Don't Sleep – A Deep Rumi Poem on Why You Should Stay Awake

If you're tempted to fall asleep each night, you may want to think again.Show more

In this deep poem by Rumi, we learn about some of the spiritual benefits of staying awake for one (or even several) nights.

Enjoy the reading of the poem, and then stick around after to hear the spiritual wisdom it has to offer.

So, don't sleep, stay awake, and notice how your entire awareness changes when you "give up one night of your life to the vigil."

#rumi #rumipoetry #rumipoem

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O seeker,
Listen to your heart’s true yearning—
Don’t sleep!
Give up one night of your life to the vigil—
Don’t sleep!

You have spent a thousand nights
in the cradle of sleep—
I ask for one night.
For the sake of the Friend,
Don’t sleep!

The Loving Witness never sleeps by night,
Follow His ways:
Give yourself to Him—
Don’t sleep!

Beware of that woeful night,
When you cry out in agony: “O God”—
Don’t sleep!

That night when Death comes to welcome you—
By the dread of that night, O weary one,
Don’t sleep!

Even stones will cry when bound
by the weight of those chains.
You are not a stone.
Remember those chains—
Don’t sleep!

Though the night tempts you like a beautiful maiden,
do not drink from her cup.
Fear the morning after— Don’t sleep!
God says, “My dear ones will stay up with me at night.”
If you hear these words,
Don’t sleep!

Fear that horrible night
when no refuge can be found.
Store up your provisions tonight! Beware!
Don’t sleep!

The Saints find their treasure
when the world is asleep;
For the sake of ever-giving love,
Don’t sleep!

When your spirit is old and worn
He will give you a new one,
Then you will become the pure spirit of all.
O hopeful one, don’t sleep!

I have told you again and again—
go to that inner silence!
But still, you do not hear me.
Give me one night
And I will give you a thousand in return—
Don’t sleep!

~ Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi

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Jalāl ad-Dīn Mohammad Rumi (1207 — 1273), also known as Jalāl ad-Dīn Mohammad Balkhī, Mowlānā, or more simply and popularly as Rumi, was a 13th-century Persian poet, scholar, philosopher, and Sufi mystic.

Rumi's parents were originally from Balkh in modern-day Afghanistan. His father, Baha ud-Din Walad, a well-regarded theologian, jurist and mystic, was an important spiritual influence on Rumi's life, as well as previous Sufi mystics and poets, like Sanai and Attar.

When Rumi was a young child, the Mongols, led by Genghis Khan, invaded Central Asia, forcing Rumi's family to escape westwards via caravan to avoid persecution and death. On his travels, it is believed that Rumi encountered Attar in Nishapur, during which the elder mystic gave the teenager his Asrar Nama (Farsi: "The Book of Secrets"), which had a significant impact on Rumi's life outlook, philosophy, and poetry.

When Rumi turned 25, his father passed away and he felt a deep void in his spirituality. He followed his father's footsteps and took over the role of the Islamic molvi, or Muslim doctor of law. For roughly nine years, Rumi practiced Sufism under one of Baha ud-Din's disciples, Burhan ud-Din, who helped prepare him for an even greater spiritual encounter down the road. But it wasn't until November 15, 1244, that Rumi's life turned upside down.

On this day, Rumi met the wandering dervish and mystic Shams-e Tabrizi in Damascus, who transformed Rumi from an accomplished teacher, scholar and jurist to a humble ascetic.

Under Shams' spiritual guidance, Rumi became introduced to divine love, music, poetry, and dance through the mystic Sufi practice of Sama. The two formed an inseparable bond, which is believed to have isolated Rumi from his students and family members. Two years after they met, Shams abruptly left Konya.

When Shams returned, however, he disappeared shortly after, with several sources suggesting that he was murdered at the order of Rumi's son Ala-eddin. His death sent Rumi reeling into depression, and to cope with his bereavement, Rumi began writing hundreds of lyric poems, which altogether formed The Divan of Shams-e Tabrizi (or Book of Shams of Tabriz).

He continued to write many poems, until one of his companions, Husaam al-Din Chalabi, inspired him to produce an even greater masterpiece, which eventually became the Masnavi-e Ma'navi (or "The Spiritual Couplets"). In December of 1273, he fell ill and passed away days later on December 17.