Dear Tom:
Jesus told his disciples that the kingdom of heaven belongs to those who are like children. Many images rise up – innocence, teachable humility, joy and laughter – when we think of children. When I hear tales of my grandchildren or watch them play alone, I am fascinated by their sense of wonder and seemingly perpetual energy. The simplest discoveries bring forth squeals of laughter and wide eyes of interest.
As we age, our fascination with new experiences in life gradually disappears. We think we’ve figured out how to control our own destiny and become less dependent on senses and feelings.
In my post-transplant life I hope to re-engage the child in me. I want to cultivate the qualities of joy and wonder back into my life.
Your Sufi master, Rumi, said it well:
Reason is all well and good
until it shows you the door of the Beloved.
At that point divorce reason,
which will steal from you like a bandit.
What I seek is to once again feel the eyes of a child looking through mine.
Your Friend,
Webb
Another great blog, Webb! Rumi is such a wonderful teacher. I also think highly of Hafiz, another Sufi mystic. One of his thoughts and a poem on this subject of reason:
“I have estimated the influence of Reason upon Love and found that it is like that of a raindrop upon the ocean, which makes one little mark upon the water’s face and disappears.”
And
For no reason
I start skipping like a child.
And
For no reason
I turn into a leaf
That is carried so high
I kiss the sun’s mouth
And dissolve.
And
For no reason
A thousand birds
Choose my head for a conference table,
Start passing their
Cups of wine
And their wild songbooks all around.
And
For every reason in existence
I begin to eternally,
To eternally laugh and love!
When I turn into a leaf
And start dancing,
I run to kiss our beautiful
Friend
And I dissolve in the
Truth
That I Am.