Thursday 14 May 2015

Don't go back to sleep!


The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you.
Don't go back to sleep.
You must ask for what you really want
Don't go back to sleep.
People are going back and forth
across the doorsill where the two worlds touch.
The door is round and open.
Don't go back to sleep!

    Jalal ad Din Muhammad Rumi (1207-1273)
    From The Essentail Rumi, p. 16. Translated by Coleman Barks

                     * *

Life and death are of supreme importance.
Time swiftly passes by and opportunity is lost.
Each of us should strive to awaken.
AWAKEN!
Take heed!
Do not squander your time!

    Dogen Zenji (1200-1253)
    Evening Gatha

                   * *

Dogen and Rumi were contemporaries.
One in Japan, one in Persia.
How amazing!


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