Hafez · Ghazal 487 · O you who are unaware
ای بی‌خبر بکوش که صاحب‌خبر شویتا راهرو نباشی کی راهبر شوی؟
در مکتب حقایق پیش ادیب عشقهان ای پسر بکوش که روزی پدر شوی
دست از مس وجود چو مردان ره بشویتا کیمیای عشق بیابی و زر شوی
خواب و خورت ز مرتبه خویش دور کردآن گه رسی به خویش که بی خواب و خور شوی
گر نور عشق حق به دل و جانت اوفتدبالله کز آفتاب فلک خوب‌تر شوی
یک دم غریق بحر خدا شو گمان مبرکز آب هفت بحر به یک موی تر شوی
از پای تا سرت همه نور خدا شوددر راه ذوالجلال چو بی پا و سر شوی
وجه خدا اگر شودت منظر نظرزین پس شکی نماند که صاحب‌نظر شوی
بنیاد هستی تو چو زیر و زبر شوددر دل مدار هیچ که زیر و زبر شوی
گر در سرت هوای وصال است حافظاباید که خاک درگه اهل هنر شوی
This is one of Hafez's clearest teachings: to guide others, first walk the road yourself; to become gold, let love do its alchemy on the copper of the self. You may be on the edge of a real change, one that asks you to let go of comfort and habit for something deeper. Hafez assures you there is nothing to fear in being turned upside down, for that is how a life is remade. Learn humbly from those of true worth, keep your eyes on the light, and let yourself be transformed.
O you who are unaware, strive to become aware;
until you have walked the road, how will you guide others on it?
In the school of truths, before the teacher of love,
come, my son, strive so that one day you may become a father.
Wash your hands of the copper of the self, like those who walk the Path,
so that you may find the alchemy of love and become gold.
Sleep and food have kept you far from your own true rank;
you will reach yourself when you go beyond sleep and food.
If the light of God's love should fall upon your heart and soul,
by God, you will become lovelier than the sun in the sky.
For one moment be drowned in the sea of God, and do not imagine
that the waters of the seven seas will wet a single hair of you.
From foot to head you will become all the light of God
when, on the road of the Majestic, you have neither foot nor head.
If the face of God becomes the object of your gaze,
from then on there will be no doubt that you have true sight.
When the foundation of your being is turned upside down,
do not fear in your heart that you will be overturned.
If you have in your head the longing for union, Hafez,
you must become the dust at the threshold of those of true worth.