I Died as a Mineral
I died as a mineral and became a plant,
I died as plant and rose to animal,
I died as animal and I was Man.
Why should I fear? When was I less by dying?
Yet once more I shall die as Man, to soar
With angels blest; but even from angelhood
I must pass on: all except God doth perish.
When I have sacrificed my angel-soul,
I shall become what no mind e’er conceived.
Oh, let me not exist! for Non-existence
Proclaims in organ tones, ‘To Him we shall return.’
–Jalal al-Din Muhammad Rumi (1207-1273)
From The Mystics of Islam (1914) edited by Reynold Alleyne Nicholson
“When someone dies, it is because, at that point, their karma has become insurmountable in the present body. It is not possible to understand why death had to come when it did, and there is certainly no point in assuming responsibility and guilt. The course of action was unfathomable. However, especially for someone on the path of speedy evolution, the transition is purely evolutionary. They go to the celestial realms, or are reborn almost immediately.
When life leaves the body, it is the breath leaving, like transcending. For one who has been accustomed to this experience for many years, the transition is easy, painless and blissful, not catastrophic. Dropping the body is like letting a bird out of its cage.
Grief is natural. At first, when grief is deep and sharp, these emotions of the family and friends allow the soul to feel that they were loved very deeply. It is also natural that the grieving should taper off, allowing the soul to feel that their passing was not a drag on the life of their beloved ones, and that they are free to move on to their destiny. It is important to feel positivity and support for the departed soul wherever they may be, because our attitude affects their evolution.”
— Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
“their karma has become insurmountable in the present body.”
Another perspective is it’s the last karma of this body/ the suitcase. What drove us into this life is done, so the life program ends. But I can also see how that final karma may be too much for the body, so it dies.
Rumis capacity to transmit Wisdom and Beauty at the same time always baffles me.
It was a gift. And he is a gift.