Become placeless in the Unity, make your place in the essence of annihilation; every head which possesses duality put on a Christian neck.
In the cage of being, before this bird of sanctity flies on the wing, make it sugar-cracking in thankfulness.
Since you were drunk in pre-eternity, seize the sword of post-eternity, like a Turk plunder the Hindu-Bay of existence.
Filter and purify the dregs of your separate being, and fill that glass of true reality with pure wine.
So long as you are a snake of earth, how shall you be a fish of religion? Snake, when you have become a fish, then charge into the sea.
Observe the beast, how it holds its head towards the earth; if you are a man, why then, lift your head towards the heights.
When in Adam’s school you have become intimate with God, sit on the high throne of the King and teach the Names.
If you desire the kingship of ill¯a, proceed first to l¯a; seize the broom from l¯a and become a sweeper of things.
If you intend to journey, go on the mount of meaning, and if it be so that you take up residence, let it be in the green dome of heaven.
Be like the sufferer from dropsy who is never satiated; however high you get, strive to rise still higher.
Every spirit that has an aim keeps his face to the door; you aim at this madness, so turn your head towards madness.
The body is not without a shadow, and the shadow cannot be bright; fly towards the window and make your flight unaccompanied.
Following Majn¯un’s rule, be an agent of turmoil, for this love is declaring, “Make yourself quit of reason!”
Become at once a burning fire, and become roasted and wellbrowned; become at once drunk and wine, seize fast without either.
Become at once secretive and intimate, be silent and become companion; at once become us and become ours, likewise be servant to us.
Lest the Christian should steal into your monastery, now be a lover of the girdle, now aim at the cross.
You have become learned, but only in existential learning; go without existential eyes, make your eyes see.
A moses with the character of Khid.ar, Shams al-H. aqq-i Tabr¯ız¯ı—lay your head at his foot, seek the White Hand.
