How long will you stand outside?

Rabbia was a great woman saint in the Sufi tradition. Hassan was also a contemporary saint and also close friend of Rabbia. Once he came as a guest to the cottage of Rabbia.

Early in the morning Rabbia was engaged in preparing a cup of tea. Hassan came out of the house and was charmed by the scenery of sunrise from behind the mountains nearby. He shouted in sheer delight: ‘‘Rabbia, what are you doing inside? Come out and enjoy the beauty outside !’’ Rabbia replied from inside in a voice of agony – ‘‘Oh Hassan, – How long will you still continue to stand outside? Come inside, man. The source of all the beauty, the perfect beauty is only inside.The outside is a mirage. The inside is the Reality.’’