Discourses of Rumi

FIHI MA FIHI V 259Rumi said: Well, intention first exists in theinner world before entering this world of form. Soif form does not matter, what is the purpose ofthis world? If you plant only the kernel of anapricot stone, nothing will grow. If you plant itwith its husk, then it becomes a tree. From this weknow that form also has a function. Yes, prayer isan inward matter: “There is no prayer withoutthe heart being present.” But it is still necessary tobring the prayer into form. With outward words,genuflection, and prostration, you gain benefitand attain your desire.The outer form of prayer is temporary, theinner spirit never ends. For the Spirit of the worldis an infinite ocean, the body but a limited shore.Therefore, continual prayer belongs only to thespirit, but that inward prayer must manifest. Untilintention and form are wedded, there are no childrenborn.When you say that words are the branch, thisis only a relative term. Until the branch exists howcan the term “root” gain its meaning? So themeaning of root came out of this branch. If thebranch had not existed, it could never have had a