Companionship with the Holy ~Rumi

Don’t tale a wooden sword into battle. Go find one of steel; then march forward with joy. The saint’s protection is Truth’s sword: your time with him is worth as much as the cup of life itself. All the wise have said the same: the one who knows God is God’s mercy to His creatures….Companionship with the holy makes you one of them. Though you’re rock or marble, you’ll become a jewel when you reach the man of heart. Plant the love of the holy ones within your spirit; don’t give your heart to anything, but the love of those whose hearts are glad. Don’t go into the neighborhood of despair: there is hope. Don’t go in the direction of darkness: stars exist.
Mathnawi I, 714-17, 721-24 The Pocket Rumi edited by Kabir Helminski p.114-5 photo credit
~http://www.phillg.com/2013/01/and-through-square-window-today-we-have.html