Yunus Emre: That by which our hearts are held
Photo:16th Century Ottoman
Islamic Calligraphy; Translation: 'He hears our supplications'.
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That by which our hearts are held,
whole worlds love it too.
I can't deny the truth --
many ways lead to the One.
Those whom the Beloved loves,
we must also love.
If someone is a friend to the Friend,
how can we afford not to be friends?
If you would be a lover,
befriend him who loves your Friend;
and if you cannot,
don't call yourself a friend of mine.
Whomever you tend to despise,
hold dear instead.
Don't belittle others, respect them.
This is where the path leads.
If your heart is filled with love,
your way is sacrifice.
Through sacrifice you will find your place
in the ranks of Love.
Hearts which truly love the Truth,
Truth will open a door wide.
Dismantle the house of selfishness.
Put away your self-regard.
High and low, enemy, neighbor,
the Friend serves them all.
Whoever wants to spread this word
must first go out of his home.
This counsel that Yunus gives
is like buried gold.
Those who love the Friend
find peace in both worlds.
(Yunus Emre)
whole worlds love it too.
I can't deny the truth --
many ways lead to the One.
Those whom the Beloved loves,
we must also love.
If someone is a friend to the Friend,
how can we afford not to be friends?
If you would be a lover,
befriend him who loves your Friend;
and if you cannot,
don't call yourself a friend of mine.
Whomever you tend to despise,
hold dear instead.
Don't belittle others, respect them.
This is where the path leads.
If your heart is filled with love,
your way is sacrifice.
Through sacrifice you will find your place
in the ranks of Love.
Hearts which truly love the Truth,
Truth will open a door wide.
Dismantle the house of selfishness.
Put away your self-regard.
High and low, enemy, neighbor,
the Friend serves them all.
Whoever wants to spread this word
must first go out of his home.
This counsel that Yunus gives
is like buried gold.
Those who love the Friend
find peace in both worlds.
(Yunus Emre)
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Source and Recommended Reading:
'The Drop That Became the Sea: Lyric Poems'
By Yunus Emre (Author), Kabir Helminski (Author), Refik Algan (Author)
Purchase Book:
Amazon.com
Amazon.co.uk
Description:
This collection of poems introduces a general readership to Yunus Emre (1240-1321), called the "greatest folk poet in Islam" An unlettered Turkish shepherd who sang mystical songs that are still popular today, he was the first in a great tradition of Turkish Sufi troubadours who celebrated the Divine Presence as the intimate Beloved and Friend. Yunus's verse conveys the spirit and philosophy of Islamic mysticism in simple, earthy language.
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