Rumi's Masnavi - This topic is beyond limit and measure. “Now, O Ayáz, tell of thy ‘states.’

This topic is beyond limit and measure. “Now, O Ayáz, tell of thy ‘states.’ 3635

Thy ‘states’ are from the mine of novelty: how shouldst thou be satisfied with thee vulgar ‘states’?

Hark, tell the story of those goodly ‘states’- dust (be thrown) upon the ‘states’ and lessons of the five (elements) and the six (directions)!”

If the inward “state” is not to be told, (yet) I will tell thee the outward “state” in a word or two,

(Namely), that by grace of the Beloved the bitternesses of death were made sweeter than sugar-cane to the soul.

If the dust from that sugar-cane should enter the sea, all the bitterness of the sea would become sweet. 3640

Even so a hundred thousand “states” came (hither) and went back to the Unseen, O trusted one.

Each day’s “state” is not like (that of) the day before: (they are passing) as a rive that hath no obstacle in its course.

Each day’s joy is of a different kind, each day’s thought makes a different impression.

Comparison of the human body to a guest-house and of the diverse thoughts to the diverse guests. The gnostic, acquiescing in those thoughts of sorrow or joy, resembles a hospitable person who treats strangers with kindness., like Khalíl (Abraham); for Khalíl’s door was always open to receive his guest with honour— infidel and true believer and trusty and treacherous alike; and he would show a cheerful face to all his guests.

This body, O youth, is a guest house: every morning a new guest comes running (into it).