The Mystical Lyricism of Hafez
I don’t know why Hafez crossed my desk. It may have been a podcast, but I don’t remember. Either way, I’m glad he did! He’s really someone you should know if you don’t already. Here’s the first paragraph of his article on Wikipedia:
“Khwāje Shams-od-Dīn Moḥammad Ḥāfeẓ-e Shīrāzī (Persian: خواجه شمسالدین محمّد حافظ شیرازی), known by his pen name Hafez (حافظ, Ḥāfeẓ, ‘the memorizer; the (safe) keeper’; 1325–1390) and as “Hafiz”,[1] was a Persian lyric poet,[2][3] whose collected works are regarded by many Iranians as a pinnacle of Persian literature. His works are often found in the homes of people in the Persian-speaking world, who learn his poems by heart and use them as everyday proverbs and sayings. His life and poems have become the subjects of much analysis, commentary and interpretation, influencing post-14th century Persian writing more than any other Persian author.[4][5]”
Given his importance, influence, and impact it’s strange that more of us don’t know him. I’ve read that his influence reached the German poet Goethe.
Hafez means “the memorizer”, a moniker he took from memorizing the Qu’ran early in his life. It seems that he used the Islamic faith and texts to spring to a mystical lyricism that is largely beyond religious boundaries.
The verses are beautiful, inspiring, and uplifting, and I simply wanted to share some. Listen to the video above if you want to hear me read them as you meditate.
Mystics like Hafez show us that we put boundaries around things that often shouldn’t have boundaries. The paradox I see is that no real progress happens in the world without doing this. It’s almost like we need to do the daily work of building and executing, always so full of boundaries that traumatize and alienate us from one another, and then renew our collective spirit in words such as these to reconnect to our deep unity, so that it can once again be dashed during the workday. That’s how it seems to me. Always and forever. The deep contradiction of our species. Peace be upon you. Enjoy these verses of Hafez.
“And still, after all this time,
The sun never says to the earth,
”You owe Me.”
Look what happens with
A love like that,
It lights the Whole Sky.”
“I wish I could show you,
When you are lonely or in darkness,
The Astonishing Light
Of your own Being!”
“We have come into this exquisite world to experience ever and ever more deeply our divine courage, freedom and light! ”
“One regret dear world, that I am determined not to have when I am lying on my deathbed is that I did not kiss you enough.”
“Remember for just one minute of the day, it would be best to try looking upon yourself more as God does, for She knows your true royal nature.”
“We don’t need sugar, flour or rice or anything else. We just want to see our dear ones.”
“Time is a factory where everyone slaves away earning enough love to break their own chains.”
“Fear is the cheapest room in the house. I would like to see you living in better conditions.”
“Ever since happiness heard your name, it has been running through the streets trying to find you.”
“Love sometimes wants to do us a great favor: hold us upside down and shake all the nonsense out.”
“What Do sad people have in Common? It seems They have all built a shrine To the past And often go there And do a strange wail and Worship. What is the beginning of Happiness? It is to stop being So religious Like That.”
“How
Did the rose
Ever open its heart
And give to this world
All its
Beauty?
It felt the encouragement of light
Against its Being.
Otherwise,
We all remain
Too
Frightened”
“Your soul sometimes plays a note
Against the Sky’s ear that excites
The birds and planets.
Stay close to any sounds
That make you glad you are alive.”