hat elder of the art
of instruction and the Absolute. He said: "O Son, if thou art able not to
sleep, then thou art able not to die. And if thou art able not to waken
after sleep, then thou shalt be able not to rise after death."

O friend, the heart is the dwelling of eternal mysteries, make it not the
home of fleeting fancies; waste not the treasure of thy precious life in
employment with this swiftly passing world. Thou comest from the world of
holiness--bind not thine heart to the earth; thou art a dweller in the
court of nearness--choose not the homeland of the dust.

In sum, there is no end to the description of these stages, but because of
the wrongs inflicted by the peoples of the earth, this Servant is in no
mood to continue:

The tale is still unfinished and I have no heart for it--
Then pray forgive me.(60)

The pen groaneth and the ink sheddeth tears, and the river(61) of the
heart moveth in waves of blood. "Nothing can befall us but what God hath
destined for us."(62) Peace be upon him who followeth the Right Path!

After scaling the high summits of wonderment the wayfarer cometh to

The Valley of True Poverty and Absolute Nothingness

This station is the dying from self and the living in God, the being poor
in self and rich in the Desired One. Poverty as here referred to
signifieth being poor in the things of the created world, rich in the
things of God's world. For when the true lover and devoted friend reacheth
to the presence of the Beloved, the sparkling beauty of the Loved One and
the fire of the lover's heart will kindle a blaze and burn away all veils
and wrappings. Yea, all he hath, from heart to skin, will be set aflame,
so that nothing will remain save the Friend.

When the qualities of the Ancient of Days stood revealed,
Then the qualities of earthly things did Moses burn away.(63)

He who hath attained this station is sanctified from all that pertaineth
to the world. Wherefore, if those who have come to the sea of His presence
are found to possess none of the limited things of this perishable world,
whether it be outer wealth or personal opinions, it mattereth not. For
whatever the creatures have is limited by their own limits, and whatever
the True One hath is sanctified therefrom; this utterance must be deeply
pondered that its purport may be clear. "Verily the righteous shall drink
of a winecup tempered at the camphor fountain."(64) If the interpretation
of "camphor"