Exploring Rumi's "A Great Wagon": A Journey Beyond Right and Wrong
“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing,
there is a field. I’ll meet you there.
When the soul lies down in that grass,
the world is too full to talk about.
Ideas, language, even the phrase each other
doesn’t make any sense.” - Rumi
In our journey of love and companionship, we often find ourselves entangled in the intricate dance of what's right and wrong. It's a dance that can be as bewildering as it is beautiful. Today, I want to share with you a pearl of wisdom from the 13th-century Persian poet, Rumi, whose words in "A Great Wagon" resonate deeply with the art of loving and relating.
Beyond Rightdoing and Wrongdoing
Rumi invites us to imagine a place "out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing," a field where judgment and conflict give way to pure connection. In relationships, this represents a space of unconditional acceptance and understanding. It's where we meet our partners not as adversaries defending our stances but as companions sharing a journey. In this field, love is not about being right or wrong but about being present and connected.
Lying Down in the Grass of the Soul
"When the soul lies down in that grass, the world is too full to talk about." Imagine lying in this metaphorical grass with your partner, where worldly concerns, arguments, and differences fade away. Here, you find a profound connection that goes beyond words, where the simple act of being together, soul to soul, is enough. This is where true intimacy resides, in the silent understanding and the shared peace that comes from just being.
The Language of the Heart
Rumi reminds us that, in this place, "Ideas, language, even the phrase ‘each other’ doesn’t make any sense." In the realm of love, the usual labels and language we use lose their significance. 'Each other' implies separation, but in the depth of connection, such separation dissolves. Love speaks a different language, one of emotions, gestures, and a shared vibration that only hearts in love can understand.
Awakening to Love's Secrets
"The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you. Don’t go back to sleep." These lines are a beautiful metaphor for the insights and growth that love offers us. Dawn symbolizes new beginnings, fresh perspectives. The secrets are the lessons of compassion, empathy, and vulnerability that relationships teach us. Rumi urges us not to 'go back to sleep' – not to fall back into old patterns of ego and misunderstanding, but to stay awake to the continual learning that love brings.
Asking for What You Really Want
In love, it's essential to "ask for what you really want." Communication is the bridge that connects two souls. It's vital to express our deepest needs, fears, and desires. This line encourages us to be honest and open, to not shy away from expressing our true selves. For in this honesty, we invite our partners to truly know us and deepen the bond we share.
The Threshold of Two Worlds
"People are going back and forth across the doorsill where the two worlds touch." This line beautifully symbolizes the dynamic nature of relationships. We are constantly moving between our individuality and our unity, navigating our personal experiences and our shared life. The 'doorsill' is the space of negotiation, compromise, and understanding where two individuals meet and create something larger than themselves.
The Open Door of Opportunity
Lastly, "The door is round and open. Don’t go back to sleep." symbolizes the endless opportunities for growth, love, and connection in relationships. It's a reminder to remain open, receptive, and engaged in the process of loving and being loved.
In conclusion, Rumi's "A Great Wagon" is not just a poem; it's a guide to deeper, more meaningful relationships. It encourages us to find that field beyond right and wrong, to communicate our truths, and to remain open to the endless journey of love. As you walk this path with your partner, remember that the journey itself is the destination, and every step is an opportunity to deepen your bond.
More Rumi: The Essential Rumi
Listen to & Read Rumi’s poem “A Great Wagon.”
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These posts are not intended to be a replacement for therapy.