Rumi’s “And”: The Missing Piece of the Puzzle
You think because you understand ‘one’ you must also understand ‘two’, because one and one make two. But you must also understand ‘and’.
Rumi
Rumi’s “And”: It’s Not Just Math, It’s Everything
تو گمان می‌کنی که چون «یک» را می‌فهمی، پس باید «دو» را نیز بفهمی، زیرا یک و یک می‌شود دو. اما باید «و» را نیز درک کنی.
مولانا
مولانا در این سخن به یک حقیقت عمیق فلسفی و عرفانی اشاره می‌کند. او می‌گوید که فهمیدن مفاهیم به‌صورت مجزا کافی نیست؛ بلکه باید ارتباط بین آن‌ها را نیز درک کرد. عدد “دو” از کنار هم قرار گرفتن دو “یک” ساخته می‌شود، اما آنچه این دو را به هم پیوند می‌دهد، “و” است. این “و” نمادی از رابطه، اتصال و هماهنگی است. در زندگی و دانش نیز تنها شناخت اجزاء کافی نیست؛ بلکه باید نحوهٔ پیوند آن‌ها را نیز بفهمیم. این سخن را می‌توان به روابط انسانی، فهم عمیق مفاهیم و حتی شناخت هستی تعمیم داد.
Rumi’s Quote on “And”: A Meditation on Connection
Ту гумон мекунӣ, ки чун “як”-ро мефаҳмӣ, пас бояд “ду”-ро низ фаҳмӣ, зеро як ва як мешавад ду. Аммо бояд “ва”-ро низ дарк кунӣ.
МАВЛОНО ҶАЛОЛУДДИН МУҲАММАДИ БАЛХӢ
Дар ин сухан Мавлоно ба ҳақиқати амиқи фалсафӣ ва ирфонӣ ишора мекунад. Ӯ мегӯяд, ки фаҳмидани чизҳо ҷудогона кофӣ нест, балки бояд иртиботи байни онҳо низ дарк карда шавад. Рақами “ду” аз “як” ва “як” ташкил шудааст, аммо он чи ки онҳоро бо ҳам мепайвандад, “ва” аст. Ин “ва” рамзи муносибат, пайвастагӣ ва ҳамоҳангист. Дар зиндагӣ ва дониш низ танҳо донистани ҷузъҳо кофӣ нест, балки бояд тарзи иртиботи онҳо фаҳмида шавад. Инро метавон ба муносибатҳои инсонӣ, дарки амиқи маъниҳо ва ҳатто ба шинохти ҳастӣ татбиқ кард.
أنت تظن أنك تفهم “واحد”، إذن يجب أن تفهم “اثنين” أيضًا، لأن واحد وواحد يصبح اثنين. لكن يجب أن تفهم أيضًا “و”.
مولانا جلال الدین الرومی
في هذا القول يشير مولانا إلى حقيقة فلسفية وعرفانية عميقة، وهي أن فهم الأشياء بشكل منفصل لا يكفي، بل يجب أيضًا إدراك العلاقة التي تربط بينها. فالرقم “اثنان” يتكوّن من “واحد” و”واحد”، ولكن الذي يجمعهما هو “و”. هذه الـ”و” ترمز إلى العلاقة، والاتصال، والانسجام. في الحياة والمعرفة، لا يكفي فهم الأجزاء بشكل منفصل، بل ينبغي أن نفهم كيفية ارتباطها ببعضها البعض. يمكن تطبيق هذا الكلام على العلاقات الإنسانية، وعلى الفهم العميق للمعاني، بل وحتى على إدراك الوجود ذاته.
This Rumi quote is a profound exploration of the limitations of logic, and how it relates to a deeper, more spiritual understanding of reality. Let’s break it down:
“You think because you understand ‘one’ you must also understand ‘two’, because one and one make two.”
- Literal Level: On the surface, this seems to be a simple commentary on the way people use logic. If you understand the concept of “one” as an individual unit, you may naturally expect that combining two “ones” will give you “two”. This is basic arithmetic, something everyone can understand with ease. The quote plays with the human tendency to assume that if we understand a part, we can automatically understand the whole.
- Symbolic Meaning: The idea of “one” could also symbolize the individual, the self, or a singular point of view. And “two” could represent duality, dual perspectives, or the relationship between separate entities. The quote suggests that the logical steps from “one” to “two” are natural to us in the material world, but understanding this “two-ness” is only part of the picture.
“But you must also understand ‘and’.”
- The Connection: The real insight comes with the concept of “and.” Rumi invites us to go beyond basic arithmetic and dualistic thinking. While “one” and “two” are important, the crucial link, or the true understanding, lies in the word “and”—the conjunction that unites and transcends these two separate elements. “And” is what allows one and one to come together as a whole. It is the space between separate entities, the bridge that links opposites, the realization that true understanding is not limited to isolated parts but to the interconnectedness of everything.
- Spiritual Insight: On a deeper, spiritual level, Rumi seems to be pointing to a more holistic understanding of life. “One” represents unity or the self, and “two” represents duality (e.g., the self and the other). Understanding these concepts in isolation, while useful, is incomplete. True understanding arises when you realize that everything in life is connected, not just as discrete pieces, but in the interplay and relationship between them. “And” speaks to the interconnectedness of all things, the synergy between opposing forces, and the transcendence of dualities.
- Beyond Dualism: Rumi might be suggesting that, while we are often taught to focus on dualities—good and bad, right and wrong, self and other—true wisdom lies in seeing how they come together. “And” captures the essence of non-duality, a state of mind where opposites are no longer in conflict but are understood as complementary aspects of a greater whole. This is a central theme in many spiritual traditions, especially in mysticism, where the separation between the individual and the universe, the self and the other, begins to dissolve.
The Importance of “And” in Spiritual Growth
- Integration: The idea of “and” can be viewed as a call for integration. Rather than seeing things in binary terms (one or two), Rumi is asking us to consider the space between, the connection, the flow of life where opposites are reconciled. In spiritual terms, this could represent the journey of understanding the unity of all things—how love, presence, and consciousness are intertwined.
- Non-Duality: This leads to the concept of non-duality, which is a central teaching in many mystical traditions, including Sufism, the spiritual tradition from which Rumi comes. The “and” is what joins the opposites—allowing the division of “one” and “two” to melt into a higher truth that encompasses both.
Conclusion
Rumi is challenging us to go beyond the surface level of logic and reason, to look deeper into how the world works, especially in terms of unity and division. While we often focus on concepts like “one” and “two” (unity and separation), we need to grasp “and”—the connection, the interrelation, the transcendence that binds them. This is the true understanding that leads to a deeper, spiritual wisdom that is not confined to rational thought alone. By recognizing the “and,” we come closer to understanding the oneness of all things, embracing both their differences and their unity in a harmonious whole.
External links
Rumi’s poem in English at the Academy of American Poets
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