Rumi's Little Book of the Heart

Be honest dear heart, broken and abashed, how can you still chase love? Without a drop of water how dare you enter the raging fire of love? Tell me foolish heart, what can I do with you?

There are no signposts in the desert, caravans are guided by the stars. In the darkness of despair hope is the only light. But in the garden of your life, my dear, never hope that a weeping willow will give you dates.

Awakened by your love, I flicker like a candle's light trying to hold on in the dark. Yet, you spare me no blows and keep asking, “Why do you complain?”

With friends you grow wings. Alone you are a single feather in disgrace. With them you master the wind, but alone, you're blown in all directions.

With love you don't bargain there, the choice is not yours. Love is a mirror, it reflects only your essence, if you have the courage to look in its face.

heart is like a candle longing to be lit. Torn from The Beloved it yearns to be whole again, but you have to bear the pain. You cannot learn about love. Love appears on the wings of grace.

My heart is so small it's almost invisible. How can You place such big sorrows in it? “Look,” He answered, “your eyes are even smaller, yet they behold the world.”

Beyond a hundred steps of wisdom, I will be free from good and bad. Behind the veils I will find such Splendor, such Beauty that I will fall in love with Myself.

The early breeze at dawn is the keeper of secrets. Don't go back to sleep! It is time for prayer, time to find what is your real need. Don't go back to sleep! The door of the One is open, always. Don't go back to sleep!