“Your Daily Dose” is a quick two minute read packed with bite-sized wisdom from all the great teachers. But you could also choose to turn it into something more… a powerful daily practice for personal growth. Give it a try!
A message from today’s meditation:
Reading through the work of Hafez, I’m always aware of how the “tongue in cheek”, almost mischievous nature of his words brings an air of playfulness to what can feel like deep and serious topics.
Hafez’s poetry is a delightful blend of wisdom and humor, inviting us to embrace life’s playful side. His words challenge our conventional notions of spirituality and offer a refreshing perspective on the human experience.
Our Friday meditation is always a celebration of love, but I also wanted to take the opportunity to lean into the light hearted Friday energy to share with you some of Hafez’s most playful TRUTH’s (I threw in waay too many quotes today):
TRIPPING OVER JOY
“What is the difference between your experience of existence and that of a saint?
The saint knows that the spiritual path is a sublime chess game with God and that the Beloved has just made such a fantastic move that the saint is now continually tripping over joy and bursting out in laughter and saying, “I Surrender! I Surrender!”
… whereas, my dear, I am afraid that you still think you have a thousand serious moves to make.”- Hafez
SOMEONE SHOULD START LAUGHING
“I have a thousand brilliant lies for the question: How are you?
I have a thousand brilliant lies for the question: What is God?
If you think that the Truth can be known from words. If you think that the Sun and the Ocean can pass through that tiny opening called the mouth…
O someone should start laughing! Someone should start wildly Laughing — Now!” – Hafez
Hafez suggests that we may be missing out on the true meaning of life by clinging to our plans and sense of control. In our seriousness we try to intellectualize the mysteries of the Universe which are too big for words to ever describe. He insists that true wisdom can only be found through direct experience and a sense of humor.
When it comes to love, Hafez’s message is clear and powerful. He encourages us to embrace love in all its forms, from the tenderest moments to the most challenging. He reminds us that love is not just a feeling but a way of being, a path that leads us closer to the divine.
“If it is not too dark go for a walk – if it is not too dark.
Get some fresh air, try to smile, say something kind to a safe-looking stranger, if one happens by.
Always exercise your heart’s knowing.
You might as well attempt something real along this path:
Take your spouse or lover into your arms the way you did when you first met.
Let tenderness pour from your eyes the way the Sun gazes warmly on the earth.
Play a game with some children.
Extend yourself to a friend.
Sing a few ribald songs to your pets and plants – why not let them get drunk and wild!
Let’s toast every rung we’ve climbed on evolution’s ladder.
Whisper, “I love you! I love you!” to the whole mad world.
Let’s stop just reading about God – we will never understand Him with words.
Jump to your feet, wave your fists, threaten and warn the whole Universe that your heart can no longer live without real love!”– Hafez
“Hafez tells us that Love’s Journey unfolds through every process of life. Divine principles are constantly being demonstrated all around us. We cannot learn them through words or books or limited systems of human values. Hafez says God is fully known only through love, which accepts everything. Love reveals the Universe as a cosmic playground where every thing and being participates in a single, magnificent Game.” – Hafez
“The great secret god was full of wine last night, so full of wine that He let a great secret slip.
He said:
There is no man on this earth who needs a pardon from me — for there is really no such thing, no such thing as sin!
All there is, is to love”– Hafez
“Oh, you who are trying to learn the marvel of Love through the copy book of reason, I’m very much afraid that you will never really see the point.” – Hafez
“One regret, dear world, that I am determined not to have when I am lying on my deathbed is that I did not kiss you enough.” – Hafez
“The heart is a thousand stringed instrument that can only be tuned with love.” – Hafez
I guess that my take-away from all of this is to try and remind myself not to be too invested in the “serious” moves my ego thinks I need to make. And that perhaps the only worthy measure of a life well lived is to love as hard as I can and keep my arms wide open in acceptance to both the joys and the pains that love might bring.
A few thoughts to ponder as we try and embrace love as a way of being:
- Let go of seriousness: Embrace the playful side of life and find joy in the simple things.
- Love unconditionally: Open your heart to love in all its forms, without judgment or expectation.
- Trust the divine: Surrender to the mystery of existence and trust that everything is unfolding as it should.
- Find humor in life’s challenges: Even in the face of adversity, seek out opportunities for laughter and joy.
- Live in the present moment: Be fully present in each moment, appreciating the beauty and wonder of life.
So, let’s strive to live a more playful, joyful, and loving life. Let’s embrace the divine dance of existence with open arms and a heart full of gratitude. By letting go of our fears and embracing the playful side of existence, we can discover a deeper sense of joy, love, and fulfillment.
Have a beautiful Friday peeps!
– pierre –
Today’s LIVE meditation is: Sharing love.
Today’s LIVE meditation
https://youtu.be/aGwjfCX3sGE 2025
https://youtu.be/Oi7bLNEVnNw 2024
https://youtu.be/DYvMSkwmvAQ 2023
Practice the “Daily Dose”
Let’s put it into practice! Choose what works for you – daily, once a week or whenever inspiration strikes. Putting pen to paper wires the neural pathways that will create your new habits.
1 – Affirmation
Write down your favourite affirmation on a sticky note and place it somewhere that you’ll be able to see it the whole day.
- Let go of seriousness: Embrace the playful side of life and find joy in the simple things.
- Love unconditionally: Open your heart to love in all its forms, without judgment or expectation.
- Trust the divine: Surrender to the mystery of existence and trust that everything is unfolding as it should.
- Find humor in life’s challenges: Even in the face of adversity, seek out opportunities for laughter and joy.
- Live in the present moment: Be fully present in each moment, appreciating the beauty and wonder of life.
2 – A moment of reflection
Use today’s question as a journal prompt. If you don’t have the time to sit down and write, just take a moment to reflect on your response.
Your Thousand Serious Moves: Write about a current situation where you feel you must make “serious moves” to control the outcome. What would it look like to approach this situation with more playfulness and trust? What are you afraid might happen if you surrender your need to control?
3 – Quotes to share
Send a quote to someone who needs it, or share them all on social media to spread the good vibes!
4 – Q&A for deeper learning
Read through the questions and answers and write down at least one “aha moment” that clicked for you.
Q1: Does embracing playfulness mean I should abandon my goals and responsibilities?
A: Not at all. Hafez’s message is about how we approach our goals, not whether we should have them. It’s about holding our plans lightly, remaining open to unexpected opportunities, and not becoming so attached to specific outcomes that we miss the joy available in the present moment.
Q2: How can I “surrender” without becoming passive or lazy?
A: Surrender in Hafez’s context means releasing the illusion of total control while remaining fully engaged with life. It’s active participation without desperate attachment. Think of it like dancing—you respond to the music and your partner, but you don’t try to control every step.
Q3: Is it possible to be too serious about spiritual growth?
A: Hafez would say absolutely yes. When we approach spirituality with grim determination, we often create the very tension and separation we’re trying to heal. Spiritual growth flourishes in an atmosphere of joy, curiosity, and gentle self-compassion rather than harsh self-improvement.
Q4: How do I know if I’m intellectualizing spiritual truth instead of experiencing it?
A: Notice if your spiritual understanding feels dry, theoretical, or disconnected from your daily life. If you can discuss spiritual concepts eloquently but feel little joy or transformation, you might be stuck in the “thousand brilliant lies” Hafez mentions. True spiritual insight tends to be felt as much as understood.
Q5: What does it mean to “love unconditionally” in practical terms?
A: Unconditional love doesn’t mean accepting harmful behavior or having no boundaries. It means approaching others (and yourself) with fundamental acceptance of their humanity, even when you disagree with their choices. It’s loving the person while still being honest about actions that may be hurtful.
Q6: How can I find humor in life’s serious challenges?
A: Hafez isn’t suggesting we laugh at suffering or minimize real pain. Rather, he’s pointing to the ability to hold both difficulty and lightness simultaneously. Sometimes this means finding absurdity in our own dramatics, sometimes it means maintaining perspective about what truly matters, and sometimes it simply means staying open to unexpected moments of grace.
Q7: Is Hafez’s approach compatible with other spiritual traditions?
A: Hafez’s emphasis on love, surrender, and joy resonates across many spiritual traditions. His playful approach complements rather than contradicts practices like meditation, prayer, or ethical living. The key is remembering that these practices are meant to open us to love and joy, not become another way to be serious and self-critical.