Sunday, June 6, 2010

The Delay

"The cause of this delay in coming (into God's presence) was lack of capability, and defect of skill.
If one who cannot smell were to enter into a garden, how should his brain be delighted by the fragrant herbs?
If one who has no wheat goes to a mill: nothing will be given to him except the whitening of his beard and hair with flour.
The celestial mill bestows on those who have no wheat, only the whiteness of hair...
But on those who bring wheat with them, this mill bestows empire, and gives them sovereign power.
You must first be qualified for Paradise, in order that from Paradise the everlasting life may be born to you.
These parables have no limit: do not seek more words of this kind: go and acquire ability!
The one who goes to hunt the King's prey, becomes the King's prey.
Whosoever goes in chase of a quarry like God, does not catch his quarry until he himself is caught."

Rumi (Vol.6, 4424-4440)

Commentary: What are we to bring to the celestial mill? I suspect humility, and effort, and our failures, and our broken hearts, and our hope in mercy and grace. None of this beautiful poetry is a substitute for capacity and ability. (sigh)