Rumi wisdom

They asked Rumi, Persian spiritual master of the thirteenth century:
What is poison?

• All that goes beyond what we need is poison. It can be power, laziness, food, ego, ambition, fear, anger, or anything else.
  What is fear?
• The non-acceptance of uncertainty. If we accept uncertainty, it becomes an adventure.
  What is envy?
• The non-acceptance of bliss in the other. If we accept it, it becomes inspiration.
  What is anger?
• The non-acceptance of what is beyond our control. If we accept it, it becomes tolerance.
  What is hate?
• The non-acceptance of people as they are. If we accept them unconditionally, then it becomes love.
  What is spiritual maturity?
  It’s when we stop trying to change others and focus on changing ourselves.
  It is when we accept people as they are.
  It is when we understand that everyone is successful from their perspective.
  It is when we learn to “let go”.
  It is when we are able to have “expectations” in a relationship, and we only give for the pleasure of giving.
  It is when we understand what we do, and we do it for our own peace.
  It’s when we lose the need to show the world how smart we are.
  It is when we stop seeking the approval of others.
  It is when we stop comparing ourselves to others.
  It is when we are at peace with ourselves.
  Spiritual maturity is when we are able to distinguish between “need” and “will” and we are able to let go of this will.
  And last and most important:
  Spiritual maturity occurs when we stop looking for “happiness” in material things. Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi – 13th century