"Be It a Stone or A Drop of Blood, All Things Have the Same Soul"
By
Sumit Paul, New Age Islam
12 February
2024
While
reading my favourite Turkish poet Nazim Hikmet, I stumbled upon a profound
thought that immediately reminded me of Allama Iqbal's famous couplet in Urdu.
Both the greats conveyed a sublime and seminal message in their own inimitable
way.
Nazim
wrote, " Be it a stone or a drop of blood, all things have the same
soul." Iqbal said, “Haqeeqat Ek Hai Har Shai Ki Khaaki Ho Ya Noori /
Lahoo Khursheed Ka Tapke Agar Zarre Ka Dil Cheerein" (The reality of
every object is the same, whether worldly or celestial / The blood of the sun
will ooze out if the heart of a particle is vivisected).
This is
indeed uncanny as to how two evolved minds think in a similar and synchronized
manner without ever meeting each other. Nazim Hikmet and Iqbal's thoughts
encapsulate a profound understanding of the interconnectedness of all beings
and entities in the universe.
It reminds
us that regardless of our apparent differences, we are all bound together by
the essence of existence. These thoughts compel us to recognize the inherent
value and dignity in everything that surrounds us, from the simplest pebble on
the ground to the most complex living organism. By embracing this perspective,
we can cultivate empathy, compassion, and a deep appreciation for the intrinsic
beauty that resides within the seemingly ordinary.
Ultimately,
the words of the two greats invite us to perceive the world through a lens of
unity and to honour the intricate tapestry of life that encompasses us all.
Humans, plagued by differences, distinctions, divisions and discrimination,
must come together and treat each other as fellow humans without all mundane
concerns and considerations of caste, class, creed, colour, country, contours,
culture, civilization and continent/s.
These words
exhort us to go beyond mere respect for humanity and enable us to relate to all
that we come across in our life's journey.
Turkish
poet and mystic Yunus Emre would say, "When I find a stone on the road, I
don't kick it away. I lift it and place it somewhere else. I cannot show
disrespect even to a stone, for, it has its own level of consciousness and I
must respect that." This is the zenith of empathy, full-flowering of
consciousness and a perfect manifestation of a conscientious heart.
We're
perpetually in a state of strife, unhappiness and agitation because of our
perceived differences and superiority/inferiority complexes. But if we learn to
see people of all hues as our equals, all creatures as our extensions and all
living and non-living objects as our offshoots, there'll be no dichotomy and
we'll be one.
I'm an
audaciously optimistic person and I believe that eventually a day will come,
though none of us will be able to witness in our lifetime, when ALL humans will
call themselves just humans and not as Sanatanis, Christians, Sunnis,
Methodists, Indians, whites, blacks, Brits and all that jazz. Do I sound too
impractical? Maybe not.
----
A
regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative
religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the
world's premier publications in several languages including Persian.
URL: https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/stone-blood-soul-turkish/d/131697