One my favorite stories from the Masnavi, its dialectic is brilliant and dizzying… Translation: How Moses, on whom be peace, took offence at the prayer of the shepherd. 1720. Moses saw a shepherd on the way, who was saying, “O God who choosest (whom Thou wilt), Where art Thou, that I may become Thy servant and…
Bright Night, Dark Day
Shabistari The Rose Garden of Mystery (verses 122-130) Reason’s light applied to the Essence of Lights is like the eye of the head looking at the brilliance of the Sun when the object seen is very close to the eye The eye is darkened so that it cannot see it This blackness, if you know it, is…
Rumi and Bossa Nova
Baden Powell and Vinicius de Moraes Translation: Me without you, there’s no reason Because without you, I can’t even cry I’m flame without light, garden without moonlight Moonlight without love, love that’s not given And without you I’m only lovelorn A ship without sea, a field without flower Sadness that goes, sadness that comes Without you,…
Hamza el-Din—Desse Barama
One of my favorite songs from one of my favorite artists: Translation: The world shines about me, luminous as the moon, smiling like a rose, and a sweet benediction flows through everything existing. How beautiful life is. I marvel at people who are not in love with life. You, my girl, are beautiful, and your…