The Cry of the Heart and Losing Oneself in the Footsteps of Love
The couplets from Mevlana’s Divan-ı Kebir reveal the depth of a quest that transcends the boundaries of love. The heart is, in reality, the lament of a lost friend whose name cannot be uttered, a yearning beyond description. This lament is not merely individual suffering but an expression of a universal search; it is a reflection of humanity’s longing for truth and absolute love. While tracing the footsteps of this lost friend whose name the heart cannot speak, Mevlana invites us to navigate the labyrinths of love.
From the Chessboard to the Depths: The Bewilderment of Love and Revelation of Existence
Mevlana likens love to a chess game; he depicts a scene filled with the bewilderment of those whose garments are torn, whose purses are opened, and who possess a pure heart at the beginning of beauty. This is not merely a visual depiction but also signifies that love captivates the mind of a person, carries them away, and helps them reach the profound secrets of existence. Mevlana’s allegory emphasizes that love is not just a feeling but also a transformative process.
The Exile of Old Love and a New Beginning
In Mevlana’s poetry, old love symbolizes a past that has been consumed and exploited. The elimination of this love is a prerequisite for a new beginning, for reaching a deeper and purer love. Mevlana leaves behind the old love and turns towards a new love which is the reflection of beauty created by God. This new love is divine affection with no direction or boundary; it is beautiful in essence, beautiful in appearance, beautiful in communication, and beautiful to hear—it has the potential to lead humanity to the infinity of existence.
The Light of the Dungeon: Integrating with Love in Solitude
Mevlana sees the dungeon not only as a place of imprisonment but also as a way to integrate with love and reach truth. The heart, left alone in the dungeon, finds a new light in the nearness of God, and this light illuminates its inner self. This demonstrates that being disconnected from the outside world allows for a deepening of introspection; according to Mevlana, love should be felt and lived not only in the heart but throughout all of existence. The moonlight found within the darkness of the dungeon illuminates the soul and leads it to truth.