Tapestry of Faith: Building the World We Dream About: An Anti-racism Multicultural Program

Leader Resource 1: Two Kinds of Intelligence

"Two Kinds of Intelligence," by Jellaludin Rumi, was translated by Dr. William C. Chittick and published in The Sufi Path of Love: The Spiritual Teachings of Rumi (Albany: State University of New York Press, 1983). Used with permission.

The intellect is of two kinds: The first is

acquired. You learn it like a boy at school.

From books, teachers, reflection and rote, from

concepts and from excellent and new sciences.

Your intellect becomes greater than that of

others, but you are heavily burdened because of your

acquisition...

The other intellect is a gift of God. Its

fountainhead lies in the midst of the spirit.

When the water of knowledge bubbles up from

the breast, it will never become stagnant, old, or discolored.

If the way to the outside source should become

blocked, there is no reason to worry since the water keeps on

bubbling up from within the house.

The acquired intellect is like a stream led into a

house from outside.

If its way should be blocked, it is helpless. Seek

the fountain from within yourself!