Reality and the Real!

Life perhaps is merely a quest to find reality. But what is reality? Does not it have to be something that is permanent and ceaseless? Is reality some kind of knowledge that is beyond sense perception? Is it an experience of experiencing a unified pattern in life? Whatever may it be, one thing is for sure; Reality is the knowledge of the Real! Reality indeed is discoverable with the help of an inspiration - a mentor. Let Us see what Maulana Rumi has to say about his mentor - Shams Tabrez - who facilitated him in his discovery of the Real!

-N.A.

             Transparent Tree               

By Jalaluddin Rumi

Translated by Coleman Barks

I've traded my soul for the universe.

Don't speak. The jeweller who thought

he was buying gold to work with now

owns the mine! But commerce metaphors

are wrong. What has happened

in me is more profound, like a fish under-

water beginning to say words! A

transparent tree grows in the night-sky

orchard where I have found a little

corner to be in, as when two planets

intersect. I have met Shams.

Unfair Death

By Waqas Naeem

In the darkest hour of last night,

Death came at my doorstep,

The broken latches, the creaking hinges of the door

Welcomed its silent presence.

It came inside

And scanned the shades of solitude

That flickered on the shabby walls.

I thought,

"The time has come"

And closed my eyes in silent prayer.

When I opened them again

I was still alive,

But only for just long enough to see

That Death had departed

And with itself,

It had taken

The dreams

I had hid under the pillow.

The Lake of Mind

By Muhammad Awais Aftab

In the stillness of my memories

Your thoughts come

Like stones thrown in a pond

By children in their innocent games

The ripples dance

The waves glide

The previous stagnant surface

Is consumed by movement

But soon

The motion fades away

And the calm is restored.

Transitory Existence

By Fiza Zia-ul-Hannan

O man! You are nothing,

Except for a vanishing sign,

You're nothing, and will be no more,

You're just a beam of light,

Then why you run place to place

To collect silver and gold?

Even if you know,

This world is transitory,

Why you everything in your hand hold?

You have to depart from here,

Sooner or later you'll be no more,

The only thing that'll remain with you,

Are your deeds and nothing more...

Let Us be Lights of Hope

By Desiree' Natasha Francis

Let Us start by loving our country,

Like we love our mother.

A mom that is presently ill,

Who more than her kids, needs no other.

Let Us change by thinking positively

And be thankful for what we've got.

We've got our independence

And trust me, that's a lot!

We're always cribbing and complaining,

"Look there's garbage on the road!"

That garbage didn't land from Mars,

That is what you and I throw.

We have to mend our ways

And start working without fuss.

It's about what we have given our country,

Not about what our country has given to Us!

I know it's not going to be easy,

There is pessimism and obstruction everywhere;

But someone has to fight the fight,

To save our future from despair!

Dawn, Dew and Despair

By Saad Javed

Yet again a new morning,

Another day, another dawn,

That dawns upon her, nothing

More than mourning

The new sun is a harbinger

Of nothing but,

Dirty laundry,

Greasy dishes,

And discontented wishes

Through parched heels,

And a sore soul,

The wet, soft blades of grass

Crumble beneath her sole,

Washing away the pains of

Yesterday,

Bracing her up,

For the agony of,

Today

 Flower's Fate

By Sania Amjad

 A garden that bore a thousand flowers,

So gracious and bright no doubt they are,

Some close to earth, some blossoming height,

With all the beauty that captures sight.

No wonder together a bouquet they make,

All have places, no other my take.

Not folds and not the frame so same,

All are planted for different aims.

The scent of soil, such breezy air,

All dancing free of every care,

Knowing not a shade of fall,

Budding to the unknown call.

Petals of the blooming charm,

Withering all in truth's arm,

Soon or late for every spring,

A silent autumn's bell will ring.

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