Mystic Silence - A Poem by Attar

Mystic Silence

 

From each, Love demands a mystic silence.

What do all seek so earnestly? Tis Love.

Love is the subject of their inmost thoughts,

In Love no longer “Thou” and “I” exist,

For self has passed away in the Beloved.

Now will I draw aside the veil from Love,

And in the temple of mine inmost soul

Behold the Friend, Incomparable Love.

He who would know the secret of both worlds

Will find that the secret of them both is Love.

 

Attar

 

Essential Sufism, by James Fadiman & Robert Frager,

 

 

About the poet:

 

 

Attar 1119 -1220 . Attar was one of the most ancient and highly revered poets of Persia. He inspired later Sufi poets, such as Rumi and Hafiz

Farid od Din Attar was born in Nishapur and lived about 1119-1220 (Another source mentions he lived about 1136-1230). He lived close to 100 years and was killed by the Mongol invaders. His tomb is in Nishapur. During his lifetime he wrote mystical poetry writing of man’s ultimate relationship with the Divine reality.