The spiritually blind imagine things that only increase their suffering; the fancies of selflessness are what come to the eye of visionaries.
Jalaluddin Mevlana Rumi
The Pull of Reality
Topic: Serving Others
Reality is what grabs hold of you and pulls you away from mere things.
Reality is not what makes you blind and deaf and causes you to cling more tightly.
The spiritually blind imagine things that only increase their suffering; the fancies of selflessness are what come to the eye of visionaries.
Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi, born on September 30, 1207, and known as Mawlānā or simply as Rumi in the Western world, was an extraordinary poet, philosopher, and Sufi mystic. He was a prominent figure in the Islamic world, born in the region of present-day Afghanistan, then within the greater Persian Empire, and later settled in Konya, present-day Turkey. Rumi's passionate love for humanity and his deep spiritual insights transcended geographical, linguistic, and cultural barriers, making his poetry and teachings resonate not only within the Islamic world but also with audiences globally.
Rumi's spiritual journey led him to develop a unique approach to Sufism that emphasized love, tolerance, and the pursuit of enlightenment. He created a fusion of traditional Islamic beliefs with mysticism, nurturing a school of thought that flourished in his followers. They established a sect known to the Western world as the 'Whirling Dervishes', a term derived from their mesmerizing practice of whirling as a form of physical meditation. The proper name for this branch is the Mevlevi order, dedicated to preserving and promoting Rumi's teachings.
In addition to being a mystic, Rumi was an accomplished scholar and theologian who left behind an impressive literary legacy. His best-known work, the Mathnawi or Masnavi, is a six-volume poetic epic that explores themes of love, divine mystery, and human connection to the spiritual world. Rumi's poetic style is marked by profound emotion and philosophical depth, weaving metaphors and allegory to create timeless pieces that continue to inspire readers today. Rumi's influence reaches far beyond his time, as his teachings on love, compassion, and unity continue to touch the hearts of millions, transcending barriers of religion, culture, and era.
Mathnawi
Rumi, Jalaluddin Mevlana. The Rumi Daybook. Translated by Kabir Helminski and Camille Helminski, Shambhala Publications, Inc., 2012, p. 145. The Pull of Reality [Mathnawi 11:720-722].
Jalaluddin Mevlana Rumi
Theme: Serving
Jalaluddin Mevlana Rumi, Mathnawi 11:720-722 [Short Commentary]
Jalaluddin Mevlana Rumi’s quote, “The spiritually blind imagine things that only increase their suffering; the fancies of selflessness are what come to the eye of visionaries,” beautifully encapsulates the profound journey from self-centeredness to selflessness, a transition that lies at the very heart of service to others. The term “spiritually blind” here implies those who are caught in their own ego, desires, and fears. Their internal narratives are often driven by self-interest, which inadvertently escalates their own suffering by creating a sense of isolation and disconnection from others. In stark contrast, Rumi speaks of ‘visionaries’ who, through their embrace of selflessness, develop a deep empathy for others and a desire to serve, thus alleviating their own suffering.
In the context passage, “Reality is what grabs hold of you and pulls you away from mere things. Reality is not what makes you blind and deaf and causes you to cling more tightly,” Rumi seems to describe reality as an awakening force, a catalyst that draws one away from materialistic pursuits towards authentic connections with others. Clinging to ‘things’, or material possessions, can make one ‘blind and deaf’ to the realities of human connection and shared experience. However, acknowledging this reality liberates us to serve others without attachment to self-gain, cultivating a genuine sense of community and belonging.
In essence, Rumi’s wisdom underscores the transformative power of service, suggesting that selfless acts can be a pathway to personal growth and fulfillment. As we shift our focus from serving ourselves to serving others, we not only contribute to the well-being of our communities but also nurture our own spiritual evolution. Through service, we free ourselves from the constraints of our ego, enabling us to experience a deeper connection with the world around us and usher in a sense of inner peace and contentment.
Jalaluddin Mevlana Rumi, Mathnawi 11:720-722 [Longer Commentary]
The words of Jalaluddin Mevlana Rumi, as translated by Kabir Helminski and Camille Helminski in the Rumi Daybook, bear the weight of centuries, echoing with profound wisdom and a deep understanding of the human condition. The Mathnawi, from which these verses are drawn, is a spiritual guide, helping its readers to navigate the complexities of existence and find their way towards a love for the divine that transcends earthly constraints. In the passages provided, Rumi challenges our perception of reality, encouraging us to transcend material attachments and superficial appearances. These verses ask us to consider what it means to be in touch with a reality that is at once profound and deeply connected to the spiritual essence of existence.
First, the notion that “Reality is what grabs hold of you and pulls you away from mere things” is a direct invitation to the reader to let go of the tangible, the material, and the transitory. It mirrors the Sufi quest for unity with the divine, an aspiration that requires the individual to relinquish worldly attachments. The “mere things” are the distractions and illusions that can bind us to a superficial understanding of existence, preventing us from attaining spiritual enlightenment. On the other hand, reality, in Rumi’s view, is that which illuminates the path to divine love, unshackling us from the confines of our lower selves.
The statement “Reality is not what makes you blind and deaf and causes you to cling more tightly” further underscores Rumi’s view that true reality is not that which obscures but that which reveals. It does not make one “blind and deaf” to the spiritual truths but opens one’s senses to perceive them. It does not incite attachment, but rather facilitates detachment. In relation to the theme “Virtue Is,” we can interpret this to mean that virtue is not the blind adherence to dogma, nor the zealous accumulation of merit. Instead, virtue is the openness to divine reality, the willingness to let go of our ego-driven desires, and the capacity to love selflessly and expansively.
In light of Rumi’s teachings, virtue can be seen as the ability to transcend the limitations of the self and the world, to perceive the spiritual reality that lies beyond mere appearances. It’s about cultivating qualities such as forgiveness, empathy, self-love, and gratitude that enable us to connect deeply with others and ourselves. Virtue is about pursuing passions, changing detrimental habits, and managing our resources wisely, all of which lead to personal growth and contribute to a fulfilling life. Virtue, then, is not just about moral excellence, but also about the richness of spirit and the capacity to engage meaningfully with reality. It is about living fully, vibrantly, and authentically, in alignment with a reality that transcends the ordinary and touches the divine.
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