Purification from Suffering and Renewal of Existence
This excerpt from Mevlânâ Celaleddin-i Rûmî’s Divan-ı Kebir emphasizes the necessities of attaining a Sufi maturity. Mevlana states that speaking of suffering is akin to remembering war after peace, highlighting the importance of cleansing oneself of the burdens of the past. Because true peace and surrender require leaving behind the pains of the past and turning towards life with a new perspective; this constitutes the renewal of the soul.
There is No Comparison in the Field of Truth
Mevlana emphasizes the importance of moral conduct in gatherings of the esteemed, idealizing an environment dominated by love and tolerance, far from jealousy and competition. The statement ‘In God’s field, there is neither cheapness nor expensiveness’ symbolizes that the value of truth cannot be measured with worldly standards; every being is equally valuable; this understanding reflects a Sufi awareness of humility and equality. Mevlana’s teachings encourage individuals to move away from self-centered thoughts and develop a universal sense of love and tolerance.
The Transformative Power of Love: Stripping Off the Garment
Mevlana’s depiction of love is replete with symbolic imagery. It is turning directly towards the source instead of wandering through a garden of flowers, that is, freeing oneself from the illusions of the ego. The metaphor of stripping off the garment represents purification from the carnal self (nafs-i emmare), abandoning external displays and seeking inner truth. Just as swimming in the sea requires transcending the boundaries of the self, it also means being freed from one’s crudeness on the path of love; this situation expresses the state of surrender and annihilation (fana) frequently emphasized in Mevlana’s teachings.