Hanging with Hafiz
To abstain is to be without. Can you be without love? Do you abstain from love in fear of losing it or being hurt? You may find pleasure and happiness here and there, but do not shirk love out of fear of pain and sorrow. Love sustains. Love nourishes. Do not let fear keep you from love. Love openly without expectation. Let love infuse your life with joy. When the hooves of darkness thunder down upon you, bring joy to bear in the night air. The beasts that haunt you quiver in joy’s presence. While fear feeds the past and sows the future, joy undoes them both in the moment. Joy awaits in the depths of your despairs. Joy is the warrior that tames the beasts and sets you free to love all without fear. Love binds and holds the heavens in perfect order. Do not exhaust yourself looking here and there and everywhere. Let love land in your lap. Sit still. Do nothing. Do not divide the world into gains and losses. Do not keep accounts. Remain calm when hooves thunder in the night. It is only noise. Love comes silently. Wisdom is its guardian. Forgiveness is its handmaid. All will stand with you before love’s altar. You will be received without exception. Do not abstain. Do not deny yourself. Let love overcome darkness like a new sun on a dawning day.
