(Masnavi Book 4: 13) Man the Macrocosm

Explaining that (while) philosophers say that Man is the microcosm, theosophists say that Man is the macrocosm, the reason being that philosophy is confined to the

phenomenal form of Man, whereas theosophy is connected with the essential truth of his true nature.

Therefore in form you art the microcosm, therefore in reality you art the macrocosm.

Externally the branch is the origin of the fruit; intrinsically the branch came into existence for the sake of the fruit.

If there had not been desire and hope of the fruit, how should the gardener have planted the root of the tree?

Therefore in reality the tree was born of the fruit, (even) if in appearance it (the fruit) was

generated by the tree.

525. Hence Mustafá (Mohammed) said, “Adam and the (other) prophets are (following)

behind me under (my) banner.”

For this reason that master of (all) sorts of knowledge has uttered the allegorical saying, “We are the last and the foremost.”

(That is to say), “If in appearance I am born of Adam, in reality I am the forefather of (every)

forefather,

Since the worship of the angels was (rendered) to him for my sake, and he ascended to the

Seventh Heaven on my account.

Therefore in reality the Father (Adam) was born of me, therefore in reality the tree was born of the fruit.”

530. The thought (idea), which is first, comes last into actuality, in particular the thought that is eternal.

To sum up, in a single moment the caravan is going from Heaven and coming here.

This way is not long for this caravan: how should the desert show itself formidable to him who has been granted success (by God)?

The heart (spirit) is faring to the Ka‘ba at every moment, and through (Divine) bounty the body

assumes the nature of the heart.

This longness and shortness appertains to the body: where God is, what is “long” and “short”?

535. When God has transmuted the body, He makes its faring to be without league or mile. There are a hundred hopes at this (present) time. Step (forward), O youth, like a (true) lover and relinquish (idle) disputation.

Albeit you art closing yours eyelids, you art asleep in the ship and voyaging (in safety).