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Work in the Invisible

 

The prophets have wondered to themselves, "How long

should we keep pounding

 

this cold iron?  How long do we have to whisper into an

empty cage?  Every motion

 

of created beings comes from the creator.  The first soul

pushes, and your second

 

soul responds, beginning, so don't stay timid.  Load the ship

and set out.  No one knows

 

for certain whether the vessel will sink or reach the harbor.

Cautious people say, "I'll

 

do nothing until I can be sure."  Merchants know better.

If you do nothing, you lose.

 

Don't be one of those merchants who won't risk the ocean!

This is much more important

 

than losing or making money.  This is your connection to god!

You must set fire to have

 

Light.  Trust means you're ready to risk what you currently

have. Think of your fear and

 

hope about your livelihood.  They make you go to work

diligently every day. Now

 

consider what the prophets have done.  Abraham wore fire

for an anklet.  Moses spoke

 

to the sea.  David molded iron.  Solomon rode the wind.

Work in the invisible world

 

at least as hard as you do in the visible.  Be companions

with the prophets even though

 

no one here will know that you are not even the helpers of

the quth, the abdals.  You

 

can't imagine what profit will come!  When one of those

generous ones invites you

 

into his fire, go quickly!  Don't say, "But will it burn

me?  Will it hurt?"

 

            Rumi, (trans. By Coleman Barks)

 

Quth:  a spiritual being, or function that can reside in a human or several humans, or in a moment.  Abdals are helpers of the quth.