Tuesday, February 26, 2013

The Purpose of Emotion

The Purpose of Emotion



A certain Sufi tore his robe in grief,
 and the tearing brought such relief he gave the robe
 the name faraji, which means ripped open,

or happiness, or one who brings the joy 
of being opened. It comes from the stem faraj, 
which also refers to the genitals, male and female.

His teacher understood the purity of the action,
 while others just saw the ragged appearance.

If you want peace and purity, tear away 
the coverings! This is the purpose of emotion,
 to let a streaming beauty flow through you.

Call it spirit, elixir, or the original agreement
 between yourself and God. Opening into that
 gives peace, a song of being empty, pure silence.



From The Book of Love
Translated by Coleman Barks