seeds of sadness

Absolute joy has no room for sadness,

Nor has the heart that rests beyond the sky.

He whose mind dwells in the hanging stars

Will not sow seeds of sadness on this earth.

#805: From Rumi's Kolliyaat-e Shams-e Tabrizi

Ah, would that religious fanatics could take such wisdom to heart! If God is really so important to them, if their hearts are truly fixed to the heavens, what business - indeed - do they have creating mischief here on earth?

Today, I'd just like to connect the sentiment in this verse with an incident related in an Introduction to The Discourses of Rumi.

The story is told that one day, while Rumi was in deep contemplation, surrounded by his disciples, a drunkard walked in shouting and stumbling. The man staggered toward Rumi, and then fell on him. To Rumi’s followers such a disgrace of their teacher was intolerable, and they rose as one to rush the ignorant fool. Rumi stopped them with his raised hand, saying, "I thought this intruder was the one who was intoxicated, but now I see it is not he, but my own students who are drunk!"