Discourses of Rumi

FIHI MA FIHI V 339ed halvah, the pleasure of eating carrots has disappeared.But where I live I can not find halvahevery day. What am I to do?” Once a farmer hastasted halvah, they yearn for the place where it ismade. The town’s person has carried their heartaway. What can they do? They come looking fortheir heart.Some people, when they greet you, the smellof smoke comes from their greeting. Some,when they speak, the smell of musk lingers on.Only those with a sensitive nose know the difference.We must test our friends, so that in the end wehave no cause for regret. Here is another of God’srules: “Begin with yourself.” If you claim to behumble and serve God, do not accept this claimwithout testing it. When people wash, first theylift some water to their nose and then they taste it.Simply looking at the water is not enough, forwater may have the appearance of purity, but itstaste and smell will prove if it is infected. Oncethe test is done, then they wash their faces.Whatever you keep hidden in your heart, Godmanifests in you outwardly. Whatever the root of