I worship the moon.
Tell me of the soft glow of a candle light
and the sweetness of my moon.

Don’t talk about sorrow,
tell me of that treasure,
hidden if it is to you,
then just remain silent.

Last night
I lost my grip on reality
and welcomed insanity.
Love saw me and said,
I showed up.
Wipe your tears
and be silent.

I said, O Love I am frightened, but it’s not you.
Love said to me, there is nothing that is not me.
be silent.

I will whisper secrets in your ear
just nod yes
and be silent.

A soul moon
appeared in the path of my heart.
How precious is this journey.

I said, O Love
what kind of moon is this?
Love said to me,
this is not for you to question.
be silent.

I said, O Love
what kind of face is this,
angelic, or human?
Love said to me,
this is beyond anything that you know.
Be silent.

I said, please reveal this to me
I am dying in anticipation.
Love said to me,
that is where I want you:
Always on the edge,
be silent.
You dwell in this hall of
images and illusions,
leave this house now
and be silent.

I said, O Love, tell me this:
Does the Lord know you are
treating me this way?
Love said to me,
yes He does,
just be totally…
totally… silent

– Rumi

Then in the dark of the night, a radiant deva
Illuminated all Jeta’s Grove.
She bowed down low before the Blessed One
Then standing to one side she said:

‘Devas are concerned with happiness
And ever long for peace.
The same is true for humankind.
What then are the highest blessings?’

‘Avoiding those of foolish ways,
Associating with the wise,
And honouring those worthy of honour.
These are the highest blessings.’

‘Living in places of suitable kinds,
With the fruits of past good deeds
And guided by the rightful way.
These are the highest blessings.’

‘Accomplished in learning and craftsman’s skills,
With discipline highly trained,
And speech that is true and pleasant to hear.
These are the highest blessings.’

Providing for mother and fathers support
And cherishing family,
And ways of work that harm no being,
These are the highest blessings.’

‘Generosity and a righteous life,
Offering help to relatives and kin,
And acting in ways that leave no blame.
These are the highest blessings.’

‘Steadfast in restraint, and shunning evil ways,
Avoiding intoxicants that dull the mind,
And heedfulness in all things that arise.
These are the highest blessings.’

‘Respectfulness and being of humble ways,
Contentment and gratitude,
And hearing the Dhamma frequently taught.
These are the highest blessings.’

Patients and willingness to accept one’s faults,
Seeing venerated seekers of truth,
And sharing often the words of the Dhamma.
These are the highest blessings.’

‘Ardent, committed to the Holy Life,
Seeing for oneself the Noble Truths
And the realisation of Nibbana.
These are the highest blessings.’

‘Although in contact with the world,
Unshaken the mind remains
Beyond all sorrow, spotless, secure.
These are the highest blessings.’

‘Those who live by following this path
Know victory wherever they go,
And every place for them is safe.
These are the highest blessings.’

Taken from the Book of Chanting  at Cittaveka Buddhist Monastery.

God has put into the form of  hashish a power
to deliver the taster from self-consciousness.

God has made sleep so that
it erases every thought.

God made Majnun love Layla so much that
just her dog would cause confusion in him.

There are thousands of wines
that can take over our minds.

Don’t think all ecstasies
are the same!

Jesus was lost in his love for God.
His donkey was drunk with barley.

Drink from the presence of saints,
not from those other jars.

Every object, every being,
is a jar full of delight.

Be a connoisseur,
and taste with caution.

Any wine will get you  high.
Judge like a king, and choose the purest,

the ones unadulterated with fear,
or some urgency about “what’s needed.”

Drink the wine that moves you
as a camel moves when it’s been untied,
and is just ambling about.

By: Rumi

Mathnawi IV, 2683-96
The Essential Rumi, Coleman Barks