People are distracted by objects of desire, and afterwards…
“People are distracted by objects of desire, and afterwards repent of the lust they've indulged, because they have indulged with a phantom and are left even farther from Reality than before. Your desire for the illusory is a wing, by means of which a seeker might ascend to Reality. When you have indulged a lust, your wing drops off; you become lame and that fantasy flees. Preserve the wing and don't indulge such lust, so that the wing of desire may bear you to Paradise. People fancy they are enjoying themselves, but they are really tearing out their wings for the sake of an illusion.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Desire for illusion weakens spiritual progress; true ascent requires preserving inner yearning without indulgence.
In simple terms: Chasing fantasies harms spiritual growth.
Key Takeaway
Guard desire, use it as a guide.
Themes
spirituality
desire
illusion
growth
Mood
contemplative
melancholic
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- prayer
- meditation
- ethical choices
- self‑discipline
Key Concepts
Sufism
metaphor
inner journey
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you channel desire without excess?
- What does “wing” symbolize for you?
A Different Perspective
Indulging may provide temporary pleasure but deepens separation from truth.