As I enter the solitude of prayer
I put these matters to Him, for He knows
That's my prayer-time habit, to turn and talk
That's why it's said "My heart delights in prayer"
Through pureness a window opens in my soul
God's message comes immediate to me
Through my window the Book, the rain and light
all pour into my room from gleaming source
Hell's the room in which there is no window
To open windows, that's religion's goal
Rumi's Masnavi 3: 2400-2404
The Windows above found here
There are so many overlaps and parallels on prayer by those who practice the same and describe this experience.
ReplyDeleteSo, although in my own tradition, I admit I know little about Origen except that he was a prolific writer and a devout and learned scholar/teacher of the early Church) He is both loved and despised by many depending on their viewpoints as some of his beliefs were considered out of the ordinary. (Such as his belief in the eventual acceptance into heaven (by God) of all; and that neither carrying arms nor the death penalty were called for by those of God in his time and onward (with possible exeptions for absolute necessity for defense)
Here's an extract from Origen on Prayer:
"I believe the words of the prayer of the (devout) to be full of power above all when praying ‘with the spirit,’ they pray ‘also with the understanding,’ which is like a light rising from the suppliant’s mind and proceeding from his lips to gradually weaken by the power of God the mental venom injected by the adverse powers into the intellect of such as neglect prayer ...‘Pray without ceasing.’...the whole life of a (devout one) is as one great continuous prayer.
"Through pureness a window opens in my soul
ReplyDelete...
To open windows, that's religion's goal"
Memorized...
The Masnavi you're referring to, is written in which language? Farsi?
Thank You for coming by, rlZ - it's good to see your comment here.
ReplyDeleteI admit I don't know much about how Rumi's Masnavi came to be so translated into English and hope this is quite like Rumi's original Persian. You tell me, is that similar to Farsi as spoken today if you know? I love finding a translator who knows the original if possible.
Just in case interested, here below is an interesting collection of comments. This is not the same article which I found but includes the same piece at the end.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2010/jan/11/islam-rumi-grace-poetry
Thanks CN,
ReplyDeleteGone through this whole as well:
http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ENG0134/__PQ.HTM
Met with tears :D
I'll post whole of that (Moses and the Shepherd) someday.
Yeah I'll love to learn Farsi as well. But time constraints don't allow me :s
Regarding the Rumi's version and the version of Farsi spoken today, KAS and AWD can help.
Languages prosper and grow, so yes, there's a chance that both versions will be different.
It's powerful, mm... in "translated" version, Don't have any idea what the original version will do :D
Thanks for the post.
Yes, I know what you mean about "met with tears" - some truths penetrate way beyond the usual for me. I want/need soon to ask KAS and AWD more about the "translations" and Farsi of today. Thanx for the reminder. Also, I hope not to miss any such posts by you.
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