Space In Between
For a long time, we have been together. Just us. We failed to look around
and see what was going on around us. Our life revolved in each other, no one
else. The world was too colorful, brilliant and perfect that we got so
contented and became oblivious of the real world.
Then, a storm came. A lightning hit us and suddenly we found ourselves
alone, with no one to hold on to but ourselves. It was tough. Life became
stagnant and both of us could not seem to move forward. What was once a
rainbow-colored world became black and white. At an instance, I found
myself so alone with no one to turn to.
I wept and wept until I could cry no more and it was then that I looked
around and realized that there is a wide, wide world that exists beyond the
walls that I created while in the midst of obsession. I began noticing
other creatures around me and for the first time, I heard melodies coming
from the silence of the surroundings – melodies that soothe my breaking
heart.
My surroundings changed. I could not describe where I am, all I know is
that I feel like fluffy clouds envelope me, comforting me from all the pain
and suffering. I felt like I’m in a cocoon, shielded from all the cruelties
of the outside world.
I froze and it was then that the powerful writing of Khalil Gibran flashed
right before my eyes… It was God speaking to me, through Gibran’s wisdom:
When love beckons to you, follow him,
Though his ways are hard and steep.
And when his wings enfold you, yield to him,
Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you.
And when he speaks to you believe in him,
Though his voice may shatter your dreams as the north wind lays waste the garden.
For even as love crowns you so shall he crucify you. Even as he is for your growth so is he for your pruning.
Even as he ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that
quiver in the sun,
So shall he descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the
earth.
Like sheaves of corn, he gathers you unto himself.
He threshes you to make you naked.
He sifts you to free you from your husks.
He grinds you to whiteness.
He kneads you until you are pliant;
And then he assigns you to his sacred fire, that you may become sacred
bread for God’s sacred feast.
All these things shall love do unto you that you may know the secrets of
your heart, and in that knowledge become a fragment of Life’s heart.
But if in your fear you would seek only love’s peace and love’s pleasure,
Then it is better for you that you cover your nakedness and pass out of
love’s threshing-floor,
Into the seasonless world where you shall laugh, but not all of your
laughter, and weep, but not all of your tears.
Love gives naught but itself and takes naught but from itself.
Love possesses not nor would it be possessed;
For love is sufficient unto love.
When you love you should not say, “God is in my heart,” but rather, I am in
the heart of God.”
And think not you can direct the course of love, if it finds you worthy,
directs your course.
Love has no other desire but to fulfil itself.
But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires:
To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night.
To know the pain of too much tenderness.
To be wounded by your own understanding of love;
And to bleed willingly and joyfully.
To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of
loving;
To rest at the noon hour and meditate love’s ecstasy;
To return home at eventide with gratitude;
And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of
praise upon your lips.
Indeed! Love wounded and crucified me and even shattered my dreams. It left
me naked, wasted and bleeding… yet, through it all, I am here, clothed by
the miraculous tenderness of God’s embrace.
My heart is filled with overflowing gratitude for all the realizations that
dawned upon me. As I was about to look up at the heavens to thank God, I
noticed familiar footsteps getting closer…
Now, I am ready to love him. I can feel that I am whole enough to revel in his
love.
