Image: Furusiyya (Horsemanship) by George Lewis, gouache and oil on paper.
“Why think thus O men of piety I have returned to sobriety I am neither a Moslem nor a Hindu I am not Christian, Zoroastrian, nor Jew
I am neither of the West nor the East Not of the ocean, nor an earthly beast I am neither a natural wonder Nor from the stars yonder
Neither flesh of dust, nor wind inspire Nor water in veins, nor made of fire I am neither an earthly carpet, nor gems terrestrial Nor am I confined to Creation, nor the Throne Celestial
Not of ancient promises, nor of future prophecy Not of hellish anguish, nor of paradisic ecstasy Neither the progeny of Adam, nor Eve Nor of the world of heavenly make-believe
My place is the no-place My image is without face Neither of body nor the soul I am of the Divine Whole.
I eliminated duality with joyous laughter Saw the unity of here and the hereafter Unity is what I sing, unity is what I speak Unity is what I know, unity is what I seek
Intoxicated from the chalice of Love I have lost both worlds below and above Sole destiny that comes to me Licentious mendicity
In my whole life, even if once Forgot His name even per chance For that hour spent, for such moment I’d give my life, and thus repent
Beloved Master, Shams-e Tabrizi In this world with Love I’m so drunk The path of Love isn’t easy I am shipwrecked and must be sunk.”
- Rumi
“There is no religion without Virtue”
- Old Bedouin Proverb
