“The soul that is attached to the material world will always be in fear of death.
But the soul that is attached to the divine will always be in love with death.” - Rumi
Ahhhh, Rumi. He’s so near and dear to my heart. How could he not be? Jalāl al-Dīn Muḥammad Rūmī was a 13th-century poet, Hanafi faqih, Islamic scholar, Maturidi theologian, and Sufi mystic originally from Greater Khorasan in Greater Iran. Rumi's works were written mostly in Persian, but occasionally he used Turkish, Arabic, and Greek in his verse. In other words, he was a yummy dude! He heavily influenced mystical thought and literature throughout the world. Bless his soul for all the wisdom he brought forth through the ages.
The quote from above is so substantial and meaningful to me, and here’s why:
Rumi speaks of attachment to the material world, he’s referring to the fact that we humans tend to be deeply invested in earthly possessions, relationships, and ego-driven desires, and as with anything to which we have a strong attachment, we fear losing them. This attachment creates anxiety about death as well, as we tend to worry about separation from what we hold dear.
However, when he speaks about attachment to the divine, this means that when we focus on spiritual growth and on our connection with the universe and a higher power, (whatever that means to you), and we shift our perspectives from what we’re convinced is our fixed reality to considering what else is possible and more aligned with Truth. As it relates to death, we begin to see it as being more of a transition to something greater, a reunion with the divine, or a return to our true essence. Rumi's poetry and teachings often emphasized the idea that death is an illusion, and that the soul is eternal and immortal.
Rumi suggests that the soul attached to the divine. . .
· Sees death as a liberation from the constraints of the material world.
· Embraces death as a transformation, rather than an end.
· Experiences love and acceptance rather than fear in the face of “death.”
In essence, Rumi's quote above encourages us to reframe our relationship with death by cultivating a deeper connection with the divine, and letting go of material attachments. This shift in perspective can lead to a more peaceful and loving perception of life's mysteries—including death, the greatest of them all.
Rumi is also quoted as saying something that also really hit home for me as it relates to death, which is: "Die before you die". This is often interpreted as a spiritual invitation to let go of the ego, attachments, and illusions, and to awaken to the true nature of our existence, which is beyond birth and death. He saw death as a metaphor for spiritual transformation rather than a literal end.
Here's one more quote from Rumi that resonates with this perspective: "Life and death are one, like the river and the sea. There is no separation, only a flowing from one to the other.” His sentiments beautifully capture the idea that life and death are interconnected, and that death is not a separate or opposing force, but rather a natural part of the continuum of existence.
In essence, Rumi's quotes encourage us to reframe our relationship with death as a doorway to the divine. I find this to be incredibly liberating. Life is not about what we obtain, but rather about recognizing that in detaching from what is occurring in this 3D realm as having any real significance at all, we actually discover what Rumi was saying all along—-”What you seek is seeking you.” That peace? That joy? That sense of relaxation and fulfillment you desire? It’s all contained in our connection to the divine, if we allow it to be so.
“Our death is our wedding with eternity” - Rumi
Aum, aho, aloha, amen—
Gaile Lynn
