In times of distress everyone calls for help; in

times of toothache, and earache, in doubt, fear

and insecurity. In secret everyone calls out hoping

that One will hear and grant their requests.

Privately, secretly, people perform good deeds to

ward off weakness and restore their strength,

trusting that Life will accept their gifts and

efforts. When they are restored to health and

peace of mind, then suddenly their faith leaves,

and the phantom of anxiety soon returns.

“O God,” they cry again, “we were in such a

terrible state when, with all sincerity, we called

upon you from our prison corner. For a hundred

prayers you granted our requests. Now, freed of

the prison, we are still as much in need. Bring us

out of this world of darkness into that world of

the prophets, the world of light. Why can freedom

not come without prisons and pain? A thousand

desires fill us, both good and deceitful, and the

conflict of these phantoms brings a thousand tortures

that leave us weary. Where is that sure faith

that burns up all phantoms?”

God answers, “The seeker of pleasure in you is

your enemy and My enemy.

‘Do not take your enemy and My enemy for a friend.’When your pleasure-seeking self is imprisoned,

filled with trouble and pain, then your freedom

arrives and gathers strength. A thousand times

you have proved that freedom comes to you out

of toothache, headache and fear. Why then are

you chained to bodily comfort? Why are you

always occupied with tending the flesh? Do not

forget the end of that thread: unravel those bodily

passions till you have attained your eternal passion,

and find freedom from the prison of darkness.”

RUMI