Discourses of Rumi

46 V DISCOURSES OF RUMIand become nothing. Do not wait, and leave thisworld behind.” “Lord,” Shams answered, “I amcontent.” So he did; he gambled away his life forthe sake of that Friend, and his desire was accomplished.[The friend in this story is Rumi himself.Shams was chased away by jealous followers ofRumi, but Rumi sent for Shams and Shams eventuallyreturned. It is said that those jealous followers,including one of Rumi’s own sons, latermurdered Shams. Rumi’s search for the missingShams, only to find the One he sought for withinhimself, is the source of many of Rumi’s poems.]If a servant of God can possess such grace as tosacrifice his life, of which one day’s portion isworth the life of all the world from first to last,does not the Source of that grace also possess thislove? It would be absurd to think otherwise. Butsince it is not possible for God to pass away, atleast you can.A fool came and sat in a seat above one of thegreat saints. What difference does it make to thesaints whether such a person is above or belowthe lamp? If the lamp wants to be on high, it doesnot desire that for its own sake. Its purpose is for