From Within the Self

Our days are stolen from us in the endless justification of our wrongs and rights—to others, to ourselves. Once, in some vast meadow, I encountered her. When two hearts meet on the same plane, there is nothing left within us that requires explanation. All concepts, all language—even we ourselves, the two of us—become meaningless in that moment. Only a silent conversation between two souls persists. There are no words or clarifications there, no accusations, no misunderstandings. This conversation knows no boundary of time or place. In the same resonance, the same rhythm, the same cadence, the same measure, a soundless transfer of feeling flows between two hearts.

On some luminous day, an ordinary person need not travel far to extend their vision beyond what the eye can see from the highest mountain peak, need not journey elsewhere to stretch the boundaries of sight into any threshold of time, need not spend hours and resources to gather all the heart's strength and arrange life into something more beautiful than dream itself. Rather, by taking refuge in that mysterious, impenetrable, arduous, supremely sought-after place within one's own heart-region, by remaining calm, composed, and still, by meditating on the Creator or inner knowing—all the wisdom and understanding of all perfected great souls lie rooted in our heart-temple. To receive those treasures, we must prepare ourselves through renunciation, labor, and humility.

In ancient Persia, a certain form of meditation flourished. Before sunrise, people would gather and move together in slow rhythm, singing or reciting poetry while they danced. This meditation was called Sama. Through this practice, one forgot all earthly sensations and devoted oneself to the Creator's grace—that is, in wandering through the mysterious kingdom of one's own heart, one sought to attain heavenly feeling. Through melody and dance, through meditation on the Creator, love for the Creator was expressed, and one's feelings were purified. What lay hidden in the heart's secret chambers was brought forth. All doubt dissolved from the mind; light as a feather, filled with boundless joy, the soul reached toward the Creator. Sometimes, during Sama meditation, people would become absorbed in spiritual practice as if intoxicated, stripped of worldly knowledge. In such moments, all pride, ego, envy, and various base impulses would fall away; the heart, mind, and soul would be purified, made worthy to receive the Creator's grace. In that time, the Creator and the meditant's heart became one, bound together in the covenant of love.

Love comes from within the soul. Our soul is a vast ocean of love, emotion, and compassion. The soul is the sole mirror of the Creator, the sole eternal refuge. Love knows no time, obeys no cause, accepts no condition—it exists for love's sake alone. Love creates immortality, that which endures forever. Love is the only pure feeling that rises from within the soul, that spreads peace throughout the heart. The love that is forced or manufactured through thought contains nothing but sin.