Light up a fire of love within your soul
Burn up these thoughts and words from head to toe! (M2:1763)
Rumi is not opposed to rational philosophy, but he perceives its limitation and inability to solve the important ontological problems of existence or to facilitate the process of human perfection. By rationalism, not only the philosophic tradition but also the practices of scholastic theology, religious jurisprudence and grammar are intended; anything, in short, which fills us with pride and leads us away from spiritual truth, kindness and humility.
The intellectual quest, however fine it may be, cannot compare to the spiritual quest. The intellect and the senses perceive cause and effect, whereas the spirit perceives wonders upon wonders; one may possess the former and yet totally lack the latter. But when one possesses that wondrous spirit and can see the truth, the principles of logic, like the staff of a blind man, become unnecessary.
Though logicians may stare at spiritual proofs in front of their face, they cannot perceive them clearly if they lack spiritual insight, for “the sun is the proof of the sun!” Logic is thus unable to save their souls, just as all the proud knowledge of the grammarian proved useless when his boat sank in a storm; unlike the unlettered boatman, whom he had humiliated, the grammarian lacked the salvific knowledge of how to swim (M1:2835). Instead of learning self- effacement, which would have taught him to float, he called everyone an ass and perished flailing in the sea.
You may be the most learned of the age;
And when the age, the world, come to an end?
(M1:2845)
References
Lewis, Franklin D. Rumi: Past and Present, East and West: The life, Teaching and poetry of Jalal Al-Din Rumi. Oxford: One World Publications (UK), 2000.
