Rumi in the World: July 2021
/Rumi’s teachings invite us to an inward journey. This journey takes us from the path of duality to the path of Unity. Body, mind and soul unify only when we pay attention to the world within us. In this section, from our Monthly Newsletter, we relate Rumi and his wisdoms to the world around us — whether this means current events, culture, philosophies, and much more. We examine how his wisdoms can be used to navigate our every day and to help us understand different aspects of life…
“There is a Lakota proverb that says simply, “today is a good day to die.” This sentiment, found within Rumi’s work as well as within Christian teachings, is not a call for self harm, but a reminder that shedding old skin can be done on a small scale, not just within a larger ceremony or weekly communion. Everyday there is an opportunity for greater awareness of the self, an opportunity to reject a negative pattern, to consciously decide to choose love over fear and to plant the seed of a more positive behavior. Deeply distressing situations force the mind to become reactive and defensive in order to survive. Like a float that one clings to in stormy waters, these feelings, once necessary for survival, are scary to let go of even after the mind is returned to safety, and the shore is in sight. In turn, they continue to permeate our lives and affect our decisions and reactions even in safety. In recognizing the ways our reactions are based in fear, the root of that fear can be dissolved in a pool of love. Today is a good day to let go of parts of the self that bring more suffering than they do peace, creating space for a more loving and empowered tomorrow.”
