The same herb planted in various atmospheric conditions will vary in form accordingly, but will retain its characteristics.
Hazrat Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan
Related Material by Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan
Compiled by Wahiduddin Richard Shelquist – wahiduddin.net
Wisdom is the ultimate power. In wisdom is rooted religion, which connotes law and inspiration. But the point of view of the wise differs from that of the simple followers of a religious faith. Whatever their faith, the wise have always been able to meet each other beyond those boundaries of external forms and conventions, which are natural and necessary to human life, but which none the less separate humanity.
People of the same thought and point of view are drawn to each other with a tendency to form an exclusive circle. A minority is apt to fence itself off from the majority, from the crowd. So it has been with the mystics. Mystical ideas are unintelligible to the many. The mystics have therefore usually imparted their ideas to a chosen few only, to a picked band whom they could trust and who were ready for initiation and discipleship. Thus, great Sufis have appeared at different times, and founded schools of thought. Their expression of wisdom has differed to suit their environments; but their understanding of Life has been one and the same. The same herb planted in various atmospheric conditions, will vary in form accordingly, but retain its characteristics.
Commentary by Murshid S.A.M. (Sufi Ahmed Murad)
Samuel L. Lewis
One cannot change an apple tree into a date palm, nor is it necessary. Beauty is revealed through harmony, not through uniformity. Every thing, every form has its purpose, which is hidden behind the form and the experiences of that form. So the human heart contains the seed of Life — which is Love — and no matter how buried, it can never be entirely destroyed for it contains the Divine Essence.
In the spiritual training, this seed in the heart is awakened to life, and through meditation a happy atmosphere is provided which will permit its growth.