Thursday, September 01, 2011
Poem by Hafiz
Cast All Your Votes For Dancing
I know the voice of depression
Still calls to you.
I know those habits that can ruin your life
Still send their invitations.
But you are with the Friend now
And look so much stronger.
You can stay that way
And even bloom!
Keep squeezing drops of the Sun
From your prayers and work and music
And from your companions' beautiful laughter.
Keep squeezing drops of the Sun
From the sacred hands and glance of your Beloved
And, my dear,
From the most insignificant movements
Of your own holy body.
Learn to recognize the counterfeit coins
That may buy you just a moment of pleasure,
But then drag you for days
Like a broken man
Behind a farting camel.
You are with the Friend now.
Learn what actions of yours delight Him,
What actions of yours bring freedom
And Love.
Whenever you say God's name, dear pilgrim,
My ears wish my head was missing
So they could finally kiss each other
And applaud all your nourishing wisdom!
O keep squeezing drops of the Sun
From your prayers and work and music
And from your companions' beautiful laughter
And from the most insignificant movements
Of your own holy body.
Now, sweet one,
Be wise.
Cast all your votes for Dancing!
- Hafiz
I had just read about a new movie called "Happiness" (with Richard Gere, the Dalai Lama and other notables) when I came across this poem. It seemed the perfect answer. According to the information on the movie site, the world is now suffering an epidemic of depression (emotional, not financial). Certainly, the world today is filled with massive problems, personal and global. The movie focuses on four teenagers from Santa Cruz, California, who are trying to deal with the challenge of relating to the world they have inherited and discovering the path to happiness.
Personally, I do not believe that happiness is achieved by making it a goal in itself, but rather it is a by product of devotion to what is divine in the universe (and thus in ourselves) and dedication to service of whatever kind. Kundalini is of great help in this effort, because it can put us in touch with what is most sacred and joyous within ourselves, and thus help us to love both self and others.
