Desire and the importance of failing - rumi

You know how it is. Sometimes

we plan a trip to one place,

but something takes us to another.

When a horse is being broken, the trainer

pulls it in many different directions,

so the horse will come to know

what it means to be ridden.

The most beautiful and alert horse is one

who is completely attuned to the rider.

Just so, the divine fixes a passionate desire in you,

and then disappoints you. Repeatedly.

The divine might do that a hundred times!

Breaking the wings of one intention

only to give you another,

then cutting the rope of cleverness,

so that you’ll remember your inner dependence

on the unseen and the unknown.

But sometimes your plans work out!

You feel fulfilled and in control.

That’s because, if you were always failing,

you might give up. But remember this,

it is by failures that lovers

stay aware and awake to how they are loved.

Failure is the key

to the kingdom within.

I know the world has become a hard and difficult place

but your real prayer should be,

“Please break the legs of what I want to happen.

Humble my desire and devour my ego.

So that the blossoming that was intended from the beginning,

Can open my heart and soul from within”