57. Sufi Thoughts, Part 7
Religious Gatheka
By Hazrat Inayat Khan
7. ‘There is one moral, the love which springs forth from self-denial and blooms in deeds of beneficence’.
There are moral principles taught to mankind by various Teachers, by many traditions, one differing from the other; which are as separate drops coming from the fountain. But when we look at the stream that on falling turns into several drops, we find that there is but one stream. There are many moral principles, as many drops falling from the fountain, but there is one stream that is at the root of all, and that is love. It is love that gives birth to hope, patience, endurance, forgiveness, tolerance, and to all moral principles. All deeds of beneficence take root in the soul of the loving heart. Generosity, charity, adaptability, an accommodating nature, even renunciation are the off springs of love alone. The great, rare and chosen beings for ages have been looked up as ideal in the world, are the possessors of hearts kindled with love. All evil and sin come from the lack of love.
People call love blind, but love in reality is the light of the sight. The eye can only see the surface, love can see much deeper. All ignorance is the lack of love, as fire when not kindled gives only smoke, but when kindled the illuminating flame springs forth, so it is with love; it is blind when undeveloped, but when the fire is kindled, the flame that lights the path of the traveler from immortality to everlasting life springs forth and the secrets of earth and Heaven are revealed to the possessor of the loving heart, and the lover has gained mastery over himself and others and he not only communes with God but unites with Him.
‘Hail to thee, then, O Love, sweet madness, thou who healest all our infirmities, who art the physician of our pride and self-conceit, who are our Plato and our Galen!’- Rumi.
Daily Reflections on the following point in Religious Gatheka 57,
Part 7
Point One: There are many moral principles, as many drops falling from the fountain, but there is one stream that is at the root of all, and that is love.
Contemplation: Unite us all in Thy Perfect Being. (From the Prayer Khatum by Hazrat Inayat Khan).
Point Two: It is love that gives birth to hope, patience, endurance, forgiveness, tolerance, and to all moral principles.
Contemplation: Draw us closer to Thee every moment of our life, Until in us be reflected Thy Grace (hope), Thy Glory (patience), Thy Wisdom (endurance), Thy Joy (forgiveness) and Thy Peace (tolerance).
