Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I’ll meet you there.
– Rumi
If you’ve been a regular reader of this blog, you might’ve noticed that I share quotes from time to time – quotes that I like, and that mean something to me. It’s been a while since I last shared one, so I thought that’s what I’ll write about for this post.
The above quote is a translated version of a verse taken from the 13th century Persian poet Rumi’s poem, A Great Wagon. I’m not going to try to explain what he might have meant by this quote, as there are plenty of interpretations of its meaning already, and who really knows what he had in mind when he thought of this line? All we can do is guess based on our understanding.
So, what I am going to do is tell you why I like this quote myself – what it means to me or reminds me of. It may very well not be what Rumi might’ve intended, but to be honest, I don’t think he really would’ve even imagined that people would be talking about this line of his hundreds of years in the future! 🙂
So, here’s why I like this quote:
This quote reminds me that things exist beyond “right” and “wrong”. These so called “things” could be something that happens to us; they could be our own or others’ actions; they could be something abstract like ideas; or they could just be actual physical things (animate as well as inanimate).
As someone who spends quite a bit of time thinking about the nature of actions – whether they are right or wrong, this quote comes as a refreshing reminder that sometimes there is no right or wrong. Things just are the way they are. It is how it is. I realize that there may be a bit of an escapist nature to that thought (which I may be tempted to take from time-to-time), but when I think about it more, I invariably do end up seeing the truth of the statement – there really is no right or wrong sometimes.
Of course, when faced with the brutal reality of certain things (like a heinous crime), you do question how can there be no right or wrong. I find those questions definitely in contradiction to this quote, but then I’m reminded of something that resolves that conflict for me.
I wish I could explain that here. But it is too complex a thing to even attempt in a blog post. But what I will do is tell you where you can find the answer that I found – it’s in a book called The Shack. I read that book a number of years ago, and it really opened my eyes to something. I would very much recommend reading it. After reading it, you just might understand what I meant.
Let me point out that it doesn’t mean I’ve stopped worrying about my actions and their consequences. I still want and try to do the “right” thing. So, how does knowing that there’s no right or wrong help me? Well, it helps me in dealing with the hurt and anger of being wronged myself. It reminds me that there’s no one to blame for whatever has happened. It helps me let go of that pain.
Life happens. There are no “rules” as such when it comes down to it – it just is. Actions, thoughts, fate – these things just exist, and that’s their only natural and authentic way of being. There’s no one to judge, and there is nothing to be judged in the first place.
* * *
Coming back to the quote, I especially like the last part: “I’ll meet you there.”
It’s a call encouraging me to move towards that “field”. What that means to me is to stop judging people and their actions, and just accepting them for who or what they are. There are no right or wrong ways for people and their actions to be. Importantly, it’s also a reminder to accept myself the way I am, without worrying about whether I am “right” or “wrong”.
It also reminds me that there would be other people waiting for me in that “field”. Wouldn’t it be nice to find those people, “our” people? People who don’t judge you, and whom you don’t judge? I’ve briefly crossed paths with such rare people, and I can tell you, there aren’t enough of them. And man, do we need them in our life! You don’t realize their value until you’ve met them, and actually see how much of an impact they can have on your life.
I hope I’ll get to meet you “there” someday… 🙂
* * *
If you Google the meaning of this quote, you’ll find multiple interpretations of it. Isn’t it beautiful how the same few words can mean so many different things to different people?
I guess that’s why words like these have stood the test of time. Words truly are powerful – they can change lives, give meaning to it; they are immortal; they make us feel and remember things that we wouldn’t otherwise. Oh, how I wish someday someone would find some value in my words!
And before I wrap up, let me just say: would love to hear about your favorite quotes, and why you like them. Please do share! 🙂
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