Rumi was a Sufi poet who lived from 1207-1273 in Persia. According to Wikipedia, ‘In the Mevlevi tradition, samāʿ represents a mystical journey of spiritual ascent through mind and love to the Perfect One. In this journey, the seeker symbolically turns towards the truth, grows through love, abandons the ego, finds the truth and arrives at the Perfect. The seeker then returns from this spiritual journey, with greater maturity, to love and to be of service to the whole of creation without discrimination with regard to beliefs, races, classes and nations.’

On recovering vs recovered:

     “Prophets and religious teachers are like signs on the road, to guide spiritual travelers who become lost in the desert. But those who have attained union with God need nothing but their inner eye and the divine lamp of faith; they need no signs or even a road to travel along. Such people then become signs for others.” – MASNAVI II:3312-14

     Unfortunately, that will never happen if your recovery program amounts to sucking on methadone wafers or suboxone tabs, especially if you believe you are sober or think you can grow spiritually when your body and mind are still filled with synthetic morphine. I’m really not trying to be a dick, but we need people to recover and get really solid in order to properly carry this message and be of use to others who still suffer.

On putting God first instead of self:

     “If the thirsty drink water from a cup, they will see God in it. Those who are not intoxicated with the love of God will see only their own faces in it.”

On taking a leap of faith:

     “A lover never seeks without being sought by his beloved. When the lightening bolt of love has pierced this heart, be assured that there is love in that heart. When the love of God grows in your heart, beyond any doubt God loves you.” MASNAVI III:4393-6

On how God is recovery because recovery is being filled with love and moving towards love instead of away from it:

     “The religion of Love transcends all other religions: for lovers, the only religion and belief is God.” MASVANI II:1770

On asking for help:

     “The water said to the dirty one, ‘Come here.’ The dirty one said, ‘I am too ashamed.’ The water replied, ‘How will your shame be washed away without me?'” MASNAVI II:1366-7

On ignorance:

     “Love of God is rooted in our knowledge of God. When did ignorance lead to true love? Such ignorance is the cause of our banishment and prevents us from drawing near to Him.” MASNAVI:1532-3;1538