Rumi's Masnavi - And says, “O God, do not bring me (back) to my body, (but let me alone) in order that I may walk as a prince in this garden.”

And says, “O God, do not bring me (back) to my body, (but let me alone) in order that I may walk as a prince in this garden.”

God says to him, “Thy prayer is granted: go not back”—and God best knoweth the right course.

Consider how delightful is such a dream! Without having seen death, he (the dreamer) goes into Paradise. 1725

Does he feel any regret for (his former) wakefulness and for the body (which he has left) in chains at the bottom of the dungeon?

(If) thou art a true believer, come now, enter the ranks of battle, for a feast has been (prepared) for thee in Heaven.

In the hope of journeying upwards, (arise and) take thy stand before the mihráb, (to pray and weep) like a candle, O youth!

Let thy tears fall like rain, and burn (be ardent) in search (aspiration) all night long, like the candle beheaded (by the flame).

Close thy lips against food and drink: hasten towards the Heavenly table. 1730

Continually keep thy hope (fixed) on Heaven, dancing (quivering) like the willow in desire for Heaven.

Continually from Heaven (spiritual) water and fire will be coming to thee and increasing thy provision.

If it (thy aspiration) bear thee thither, ’tis no wonder: do not regard thy weakness, regard thy search (aspiration);

For this search is God's pledge (deposited) within thee, because every seeker deserves something sought (by him).

Strive that this search may increase, so that thy heart (spirit) may escape from this bodily dungeon. 1735

People will say, “Poor so-and-so is dead,” (but) thou wilt say, “I am living, O ye heedless ones!

Though my body, like (other) bodies, is laid to rest, the Eight Paradises have blossomed in my heart.”

When the spirit is lying at rest amidst roses and eglantines, what does it matter if the body is (buried) in that dung?

What should the spirit (thus) laid asleep know of the body, (or care) whether it (the body) is in a rose-garden or an ashpit?

(For) in the bright (celestial) world the spirit is crying, “Oh, would that my people knew!” 1740

If the spirit shall not live without this body, then for whom shall Heaven be the palace (of everlasting abode)?

If thy spirit shall not live without the body, for whom is the blessing (promised in the words) in Heaven is your provision?

Explaining the banefulness of the fat and sweet things of the World and how they hinder one from (receiving) the Food of God, as he (the Prophet) hath said—“Hunger is the Food of God with which He revives the bodies of the true (witnesses to Him),” i.e. in hunger the Food of God is (forthcoming); and he hath said, “I pass the night with my Lord and He gives me food and drink”; and God hath said, “being provided for, rejoicing.”

(If) you are delivered from this provision of gross scraps, you will fall to (eating) dainty viands and noble food.

(Even) if you are eating a hundred pounds' weight of His viands, you will depart pure and light as a peri;

For they will not make you a prisoner of (incapacitated by) wind and dysentery and crucify you with gripes. 1745

(In the case of material food) if you eat (too) little, you will remain hungry like the crow; and if you eat your fill, you will suffer from eructation.

If you eat (too) little, (the result will be) ill-temper and anaemia and consumption; if you eat your fill, your body will incur (the penalty of) indigestion.