Simple Union and the sport of love

One of my favorite Sufi poets is Kabir, whose fresh way of speaking of the spiritual life always grabs me.

This poem of his reflects his heartfelt fervor for union with God.

I don't know how many days of his life he felt what he expresses in this poem,

but I would love a few more days in my life feeling what he felt!

Kabir, like Rumi, and other Sufi writers, masterfully captures the beautiful mystical spirituality of Islam which the Sufi tradition has carried on for more than a thousand years.

If you want to explore the Sufi tradition further, there are many good books available. One I would recommend is "The Knowing Heart" by Kabir Helminski, a contemporary namesake of Kabir who writes eloquently on the wisdom of the Sufi path of Islam.

Here is the poem.

O seeker, the simple union is the best.

Since the day I met with God

there has been no end to the sport of Love.

I do not shut my eyes,

I do not close my ears,

I do not mortify my body.

I see with open eyes,

and smile,

and behold God's great Beauty everywhere.

I keep uttering God's Names,

and whatever I see reminds me of God.

Whatever I do, it becomes a way to worship God.

The rising and setting, ups and downs, are one to me.

All contradictions are solved.

Wherever I go, I move around God.

All I achieve is in God's service.

When I lie down, I lie prostrate at God's feet.

God is the Adorable One to me.

I have none other.

My tongue has forsaken impure words;

It sings God's glory day and night.

Whether I rise or sit down I cannot forget God,

for the rhythm of God's music beats in my ears.

I am immersed in that great bliss

which transcends all pleasure and pain.

And here is my prayer-response to Kabir's words: I wonder what yours would be?

God of Compassion,

You know how far short I fall of Kabir's love for You.

I behold Your Beauty, but not always, not everywhere.

I still see ugliness here and there.

I still hear discord now and then.

I forget You still, far too often.

Much of what I do I neglect to offer as service to You.

I still struggle with contradictions,

and I would much rather be up than down!

I do sing Your praises, but not always.

I do desire to do Your Will,

but there are still too many times

I do not even discern Your Will, much less do it.

I do not enjoy the great bliss, beyond pleasure and pain, of union with You, except

in rare moments that linger in my heart like the fragrance of a flower.

Yet I believe

by Your Grace,

I can, and I will, enjoy simple union with You as Kabir did

in Your good time.