Rumi, Movement, and Leaving my car a mystery

This morning I was listening to Speaking of Faith with Krista Tippetts. This particular show was on the Sufi poet and teacher, Rumi.  The guest quoted Rumi as having said something beautiful connected to the dance of the Dervishes, and it connects to several other thoughts I’ve been having lately. 

If you don’t plow the Earth it becomes hard and nothing will grow on it.  Just plow the earth of yourself–get moving. Don’t ask exactly what will happen—simply begin to move and see what comes of it.

Similarly, though in another vein, I remember someone saying something along the lines of keeping their car a mystery.  When asked for further clarification he said, ” If I take my car apart I’ll probably understand it better, but it just won’t drive any more.” 

This twin sense of simply beginning to move, to spin in circles, to plow the other, to resist taking the car apart, seems noteworthy this morning. 

Who do I say I love when I love my God…a promise…a call…a mystery…a Love and a Lover… and these are the things I myself become as I join that dance.

Three Travelers Tell Their Dreams

Three devout men are traveling together…a Jew, a Muslim, and a Christ follower…this is incidental to the story…

They each had a deep and personal knowledge of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. As they traveled they discussed many things and while they disagreed deeply on several finer points of faith and religion, they admired one another and learned from each other. Each had a secret way of being with the Mystery, unique and not to be judged.

Their journey was long and over the months their rations were greatly reduced to a single loaf of halva (a delicious Middle Eastern cake substance). Each looked hungrily at the halva, wishing it was his. They debated on how they could partake of the survival giving nourishment. Finally, being men of great faith, they agreed that they would go to sleep that evening and allow themselves to dream. Whoever, they said, had the deepest dream–the one of most significance–would receive the halva.

When they arose they shared their dreams. The Jewish man began by describing the journey of his soul: “I met Moses on the road to Sinai. There was an open door and light within light. Mt. Sinai and Moses and I merged into one and I realized that our lives are the fulfillment of the Law.” They all agreed that this was a true dream.

Then the Muslim sighed. “Muhammed came to me,” he said “and took me to a vast expanse in paradise…a pure and vast region of which there was no end… The Prophet told me that this was the reaches of my own soul…undefined and endless…” This was beautiful, each acknowledged.

Finally the follower of Christ spoke. “Jesus came to me and told me where you two had gone. ‘You wretch,’ he said, ‘you’ve been left behind! You may as well get up and eat something!”

They all erupted into laughter. “How could I disobey such glory?” asked the disciple.

“You’re right,” they say “Yours in the truest dream, because it had immediate effect in your waking life.”

What matters then is how quickly you do what your soul directs…this is the meaning of faith.

–An adaptation of an ancient parable of Rumi from the 13th century.