Visit the Abbey of the Arts online retreat platform to access your programs:

Letting Your Old Life Die

Quietness

Inside this new love, die.
Your way begins on the other side.

Become the sky.
Take an axe to the prison wall.

Escape.
Walk out like somebody suddenly born into color.

Do it now.
You’re covered with thick cloud.
Slide out the side.

Die,
and be quiet. Quietness is the surest sign
that you’ve died.

Your old life was a frantic running
from silence.

The speechless full moon
comes out now.

-Rumi

You might also enjoy

A sketch of a heron in the water by Melinda Thomas

Monk in the World Guest Post: Melinda Thomas

I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to our Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Abbey Program Coordinator Melinda Thomas’s reflection and poem Synonym. It is my great privilege to serve the Abbey as Program Coordinator and

Read More »

4 Responses

  1. This is my intention. I keep believing that I can do this slowly, one bit at a time, but sooner or later there needs to be an ending before there can be the new beginning. It is simple, but never easy. Thank you for posting this beautiful encouagement.

  2. Oh my. Rumi always knows how to cut through the chaos and strike a chord in my hard. Tears streaming down my face makes it hard to type. Thank you.