Riding the Bus of Our Life--a Muse

 

      

 The Touch of the Master’s Hand

Jalal al-Din Rumi was born in 1207 and his family eventually settled in Konya in what is now western Turkey.

Jalal's father was busy as an Islamic theologian, teacher and preacher. Jalal followed in this tradition and, upon his father's death succeeded to his post as a prominent religious teacher.

In about 1244, when Rumi was already 37, and seemingly set in his ways as a religious cleric, a wandering master teacher named Shams of Tabriz arrived on the scene.  Jalal was much taken by Shams and brought him into his own house, whereupon he became Jalal's mentor and teacher.  The result was a change in Jala from a sober religious man into an ecstatic writer of poetry, with verses numbering in the tens of thousands. Today Rumi is remembered as a Persian mystic and poet.

 Why do I bring this up?  Because having a mentor or becoming an apprentice at a trade, craft, or profession is still one of the best ways to learn.  Why?  Because one of the finest ways to learn is from one who has knowledge gained from his own experience. They know the pitfalls and the tricks and can save you lots of trouble.   If you're interested in a trade, craft or other career, look for a person experienced in the field who might be willing to mentor you.  A mentor is not just a teacher, a mentor is one who looks over your shoulder to teach and train you and becomes your trusted advisor and even friend.

Want to learn about business?  You can gain knowledge in business school from professors, most of whom never made it on their own in business, but how much more valuable would it be to have a successful mentor, someone who's already done it and know the ropes?  Professional ball players know that it's best to have a coach who's been a successful player in the sport himself, not someone who's just been a spectator. 

Now, I have a degree and I'm not against a formal education.  However, that's just book knowledge and much of what’s touted as education today doesn't mean much.  Most of what I know how to do I've learned outside the classroom through experience.  

Where do you find a master in the profession, trade, or business you're interested in?  That master could be the shop owner around the corner, the founder of a restaurant chain, a fine carpenter or mechanic, or even you grandfather or your neighbor. Ask that person to instruct you, advise you, and mentor you.  Most successful people are willing to do that, understanding that they also benefit by giving, passing along what they've learned.  By the way, if you're young and ambitious, let me give you a tip.  Find a mentor with a good business who'd be willing to take you in, teach you, and ultimately sell that business to you.  Many successful businesses die at the death of the owner.  There's an opportunity there for both of you to benefit.

The touch of a master's hand can, as in the case of Rumi, inspire and transform you.  Here's a portion of a famous poem entitled just that: 

The Touch of the Master's Hand written by Myra Brooks Welch…

It was battered and scarred,

And the auctioneer thought it

Hardly worth his while

To waste his time on the old violin,

But he held it up with a smile.

"What am I bid, good people", he cried,

"Who starts the bidding for me?"

"One dollar, one dollar, Do I hear two?"

"Two dollars, who makes it three?"

"Three dollars once, three dollars twice, going for three",

But, No,

From the room far back a grey haired man

Came forward and picked up the bow,

Then wiping the dust from the old violin

And tightening up the strings,

He played a melody, pure and sweet,

As sweet as the angel sings.

 

The music ceased and the auctioneer

With a voice that was quiet and low,

Said "What now am I bid for this old violin?"

As he held it aloft with its' bow.

"One thousand, one thousand, Do I hear two?"

"Two thousand, Who makes it three?"

"Three thousand once, three thousand twice,

Going and gone", said he.

 

The audience cheered,

But some of them cried,

"We just don't understand."

"What changed its' worth?"

Swift came the reply.

"The Touch of the Masters Hand."

 

Masters have been there and know the ropes.  Now, here's an off-the-wall thought.  Wouldn't it be great to learn about heaven from somebody who's already made the trip?

By the way, the poet Rumi taught that "Muslims, Christians, Jews, and Zoroastrians should be viewed with the same eye" and it is said that, upon his death in 1273, people drawn from five faith backgrounds followed his funeral bier.