بخش 46 - لیس للماضین هم الموت انما لهم حسرة الفوت

That captain of mankind has said truly that no one who has passed away from this world

Feels sorrow and regret and disappointment on account of death; nay, but he feels a hundred regrets for having missed the opportunity,

Saying (to himself), “Why did not I make death my object —(death, which is) the store-house of every fortune and every provision—

(And why), through seeing double, did I make the lifelong object of my attention those phantoms that vanished at the fated hour?”

The grief of the dead is not on account of death; it is because (so they say) “we dwelt upon the (phenomenal) forms,

And this we did not perceive, that those are (mere) form and foam, (and that) the foam is moved and fed by the Sea.”

When the Sea has cast the foam-flakes on the shore, go to the graveyard and behold those flakes of foam!

Then say (to them), “Where is your movement and gyration (now)? The Sea has cast you into the crisis (of a deadly malady)”—

In order that they may say to you, not with their lips but implicitly, “Ask this question of the Sea, not of us.”

How should the foam-like (phenomenal) form move without the wave? How should the dust rise to the zenith without a wind?

Since you have perceived the dust, namely, the form, perceive the wind; since you have perceived the foam, perceive the ocean of Creative Energy.

Come, perceive (it), for insight (is the only thing) in you (that) avails: the rest of you is a piece of fat and flesh, a weft and warp (of bones, muscles, etc.).

Your fat never increased the light in candles, your flesh never became roastmeat for any one drunken with (spiritual) wine.

Dissolve the whole of this body of yours in vision: pass into sight, pass into sight, into sight!

One sight perceives (only) two yards of the road; another sight has beheld the two worlds and the Face of the King.

Between these twain there is an incalculable difference: seek the collyrium—and God best knoweth the things occult.

Since you have heard the description of the sea of non-existence, continually endeavour to stand (depend) upon this sea.

Inasmuch as the foundation of the workshop is that non-existence which is void and traceless and empty,

(And inasmuch as) all master-craftsmen seek non-existence and a place of breakage for the purpose of exhibiting their skill,

Necessarily the Lord (who is) the Master of (all) masters— His workshop is non-existence and naught.

Wherever this non-existence is greater, (the more manifest) in that quarter is the work and workshop of God.

Since the highest stage is non-existence, the dervishes have outstripped all (others),

Especially the dervish that has become devoid of body and (worldly) goods: poverty (deprivation) of body is the (important) matter, not beggary.

The beggar is he whose (worldly) goods have melted away; the contented man is he who has gambled away (sacrificed) his body.

Therefore do not now complain of affliction, for it is a smooth-paced horse (carrying you) towards non- existence.

We have said so much: think of the remainder, (or) if thought be frozen (unable to move), practise recollection (of God).

Recollection (of God) brings thought into movement: make recollection to be the sun for this congealed (thought).

(God's) pulling is, indeed, the original source; but, O fellow-servant, exert yourself, do not be dependent on that pulling;

For to renounce exertion is like an act of disdain: how should disdain be seemly for a devoted lover (of God)?

O youth, think neither of acceptance nor refusal: regard always the (Divine) command and prohibition.

(Then) suddenly the bird, namely, the (Divine) attraction, will fly from its nest (towards you): put out the candle as soon as you see the dawn.

When the eyes have become piercing, ’tis its (the dawn's) light (that illumines them): in the very husk it (the illumined eye) beholds the kernels.

In the mote it beholds the everlasting Sun, in the drop (of water) it beholds the entire Sea.