Here is my interpretation of Rumi’s poem called ‘Quietness’
Inside this new love, die.
Your way begins only on the other side.
Become the sky.
Take an axe to the prison wall.
Escape.
This poem is for someone who has had a spiritual awakening. Rumi says that in this love that you have for your true self, die. Because only after dying i.e., killing your ego will your journey truly begin. You have to become a new you, the ‘real’ you. Your real self is limitless like the Cosmos. Break down all the barriers and the conditioning that you have. Let go of who you are. Run away.
Walk out like someone suddenly born into color.
Do it now.
You’re covered with thick cloud.
Slide out the side. Die,
Now that you are in the state of awareness, try to do the needful right away. All our beliefs and ideas are conditioned to us since our birth. They make us hazy as if we are covered by a cloud, going through life aimless – following them. Slip through this haze of society and escape.
and be quiet. Quietness is the surest sign
that you’ve died.
Your old running was a frantic running
from silence.
Kill your old ‘ego’ or ‘conditioned’ self. And remain still. Remain in that state of bliss, wisdom and silence. As that is the best way to get more wisdom and clarity. The old ego-self was just an attempt of avoiding what our true nature holds.
The speechless full moon
comes out now.
The real soul will come out now after the awakening.
Taken from The Essential Rumi
translated by Coleman Barks
Image credit : me 🙂
