As an unperfect actor on the stage,
Who with his fear is put beside his part,
Or some fierce thing replete with too much rage,
Whose strength’s abundance weakens his own heart;
So I, for fear of trust, forget to say
The perfect ceremony of love’s rite,
And in mine own love’s strength seem to decay,
O’ercharg’d with burthen of mine own love’s might.
O! let my books be then the eloquence
And dumb presagers of my speaking breast,
Who plead for love, and look for recompense,
More than that tongue that more hath more express’d.
O! learn to read what silent love hath writ:
To hear with eyes belongs to love’s fine wit.
–William Shakespeare

Kabir – The couplet
??? ????? ????? ??, ??? ??? ? ???? |
????? ???? ?????, ???? ??????? ||

transliterated:
Akath Kahani Prem Ki, Kuch Kahi Na Jaaye |
Goonge Keri Sarkara, Baithea Muskaae ||

Translation:
Love is a story expressed, not told, speech does not describe it well|
Just at the dumb man eating sweets, his face describes the taste the best ||

My understanding:
We often lose sight of the goal in our attemt to describe a situation in language – forgetting that language is not the only mode of expression we have.

Our faces, our expression, our actions, even our inaction, all speak louder than words.

The beautific expression on the face of a child enjoying a cake cannot be expressed in words – and words do not convey the satiation or exquisite taste the face does.

Similarly, we often get too involved in our rituals, losing sight of the reason we observe them – prayers are meant to take us closer to God, not distance me from my fellow man. Religion is a bonding experience, not a separatist movement.

However, our attempt to put in words that which we experience allows ego to insert itself into the playbook, and then all bets are off.

So maybe we have to relearn the art of using all our faculties for expression – both the expression of what we feel and the reading of that which is expressed to and around us?

And maybe the written word will once again find its rightful place as a team member, rather than the lone voice?

For we are all created from love, for the purpose of love, to extend the reach of love, and are meant to spend this life bathed in the glorious light of love.

So let us ignore that which does not express or intend lvoe, and instead focus on love as the only reason for existense. Love God, love yourself, and love all that is all around us as well as that which we cannot perceive, but perhaps can imagine?

For love is the one salve that can put the world’s unrest to bed, and suffuse us with the true glory of existense.