Essential Rumi, Coleman Barks

This poem first came to my attention in 1995. I was in a nature based program and this poem had a significant impact on my experience. It has stayed with me over the years, coming and going while I go back to sleep. I invite you to take a few moments and read the poem out loud a few times prior to reading this blog.

I recently realized that I’ve been “living” this poem for most of the past 17 years. It does come and go but all of the sudden a line from the poem will show up in my thoughts.  While this poem is short and appears to be simple there is depth. Apparently, a depth that has captured my attention for 17 years.  Below are some of the ways this poem has lived me for all these years.

The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you. Being a camper and avid hiker for many years, I’ve had the honor of being in nature during the dawn. So what kind of secrets does to the dawn whisper to us as we wake up into our day out of the dreaminess of night? At times I’ve had the conscious experience of waking up from another world into this one.  It can be disconcerting. So which world is the real one? And what are those secrets that are whispered as dawn awakens the world? Who or what is the whisperer?

The line that has really grabbed me is “You must ask for what you really want.” There are so many different interpretations of this line and I’ve probably toyed or investigated around 10-12 of them. I always come back to who is the you asking and what does “really want” mean. I know the me asking is not the person who was raised and lived within our monetized culture of separateness. The you asking is the one who wants to create a story of unification and oneness within our culture and lives. The want becomes a mirror for the one who is asking. Now that’s a mind bender.

Then the poem talks about another realm with a door that is round and open. The door is where the two worlds touch. These lines lead to all kinds of questions, mysterious openings and maybe wisdom. So one thing that I just got recently is that the door is round and open. This tells that the way or experience I’m looking for is already there, ready, waiting and open for any of us to step through. In fact, people are passing back and forth across the doorsill.

Maybe I’m not looking for a door to open maybe I’m looking for a doorsill where the two worlds touch.  All I need to do is step, float or crawl across the doorsill. Easy, right? Then what are these two worlds? And they are touching at this doorsill. What is the significance of these worlds touching? Does it mean that if I crossover the doorsill, I am in another world? That sounds kinda scary. It seems that there is much mystery and playfulness in these lines with a very powerful imagery of invitation. Now that’s delicious to delve into for years.

“Don’t go back to sleep.” Of course, we will we always do go back to sleep. It’s the human condition to forget the magnificent creatures we are. To forget how much we are made to love and care deeply for many things and people. There is no limit to our capacity other than that which we place upon ourselves. By going back to sleep we forget the beauty and gift this life is. It almost seems like we can’t take knowing the truth of ourselves when we act in full concert with the universe or God. So we fall back to sleep. But, oh, when we awaken, how wonder filled life becomes. To be awake no matter how short a time is the blessing we all provide to each other.

I’m honored by your time and attention by reading this blog. Much gratitude.