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He dwells not only in temples and mosques by Sarmad (? - 1659) Timeline English version by Isaac A. Ezekiel Original Language Persian/Farsi Muslim / Sufi Jewish 17th Century He dwells not only in temples and mosques -- The whole creation is his abode. The whole world is bewitched by his tale,      but wise are those who are lost in his love.     -- from Sarmad: Martyr to Love Divine, by Isaac A. Ezekiel Amazon.com	Themes   Lover and Beloved         Recommended Books The Drunken Universe: An Anthology of Persian Sufi Poetry, Translated by Peter Lamborn Wilson / Translated by Nasrollah Pourjavady Sarmad the Saint, by M. G. Gupta Sarmad: Jewish Saint of India, by Isaac A. Ezekiel Sarmad: Martyr to Love Divine, by Isaac A. Ezekiel
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Commentary by Ivan M. Granger

He dwells not only in temples and mosques --
The whole creation is his abode.

We humans tend to like our categories and definitions, a sort of thinking that's very effective in the world. But that same form of thinking ensnares us when we engage with the deeper aspects of reality. We want to know where to go to find God. We want to know what to do, how to act, what to keep separate from, so that we might know ourselves to be holy. That approach can help to focus our intention... in the beginning. But at some point we need Sarmad's reminder: Everything is sacred. All of creation is holy ground. There is no boundary to the Eternal.

Where you are, worship.

The whole world is bewitched by his tale,
     but wise are those who are lost in his love.

I really like these two lines. All of existence isn't 'real' in the way we usually imagine it to be. Creation isn't fixed; it flows. Things don't exist in and of themselves; they are really relationships, an immense network of interaction. Seen this way, everything we experience is part of a drama. Any good storyteller knows that a good tale plays with fears and joys and questions of survival, hooking our attention while surreptitiously revealing something of the deeper truths of life.

As Sarmad says, the whole world is a story told by God. It is so rich and detailed that we can become "bewitched" by it. We become like actors who forget that there is a backstage. The wise, however, lose themselves -- their costumes, their egos. They know, once they've said their few lines, how to fall silent again, and enjoy the unfolding tale from the wings.

Ivan M. Granger's original poetry, stories and commentaries are Copyright © 2002 - 2011 by Ivan M. Granger.
All other material is copyrighted by the respective authors, translators and/or publishers.