“Be empty of worrying.
Think of who created thought!
Why do you stay in prison
When the door is so wide open?”
–Rumi
Jalal ad-Din Muhammed Rumi was a 13th-century Persian poet, jurist, Islamic scholar, theologian, and Sufimystic. Rumi’s influence transcends national borders and ethnic divisions; people of all faiths and nations have greatly appreciated his spiritual legacy for the past seven centuries. His poems have been widely translated into many of the world’s languages and transposed into various formats. Rumi has been described as the “most popular poet” and the “best selling poet” in the United States.
Today is Shabbat, the Sabbath in English, a day to be rather than do, a day to bless and praise creation rather than labor at it, a day of rest and renewal. On a day like this, we can let go of our worries, just for one planetary turn; we can live moment to moment, we can be sane today even if our lives are crazy yesterday and tomorrow. Think of it as a long outbreath after a week of sucking it up!
This quatrain of Rumi is especially perfect for today. Why worry? As Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi once said, “If worrying did any good, rich people would hire worriers!” Reflect on the Infinite Mind behind all thought. We often feel as though we are chained to our lives, our schedules, our jobs, our obligations. Take the radical act of a one day break from burdens, and instead, embrace response-ability, the ability to respond in each moment to what is before us. We are not imprisoned, or if we think we are, we can recognize that just for today, the door is only locked from our side of it!
In what ways can you free yourself to the pure joy of simply being today?
Joe Laur is a father, husband, artist, builder, naturalist, consultant, and EcoKosher mashgiach. He lives with his wife Sara in western Massachusetts, where he serves as head groundskeeper and resident singer songwriter. Send him your favorite teaching quote for commentary. He can be reached at joe.laur@joelaur.com.