My dear heart, never think you are better than others. Listen to their sorrows with compassion. If you want peace, don't harbor bad thoughts, do not gossip and don't teach what you do not know.
Soul of all souls, life of all life - you are That. _x000D_ Seen and unseen, moving and unmoving - you are That. _x000D_ The road that leads to the City is endless; _x000D_ Go without head and feet _x000D_ and you'll already be there. _x000D_ What else could you be? - you are That.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the interconnectedness of all existence and encourages individuals to realize their own essence as part of a greater whole.
Rumi's quote invites us to reflect on the fundamental unity of life and existence. It suggests that our true nature transcends the physical realm, encompassing both the seen and unseen aspects of life. The metaphor of the endless road to the City implies that the journey of self-realization is ongoing, and by letting go of attachments to identity and form ('without head and feet'), we can access our true essence, which is fundamentally united with everything around us.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
During a spiritual retreat, a facilitator used this quote to encourage participants to explore their inner selves.
More from Rumi
All quotes →The Law of Wonder rules my life at last, _x000D_ ...I burn each second of my life to Love _x000D_ Each second of my life burns out in Love _x000D_ In each leaping second Love lives afresh.
Lovers have heartaches _x000D_ That can't be cured by drugs _x000D_ Or sleep, _x000D_ Or games, _x000D_ But only by seeing their beloved.
Every fragile beauty, every perfect forgotten sentence, you grieve their going away, but that is not how it is. Where they come from never goes dry. It is an always flowing spring.
Whatever you keep hidden in your heart, God _x000D_ manifests in you outwardly. Whatever the root of _x000D_ the tree feeds on in secret, affects the bough and _x000D_ the leaf.
Come on sweetheart let's adore one another before there is no more of you and me
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