As we nurture the spirit of URI, let us renew the power of prayer and positive intention that unites our global community and awakens our hearts and souls. See the full series of posts here.
We share a commitment to promote enduring, daily interfaith cooperation. Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi (1207 –1273) is one of the Islamic world's greatest poets. One Song provides his poetic perspective about diversity among religions to enrich our efforts.
ONE SONG
-- Rumi, translated by Coleman Barks
All these religions, all this singing
One song.
The differences are just illusion and vanity.
Sunlight looks different on this wall
than it does on this wall,
and a whole lot different
on this wall over here,
but it is still sunlight.
We have borrowed these clothes,
these time and space personalities,
from a light,
and, when we praise,
we put it back in.
Just as one man can be a father to you
brother to another and uncle to yet another,
what you are searching for has many names
but one existence.
Stop looking for one of the names.
Move beyond attachment to names.
Every war and conflict between human beings
has happened because of some disagreement about
the names.
It's such unnecessary foolishness
because just beyond the arguing,
where we are all one people,
there is a long table of companionship
beautifully set
and just waiting for us to sit down.