120 philosophical essays you must read in your life

Chapter 114

Chapter 6, Section 18, On Love

[Lebanon] Gibran
So Elmacha said: Please tell us about love.

He looked up at the crowd, and they fell silent for a moment.He said in a loud voice:

When love calls you, follow him,

Although his journey is difficult and steep.

Surrender to him when his wings enclose you,

Although the blade hidden among the wings may hurt you.

When he speaks to you, obey him,

Although his voice will shatter your dreams and souls, just as the north wind blows away the forest garden.

Love crowns you, but he will crucify you.Though he cultivated you, he also pruned you.

Though he rises to your highest height, caresses your trembling branches and leaves in the sun.

He also will come down to your roots and shake every joint of your roots to the ground.

Like a sheaf of millet, he gathers you together.

He beats you and makes you naked.

He sifts you to shell you.

He grinds you until you are white.

He rubs you until pliable.

Then he sends you to his holy fire and makes you the wafer of God's feast.

These are the things that love will do to you, to make you know the secrets of your own heart, and in this knowledge you become a speck in the heart of "life".

If in your doubts and fears you seek only love's peace and pleasure,

It's better to cover your nakedness and escape the sieve of love,

And into the seasonless world, where you'll laugh, but not as much as you can, and weep, but not all your tears.

Love gives nothing but itself, love receives nothing but itself.

Love neither possesses nor is possessed.

For love is fulfilled in love.

When you love, you don't say "God is in my heart" but "I am in God's heart".

Don't think you can guide the course of love, because if he finds you worthy, he will guide you.

【Together with you】

Love has no other wish but to fulfill itself.

But if you love and need wishes, let the following be your wishes:

Melting yourself, singing a song to the clear night like a stream.

To know the pain of excessive tenderness.

Let what you know about love destroy yourself.

And shed blood willingly and joyfully.

Wake up in the morning and give thanks with joy for another day of love.

Rest in the middle of the day, meditating on the joy of love.

When the evening tide goes out, go home grateful.

Then pray in your sleep, for the beloved is in your heart, and the song of praise is on your lips.

(End of this chapter)