An Empty Library…

When I was wandering through the library at Topkapi Palace in Istanbul last week with friends, its empty shelves reminded me of the story of Rumi’s teacher (Shams) pushing all of Rumi’s books into a fountain–urging him to pursue a different kind of knowledge…passed from soul to soul, and heart to heart…

Soul receives from soul that knowledge, therefore not by book nor from tongue.
If knowledge of mysteries comes after emptiness of mind, that is illumination of heart…

— Rumi