March 6, 2008

March 6, 2008

87. Gathering Gems

Al-Jame

When you are guided to this pathway, take the opportunity to enjoy the process of gathering, whether of people in your life or the resources you need at this moment. See the process as gathering parts of yourself that you can help you better reflect your purpose in life.

Perhaps life is calling you to help an outer community form a circle. Each voice is another unique gemstone through which the One Being’s light can pass. Your role may be to help all the gems become aware that they are part of the Beloved’s rosary. Or, you may need to gather resources to make a new start in your own life. This pathway can teach you to enjoy and learn from the gathering part of the process, rather than to simply see it as a means to an end. Or, it may be time to gather in a circle of your inner self if it has been a while since you have done so.

--Neil Douglas Klotz, Sufi Book of Life

DON'T BE BITTER MY FRIEND
you'll regret it soon
hold to your togetherness
or surely you'll scatter

don't walk away gloomy
from this garden
you'll end up like an owl
dwelling in old ruins

face the war and
be a warrior like a lion
or you'll end up like a pet
tucked away in a barn

once you conquer
your selfish self
all your darkness
will change to light

"RUMI, Fountain of Fire", ghazal number 3299,
translated 4 December 1991 by Nader Khalili,
Burning Gate Press, Los Angeles, 1994.



It hurts to be a warrior sometimes...but bitterness with pain?  No thank you...

My life hurts sometimes, but it IS sweet.

ALA!!!

Hakima