The 13th-century Persian poet, theologian, and Sufi mystic Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī, known simply as Rumi, has transcended time and culture with his profound wisdom on love, life, and the human condition. Among his many teachings, Rumi’s insights on fear are particularly resonant for those seeking courage and inner peace in today’s fast-paced world. Fear, a universal experience, often acts as a barrier to our true potential, but Rumi’s words serve as a gentle reminder that we hold the power to transcend our anxieties and live a life of purpose and serenity. In this blog post, we delve into twenty of Rumi’s most inspiring quotes about fear, each accompanied by a short explanation to illuminate its deeper meaning and guide us towards a more fearless existence.
Rumi Quotes on Fear
- “Be empty of worrying. Think of who created thought! Why do you stay in prison when the door is wide open?”
- Rumi encourages us to let go of our worries and remember our spiritual origin, suggesting that our fears are self-imposed prisons and that freedom is readily available.
- “Move outside the tangle of fear-thinking. Live in silence.”
- This quote advises us to step away from the complicated web of fearful thoughts and find peace in quiet reflection.
- “Run from what’s comfortable. Forget safety. Live where you fear to live. Destroy your reputation. Be notorious.”
- Rumi challenges us to abandon our comfort zones and embrace the uncertainty and excitement of living authentically, even if it means risking our reputations.
- “Don’t try to see through the distances. That’s not for human beings. Move within, but don’t move the way fear makes you move.”
- Here, Rumi suggests that instead of worrying about the unknowable future, we should turn inward and move through life guided by our inner wisdom rather than fear.
- “Respond to every call that excites your spirit. Ignore those that make you fearful and sad, that degrade you back toward disease and death.”
- This quote inspires us to pursue what enlivens us and to disregard the calls that bring negativity and fear into our lives.
- “Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.”
- Rumi reflects on the wisdom of self-transformation over the futile attempt to control the external world, which is often a source of fear.
- “Forget safety. Live where you fear to live.”
- A call to bravery, this quote encourages us to step into the places we fear, suggesting that true living requires vulnerability.
- “Keep walking, though there’s no place to get to. Don’t try to see through the distances. Move within, but don’t move the way fear makes you move.”
- Rumi advises us to continue our life’s journey without being paralyzed by the fear of the unknown, urging us to trust our internal compass.
- “All doubt, despair and fear become insignificant when the intention of life becomes love.”
- This quote speaks to the transformative power of love, which can eclipse the paralyzing effects of doubt, despair, and fear.
- “They say there is a doorway from heart to heart, but what is the use of a door when there are no walls?”
- Rumi uses this metaphor to illustrate that when love is present, fear and separation dissolve, revealing the interconnectedness of all hearts.
Rumi Quotes about Fear
- “The cure for pain is in the pain.”
- Rumi suggests that facing our fears and pain directly can lead to healing, rather than avoiding them which often exacerbates fear.
- “Do not be satisfied with the stories that come before you. Unfold your own myth.”
- Encouraging personal growth, this quote inspires us to go beyond our fears and create our own life stories.
- “Where there is ruin, there is hope for a treasure.”
- Rumi reminds us that even in the midst of fear and destruction, there is the potential for great discovery and hope.
- “When you go through a hard period, when everything seems to oppose you, … when you feel you cannot even bear one more minute, NEVER GIVE UP! Because it is the time and place that the course will divert!”
- This quote offers encouragement to persevere through fear and hardship, as these challenges often precede a positive change in direction.
- “Don’t be satisfied with stories, how things have gone with others. Unfold your own myth.”
- Similar to quote 12, Rumi encourages us to forge our own paths and not be held back by fear of the unknown or by comparison to others.
- “I want to sing like the birds sing, not worrying about who hears or what they think.”
- Rumi encourages us to express ourselves freely and fearlessly, without concern for the judgment of others.
- “Know then that the body is merely a garment. Go seek the wearer, not the cloak.”
- This quote invites us to look beyond our physical fears and limitations to understand our true spiritual essence.
- “Stop acting so small. You are the universe in ecstatic motion.”
- Rumi reminds us of our vast potential and encourages us not to let fear diminish our sense of self.
- “Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.”
- This quote suggests that fear often creates barriers to love, and our task is to dismantle these walls within ourselves.
- “Whatever you’re looking for can only be found inside of you.”
- Rumi emphasizes the importance of inner exploration over external searching, suggesting that fear can be overcome by looking within.
Related Rumi Quotes on Trust
Conclusion
Rumi’s words on fear are as relevant today as they were in the 13th century, offering guidance and comfort to those seeking to overcome their fears. His poetry encourages us to embrace love, seek inner wisdom, and live courageously. By reflecting on these twenty quotes, we can find the strength to move beyond our fears and step into a life of greater fulfillment and peace.