"Risking the Journey"

Your difficulties and discussions indicate that you want to learn by means of information, but one has to walk and struggle on the path. Let's say, for a hundred years you have talked about the way to Aleppo and Damascus, but you can never bring the goods of Aleppo here unless you endure the difficulty and dangers of the journey. You must undergo the concern and fear of having your property plundered by robbers;only then can you arrive.

Someone asked "Should the student prefer the way of discussion first, so that later walking on that path might be easier?"

He answered, "I have already told you the story of the way to Aksaray and given you information about the journey. You didn't go there; I am with you. And from now on, you yourself pay attention to see which way is safer--which way is most free of thieves, wolves and other dangers.""

And then, what about the path to Malatya or the path to Ilbistan?"

From the book "Teachings of Shams of Tabriz-Rumi's Sun"