Know the true definition of yourself

Rumi on knowing ourselves

Suppose you know the definitions of all substances
and their derivatives,
what good is this to you?
Know the true definition of yourself.
That is indispensable.
Then, when you know your own definition, flee from it,
that you may attain to the One who cannot be defined,
O sifter of the dust.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Hadd-e a`yān o `araz dānesteh gir
hadd-e khvod-rā dān keh na-bovad zin gozir
Chon be-dāni hadd-e khvod zin hadd goriz
tā beh bi hadd dar resi ay khāk biz

– Mathnawi V:564-565
Version by Camille and Kabir Helminski
“Rumi: Jewels of Remembrance”
Threshold Books, 1996
(Persian transliteration courtesy of Yahyį Monastra)

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All My Posts, Poetry, Rumi, Sufi poetry, Sufism, World Literature Comments 2 Sep 3rd, 2008

2 Responses to “Know the true definition of yourself”

  1. “Know the true definition of yourself” « memoirs of an errant king Says:
    September 10th, 2008 at 7:24 pm

    [...] Jahane Rumi) Posted in Rumi [...]

  2. 2Da1 Says:
    September 21st, 2008 at 10:42 am

    Very inspirational, thanks for sharing.

    Peace.

    2Da1

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