After that, God spoke secretly into the inmost
consciousness of Moses–secrets which cannot be spoken.

(Divine) words were scattered upon Moses’ heart, (so
that) vision and speech were mixed together.

So many times he became lost of self,so often he
arrived (back) to himself, (and) so many times he flew from
beginninglessness to endlessness.

After this, it would be foolishness if I should explain
(further), because the explanation of this is beyond (the
mind’s) awareness.

If I speak (any further), it would tear out(the ability to) reason (from the listeners).And if I write (about it),
it would shatter pens.

When Moses heard this reprimand from God, he rushed into
the desert plain in pursuit of the shepherd.

He propelled (himself) over the footprints of that bewildered and wandering one. (In hishaste), he scattered dust from the flats of the desert.

It is evident (that) the footsteps of a disturbed man(are) both (different) from the steps of others.

 One step (is) like the rook, (moving) from top to
bottom (on the chessboard). And one step (is) like the elephant,going crookedly.

Sometimes, like a wave, he raises a flag; sometimes, like a fish, he goes (along) on (his) stomach.

(And) sometimes (he is) writing on the ground (about) his own state, like a geomancer who is telling fortunes.

Finally, he found him and looked at (him). (As) the giver of happy news, he said, “Permission has come (to you from God).

“Do not seek (to have) any polite manners or (formal) arrangement [in your praying]. Say whatever your anguished heartwishes.

“Your ‘impiety’ is (true) religion and your religion is the light of the spirit. You are secure (in God’s protection), and by means of you an (entire) world is protected.

“O you (who are) spared by (the verse), ‘God does what He wills’: go (and) start speaking (to God again), without
(any need of) formal respect.”

(The shepherd) replied, “O Moses, I’ve advanced beyond
that–now that I’ve been smeared by the blood of (my)
heart.

“I’ve passedbeyond the Lote tree of the Farthest Limit,(and) I’ve gone a hundred thousand years beyond that side.
“You struck my horse (with) a whip; it turned,made a leap, and (then) passed beyond the heavens.
 “May the Divine Nature be the intimate friend of our human nature! May praise and blessings be on your hands and
arms!

“Now, my (spiritual) state is beyond talking (about).
(And) these (words) I’m saying are not (describing) my (true inward) states.”

The image which you are seeing in a mirror is your (own)  “May the Divine Nature be the intimate friend of our human nature! May praise and blessings be on your hands and arms!

“Now, my (spiritual) state is beyond talking (about).
(And) these (words) I’m saying are not (describing) my (true inward) states.”

The image which you are seeing in a mirror is your (own) image;the image doesn’t belong to the mirror.

Is the breath which the flute player blows within the reed-flute suitable (as a quality) to the reed-flute? No, it’s (something) suitable to the man.

Take care (and) know (that) whether you speak (words of) praise or gratitude (to God), it is like the foolish (words)
of that shepherd.

 Even though your praise is superior in comparison to that (of his), yet it is worthless in relation to God.

When the covering has been removed,how often you say, It wasn’t what it was supposed to be!”

The acceptance of your praising (God) is from (His)
Mercy. It is permitted, like the ritual prayer of the woman
who has just completed her menstrual period.

Her ritual prayer is stained with blood, (just as) your praise is defiled with comparisons and likenesses.
Blood is unclean, but goes (away) with some water.Yet the interior [of the praying person] has impurities,

Which will not fade from the interior of the man of
[pious] actionexcept with the water of the Grace of the Creator.

If only you could know the (true) meaning of (praying the words), “Glory be to my Lord!” (when) you turn (your)
face (to the ground) in prostration–

(Thinking), “My prostration is as unworthy (of You) as my existence. May You give (me) some goodness in return for my wrongness.

The earth has the influence of God’s gentle patience to the extent that it takes defilement and produces flowers,
(And) to the extent it hides our impurities (and) buds grow up from it in return. So when the unbeliever saw that, (while) he (was) in a generous and giving (state), he was (actually) lesser and poorer than (a clod of) dirt,
(That) no flowers or fruit grew from his being, (and that) he found (nothing) except the decay and barrenness of
all purities, He said, “I’ve gone backwards in my going (onward). What
sorrow! If only I were (nothing more that) dust!

“If only I had not chosen to journey (away) from earthiness and had collected some seeds, like a (piece of) dirt.
“(For) when I travelled, the road tested me. What
traveler’s gift was there (from me) as a result of this travelling (Yet) it is because of all his inclinations toward the
earth that he doesn’t see any profit in front of him after the journey.

His facing back is that greed and avarice (he has),
(but) his facing toward the road(is) sincerity and (humble) neediness (before God). Every plant which has the inclination for loftiness is (continuing) in (a state of) increase, life, and growth. (But) when it turns (its) head toward the earth, (it is continuing) in (a state of) loss, dryness, lack, and feeling (But) when it turns (its) head toward the earth, (it is continuing) in (a state of) loss, dryness, lack, and feeling cheated.
If the inclination of your spirit is toward the heights,
(it will be) in (a state of) increase. (And) your return will be to that place.
1815 But if you are upside-down (and) your head is toward
the ground, you are something which sets– (and) God does not love things which set.