Rumi’s quote, “This is love: to fly toward a secret sky, to cause a hundred veils to fall each moment. First to let go of life. Finally, to take a step without feet,” is a poetic and mystical meditation on the transcendent nature of love. Rooted in Sufism, Rumi’s work often explores themes of divine love, union with the Infinite, and the dissolution of the ego. This quote encapsulates the essence of love as something that transcends the material world and the limitations of the self. Let’s break it down and explore its layers of meaning:

“To fly toward a secret sky”

This phrase evokes the idea of reaching for something higher, something unseen or hidden. The “secret sky” suggests an infinite, divine realm that is beyond ordinary perception. Love, in Rumi’s view, is not simply an earthly or material emotion but a spiritual journey toward the divine or the ultimate truth. The word “fly” implies freedom, transcendence, and a desire to elevate oneself beyond the mundane, as if love opens up a pathway to a higher state of being.

In a broader sense, “flying toward a secret sky” also speaks to the way love propels us into the unknown, into the mystery of life, and toward something ineffable that cannot be fully understood by the rational mind. It’s a longing for something greater, a quest for unity with the divine or the essence of existence.

“To cause a hundred veils to fall each moment”

The “veils” in Rumi’s poetry often symbolize the layers of illusion or ego that obscure the truth. These veils are the mental, emotional, and spiritual barriers that separate us from experiencing pure love or from perceiving the divine. Each veil represents a layer of separation—whether it’s fear, desire, attachment, or self-identity—that prevents us from truly knowing and experiencing love.

The phrase “a hundred veils to fall each moment” suggests that love is a continual process of shedding illusions and attachments. As we move closer to the truth of love, we are gradually able to see beyond the surface, revealing deeper layers of ourselves and the world around us. Love, in this sense, is a purifying force—an ongoing unveiling of reality, one that brings us closer to clarity, truth, and spiritual awakening.

“First to let go of life”

This line invites us to consider the nature of surrender in love. “Let go of life” could be interpreted as letting go of attachment to the material world, the ego, and the rigid structures that define our sense of self. In the Sufi tradition, surrender is seen as a vital step on the spiritual path. It is a process of releasing control, embracing vulnerability, and allowing oneself to be carried by love’s current.

Rumi’s statement may not mean literally abandoning life but rather transcending the fear of death, ego, and worldly attachments. In love, we are called to relinquish the tight grip we have on life’s expectations, plans, and desires. Letting go of life means embracing love’s infinite, all-encompassing nature, which has the power to dissolve our boundaries and unite us with the greater whole.

“Finally, to take a step without feet”

This final image is one of Rumi’s most striking and paradoxical expressions. To “take a step without feet” speaks to a movement or progress that is not confined by physical limitations. It suggests an action that transcends the material body, one that occurs in the realm of the spirit, heart, or soul. This step is not about physical movement, but about moving through the world in a way that is guided by love and intuition, rather than by reason or ego.

In Sufi mysticism, there is often an understanding that true spiritual growth is not about linear progress but rather about moving toward unity with the divine, in ways that are not always rational or visible. Taking a “step without feet” could also suggest that love leads us to a state where the ordinary rules of the world no longer apply, where we act in alignment with a deeper, invisible current that guides us.

Interpretation of the Entire Quote

Taken as a whole, this quote presents a vision of love that is transformative, transcendent, and boundless. Rumi’s love is not merely a romantic or earthly feeling; it is a spiritual journey, a continuous process of shedding illusions and ego to reach a deeper connection with the divine and with the essence of life itself.

The act of “flying toward a secret sky” suggests an aspiration toward the divine, an unreachable yet eternally sought-after realm of truth and beauty. As we “cause a hundred veils to fall,” we strip away the falsehoods and attachments that obscure our vision, revealing deeper truths about ourselves and our place in the universe. This process requires a form of surrender, of letting go of life’s attachments and ultimately, even of the need for a physical body to guide us—allowing us to take steps that are spiritual rather than physical.

The imagery in this quote speaks to the mystical experience of union with the divine, where love is both the path and the goal, and where the journey is one of continuous transformation and revelation. To love, in Rumi’s terms, is to embrace the infinite mystery of life and to move through it with trust, surrender, and an open heart.

Final Thoughts

Rumi’s quote captures the essence of a love that is not bound by earthly limitations. It is a love that transcends the ego and material life, a love that leads us to greater freedom, clarity, and union with the divine. It’s about moving beyond the surface of things, shedding the veils of illusion, and taking steps into the unknown without needing to know where we’re going. In Rumi’s vision, love is both a process of letting go and an endless journey toward a secret, sacred sky—an eternal return to the truth of who we are.