Rumi- My Faith and Heresy

I said:
O friend, are you truly my beloved?
I gaze at you and see that you are my soul
if you gave up on me
I would change my religion
you are my faith and my heresy both

Reference~ Rumi

The 99 Percent World

The familiar reality is the 1 percent world in which we live, yet there is another side to this curtain-the 99 percent-and it is ultimately far more important.  According to Kabbalah, the 99 percent realm is the source of all lasting fulfillment.  All knowledge, wisdom, and joy dwell in this realm.  This is the domain the Kabbalists call Light.  Whenever we experience joy, we've made contact with this realm through some action that has taken place in the 1 percent realm.

So, here we are, in touch with a microscopic portion of reality as we desperately search it for fulfillment of our deepest desires.  Some of us turn to science, some to traditional religion, some to drugs.  Some pursue wealth and power.  But the inner void remains.  We feel insignificant, helpless, unhappy, and out of control, starving for spiritual sustenance, meaning, and positive change.

Reference~ The Power of Kabbalah by Yehuda Berg 

The Story of Sapphire and Arion: Sapphire Births The Wounded Warrior

Sapphire no longer grasped for Arion's fading memory.  She had chosen the path towards the Great Eastern Sun.  It would challenge her every step into the unknown.  But in facing her fears she went beyond them.

It was Arion's presence she deeply recognized inside of her.  It multiplied her sufferings.  She allowed herself to feel it's sadness.  Doubt was now completely banished from her mind.  Sapphire became gentle towards her new awareness and this expanded her field of vision. She could see the Great Eastern Sun in all it's glory.  She moved towards it with fearlessness and detachment from the setting sun world.  

Arion traveled towards the Great Eastern Sun, but on a different path.  Sapphire had promised Arion that her heart would always remain open.  Her sadness she embraced; expanding her heart she birthed the wounded warrior.

The Lover and The Beloved- Part 5

~They asked the Lover: 'Whereof is Love born, whereon does it live, and wherefore does it die?'  The Lover answered: 'Love is born of remembrance, it lives on understanding, it dies through forgetfulness.'

~The Lover forgot all that was beneath the high heavens that his understanding might soar the higher towards a knowledge of the Beloved, whom his will desired to comprehend, to contemplate, praise, and preach.

~The Lover desired to attain to the farthest goal of his love for the Beloved; and other objects blocked his path.  For this cause his longing desires and thoughts gave the Lover sorrow and grief.

~The Lover was glad, and rejoiced in the greatness of his Beloved.  But afterwards the Lover was sad because of overmuch thought and reflection.  And he knew not which he felt the more deeply- the joys or the sorrows.

~Imprisoned was the Lover in the prison of Love.  Thoughts, desires and memories held and enchained him lest he might flee from his Beloved.  Griefs tormented him; patience and hope consoled him.  And the Lover was dying, but the Beloved revealed to him His presence, and the Lover revived.

~The Lover was wiping away the tears which for Love's sake he had shed, that none should see the sufferings which the Beloved sent him.  But the Beloved said: 'Why wouldst thou hide from others these marks of thy love? Behold, I have given them to thee that others may love and honour Me also.'

Reference~Book of the Lover and the Beloved, Ramon Lull

Your Want

You hide your want from others view,
It remains barred up, neglected, not used.
The world through your eyes is big and fake,
But now you worry about what others will think.
Your art is inside of your mind,
A treasure waiting for you to find.
Take the risk and bare your soul,
And God will turn your sufferings into gold.

The Lover's Trials

A question was boldly asked, "How do we know you saw the Beloved's face?"
The Lover replied, "God is my witness."

A question was asked out of suspicion and doubt, "Can you describe the Beloved?"
The Lover replied, "Gazing into the eyes of my Beloved, I only saw myself."

A question was asked out of envy, "How then would you describe your encounter?"
The Lover replied, "Pure joy."

A question was asked out of concern for what the Lover now has to endure, "How do you now live in this world if your love is of another world?"
The Lover replied, "Through faith, devotion, and love that the Beloved's presence is now in me."

A question was asked out of curiosity, "What would you be willing to sacrifice for the Beloved?"
The Lover replied, "My life."

Wisdom

God blesses everyone who has wisdom and common sense.  Wisdom is worth more than silver: it makes you much richer than gold.  Wisdom is more valuable than precious jewels: nothing you want compares with her.  Proverbs 3:13-15