
    This poem of Rumi’s reminds me of my favorite poet’s, Hafiz, poems after he became enlightened. Thanks for sharing!

  3. Lilli says:

    Living according to this guiding principle gives overwhelming good feeling of freedom and selfconfidence and strength – let us enjoy every moment in life ! I am joining you 🙂

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