When you spend time with a dying person, you discover that the human spirit has the
power to come forth in the middle of crisis and suffering in ways we can't imagine.
Over and over, I have seen ordinary people—afraid, angry, confused—awaken into
profound wisdom and understanding.
The breezes at dawn have secrets to tell you
Don't go back to sleep!
You must ask for what you really want.
Don't go back to sleep!
People are going back and forth
across the doorsill where the two worlds touch,
The door is round and open
Don't go back to sleep!
~ Rumi from "A Great Wagon" in THE ESSENTIAL RUMI, translated by Coleman Barks
