Intro

"Despite the popularity of Hafiz in the East, reliable information about the details of his life is sketchy. Scholars do not even agree about his dates of birth and death. He was probably born about 1320 and died about 1389"

"Hafiz did not have an easy or comfortable life. He was the youngest of three sons of poor parents. His father was a coal merchant who died when Hafiz was in his teens. To help support the family, Hafiz worked as a baker’s assistant by day and put himself through school at night, using part of his salary to pay his tuition."

"Hafiz was, in fact, a spiritual student. As a young man, he became a disciple of a Sufi teacher who guided him through a difficult spiritual apprenticeship that lasted most of his adult life. Later, Hafiz himself became a Sufi master. His Divan (collected poems) is a classic in the literature of Sufism, an ancient spiritual tradition whose special emphasis is intense, often ecstatic, one-pointed devotion to God."

Taken Out Of Context :)

"We have been in love with God For so very, very long."

"What does real love do? It stills the longing, for real love is crowned, and then all become its willing slave. Love creates a home wherever it is. Love is really never in want. True love is always in a state of found."

"The soul, and I think any being, really wants to love, more than be loved."

"Love kicks the ass of time and space."

"Leave something in the marketplace for us before you leave this world."

Selected Poems

January 1 - Listen To This Music

I am a hole in a flute that the Christ’s breath moves through—listen to this music.

I am the concert from the movement of every creature singing in myriad chords.

And every dancer, their foot I know and lift.

And every brush and hand, well, that is me too, who caresses any canvas or cheek.

How did I become all these things, and beyond all things?

It was my destiny, as it is yours.

My poems are about our glorious journey.

We are a hole in a flute, a moment in space, that the Christ’s body can move through and sway forms - in an exquisite dance - as the wind in a forest

January 7 - Could Be Lifted

If you knew the end of your story, nothing on any page—not one of your dramas, could bother you as much.

If you knew the glorious end of your journey, at least half of your attention could be lifted from anything you can now focus on that may cause you pain.

His hand is like that, when it is realized near, it will always turn your gaze in the direction of more light.

January 14 - God Is Applauding

God is applauding our every act, but

He hides that reality from most, until we can understand more about real

love.

February 1 - One Regret

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.

February 8 - How Do I Listen?

How do I listen to others? As if everyone were my Master speaking to me his cherished last words.

How do I listen to you? As if you were the Alpha and Omega of all sound.

April 9 - About Judgement Day

About Judgment Day.

I hope you have come to your senses and stopped believing everything you hear.

April 11 - Stand Aloof

When a preacher stoops to scare tactics it is often wise to stand aloof,

for some gods may lose their patience and start to throw their shoes at him.

April 14 - Or Toss The Rascals Out

Who would want to live with some crickets in your room carousing loudly all night?

That is to say, either befriend all your thoughts, party with them the best you can… or toss the rascals out.

May 3 - Rave-Worthy

What is true enlightenment? It is knowing everything is rave-worthy,

but having the balance, the discernment, to withhold your applause at times, when there are

young souls near… or people trying to sleep.

October 24 - Is Not The Treasure?

When love is there, is not the treasure? When it is not, who could blame a face that looks sad?

November 6 - My Eyes So Soft

Don’t surrender your loneliness so quickly. Let it cut more deep.

Let it ferment and season you as few human or even divine ingredients can.

Something missing in my heart tonight has made my eyes so soft, my voice so tender,

my need of God absolutely clear.

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