Rumi's Masnavi - Hear (one) of the sayings related from the Chiefest of the Chief (the Prophet): “No prayer is complete without ‘presence’ (concentration of the mind on God).”

Hear (one) of the sayings related from the Chiefest of the Chief (the Prophet): “No prayer is complete without ‘presence’ (concentration of the mind on God).”

If there is no thievish mouse in our barn, where is the corn of forty years' works (of devotion)?

Why is the daily sincerity (of our devotions) not being stored, bit by bit, in this barn of ours?

Many a star (spark) of fire shot forth from the iron (of good works), and that burning heart received (it) and drew (it) in;

But in the darkness a hidden thief is laying his finger upon the stars, 385

Extinguishing the stars one by one, that no lamp may shine from the (spiritual) sky.

Though there be thousands of snares at our feet, when Thou art with us there is not any trouble.

Every night Thou freest the spirits from the body's snare, and dost erase (the impressions on) the tablets (of the mind).

The spirits are set free every night from this cage, independent, neither ruling nor ruled by anyone.

At night prisoners are unconscious of their prison, at night governors are unconscious of their power. 390

There is no sorrow, no thought of gain or loss, no fancy of this person or that person.

This is the state of the ‘árif (gnostic), even without sleep: God said, (Thou wouldst deem them awake) whilst they slept. Shy not at this.

He is asleep, day and night, to the affairs of the world, like a pen in the hand of the Lord's control.

One who sees not the hand in the writing thinks (that) the act (of writing proceeds) from the pen by means of movement.

He (God) hath shown forth some part of this state of the ‘árif, (inasmuch as) the intellect too is carried off (overtaken) by sleep of the senses. 395

Their souls are gone into the desert that is without description: their spirits and bodies are at rest;

And with a whistle thou leadest them back to the snare, leadest them all (back) to justice and to the judge.

Like Isráfíl (Seraphiel), He (God) who causes the dawn to break brings them all from those lands (of spirit) into (the world of) form.

He embodies the spirits divested (of body), He makes each body pregnant (laden) again (with actions and works).

He makes the steed of the souls bare of saddle: this is the inner meaning of “Sleep is the brother of Death”; 400

But in order that they may return in the daytime, He puts a long tether on their leg,

So that in the daytime He may lead it back from that meadow and bring it from the pasture (to go) under the load.

Would that He had guarded this spirit as the Men of the Cave or as the Ark of Noah,

That this mind and eye and ear might be delivered from the Flood of wakefulness and consciousness!

Oh, in the world there is many a Man of the Cave beside you, before you, at this time: 405