In The Spirit Of Rumi-17 Poem by Michael Shepherd

I said to My Beloved

Who is dearest to You, O My Beloved –
those who seek to know You
or those who seek to love You?

My Beloved said

Those who seek to know Me
must first know themself;
look deep into themselves
to know that which is not themself,
to discard that which is not themself;
then when they have found themself
so deep within themself
they shall find Me there

Those who seek to love Me
must first love themself;
look deep with love into themselves
and discard that which they love but
which is not themself;
then when they have found themself
so deep within themself
they shall find Me there

and those who truly know themself
shall love themself and Me,
shall love Me in themself;

and those who truly love themself
shall know themself and Me,
shall know Me in themself;

two paths lead all to Me:
some love knowledge,
some know love,
the treasure lies
where these paths meet
in Me