Shaped by His Love

The foundation of our emotional strength and positive self-image is laid with the help of those who take care of us early on in our lives. It is a well-studied fact that if we are loved and cared for in a non-judgemental and supportive way during our childhood, we grow up to be resilient and confident people. Whereas if we are not shown that love and support, then we turn out to become insecure, fearful and yielding.

While treading on the spiritual path, we are shaped, supported and driven by the Master’s love. Today, if we are willing to make sacrifices and work hard, if we are confident to step out of our comfort zones to explore new worlds, it is only because the Master’s love is urging us to.

We have all experienced his love in a multitude of ways; his helping hand during a difficult time, his patient answers to our nagging questions, a soothing smile directed at us, or an endearing glance. A disciple thrives on these experiences.

The Master’s love makes us happy, it gives us hope and it inspires passion within us until before we know it, in spite of our weaknesses and our flaws, we are ready to dream, fight and do whatever it takes to find that love in its totality.

Rumi refers to the Master as the Saqi or the cupbearer, because he pours the intoxicating bliss of divine love from the jug of his own heart into the cup of the disciple’s heart. Once we experience his love, it is hard to settle for anything else.

Don’t let us stay sober with a Saqi like you.
_{Jalal al-Din Rumi}

This does not mean that we do not experience bouts of helplessness and hopelessness in our journey, but the Master’s love inspires us to keep fighting. Whether we like it or not, whether we know it or not, our hearts are being strengthened, and we are training to become true lovers; lovers that do not give up or lose heart at the slightest sign of difficulty.

Jesus, O Jesus, if the desire of loving You is so delightful, what will it be to possess and enjoy this Love? How can a soul as imperfect as mine aspire to the possession of the plenitude of Love?… I am not an eagle, but I have only an eagle’s eyes and heart. In spite of my extreme littleness I still dare to gaze upon the Divine Sun, the Sun of Love, and my heart feels within it all the aspirations of an Eagle…. What then will become of it? Will it die of sorrow at seeing itself so weak? Oh no! The little bird will not even be troubled. With bold surrender, it wishes to remain gazing upon its Divine Sun. Nothing will frighten it, neither wind nor rain, and if dark clouds come and hide the Star of Love, the little bird will not change its place because it knows that beyond the clouds its bright Sun still shines on.
_{Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, Story of a Soul}

All things become effortless in the presence of love. A person under the influence of love performs the most difficult tasks with comparative ease. Through love, even impossible things become possible. Love throws fear out the window.

The companions of the Prophet
who went to war without armour
were dead drunk from Muhammad’s love.
_{Jalal al-Din Rumi}

We are at constant war with our mind; it continuously drags us towards the senses, it makes us question our commitment to the path, it instils fear in us, it makes us feel disillusioned and restless. On the other hand, with experiences we have had with our Master – his companionship, his tender care and his spiritual might – let’s face it, the odds are very much in our favour!

I have seen many restless, yet motionless, in the fire of your tireless love.
_{Jalal al-Din Rumi}

Despite the mind distracting us from the eye focus, we make the effort to sit still and put in the required time in our meditation. Is this not because we want to earn our Master’s pleasure? Is this not because his love is our motivating factor?

The Master’s love inspires us to meditate. And every round of meditation, every feeble effort, goes a long way in shaping our hearts for success which will lead us to be courageous, cheerful and determined.

Every moment the beloved brings gifts to lovers who work. He is the soul who enlivens the heart of love.
_{Jalal al-Din Rumi}

Sometimes, we may be mentally separated from the Beloved and sometimes physically, but we will always continue to have his love. The Master’s love is eternal and selfless.

O Shams-e Tabriz, no words describe you except – O God, what a friend, what a beloved you are!
_{Jalal al-Din Rumi}

If we ever feel disheartened or overwhelmed by life’s ups and downs, let us just remember his love – which is showered on us so graciously despite the fact that we may not be deserving of it.

Yes, my Beloved, this is how my life will be consumed. I have no other means of proving my love for you other than that of strewing flowers, that is, not allowing one little sacrifice to escape, not one look, one word, profiting by all the smallest things and doing them through love.… I shall sing even when I must gather my flowers in the midst of thorns, and my song will be all the more melodious in proportion to the length and sharpness of the thorns.
_{Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, Story of a Soul}