The world of appearances is deceiving

The world of appearances is deceiving.  What is beneath the shell and husk is the seed, the form of soul, the ray of God.  But all of that, for those who care enough, must be revealed and uncovered.

A wine is not fine because its flask is ornate.  So perhaps you catch the gist of my suggestion here.  As humans we are enshrouded and blanketed with fear.  We are racked with wounds, we are whipped raw by words, we are tormented by anger.  Where else can that go but within?  Stored, piled, fortressed, eventually, it sequesters the heart.  And it allows the mind, the small mind, to run rampant causing mischief and oftentimes misery.

For a race this is true.  Within the energetic human are striations of painful memories, one packed atop the next.  The works, true works of life unearth and tear away such falsities and packed sorrows.  Even in apparent chaos can be blessed growth, priceless lessons and information if one does not surrender to the torrent. Stay the course.  Life is working for you and not against you. 

Rumi

You are in the equation of life

You are in the equation of life.  As a matter of fact, you are the equation.  So be fruitful and multiply; multiply your joy geometrically.  Get out there and do something fun.  This is no more working hard; this is working lovingly.  Work is not a bad thing, and love is the only thing. 

Make your own equation, but do what you love.  Do what you love.  Knock on the door and you will realize there has never been a door.  There's only been fear, and that fear has been sliced into small pieces.  And if you want to spend the rest of your life sewing them back together, that's your business, but you don't. 

You were born to thrive and prosper, and now you can.  You have to accept your freedom.  There is no other way, and freedom is expressed through what you love, and it's shared.  Again I say (if they still made them I will be a broken record), do what you love, love what you do and share it with the world.  The world is starving, and you make bread, and your heart is the oven, and your thoughts are the manna.  Think love.  Practice.  Practice.  Be yourself. 

Shams of Tabriz

Life in its essence is pure

Life in its essence is pure.  Humanity in its pain bleeds fear.  You journey back through the blood to purity.  You cannot be but pure, you cannot be but pure light, you cannot be but pure vitality and life.  That is your immortality, and that is the stuff that bore you into this world.  You call it God, you call it creator, you call it universal mind.  Call it what you want, but do not ever think that that kindness that loved you into existence does not feel your pain.  Do not be so arrogant.  You can't hide behind your humanity anymore.  And as far as your past is concerned, do not even mention it to me.

Being human, my beloved friends, is no excuse anymore.  The human condition, the devil made me do it—nonsense.  Your lack of self-love brought you to a place whose dark door opened and you fell victim to the grand illusion that offered you the world and gave you instead pain.  God offers you nothing, nothing, because God has already given you everything, every single thing.  Is that too much of a burden to bear? 

Babaji

Contemplation is the solace of the soul

Contemplation is the solace of the soul.  To one who has devoted life to exploring infinity, most everything is superfluous.  Death is but a signal, and the machinations of the masses are simple diversions.   

Reach for bliss and bliss becomes one place beyond one's grasp.  Recognition of the mold of light, the form one has taken as an adventure brings one awareness.

Be aware that the only truth is within.  And be aware that the only within is the truth.

Buddha

When we look at the world, how is it we can discern what is real from illusion?

When we look at the world, how is it we can discern what is real from illusion?  That is not so difficult a question to answer. When one lives and breathes and moves the beautiful movements with God, such truths and untruths are evident.

Develop your life with God, not the external God, but the inner fire that is pure poetry, self-love and forgiveness.  Develop such unbreakable bonds with the I AM and you will feel what is right and what is not.

Remember that waves appear to turn dark and opaque before and during a storm.  So, during the height of an emotional rise, stay with God; do not be pulled into the churning sea.

But, Rumi, accomplishing such a thing is so difficult! 

When you believe in dragons, perhaps it can be difficult.  When you are warmed by the sun and caressed by the sweet morn, there is no place for dragons, nor armies, nor great seas of slate.

Rumi