When I was a young correctional officer (aka prison guard), I had the opportunity to conduct contraband searches. In my early career, while searching inmate cells, I would often find a book entitled The Prophet.
I thought that a little odd given the limited reading history of the incarcerated. However, this find influenced me to get a copy of that book and read it myself.
To my surprise, the book, The Prophet was written by a Lebanese writer by the name of Kahlil Gibran. And to my further delight it was a book of ‘mystical’ proportion that contained many words of wisdom.
It is one of my favorites ‘all time’ that contains many thought-provoking verses.
The story begins when Al Mustafa, ‘a chosen and beloved one’ was leaving the village of Orphalese after a 12-year visit to return to his birth home.
A ship would soon arrive in the harbor to take him home, and Al Mustafa was sad to be leaving.
And he was considered a ‘spirit and light’ upon those faces of the villagers who had come to see him off with the ‘Seeress’ Almitra (a supernatural woman) who listened to his words on many subjects.
Some of these words of inquiry from his loyal and loving villagers included those subjects of love, children, giving, work, houses, freedom, pain, teaching, friendship, talking, prayer, death and more.
There is much pondering to be had in this book. And although I cannot give you a full ‘essay’ on each of these topics as Gibran does, I would like to share some brief oratorical remnants for your review and thoughts:
Speak to us on ‘Love’ Al Mustafa:
‘When love beckons to you, follow him,
Though his ways are hard and steep.
And when his wings enfold you yield to him,
Though the sword hidden among the pinions may wound you.
And when he speaks to you believe in him; And think not you can direct the course of love, for love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.’
And Almitra said what of ‘Marriage?’
‘Sing and dance together and be joyous but let each one of you be alone, even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.’
Then said a rich man, speak to us of ‘Giving’ ~
‘There are those who give with joy, and that joy is their reward. It is well to give when asked, but it is better to give unasked, through understanding.’
Then one of the judges of the city said, Speak to us of ‘Crime and Punishment’,
‘And as a single leaf turns not yellow but with the silent knowledge of the whole tree; So, the wrong-doer cannot do wrong without the hidden will of you all.
And the astronomer said, Master, what of ‘Time’?’
‘You would adjust your conduct and even direct the course of your spirit according to hours and seasons. Of time you would make a stream upon whose bank you would sit and watch its flowing.’
Then a Priestess said, Speak to us of ‘Prayer.’
And he answered, saying:
‘You pray in your distress and in your need; would that you might pray also in the fullness of your joy and in your days of abundance. For what is prayer but the expansion of yourself in your days of abundance.’
Gibran has a way of weaving many thoughts into his examples of living in life. As I pick up the book to read its specific short chapters on those subjects outlined in his thesis, there is much to consider and ponder.
Each time I study the passages, there are additional meanings and thoughts to embrace within its pages. A preamble to a life lived in duty and action. Common threads for common people.
The unraveling of life as seen through those eyes of a Lebanese Poet, and a sermon of sorts from one who has seen the essence of life and shared it with his followers.
Gibran’s book, The Prophet, has been translated into more than 20 languages and the American edition alone has sold more than four million copies.
Then Almitra spoke, saying, we would ask now of ‘Death’.’
And he said:
‘For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun?
‘Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing. And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb.
And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance.’
Get yourself a copy of ‘The Prophet’ and immerse yourself into Gibran’s words ~ you will prosper!
