Ruminations
Submitted by daniel.budd on Tue, 01/26/2010 - 9:20pm.
We're going to shift a century this time - from the 13th century of Rumi to the 14th century of Hafiz.
Hafiz was a Sufi and a poet, like Rumi, and just as well-loved. A translation of his poetry by Daniel Ladinsky, "The Gift," is one of the top-selling poetry books in the U.S. In one of the poems in that book, we find this line: "I have found the power to say no to any actions that might harm myself or another."
In case you don't think mystics have anything to say to the "real world," read that again. Then think of our current health care debate. What would it look like if those in office, who seem to specialize in playing a shell game of special interests, took that to heart? It would certainly be a different debate. In it, they probably would have to compromise. Instead of compassionate, affordable, accessible health care for all, we would have to settle for the same health care plan our representatives and senators get.
I'd take that. And then we can start talking about pensions and retirement plans..... Says Hafiz: "Now is the time to know that all that you do is sacred." Spend a week starting your day with that thought, and see how everything goes....
Hafiz was a Sufi and a poet, like Rumi, and just as well-loved. A translation of his poetry by Daniel Ladinsky, "The Gift," is one of the top-selling poetry books in the U.S. In one of the poems in that book, we find this line: "I have found the power to say no to any actions that might harm myself or another."
In case you don't think mystics have anything to say to the "real world," read that again. Then think of our current health care debate. What would it look like if those in office, who seem to specialize in playing a shell game of special interests, took that to heart? It would certainly be a different debate. In it, they probably would have to compromise. Instead of compassionate, affordable, accessible health care for all, we would have to settle for the same health care plan our representatives and senators get.
I'd take that. And then we can start talking about pensions and retirement plans..... Says Hafiz: "Now is the time to know that all that you do is sacred." Spend a week starting your day with that thought, and see how everything goes....