TO LIVE LIKE YUNUS

"Come, let us be acquainted

Let us make things easier

Let us love and be loved

For this world belongs to no one."

These verses by Yunus Emre, who lived in the 13th century during a turbulent period in Anatolian history, demonstrate that he was not only a poet of his time but also a universal voice for all ages and eras. Yunus' words serve as a mirror, reflecting ourselves back to us.

"Come, let us be acquainted."

For one to truly know another, they must first begin with themselves. One of the greatest achievements in life is self-awareness.

At the entrance of the Temple of Apollo in Delphi, the ancient Greek maxim "Know thyself" is inscribed. Thales stated, "The most difficult thing in the world is for a person to know themselves." Plato emphasized wisdom, courage, and temperance in the journey of self-discovery. Similarly, Yunus Emre reminds us:

"If you do not know yourself,What good is all your learning?"

Only those who know themselves can truly understand others. We are mirrors to one another—what we perceive in others is merely a reflection of our own selves.

"I am a mirror among the peopleEach who gazes sees themselvesWhatever they see, they see their own soul—Be it beautiful or flawed."(Niyazi Mısri)

In Sufism, it is believed that before souls came into this world, they gathered in the Bezm-i Elest—a divine assembly where they recognized and befriended one another. However, upon entering this world, they forgot their pre-eternal connection. Yunus Emre seeks to remind us of this forgotten bond.

His invitation in these verses is not just about acquaintance but also a call for unity and togetherness, urging a life free of conflict, beyond distinctions of language, religion, or race.

"Let us make things easier."

For one who knows themselves—who sees their reflection in others and reaches their essence—there is no hardship. To truly know oneself is to understand the universe. Such a person no longer struggles but merely witnesses the unfolding of life. They grasp the meaning of the words:

"There is another ‘me’ within me,Deeper than what you see."

*"Let us love and be loved,

For this world belongs to no one."*

The essence of human existence is love. "He created man from love and a drop of fluid." (Alak/2)

Yunus Emre’s philosophy is built upon love. Humanity is a microcosm reflecting the beauty of the greater universe. Everything is energy, and love is one of the highest vibrational energies. Just as a fish is unaware of the water it swims in, we often forget that we exist within an ocean of energy.

It is said that the human brain generates an average of 60,000 thoughts per day and experiences 27 different emotions per hour. Every thought and emotion contributes to this energetic field, and according to universal law, energy returns to its source. The law states: "What we give is what we receive."

When we emit love, love naturally flows back to us. Love is the frequency most aligned with our existence. Our task is to unlock and cultivate the energy encoded within us. Once we do, everything unfolds just as Yunus Emre describes—through self-awareness, connection with others, and a simpler, more harmonious life.

"My brother, you are nothing but thoughts,The rest is just flesh and bone.If you think of roses, you become a rose garden,If you think of thorns, you become a wasteland."(Rumi)

With love...

Sema KUŞCU