Excerpts dr nilofar vazir forty rules of love. elif shafak. ppt

Excerpts compiled by Dr Nilofar VaziExcerpts compiled by Dr Nilofar Vazir: The 40 Rules of Love by Elif Shafar: The 40 Rules of Love by Elif Shafak, 2010k, 2010

Forty Rules of LoveForty Rules of LoveMawlana Mohammad Mawlana Mohammad

Jalaluudin RumiJalaluudin Rumi

Excerpts Compiled Excerpts Compiled by by

Nilofar VazirNilofar VazirFrom the Book “The forty rules of love”From the Book “The forty rules of love”

By Elif Shafak (2010)By Elif Shafak (2010)


IntroductionIntroductionThese excerpts are a collection of forty rules of love written in the Masnavi These excerpts are a collection of forty rules of love written in the Masnavi (13 century, Konya in Asia Minor, currently Turkey) of the great cleric, (13 century, Konya in Asia Minor, currently Turkey) of the great cleric, philosopher and mystic Mawlana Muhammad Jalaludin Rumi the famous philosopher and mystic Mawlana Muhammad Jalaludin Rumi the famous passionate and committed poet, spiritual leader and beacon of the Islamic passionate and committed poet, spiritual leader and beacon of the Islamic world. Although there may be many more of these rules addressed by Rumi in world. Although there may be many more of these rules addressed by Rumi in his Masnavi. his Masnavi. Forty of these rules have been carefully selected and weaved in a trajectory; Forty of these rules have been carefully selected and weaved in a trajectory; a novel by Elif Shafak. They compel the reader into deep reflection and a novel by Elif Shafak. They compel the reader into deep reflection and contemplation trying to understand what these rules mean for each one of us contemplation trying to understand what these rules mean for each one of us living ordinary lives and what we can learn from them. Love here is the living ordinary lives and what we can learn from them. Love here is the “essence” and “purpose” of life. Rumi reminds us as an advocate of love that “essence” and “purpose” of life. Rumi reminds us as an advocate of love that it hits everyone, including those who shun it, using the word as a sign of it hits everyone, including those who shun it, using the word as a sign of disapproval. However, Love manifests itself in many forms and ways disapproval. However, Love manifests itself in many forms and ways enrapturing and engulfing us in strange ways and means.enrapturing and engulfing us in strange ways and means.

These rules so inspired me that I have borrowed them to share with my These rules so inspired me that I have borrowed them to share with my friends and colleagues, across different countries, sects and cultures. Each friends and colleagues, across different countries, sects and cultures. Each one to interpret in his/her own way.one to interpret in his/her own way.

I urge the reader to look at these rules of love not merely as a physical I urge the reader to look at these rules of love not merely as a physical aspect or being but beyond the different realms and domains; as an aspect or being but beyond the different realms and domains; as an embodiment of the entire universe and try to find the true meaning as the embodiment of the entire universe and try to find the true meaning as the Sufis have discovered…spiritually! Sufis have discovered…spiritually! Eventually leading us to find God who lies within us, never abandoning us: in Eventually leading us to find God who lies within us, never abandoning us: in its attributes of oneness encompassing: unity, compassion, kindness, its attributes of oneness encompassing: unity, compassion, kindness, patience, justice, wisdom, equality, strength acceptance and so much more! patience, justice, wisdom, equality, strength acceptance and so much more!

Nilofar VazirNilofar Vazir


Rule # 1Rule # 1

““How we see God is a direct How we see God is a direct reflection of how we see ourselves. reflection of how we see ourselves. If God brings to mind mostly fear If God brings to mind mostly fear and blame, it means there is too and blame, it means there is too much fear and blame welled inside much fear and blame welled inside us. If we see God as full of love us. If we see God as full of love and compassion, so are we.”and compassion, so are we.”


Rule # 2Rule # 2

““The Path to the Truth is a labor of The Path to the Truth is a labor of the heart, not of the head. Make the heart, not of the head. Make your heart your primary guide! Not your heart your primary guide! Not your mind. Meet challenge, and your mind. Meet challenge, and ultimately prevail over your ultimately prevail over your “nafs“nafs” ” with your heart. Knowing yourself with your heart. Knowing yourself will lead you to the knowledge of will lead you to the knowledge of God.” God.”


Rule # 3Rule # 3 ““Each and every reader comprehends Each and every reader comprehends

the Holy Quran on a different level in the Holy Quran on a different level in tandem with the depth of his/her tandem with the depth of his/her understanding. There are 4 levels of understanding. There are 4 levels of insight. The first level is the outer insight. The first level is the outer meaning and it is the one that the meaning and it is the one that the majority of the people are content majority of the people are content with. Next is the with. Next is the “Batni” “Batni” the inner the inner level. Third, there is the inner of the level. Third, there is the inner of the inner. And, the fourth level is so deep inner. And, the fourth level is so deep it cannot be put into words and is it cannot be put into words and is therefore bound to be indescribable.”therefore bound to be indescribable.”


Rule # 4Rule # 4

““You can study God through everything and You can study God through everything and everyone in the Universe, because God is everyone in the Universe, because God is not confined in a mosque, synagogue, or not confined in a mosque, synagogue, or church. But if you are still in need of church. But if you are still in need of knowing where exactly His abode is, there knowing where exactly His abode is, there is only one place to look for Him: in the is only one place to look for Him: in the heart of a true lover. There is no one who heart of a true lover. There is no one who has lived seeing Him, just like there is no has lived seeing Him, just like there is no one has died after seeing Him. Whoever one has died after seeing Him. Whoever finds Him, will remain with Him forever.”finds Him, will remain with Him forever.”


Rule # 5Rule # 5

““Most of the problems of the world Most of the problems of the world stem from linguistic mistakes and stem from linguistic mistakes and simple misunderstandings. Don’t simple misunderstandings. Don’t ever take words at face value. When ever take words at face value. When you step into the zone ofyou step into the zone of love, love, language as we know it becomes language as we know it becomes obsolete. That which cannot be put obsolete. That which cannot be put into words can only be grasped into words can only be grasped through silence.”through silence.”


Rule # 6Rule # 6

“ “ Loneliness and solitude are two Loneliness and solitude are two different things, it is easy to delude different things, it is easy to delude yourself into believing that you are on yourself into believing that you are on the right path. Solitude is better for us, the right path. Solitude is better for us, as it means being alone without feeling as it means being alone without feeling lonely. But eventually it is best to find a lonely. But eventually it is best to find a person, the person who will be your person, the person who will be your mirror. Remember, only in another mirror. Remember, only in another person’s heart can you truly see yourself person’s heart can you truly see yourself and the presence of God within you.”and the presence of God within you.”


Rule # 7Rule # 7 ““Whatever happens in your life, no Whatever happens in your life, no

matter how troubling things might matter how troubling things might seem, do not enter the seem, do not enter the neighborhood of despair. Even when neighborhood of despair. Even when all doors remain closed, God will all doors remain closed, God will open up a new path only for you. Be open up a new path only for you. Be thankful! It is easy to be thankful thankful! It is easy to be thankful when all is well. A Sufi is thankful when all is well. A Sufi is thankful not only for what he has been given not only for what he has been given but also for all that he has been but also for all that he has been denied.”denied.”


Rule # 8Rule # 8

“ “ Patience does not mean to passively Patience does not mean to passively endure. It means to be farsighted enough endure. It means to be farsighted enough to trust the end result of a process. What to trust the end result of a process. What does patience mean? It means to look at does patience mean? It means to look at the thorn and see the rose, to look at the the thorn and see the rose, to look at the night and see the dawn. Impatience night and see the dawn. Impatience means to be short-sighted as to not be means to be short-sighted as to not be able to see the outcome. The lover of God able to see the outcome. The lover of God never runs out on patience, for they know never runs out on patience, for they know that time is needed for the crescent to that time is needed for the crescent to become a full moon.”become a full moon.”


Rule # 9Rule # 9

“ “ East, west, south or north makes East, west, south or north makes little difference. No matter what little difference. No matter what your destination, just be sure to your destination, just be sure to make every journey a journey make every journey a journey within. If you travel within, you within. If you travel within, you will travel the whole wide world will travel the whole wide world and beyond.”and beyond.”


Rule # 10Rule # 10

““The midwife knows that when there The midwife knows that when there is no pain, the way for the baby is no pain, the way for the baby cannot be opened and the mother cannot be opened and the mother cannot give birth. Likewise, for a cannot give birth. Likewise, for a new “Self” to be born, hardship is new “Self” to be born, hardship is necessary. Just as clay needs to go necessary. Just as clay needs to go through intense heat to become through intense heat to become strong, Love can only be perfected strong, Love can only be perfected in pain.”in pain.”


Rule # 11Rule # 11

“ “ The quest for love changes us. The quest for love changes us. There is no seeker among those There is no seeker among those who search for love who has not who search for love who has not matured on the way. The matured on the way. The moment you start looking for moment you start looking for love, you start to change from love, you start to change from within and without.”within and without.”


Rule # 12Rule # 12

“ “ There are more fake gurus and false There are more fake gurus and false teachers in this world than the number of teachers in this world than the number of stars in the visible universe. Don’t confuse stars in the visible universe. Don’t confuse power-driven, self-centered people with power-driven, self-centered people with true mentors. A genuine spiritual master true mentors. A genuine spiritual master will not direct your attention to will not direct your attention to himself/herself and will not expect absolute himself/herself and will not expect absolute obedience or utter admiration from you, but obedience or utter admiration from you, but instead will help you to appreciate and instead will help you to appreciate and admire your inner self. True mentors are as admire your inner self. True mentors are as transparent as glass. They let the Light of transparent as glass. They let the Light of God pass through them.”God pass through them.”


Rule # 13Rule # 13

“ “ Try not to resist the changes Try not to resist the changes that come your way. Instead let that come your way. Instead let life live through you. And do not life live through you. And do not worry that your life is turning worry that your life is turning upside down. How do you know upside down. How do you know that the side you are used to is that the side you are used to is better than the one to come.”better than the one to come.”


Rule # 14Rule # 14

““God is busy with the completion of your God is busy with the completion of your work, both outwardly and inwardly. He work, both outwardly and inwardly. He is fully occupied with you. Every is fully occupied with you. Every human-being is a work in progress that human-being is a work in progress that is slowly but inexorably moving towards is slowly but inexorably moving towards perfection. We are each an unfinished perfection. We are each an unfinished work of art both waiting and striving to work of art both waiting and striving to be completed. God deals with each of be completed. God deals with each of us separately because humanity is a us separately because humanity is a fine art of skilled penmanship where fine art of skilled penmanship where every single dot is equally important for every single dot is equally important for the entire picture.”the entire picture.”


Rule # 15Rule # 15

““Its easy to love a perfect God, Its easy to love a perfect God, unblemished and infallible that He is. unblemished and infallible that He is. What is far more difficult is to love What is far more difficult is to love fellow human-beings with all their fellow human-beings with all their imperfections and defects. Remember, imperfections and defects. Remember, one can only know what one is capable one can only know what one is capable of loving. There is no wisdom without of loving. There is no wisdom without love. Unless we learn to love God’s love. Unless we learn to love God’s creation, we can neither love or truly creation, we can neither love or truly know God.”know God.”


Rule # 16Rule # 16

““Real filth is the one inside. The Real filth is the one inside. The rest simply washes off. There is rest simply washes off. There is only one type of dirt that cannot only one type of dirt that cannot be cleansed with pure waters, and be cleansed with pure waters, and that is the stain of hatred and that is the stain of hatred and bigotry contaminating the soul. bigotry contaminating the soul. You can purify your body through You can purify your body through abstinence and fasting, but only abstinence and fasting, but only love will purify your heart.”love will purify your heart.”


Rule # 17Rule # 17

“ “ The whole universe is contained within a The whole universe is contained within a single human being—you. Everything that single human being—you. Everything that you see around, including the things you you see around, including the things you might not be fond of and even the people might not be fond of and even the people you despise or abhor, is present within you you despise or abhor, is present within you in varying degrees. Therefore, do not look in varying degrees. Therefore, do not look for Sheitan outside yourself either. The devil for Sheitan outside yourself either. The devil is not an extraordinary force that attacks is not an extraordinary force that attacks from without. It is an ordinary voice within. If from without. It is an ordinary voice within. If you get to know yourself fully, facing with you get to know yourself fully, facing with honesty and hardness both your dark and honesty and hardness both your dark and bright sides, you will arrive at a supreme bright sides, you will arrive at a supreme form of consciousness. When a person form of consciousness. When a person knows himself/herself, s/he will now God.”knows himself/herself, s/he will now God.”


Rule # 18Rule # 18

““If you want to change the way others If you want to change the way others treat you, you should first change the treat you, you should first change the way you treat yourself. Unless you way you treat yourself. Unless you learn to love yourself, fully and learn to love yourself, fully and sincerely, there is no way you can be sincerely, there is no way you can be loved.. Once you achieve that stage, loved.. Once you achieve that stage, however, be thankful for every thorn however, be thankful for every thorn that others might throw at you. It is a that others might throw at you. It is a sign that you will soon be showered in sign that you will soon be showered in roses.”roses.”


Rule # 19Rule # 19

“ “ We were all created in His image, and We were all created in His image, and yet we were each created different and yet we were each created different and unique. No two people are alike. No unique. No two people are alike. No two hearts beat to the same rhythm. If two hearts beat to the same rhythm. If God had wanted everyone to be the God had wanted everyone to be the same. He would have made it so. same. He would have made it so. Therefore, disrespecting differences Therefore, disrespecting differences and imposing your thoughts on others and imposing your thoughts on others is tantamount to disrespecting God’s is tantamount to disrespecting God’s holy scheme.”holy scheme.”


Rule # 20Rule # 20

“ “ Fret not where the road will take Fret not where the road will take you. Instead concentrate on the you. Instead concentrate on the first step. That is the hardest part first step. That is the hardest part and that is what you are and that is what you are responsible for. Once you take that responsible for. Once you take that step let everything do what it step let everything do what it naturally does and the rest will naturally does and the rest will follow. Do not go with the flow. Be follow. Do not go with the flow. Be the flow.”the flow.”


Rule # 21Rule # 21

“ “ When a true lover of God goes into a When a true lover of God goes into a tavern, the tavern becomes his tavern, the tavern becomes his chamber of prayer, but when a wine chamber of prayer, but when a wine bibber goes into the same chamber, it bibber goes into the same chamber, it becomes his tavern. In everything we becomes his tavern. In everything we do, it is our hearts that make the do, it is our hearts that make the difference, not our outer appearances. difference, not our outer appearances. Sufis do not judge other people on how Sufis do not judge other people on how they look or who they are.. When a Sufi they look or who they are.. When a Sufi stares at someone, he keeps both eyes stares at someone, he keeps both eyes closed and instead opens a third eye—closed and instead opens a third eye—the eye that sees the inner realm.” the eye that sees the inner realm.”


Rule # 22Rule # 22

““Life is a temporary loan, and this world Life is a temporary loan, and this world is nothing but a sketchy imitation of is nothing but a sketchy imitation of Reality. Only children would mistake a Reality. Only children would mistake a toy for the real thing. And yet human-toy for the real thing. And yet human-beings either become infatuated with beings either become infatuated with the toy or disrespectfully break it and the toy or disrespectfully break it and throw it aside. In this life stay away throw it aside. In this life stay away from all kinds of extremities, for they from all kinds of extremities, for they will destroy your inner balance.”will destroy your inner balance.”


Rule # 23Rule # 23

““The human-being has a unique place The human-being has a unique place among God’s creation. “I breathed into among God’s creation. “I breathed into him of My Spirit,” God says. Each and him of My Spirit,” God says. Each and everyone of us without exception is everyone of us without exception is designated to be God’s delegate on designated to be God’s delegate on earth. Ask yourself, just how often do earth. Ask yourself, just how often do you behave like a delegate, if you ever you behave like a delegate, if you ever do so? Remember, it falls upon each of do so? Remember, it falls upon each of us to discover the divine spirit inside us to discover the divine spirit inside us and live by it.”us and live by it.”


Rule # 24Rule # 24

““Hell is in the here and now. So is Hell is in the here and now. So is Heaven. Quit worrying about hell Heaven. Quit worrying about hell or dreaming about heaven, as or dreaming about heaven, as they are both present inside us they are both present inside us this very moment. Every time we this very moment. Every time we fall in love, we ascend to heaven. fall in love, we ascend to heaven. Every time we hate, envy, or Every time we hate, envy, or fight someone, we tumble fight someone, we tumble straight into the fires of hell.”straight into the fires of hell.”


Rule # 25Rule # 25

“ “ This world is like a snowy mountain that This world is like a snowy mountain that echoes your voice. Whatever you speak, good echoes your voice. Whatever you speak, good or evil, will somehow come back to you. or evil, will somehow come back to you. Therefore, if there is someone who harbors ill Therefore, if there is someone who harbors ill thoughts about you, saying similarly bad thoughts about you, saying similarly bad things about him/her will only make matters things about him/her will only make matters worse. You will be locked in a vicious circle of worse. You will be locked in a vicious circle of malevolent energy. Instead for 40 days and malevolent energy. Instead for 40 days and nights say and think nice things about that nights say and think nice things about that person. Every thing will be different at the person. Every thing will be different at the end of 40 days, because you will be a end of 40 days, because you will be a different person inside.”different person inside.”


Rule # 26Rule # 26

““The past is an interpretation. The future is The past is an interpretation. The future is an illusion. The world does not move an illusion. The world does not move through time as if it were a straight line, through time as if it were a straight line, proceeding from the past to the future. proceeding from the past to the future. Instead time moves through and within us, Instead time moves through and within us, in endless spirals. Eternity does not mean in endless spirals. Eternity does not mean infinite time, but simply timelessness. infinite time, but simply timelessness.

If you want to experience external If you want to experience external illumination, put the past and the future out illumination, put the past and the future out of your mind and remain within the present of your mind and remain within the present moment.”moment.”


Rule # 27Rule # 27

““Destiny does not mean that your Destiny does not mean that your life has been strictly life has been strictly predetermined. Therefore, to leave predetermined. Therefore, to leave everything to fate and to not everything to fate and to not actively contribute to the music of actively contribute to the music of the universe is a sign of sheer the universe is a sign of sheer ignorance. The music of the ignorance. The music of the universe is all pervading and it is universe is all pervading and it is composed on 40 different levels.”composed on 40 different levels.”


Rule # 28Rule # 28

““The true Sufi is such that even when he The true Sufi is such that even when he is unjustly accused, attacked and is unjustly accused, attacked and condemned from all sides, he patiently condemned from all sides, he patiently endures, uttering not a single bad word endures, uttering not a single bad word about any of his critics. A Sufi never about any of his critics. A Sufi never apportions blame. How can these be apportions blame. How can these be opponents or rivals or even “others” opponents or rivals or even “others” when there is no “self” in the first when there is no “self” in the first place? How can there be anyone to place? How can there be anyone to blame when there is only One?”blame when there is only One?”


Rule # 29Rule # 29

““If you want to strengthen your faith, you will need to If you want to strengthen your faith, you will need to look often inside. For your faith to be rock solid, look often inside. For your faith to be rock solid, your heart needs to be as soft as a feather. your heart needs to be as soft as a feather. Through an illness, accident, loss, or fright, one Through an illness, accident, loss, or fright, one way or another, we all are faced with incidents that way or another, we all are faced with incidents that teach us how to become less selfish and teach us how to become less selfish and judgmental, and more compassionate and judgmental, and more compassionate and generous. Yet some of us learn the lesson and generous. Yet some of us learn the lesson and manage to become milder, while some others end manage to become milder, while some others end up becoming even harsher than before. The only up becoming even harsher than before. The only way to get closer to the truth is to expand your way to get closer to the truth is to expand your heart so that it will encompass all humanity and heart so that it will encompass all humanity and still have room for more love.”still have room for more love.”


Rule # 30Rule # 30

““Nothing should stand between yourself and Nothing should stand between yourself and God. Not imams, priests, rabbis and any other God. Not imams, priests, rabbis and any other custodians of moral and religious leadership. custodians of moral and religious leadership. Not spiritual masters, not even your faith. Not spiritual masters, not even your faith. Believe in your values and your rules, but Believe in your values and your rules, but never laud them over others. If you keep never laud them over others. If you keep breaking other people’s hearts, whatever breaking other people’s hearts, whatever religious duty you perform is no good. Stay religious duty you perform is no good. Stay away from idolatry, for they will blur your away from idolatry, for they will blur your vision. Let God and only God be your guide. vision. Let God and only God be your guide. Learn the truth, but be careful not to make a Learn the truth, but be careful not to make a fetish out of your truths.”fetish out of your truths.”


Rule # 31Rule # 31

““While everyone in this world strives to While everyone in this world strives to get somewhere and become someone, get somewhere and become someone, only to leave it all behind after death, only to leave it all behind after death, you aim for the supreme stage of you aim for the supreme stage of nothingness.nothingness.Live this life as light and empty as the Live this life as light and empty as the number zero. We are no different from number zero. We are no different from a pot. It is not the decorations outside a pot. It is not the decorations outside but the emptiness inside that holds us but the emptiness inside that holds us straight. Just like that, it is not what we straight. Just like that, it is not what we aspire to achieve but the consciousness aspire to achieve but the consciousness of nothingness that keeps us going.”of nothingness that keeps us going.”


Rule # 32Rule # 32

“ “ Submission does not mean being weak Submission does not mean being weak or passive. It leads to neither fatalism or passive. It leads to neither fatalism nor capitulation. Just the opposite. True nor capitulation. Just the opposite. True power resides in submission. A power power resides in submission. A power that comes from within. Those who that comes from within. Those who submit to the divine essence of life will submit to the divine essence of life will live in unperturbed tranquility and live in unperturbed tranquility and peace even when the whole wide world peace even when the whole wide world goes through turbulence after goes through turbulence after turbulence.”turbulence.”


Rule # 33Rule # 33

“ “In this world, it is not similarities or In this world, it is not similarities or regularities that take us a step forward, but regularities that take us a step forward, but blunt opposites. And all the opposites in the blunt opposites. And all the opposites in the universe are present within each and universe are present within each and everyone of us. Therefore the believer everyone of us. Therefore the believer needs to meet the unbeliever residing needs to meet the unbeliever residing within. And the non believer should get to within. And the non believer should get to know the silent faithful in him. Until the day know the silent faithful in him. Until the day one reaches the stage of Insan-i-Kamil, the one reaches the stage of Insan-i-Kamil, the perfect human being, faith is a gradual perfect human being, faith is a gradual process and one that necessitates its process and one that necessitates its seeming opposite--disbelief.”seeming opposite--disbelief.”


Rule # 34Rule # 34

“ “The world is erected upon the principle The world is erected upon the principle of reciprocity. Neither a drop of of reciprocity. Neither a drop of kindness nor a speck of evil will kindness nor a speck of evil will remain unreciprocated. Fear not the remain unreciprocated. Fear not the plots, deceptions, or tricks of other plots, deceptions, or tricks of other people. If somebody is setting a trap, people. If somebody is setting a trap, remember, so is God. He is the biggest remember, so is God. He is the biggest plotter. Not even a leaf stirs outside plotter. Not even a leaf stirs outside God’s knowledge. Simply and fully God’s knowledge. Simply and fully believe in that. Whatever God does, He believe in that. Whatever God does, He does it beautifully.”does it beautifully.”


Rule # 35Rule # 35

““God is a meticulous clockmaker. So God is a meticulous clockmaker. So precise is His order that precise is His order that everything on earth happens in its everything on earth happens in its own time. Neither a minute late own time. Neither a minute late nor a minute early. And for nor a minute early. And for everyone without exception, the everyone without exception, the clock works accurately. For each clock works accurately. For each there is a time to love and a time there is a time to love and a time to die.”to die.”


Rule # 36Rule # 36

“ “ It is never too late to ask yourself, “Am I It is never too late to ask yourself, “Am I ready to change the life I am living? Am I ready to change the life I am living? Am I ready to change within?” Even if a single ready to change within?” Even if a single day in your life is the same as the day day in your life is the same as the day before, it surely is a pity. before, it surely is a pity.

At every moment and with each new At every moment and with each new breath, one should be renewed and breath, one should be renewed and renewed again. There is only one way to renewed again. There is only one way to be born into a new life: to die before be born into a new life: to die before death.”death.”


Rule # 37Rule # 37

““While the parts change, the whole While the parts change, the whole always remains the same. For every always remains the same. For every thief who departs this world, a new thief who departs this world, a new one is born. And every decent one is born. And every decent person who passes away is replaced person who passes away is replaced by a new one. In this way not only by a new one. In this way not only does nothing remain the same but does nothing remain the same but also nothing ever really changes. also nothing ever really changes. For every Sufi who dies, another is For every Sufi who dies, another is born somewhere”born somewhere”


Rule # 38Rule # 38

“ “ A life without love is of no account. A life without love is of no account. Don’t ask yourself what kind of love Don’t ask yourself what kind of love you should seek, spiritual or material, you should seek, spiritual or material, divine or mundane, Eastern or divine or mundane, Eastern or Western…Divisions only lead to more Western…Divisions only lead to more divisions. Love has no labels, divisions. Love has no labels, definitions. It is what it is, pure and definitions. It is what it is, pure and simple.simple.Love is the water of life. And a lover is Love is the water of life. And a lover is a soul of fire!a soul of fire!The universe turns differently when The universe turns differently when fire loves water.”fire loves water.”


Rule # 39Rule # 39

“ “ Intellect and love are made of different Intellect and love are made of different materials. Intellect ties people in knots materials. Intellect ties people in knots and risks nothing, but love dissolves the and risks nothing, but love dissolves the tangles and risks everything. Intellect is tangles and risks everything. Intellect is always cautious and advises, Beware always cautious and advises, Beware too much ecstasy”, whereas love says, too much ecstasy”, whereas love says, “Oh never mind! Take the plunge!” “Oh never mind! Take the plunge!” Intellect does not easily break down, Intellect does not easily break down, whereas love can effortlessly reduce whereas love can effortlessly reduce itself to rubble. But treasures are itself to rubble. But treasures are hidden among ruins. A broken heart hidden among ruins. A broken heart hides treasure.”hides treasure.”


Rule # 40Rule # 40

“ “The universe is one being. Everything and The universe is one being. Everything and everyone is inter-connected through an everyone is inter-connected through an invisible web of stories. Whether we are aware invisible web of stories. Whether we are aware of it or not, we are all in a silent conversation. of it or not, we are all in a silent conversation. Do no harm. Practice compassion. And do not Do no harm. Practice compassion. And do not gossip behind anyone’s back—not even a gossip behind anyone’s back—not even a seemingly innocent remark! The words that seemingly innocent remark! The words that come out of our mouths do not vanish but are come out of our mouths do not vanish but are perpetually stored in infinite space, and they perpetually stored in infinite space, and they will come back to us in due time. One man’s will come back to us in due time. One man’s pain will hurt us all. One man’s joy, will make pain will hurt us all. One man’s joy, will make everyone smile. This is what all these rules everyone smile. This is what all these rules remind us.”remind us.”


““Rumi belongs in the Kingdom of Rumi belongs in the Kingdom of Love. He belongs to the Beloved.” Love. He belongs to the Beloved.” (Shafak, E. 2010, pp 183)(Shafak, E. 2010, pp 183)

The endThe endOr the beginningOr the beginning

To renewed thinkingTo renewed thinking

Thank YouThank You

I hope you enjoy reading these rules as much as I have enjoyed recording themI hope you enjoy reading these rules as much as I have enjoyed recording them

Nilofar VazirNilofar Vazir

Excerpts dr nilofar vazir forty rules of love. elif shafak. ppt

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