The Seven Valleys and the Four Valleys
The Four Valleys : the First Valley
The death of self is needed here, not rhetoric:
Be nothing, then, and walk upon the waves.17
Likewise is it written, “And be ye not like those who forget God, and whom He hath therefore caused to forget their own selves. These are the wicked doers.”18
The Second Valley
If the wayfarer’s goal be the dwelling of the Praiseworthy One (
Maḥmúd),
19 this is the station of primal reason which is known as the Prophet and the Most Great Pillar.
20 Here reason signifieth the divine, universal mind, whose sovereignty enlighteneth all created things—nor doth it refer to every feeble brain; for it is as the wise
Saná’í hath written:
How can feeble reason encompass the
Qur’án,
Or the spider snare a phoenix in his web?
Wouldst thou that the mind should not entrap thee?
Teach it the science of the love of God!
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