Interpretation of the Thirty-Ninth Rule of Love

Rule Number 39 — While the parts change, the whole always remains the same. For every thief who departs this world, a new one is born. And every decent person who passes away is replaced by a new one. In this way not only does nothing remain the same but also nothing ever really changes. For every Sufi who dies, another is born somewhere.

– Rumi, to himself

Context - This rule appears after the passing of Shams of Tabrizi. Rumi learns to continue living despite the loss, carrying Shams’s deep presence within his heart. This rule reflects the natural movement of existence, where everything flows forward and every absence is, in time, filled. Within the story, its placement is deeply meaningful.

Interpretation within the Story - Rumi recounts the events following Shams’s departure. Life continues to unfold—his elder son marries, and his daughter-in-law Fatima gradually takes Kimya’s place in the household. Rumi himself undergoes a profound transformation, turning into a poet and composing the Masnavi. He also begins organizing gatherings of whirling dances, now known as the Sufi whirling.

He also mentions larger world events, such as the Fall of Baghdad (1258), showing that change is constant at every level. Among his students, Husam emerges as a worthy successor, ready to step into the role of a Sufi, humbly identifying himself as a follower of Shams.

Through this rule, Rumi reveals that existence operates on two levels: the macro and the micro. At the macro level, nothing changes—the universe continues as it always has. At the micro level, nothing remains the same—individuals, roles, and forms are constantly replaced. Names, faces, and actors change, but the play itself continues unchanged.

Deeper Interpretation Beyond the Story - This rule points toward a profound truth: there is no need to change the world. We often hear people say, “I want to bring a change in the world.” On the surface, this may sound noble, but if examined closely, it can carry a subtle form of ego—the belief that the world is flawed and must align with one’s personal standards.

Osho often emphasized that life is already perfect. It does not move from imperfection to perfection, but from perfection to perfection. The experience of enlightenment leads to the same realization—that not even a speck of dust is misplaced in existence.

If existence is governed by a perfect intelligence, how can it be imperfect? The sense of imperfection arises from the ego, which creates its own expectations of how life should unfold. With billions of individuals, there are billions of such expectations—about who should live or die, what should happen, and how the world should function.

Rumi’s insight is simple yet profound: at the existential level, nothing changes; at the individual level, nothing remains the same.

Illustrations of This Truth - 

a. Kimya passes away and Fatima takes her place.

b. Rumi transitions from preacher to poet, and someone else assumes the role of preacher.

c. After the loss of Shams, Rumi finds support in his son Sultan Walad and his companion Saladin.

d. With the passing of Shams, Husam rises as the next Sufi.

This pattern repeats endlessly. At the level of existence, everything continues as it always has. At the level of individuals, everything is in constant flux.

We often hear that people in the past were more sincere or moral than today. This is not truly the case. The proportions remain the same—some will always be virtuous, and some will not. There will always be troublemakers, just as there will always be teachers and guides.

During the World War II, many believed that the world would become peaceful if Adolf Hitler were gone. He did eventually die, yet conflicts did not end. One form of destruction is replaced by another over time.

Similarly, when figures like Mahatma Gandhi or Martin Luther King Jr. pass away, others arise to carry forward similar values.

The same principle applies in our personal lives. People come and go, roles shift, and relationships evolve, yet life itself continues uninterrupted.

Final Insight - In this grand design, our task is not to change the world but to transform ourselves. Rather than trying to reshape existence, we should strive to become worthy of meaningful roles within it.

The real question is: what role do we choose to embody? The role of a Shams of Tabrizi, or that of a Adolf Hitler? 

This choice shapes our evolution.

And don’t worry about the role you leave behind after transformation. Existence will assign that role to someone else as well.

When we change ourselves, the same world begins to appear different—more harmonious, more meaningful, and more beautiful.

Gratitude!!!