Knowledge of the Men of Heart

The knowledge of the men of heart lifts them up; the
knowledge of the men of body, weighs them down.
When knowledge comes from the heart, it is a friend;
when knowledge comes from the body, it is a burden.
God said, Like an ass laden with books ( Q 62:5);
knowledge that comes not from Him is burdensome.
Knowledge that does not come directly from God is
like the rouged cheeks of a crone.
Nevertheless, if you bear this burden in the right
spirit, it will be removed and you will obtain spiritual joy.
So long as you do not carry this burden out of pride or
selfish desire, you will discover the source of knowledge
within you.
When you mount upon the steed of true knowledge,
the burden will fall from your shoulders.
Unless you drink His wine, how will you be free from
selfish desires, O you who seek no more of Him than His
name?
What does His name suggest? The ideas of Him. And
the idea of Him guides you to union with Him.
Do you know a name that doesn't refer to the thing
named? Have you ever plucked a rose from the letters
R,O,S,E?
You say His name, now seek the reality behind the
name! Look for the moon in the sky, not in its reflection
in a lake.
If you want to go beyond names and letters, erase the
self with one stroke.
Be like a polished sword, free from tarnish. Work to
become a polished mirror, free of rust.
Cleanse yourself of all the attributes of self, so that
you may see your own pure and untarnished essence!
Behold in your own heart all the knowledge of the
prophets, without books, without learning, without teacher.

( Mathnawi 3445-61 )