January 4, 2013: I Know the Way You Can Get

INTRO:   

Today's wordsmith, commonly referred to as simply "Hafiz" (or Hafez), was born and later orphaned in what is modern day Iran.  During his lifetime, Hafiz's grew to become a one of the most beloved poets in the Islamic world and remains very much so today.   


TODAY'S POEM:         I Know the Way You Can Get
WORDSMITH:             Shams al-Din Muhammad Hafiz (1315-1389), original text Ancient Arabic
TRANSLATOR:            Daniel Ladinsky
SOURCE:                    I Heard God Laughing - Renderings of Hafiz

I Know the Way You Can Get

I know the way you can get
When you have not had a drink of Love:

Your face hardens,
Your sweet muscles cramp.
Children become concerned
About a strange look that appears in your eyes
Which even begins to worry your own mirror
And nose.

Squirrels and birds sense your sadness
And call an important conference in a tall tree.
They decide which secret code to chant
To help your mind and soul.

Even angels fear that brand of madness
That arrays itself against the world
And throws sharp stones and spears into
The innocent
And into one's self.

O I know the way you can get
If you have not been drinking Love:

You might rip apart
Every sentence your friends and teachers say,
Looking for hidden clauses.

You might weigh every word on a scale
Like a dead fish.

You might pull out a ruler to measure
From every angle in your darkness
The beautiful dimensions of a heart you once
Trusted.

I know the way you can get
If you have not had a drink from Love's
Hands.

That is why all the Great Ones speak of
The vital need
To keep remembering God,
So you will come to know and see Him
As being so Playful
And Wanting,
Just Wanting to help.

That is why Hafiz says:
Bring your cup near me.

For I am a Sweet Old Vagabond
With an Infinite Leaking Barrel
Of Light and Laughter and Truth
That the Beloved has tied to my back.

Dear one,
Indeed, please bring your heart near me.
For all I care about
Is quenching your thirst for freedom!

All a Sane man can ever care about
Is giving Love!


QUERIES:

1.  Hafiz begins his poem by stating, "I know the way you can get...."  Who in your life (e.g., parents, significant other, friends, coworkers, yourself) "knows the way you can get"?  If you asked them to describe "the way you get", what do you think they would say?  Do you know "the way you can get"? Are you aware of your own "way of getting" when you "you have not had a drink of Love"?

2.  In what ways does your attitude, actions, and thoughts differ when "you have not have a drink of love" compared to the times you can remember being quenched with Love?

3.  What does the phrase "drink of Love" mean to you?  What types of "love" do you search for?  What are the sources of "love" in your world today?  In what ways are you lacking the "love" that you thirst for?  How does this thirst for "love" impact your attitude, actions, and relationships with others and yourself?

4.  Hafiz suggest that when we "have not had a drink of Love", that our physical bodies and our spirit manifest our distress and pain in ways that others can perceive.  How do you manifest your distress in your body?  How do you manifest your distress in your spirit?

5.  When in this state of distress, how do you inflict your pain on others?  How do you inflict your pain on yourself?  In what ways do you do these things?  How do you feel when you do these things?

6.  How do others feel when you do hurtful things and are lost in "your darkness"?  Do you expect others to be endlessly forgiving and to give you a break when you are hurting so bad?  Do you in turn endless forgive others and give them a break when they inflict their pain on you and/or themselves?  Is there anyone that you still have not forgiven, and yet you expect them to forgive you?

6.  Hafiz suggest that we remember God (feel free to substitute God with the Divine/the Universe/the Spirit/Humanity/Energy, etc.) in order to avoid getting to such a point of distress and pain.  Do you agree with his advice?  If so, why.  If not, why?

7.  In what ways does your religious/spiritual/agnostic/atheistic worldview impact your perspective on pain and distress when "you have not had a drink of Love"?  Do you believe there are forces "out there", beyond ourselves that can help us in times of need? Do you believe there are forces within ourselves that can help us in times of need?

8.  Do you believe that others can help you when you are in a time of need?  Do you seek assistance from others when you are in pain and distress?  Are you open to receiving other's kindness, caring, and love?  Or do you shy away from it?  Do you deny your pain and distress?  Do you not want to burden others with your problems? In what ways have you been open to help?  In what ways have you been closed to help?  Why do you think you behave in this way?  Do you feel the need to change and be more open?

9.  MEDITATION FOR ACTION:  At this very moment in time, are you thirsty for love?  Is your heart quenched?  If so, how will you show gratitude today for this blessing?  If not, how will you, as Hafiz says, "bring your heart near me, for all I care about is quenching your thirst for freedom"?  In either case, what can you do today to find and "drink love"?  What steps could you take with others?  What steps could you take with yourself?