Do we really understand what we are saying no to when we abstain from the things that make being a human being so gratifying and satisfying? Hafiz, in this poem, seems to press us into examining our intentions and not be so hasty in turning away from what we are gifted to experience. We have free will and while a yes may have consequence, often so does a no. The season will pass and we will need to live on with whatever choice we made for whatever reason. The reason better be one that goes the distance or we will be revisiting it periodically. The focus on survival and accomplishment will pass and mean very little if we do it all because of a fear of death or failure. Hafiz reminds us that what is essential of our lives is already here. It doesn't require strife. It requires opening.
Be courageous when bravery means denying a fear and opening up to loving life.
Thank you for listening.
music: https://pixabay.com/music/world-arabic-sadness-13404/
Music: Sara Bareillis, (who hails from my birthplace and made good with it) puts it out there clear enough in this song, Brave. The root word of courage is heart (from the Latin cor). Being courageous for others is one thing but doing it for yourself will change your life and open your heart in a way that doing for others can never touch. It is good to be brave for others and is harder to be courageous for the self because there is so much skin in the game ( as the old idiom goes). The skin being ours. Being courageous for the self is big medicine.
The original post in this series of poems by Hafiz (including an addendum regarding the authenticity of these poems) can be found here.
The Gift: Poems by Hafiz and translated by Daniel Ladinsky can be purchased here.
コメント