You’ve no idea how hard I’ve looked for a gift to bring You.
Nothing seemed right. What’s the point of bringing gold
to the gold mine, or water to the Ocean. Everything I came
up with was like taking spices to the Orient. It’s no good
giving my heart and my soul because you already have these.
So- I’ve brought you a mirror. Look at yourself and
remember me.
-Rumi

The tao that can be told
is not the eternal Tao.
The name that can be named
is not the eternal Name.

The unnameable is the eternally real.
Naming is the origin of all particular things.

Free from desire, you realize the mystery.
Caught in desire, you see only the manifestations.

Yet mystery and manifestations arise from the same source.
This source is called darkness.

Darkness within darkness.
The gateway to all understanding….

I am the Luxurious One.
Losing all to gain All.
I am She, alone who wanders in Darkness.
The deeper I fall, the closer I come to the Light.

My eyes so soft
Don’t
Surrender
Your loneliness so quickly
Let it cut more deep.
Let it ferment and season you
As few human or even divine ingredients can.
Something missing in my heart tonight
Has made my eyes so soft
My voice so tender,
My need of G-d
Absolutely
Clear

The pawn
Always sits stunned,
Chained, unable to move
Beneath God’s magnificent power.
It is essential for the heart’s coronation.
For the pawn to realize
There is nothing but divine movement
In this
World.

The power that bonds a tribe is the yin or feminine principle — gentleness and receptivity. Relationships are improved through cultivation of these. Learn to accept both advice and aid from others, and be willing to assume an appropriate role in any group that supports good relating.A community or extended family that works is one where healthy interdependence is appreciated and supported. Good direction is essential, but strong kinship is dependent upon every member of the community. Trust, shared responsibilities and good communication are essential. Each member must be encouraged to find his or her appropriate expression, and contribution. What is your unique contribution to the communities that you belong to?How do you receive love and guidance in your relationships?

At 6 yrs:”Mom I love you.”

At 10 yrs: “Mom, whatever.”

At 16 yrs: “Mom your so annoying.”

At 18 yrs: “I wanna leave this house.”

At 25 yrs: “Mom you were right.”

At 30 yrs: “I wanna go to Mom’s house.”

At 50 yrs: “I don’t wanna lose my Mom.”

At 70 yrs: “I would give up everything for my Mom to be here with me.”

This poem guided me in, how to hold the energies of emotion as they flow through me…May it benefit you…

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice.
meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.

Be grateful for whatever comes.
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

— Jelaluddin Rumi,

Fame or integrity: which is more important?
Money or happiness: which is more valuable?
Success or failure: which is more destructive?

If you look to others for fulfillment,
You will never be fulfilled.
If your happiness depends on money,
you will never be happy with yourself.

Be content with what you have;
Rejoice in the way things are.
When you realize there is nothing lacking,
the whole world belongs to you….

The moon came to me last night with a sweet question.
She said,
“The sun has been my faithful lover
For millions of years. Whenever I offer my body to him, brilliant light pours from his  heart.
Thousands than notice my happiness and delight in pointing
Toward my beauty.
Hafiz,
Is it true that our destiny Is to turn into Light itself?”
And Hafiz replied,
Dear Moon,

Now that your love is maturing, We need to sit together  Close like this more often, So I might instruct you, How to become who you Are!

Omid, my Rumi poetry teacher expressed this clever distinction:
Knowledge is knowing an avocado is a fruit.
Wisdom is knowing not to put the avocado in the fruit salad!