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Even though our civilization considers such attitudes self-indulgent and
socially irresponsible, Divine Androgynes know that the only way they can make
a truly effective contribution to society is by first validating and
liberating themselves fully. It is not that they are devoid of sensitivity,
responsibility or compassion; they are simply unwilling to handicap their own
explorations in terms of time and energy in order to participate in what they
consider to be a lot of surplus-repression and the naive 'passing out band-aids to seriously wounded people.' It is clear to them that as long as they
lay a prior obligation upon themselves to right all the social wrongs of the
world, then there will be neither time nor energy left for erotic ecstasy or
for the exploration of their own potential fully.
-- The Divine Androgyne According to Purusha
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Don't worry about saving these songs!
And if one of our instruments breaks,
it doesn't matter.
We have fallen into the place
where everything is music.
The strumming and the flute notes
rise into the atmosphere,
and even if the whole world's harp
should burn up, there will still be
hidden instruments playing.
So the candle flickers and goes out.
We have a piece of flint, and a spark
This singing-art is sea foam.
The graceful movements come from a pearl
somewhere on the ocean floor.
Poems reach up like the edge of driftwood
along the beach, wanting and wanting!
They derive
from a slow and powerful root
that we can't see.
Stop the words now.
Open the window in the center of your chest,
and let the spirits fly in and out.
--Rumi (version by Coleman Barks)
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If anyone asks you
how the perfect satisfaction
of all our sexual wanting
will look, lift your face
and say,
Like this.
When someone mentions the gracefulness
of the nightsky, climb up on the roof
and dance and say,
Like this?
If anyone wants to know what "spirit" is
or what "God's fragrance" means,
lean your head toward him or her.
Keep your face there close.
Like this.
When someone quotes the old poetic images
about clouds gradually uncovering the moon,
slowly loosen knot by knot the strings
of your robe.
Like this?
If anyone wonders how Jesus raised the dead,
don't try to explain the miracle.
Kiss me on the lips.
Like this. Like this.
When someone asks what it means
to "die for love," point
here.
If someone asks how tall I am, frown
and measure with your fingers the space
between the creases on your forehead.
This tall
The soul sometimes leaves the body, then returns.
When someone doesn't believe that,
walk back into my house.
Like this.
When lovers moan,
they're telling our story.
Like this.
I am a sky where spirits live.
Stare into this deepening blue,
while the breeze says a secret.
Like this.
When someone asks what there is to do,
light the candle in his hand.
Like this
How did Joseph's scent come to Jacob?
Huuuu .
How did Jacob's sight return?
Huuuu
A little wind cleans the eyes.
Like this.
When Shams comes back from Tabriz,
he'll put just his head around the edge
of the door to surprise us.
Like this.
-- Rumi (version by Coleman Barks)
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